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Markez79



Member Since: 27 Jun 2018
Location: South West
Posts: 201

Suspension lift - am I missing the point?!
Hi all,

This may be a stupid question, but...... (!);

Other than for fitting bigger tyres, why do people have suspension lifts? As the differential height remains the same regardless of suspension height, does having a suspension lift really help when off road?


Thanks Thumbs Up

Mark
Post #744925 10th Dec 2018 7:05am
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OsloBlue



Member Since: 14 Jul 2018
Location: Essex
Posts: 822

United Kingdom 2003 Defender 110 Td5 XS CSW Oslo Blue
Higher ground clearance from main chassis as more movement between top of wheel and bottom of arch.

Obviously still leaves difs and axels at same height, only way you can get round that is portal axels or larger tyres. I'm on IG: https://www.instagram.com/osloblue42/
Current: TD5 '110 "Lucinda" Thread here: https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic62562.html
Post #744928 10th Dec 2018 7:47am
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Wild Card 90



Member Since: 03 Dec 2014
Location: Gerlingen
Posts: 1060

England 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 SW Indus Silver
As Osloblue said, raised suspension increases the ramp angles/clearance from chassis/bumpers to ground.

It also increases the articulation of the axles (the wheel travel from top to bottom, independant from each other). This improves the ability to cross irregular terrain whilst keeping all four wheels in contact with the surface. Loss of contact means loss of stability, risk of sliding on a slope, and most important, loss of drive. To access the advantages of raised suspension off road, the anti roll bars need to be removed or disconnected.

Although the standard Defender lockable centre diff goes some way to keep things moving when one wheel (and therefore one axle) loses drive, it still limits the ability of the vehicle. The first step is to improve the articulation.

The disadvantages of raised supension (particularly combined with the absense of arb´s) are many. Larger frontal area (even worse than standard aerodynamics), increased body roll and less controllable on-road handling, access to low entrances ....and short chics have more difficulty climbing abord.

Thankfully it is all up to personal taste and need, and is all reversible or easily modified. 1998 Tdi 90 SW,
2008 Td4 90 SW,
2012 2.2 90 SW,
2" raised Trailmaster/Terrafirma
Heavy Track Raids, 255 MT´s,
Recaro CS´s, anorak, wellingtons
Post #744942 10th Dec 2018 8:59am
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BogMonster



Member Since: 05 Feb 2008
Location: Stanley
Posts: 389

Falkland Islands 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Corris Grey
Better approach and departure angles so less likely to get hung up entering or leaving ditches

Better ramp breakover angle / clearance so less likely to ground out cresting a hump (or exiting the aforementioned ditch)

Tyre clearance for wide tyres

Looks (!)

Curious affinity for replicating the door-handle scraping on corners that is characteristic of older vehicles Laughing ---
2006 Defender 110 SW 300Tdi • 2011 Ford Ranger XLT crewcab • 2015 Defender 110 Station Wagon Utility TDCi
Post #744943 10th Dec 2018 9:00am
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leeds



Member Since: 28 Dec 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 8578

United Kingdom 
With heavy duty or lifted suspension it will also give same sort of articulation as standard when vehicle is laden for say overlanding.


Our red 110 has heavy duty suspension and the rear ARB broke many years ago. You learn to drive within the limitations of the vehicle.



Brendan
Post #744948 10th Dec 2018 9:33am
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ibexman



Member Since: 13 Dec 2008
Location: kent
Posts: 2871

United Kingdom 
Also very unstable at higher speeds
Post #744951 10th Dec 2018 10:38am
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Markez79



Member Since: 27 Jun 2018
Location: South West
Posts: 201

Many thanks for the feedback all - greatly appreciated.

Mark
Post #744959 10th Dec 2018 1:50pm
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Adam17



Member Since: 15 May 2018
Location: Within Bedfordshire
Posts: 1193

England 2004 Defender 110 Td5 XS CSW Java Black
Some good answers there... Does make sense now..
I was wondering the same thing...
Thanks. Regards
Adam

Loving The Duchess
The Defender 110 TD5 XS

My Defender story - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic64005.html
Post #744960 10th Dec 2018 1:58pm
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Markez79



Member Since: 27 Jun 2018
Location: South West
Posts: 201

Is there a 'sensible way of getting a bit more lift without having to worry about how it will affect the 'on road' behavior? I run 255/85/16 KM2's and deep ruts cause rubbing on the arches/bottoming out.

Thanks

Mark
Post #751481 15th Jan 2019 4:32pm
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OsloBlue



Member Since: 14 Jul 2018
Location: Essex
Posts: 822

United Kingdom 2003 Defender 110 Td5 XS CSW Oslo Blue
Mark air bag suspension, to changed height as needed.

Or if your man enough ( and have the money) portal axles. I'm on IG: https://www.instagram.com/osloblue42/
Current: TD5 '110 "Lucinda" Thread here: https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic62562.html
Post #751491 15th Jan 2019 5:41pm
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landy andy



Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 5408

2006 Defender 110 Td5 USW Zermatt Silver
A lift gives you articulation.



Click image to enlarge


And so more off road traction and stability.
Post #751497 15th Jan 2019 5:53pm
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CarMan



Member Since: 29 Nov 2010
Location: Cotswolds
Posts: 1767

United Kingdom 
Like the wheels Thumbs Up

Sorry, Off Topic Rob

1993 200tdi 90 hard-top
1998 300tdi 90 soft-top
2016 2.2 XS 90 hard-top
Post #751498 15th Jan 2019 5:55pm
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 16809

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
Markez79 wrote:
Is there a 'sensible way of getting a bit more lift without having to worry about how it will affect the 'on road' behavior? I run 255/85/16 KM2's and deep ruts cause rubbing on the arches/bottoming out.

Thanks

Mark


What rims are you using?

I run tha same tyres on Blindos and they don't rub!
Post #751502 15th Jan 2019 6:27pm
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Grouse



Member Since: 16 Apr 2012
Location: on the hill
Posts: 512

Markez79 wrote:
Is there a 'sensible way of getting a bit more lift without having to worry about how it will affect the 'on road' behavior? I run 255/85/16 KM2's and deep ruts cause rubbing on the arches/bottoming out.

Thanks

Mark


Heavy duty military spec springs
Post #751515 15th Jan 2019 7:23pm
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Markez79



Member Since: 27 Jun 2018
Location: South West
Posts: 201

blackwolf wrote:
Markez79 wrote:
Is there a 'sensible way of getting a bit more lift without having to worry about how it will affect the 'on road' behavior? I run 255/85/16 KM2's and deep ruts cause rubbing on the arches/bottoming out.

Thanks

Mark


What rims are you using?

I run tha same tyres on Blindos and they don't rub!


Hi.

I have the standard Boost alloys fitted.

Many thanks

Mark
Post #751602 16th Jan 2019 6:54am
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