Blue Blood wrote:

Hi everyone, just want to pick peoples brains. I have been looking for some suspension springs with a 2” lift for my 1990 200tdi 90 that aren’t rock solid (current ones are unreal when going over a bump). I want to stay away from Terrafirma and Brit part items as no one seems to have many good to say by the looks of things. I would have possibly gone bearmach blues but can’t find and front and back set and alive don’t do lift versions. There is OME but got told their shocks are bonza but springs were not so great. Finally I came across Extreme 4x4 in Essex, their springs are uk made as well. They do come with a lifetime guarantee on them but…. They are closing down so I don’t think that guarantee will be happening. So before I firm anything up I just wanted to know if anyone had any experience with their springs??
As for my vehicle it is mostly road driving but I do go off road every once in a while and I only really do light loads for the most part with no towing or roof tents or anything like that.

Any help would be greatly appreciated [/u]

First question, why do you want a 2" lift?

On road and towing it is not a good thing for the most part. And while lifting can have benefits off road, you really don't need too. A Defender pretty much comes with a lift included from the factory and sits higher with more clearance than most other 4x4's do.

Lifting will also potentially make the suspension worse off road, unless you have done something to increase suspension travel.

There are lots of ways to lift a vehicle. The simplest has to be the addition of some lift spacer/blocks/packers. You can get them in different heights and retain standard springs.....

If you want to go for a longer spring (which you'll likely want/need if you have more suspension flex. Then Flatdog springs are pretty good, as you can buy them in +2" length, but standard spring rate. They'll maybe give you 1" of lift. But be less likely to dislocate (fall out of the spring seat) during flex if you have more travel.

https://www.flatdoguk.com/def%2D90%2D%2B2%22%2D%2F%2Dstd%7E339

Of course you could still lift packers with longer springs too. Or include dislocation cones if needed.

Mdm wrote:

for the money terrafirma is ok. yes their paint is whisper thin but the springs last well and the shocks are not bad.

old man emu. shocks and springs are excellent

britpart shocks dont last 6mths of road use.
springs sag quickly.

bearmach stuff used to be very good and there is plenty of it around still.

not tried the extreme ones.

iron man work well and last well and their shocks are rebuildable.

dont rule out decarbon shocks or any other good brand names

Chicken Drumstick wrote:

Mdm wrote:

for the money terrafirma is ok. yes their paint is whisper thin but the springs last well and the shocks are not bad.

old man emu. shocks and springs are excellent

britpart shocks dont last 6mths of road use.
springs sag quickly.

bearmach stuff used to be very good and there is plenty of it around still.

not tried the extreme ones.

iron man work well and last well and their shocks are rebuildable.

dont rule out decarbon shocks or any other good brand names

Not sure I'd really agree with any of those points.

Chicken Drumstick wrote:

Blue Blood wrote:

Hi everyone, just want to pick peoples brains. I have been looking for some suspension springs with a 2” lift for my 1990 200tdi 90 that aren’t rock solid (current ones are unreal when going over a bump). I want to stay away from Terrafirma and Brit part items as no one seems to have many good to say by the looks of things. I would have possibly gone bearmach blues but can’t find and front and back set and alive don’t do lift versions. There is OME but got told their shocks are bonza but springs were not so great. Finally I came across Extreme 4x4 in Essex, their springs are uk made as well. They do come with a lifetime guarantee on them but…. They are closing down so I don’t think that guarantee will be happening. So before I firm anything up I just wanted to know if anyone had any experience with their springs??
As for my vehicle it is mostly road driving but I do go off road every once in a while and I only really do light loads for the most part with no towing or roof tents or anything like that.

Any help would be greatly appreciated [/u]

First question, why do you want a 2" lift?

On road and towing it is not a good thing for the most part. And while lifting can have benefits off road, you really don't need too. A Defender pretty much comes with a lift included from the factory and sits higher with more clearance than most other 4x4's do.

Lifting will also potentially make the suspension worse off road, unless you have done something to increase suspension travel.

There are lots of ways to lift a vehicle. The simplest has to be the addition of some lift spacer/blocks/packers. You can get them in different heights and retain standard springs.....

If you want to go for a longer spring (which you'll likely want/need if you have more suspension flex. Then Flatdog springs are pretty good, as you can buy them in +2" length, but standard spring rate. They'll maybe give you 1" of lift. But be less likely to dislocate (fall out of the spring seat) during flex if you have more travel.

https://www.flatdoguk.com/def%2D90%2D%2B2%22%2D%2F%2Dstd%7E339

Of course you could still lift packers with longer springs too. Or include dislocation cones if needed.

jst wrote:

Chicken Drumstick wrote:

Mdm wrote:

for the money terrafirma is ok. yes their paint is whisper thin but the springs last well and the shocks are not bad.

old man emu. shocks and springs are excellent

britpart shocks dont last 6mths of road use.
springs sag quickly.

bearmach stuff used to be very good and there is plenty of it around still.

not tried the extreme ones.

iron man work well and last well and their shocks are rebuildable.

dont rule out decarbon shocks or any other good brand names

Not sure I'd really agree with any of those points.

I agree with all Mdm mentions having raced them off road, taught in them and worked on them for last 30years

Have seen plenty of Terrafirma shocks not last, even ones with mild use. And while I know it is fashionable on this website to bash all things Britpart, it really is a rather dump take on it.

Bearmch is gone.... some bits you might find as old stock, but claiming they are all easy to get is utter nonesense.

Old Man Emu really depends on what you buy. Their catalogue is HUGE. And things like the shocks Gwy Lewis sells are not what OME actually list for a Defender. Some of the OME kit have been hugely stiff and hard riding in the past for the Defender. Very much likely aimed at overlanders in Oz with every accessory and a heavy roof rack on top.

Iron Man, don't see much of in the UK, although I have one of their bumpers on my Jimny. Kits are often quite generic and usually aimed at the Oz market for GVM upgrades.

Also been around Land Rover's for decades.

jst wrote:

I don't follow the logic lifting makes them worse off road and is not needed, bit each to.their own.