Is it worth bothering with a 2" lift?

[Rangie85]

Hi All,

I have the opportunity to get a lift on my 85 Range Rover Classic. The current stock front off side shock is sagging so I might as well get them all done, and I thought I might as well get a lift at the same time. My mechanic tells me that 2" is the maximum lift you can get without having to adjust a whole load of other bits and pieces (has advised changing the shocks too) and so it then starts getting really expensive.

So my question is; is it worth it? How much of a difference do you really get with a 2"? Other than cosmetic, which would be slight, and the ability to put (presumably) bigger wheels on (I have 30" on there at the moment, I think, slightly larger than stock).

Any guidance would be welcomed.

Cheers in advance

 

[Walkabout]

Yes a 2" lift is worth it, think of it this way... On a tourer it enables you to get to more places or the same places with less risk of sill and under carriage damage, it also increases your take off and departure angles which is a plus.
Most if not all 2" lifts kits do not require much or any additional alterations to be fitted to work properly.
Another plus is because the kits are specifically designed to suit your vehicle in almost all cases the vehicle will handle better than it ever did stock.
Hope this helps.

 

[Pure Yobbo]

Not sure about rangies. But it is very hard to buy a set of standard height spirngs for a Patrol. Most aftermarket springs smallest you can go is 2" lift they don't make standard height unless you order them.

 

[teza h]

Yes, totaly agree with Walkabout on all the above,plus the load carrying abillity will be greatly enproved and if you want, you can run larger tyres and gain a little more ground clearance again. All this with better on and off road handleing and its not at all, over the top. Totaly worth it.

 

[goldrush]

2" makes a HUGE difference to where you can take your rig. Talk to some suspension experts about which set up to go for. Send a PM to Zordo too........He is sure to be able to help you out and always looks after forum members.

 

[Alien d2]

As most said it will make off roading more fun with less worry about "bottoming out".
Be aware that not all 2" springs are the same.
Get a set to suit your needs.
What are you wanting?
More flex, load carring, on road handiling, all of these
Lots of options/comprimise solutions about.
Definitly change the shocks and the steering damper if $ permit.
Check all your uni's too, the change in angle will acellerate any wear.

Some reading for you,
Springs and Shockabsorbers
Tyre Sizes and Mods Required

 

[Jarh73]

I would look at it this way a 2 inch lift is probably the easiest, best value/bang for your buck lift you can do.

Cheers

Justin

 

[CHUAH]

Depending on your needs, you should probably get a firmer heavier spring set up as they do sag maybe an inch over time??? Maybe spacers could correct the sag and bring it back to 2 inch?

 

[omvanders]

Is a 2" lift worth it on an 85 Rangie Classic? That's a good question. Lots of good feedback has already been given, but might I add...

A Rangie is pretty damn capable as is. If you were to ask about the added benefit of that lift on some other vehicles the answer might be "substantial". But a Rangie!!?? What do you want to be able to do that you can't already? A diff locker (or 2?) might be a better option imho, depending on your intended uses of course.

Cheers

OMV

 

[croozza]

Is a 2" lift worth it on an 85 Rangie Classic? That's a good question. Lots of good feedback has already been given, but might I add...

A Rangie is pretty damn capable as is. If you were to ask about the added benefit of that lift on some other vehicles the answer might be "substantial". But a Rangie!!?? What do you want to be able to do that you can't already? A diff locker (or 2?) might be a better option imho, depending on your intended uses of course.

Cheers

OMV

If you read his post properly you will see that he has a sagged spring on the front passenger side, so new springs are what he needs, about $400.00 will get him 4 new springs (without shocks), as what has been said before, you will find it that you can't get std height springs, so a 2" is what you will need, if you can afford the shocks as well at the same time then that will be better as the suspension will then be matched and you will have a great handling vehicle that has increased off road capacity.

 

[omvanders]

But it is very hard to buy a set of standard height spirngs for a Patrol

A replacement pair of standard height springs are available for Rangies. That's not a huge issue Crooza. Try TRS in Lonsdale SA for example.

Cheers

OMV

 

[croozza]

A replacement pair of standard height springs are available for Rangies. That's not a huge issue Crooza. Try TRS in Lonsdale SA for example.

Cheers

OMV

The price will be the same for STD as a set to do a 2" lift, so the 2" lift will be better.

 

[Rangie85]

The price will be the same for STD as a set to do a 2" lift, so the 2" lift will be better.

That's the deal; I can get standard ones for the same price but given that I have to spend that money anyway, that's why I'm thinking of getting a lift at the same time. Waiting for a comparative quote from mechanic on the two options.

I don't need any more off road capability really, my Rangie is far better than I am! As a raw upgrade, first on the list would be a set of Mickey Thomspons to replace the Desert Duellers. Although I did find myself last weekend having reversed my tow bar and exhaust in the mud an in incline I'd just come down. 2" then would have been awesome just then; chickened out of going forward because it was too muddy and didn't want to get my one car convoy and first timer passenger stranded

Agree with potential to but bigger tyres on, I'd love to get my diffs further out of harms way.

Thanks for everybody's input so far - it's a nice bunch here on Earth

 

[croozza]

That's the deal; I can get standard ones for the same price but given that I have to spend that money anyway, that's why I'm thinking of getting a lift at the same time. Waiting for a comparative quote from mechanic on the two options.

I don't need any more off road capability really, my Rangie is far better than I am! As a raw upgrade, first on the list would be a set of Mickey Thomspons to replace the Desert Duellers. Although I did find myself last weekend having reversed my tow bar and exhaust in the mud an in incline I'd just come down. 2" then would have been awesome just then; chickened out of going forward because it was too muddy and didn't want to get my one car convoy and first timer passenger stranded

Agree with potential to but bigger tyres on, I'd love to get my diffs further out of harms way.

Thanks for everybody's input so far - it's a nice bunch here on Earth

There should be no price difference on either set to install, so you are better off with the 2" lift. The only down side is if your current shocks are starting to go, then they may have trouble coping with the new stronger springs, however having said that, you may get more life out of your shocks as they will be working in a different area of the shaft. But it is still better to replace the shocks too, but you can do that weeks or months down the track if the coin is a bit low at the moment.

 

[Rangie85]

Thanks everyone. Will go with the lift then, seems a waste to replace springs and keep standard height.
On another similar topic, will it make any difference to legality / noise if I trim the protruding parts of my exhaust down? about 5cm max right at the end (will obv put something heatproof on the rear bumper for the heat)

Cheers all

 

[russell789]

you will want the lift later on so do it now, which it looks like you have decided too.

as to your exhaust question, i very much doubt it will make it louder or change the note, as for legality... unknown, i can see a 50mm trim being illegal, my understanding is it has to be behind the rear diff or 40cm behind the last opening window... but dont quote me on any off that

if it were me i would cut the little bit off since it has already hit the ground, i doubt whether anybody would notice as long as you did a clean job. in saying that, that is what i would do not what i recommend you do.

 

[croozza]

If your going to trim the exhaust, cut it at a 60 deg angle from the very top edge, this is so that you still have the full length of pipe, but it is infact shorter, (if you know what I mean).

 

[Walkabout]

If you head down your local /exhaust muffler shop ( there is a Midas place close the the Old Northern a kinda opposite Mildrens - car dealership) they can advise on the NSW legalities of chopped pipes.
Idea: get a long chrome extension tip, shorten the tailpipe so when the extension is fitted you have the correct length and remove it when going off road etc.
You could drill a small 1/8th or less hole or in the tip and tailpipe and use a spring to hold it on as a screw would rattle loose.

 

[BAZ_747]

mate my brother has same 4x4, stock as, and its capabi;lities are unbeleivable, not to mention torque and power, and an answer to your question, YES the 2" lift will help greatly!! few hundred bucks, best mod and cheapest by far. no need to change shocks at all for that lift, unless your fussy.

cheers

 

[wixxer]

If you read his post properly you will see that he has a sagged spring on the front passenger side, so new springs are what he needs, about $400.00 will get him 4 new springs (without shocks), as what has been said before, you will find it that you can't get std height springs, so a 2" is what you will need, if you can afford the shocks as well at the same time then that will be better as the suspension will then be matched and you will have a great handling vehicle that has increased off road capacity.

I agree to all of the above posts, just want to add a thing about shocks:
My understanding is that 2'' lifted springs + standard height shocks = less down travel.
Since the springas are longer, you also need longer shocks to use the full potential of your vehicle (longer shocks will extend more at full travel). Hope I put it down right. And new shocks will greatly improve stability/handling on road, compared with old ones (anyway, that was the case with my 4wd, after 185000k's old shocks were pretty wobbly/worn out)
cheers