"lift kit" opinions/advice

[hlamar]

I would like to put about 2-3" of lift on my pretty much stock 1997 NAS D90 ST. I don't do any rock crawling. Just do basic offroading and around town driving (no highway). Also, I am not carrying around heavy loads, and the heaviest thing I pull is a small utility trailer or other guys who are stuck.

British Pacific has 2" kits with matched springs and shocks from Old Man Emu and TerrafirMa for $799 & $599, respectively. With some new rubber too, I figure that would put the overall lift to around 3". So, also, any tire recs? I definitely want to keep the typical Defender narrow wheel-base look and not get that wide/squatty Jeep thing going. Thanks in advance!

[evilfij]

255 85 BFG MTs and OME HD fronts and MD rears. I like bilstein shocks better than OME but that is just personal preference.

[Red90]

Keep in mind there are down sides. Road handling is compromised. Why do you think that you need a lift? Are you currently having issues with frame/body clearance when off road?

[dave_lucas]

yep 2" and 255/85/16

No need to go more than 2" unless you are going really big

[hlamar]

My OEM shocks are getting pretty soft and need replacement. I just figured while I was at it, I would just go with something that looks a little cooler and gives slightly more ground clearance for clearing the tops of steeper sandhills.

A good friend has this set up: 35” tires, Rovertym lift and castor corrected radius arms, double c/v joint from d2 with new output flange from tcase, Old man emu shocks. Any thoughts on this arrangement?

[Abeer]

what about 2" with 285/75/16? A little wider but not too wide.

Also, I don't mean to hijack but if we're talking about all possible combos, has anyone ever seen anyone do OME springs with stock shocks?

[DiscoDino]

My D90 ST is running STOCK everything (including sway bars) in the Dubai sands. I have 285/75-16 BFG ATs on there for the floatation, and put 1.25" (~30mm) wheel spacers so my turning radius isn't compromised. I think that is a great set-up for sand/offroad without going with 35s or somethign similar.

I'd suggest getting better/new shocks, and putting the money towards protection because regardless of how high you go, you've eventually hit something...rock sliders/bumpers/diff-guards/HD-steering/etc...

[evilfij]

Also, I should add, I have an OME HD lift on my D90, but I hate lifted trucks and prefer stock sized tires. Make sure to drive one with a lift and MTs before committing.

[hlamar]

Yeah, I was planning on some sliders (that should make a nice clearance difference vs. the stock side steps and give protection too. Keep looking for some on the board, but none in decent shape lately that I have seen.

[woldd90]

I have an excellent set of sliders for sale... Very sturdy and functional, in great shape.

[TDI Guy]

Call Jordan at Rovertym. He will set you up with 2" springs and front radius arms... Prob rr-4 in the front and rr-3 in rear. Better then stock ride and 2" of lift. Then you ccan run either the 285 or 255 tires. I liek the 285 with the 2" lift. you will not need to change the drive shafts with this setup..

[SeattleRRC]

OME HD front/rear, OME shocks and 33x12.5x15 mud terrains are a nice set up in my opinion.

[evilfij]

I definitely want to keep the typical Defender narrow wheel-base look and not get that wide/squatty Jeep thing going.

IMHO 33x12.50 or 285 75 R16 will look wider like a jeep. (not a negative, just a fact) 255 85 R16 is the only tire readily available that keeps the tall and narrow look in the 33in range other than 34 x 9.50 or 34 x 10.50 swampers.

[ron]

pic 1 is with 35x12.5 15's and a 3 inch rovertyme lift

Pics 3 truck has 285 75 16's and a 2 inch rovertyme lift.

pic 2 and 4 are the ome 2 inch lift with 34x9.5 16's


For all around balance and stance i like the rovertyme 2" and 285 75 16's

The higher you go the more you have to do to keep the ride and handling.

You could get lucky with a lift and not have to do anything after.

I have been lucky once and i have lifted 8 trucks.

[hlamar]

Thanks so much for everyone's opinions! Very helpful to consider all these options.

[Antichrist]

A good friend has this set up: 35” tires, Rovertym lift and castor corrected radius arms, double c/v joint from d2 with new output flange from tcase, Old man emu shocks. Any thoughts on this arrangement?I'm assuming you mean a double cardan front propshaft. D2's didn't have double CV propshafts.
If it's a true double CV then it's probably a Tom Woods, though it could be a modified D2 propshaft made from two D2 front props.

[EWR]

Honestly, leave it stock height, run a set of 265's and buy protection, diff guards and sliders/bumper.

Wheel the truck, have fun and when/if you're ready to wheel harder lines , then modify your truck as your seat time increases.

I think too many people feel they "need" to lift a truck before they even go wheeling. A stock 90 is pretty capable, especially when there's a skilled driver behind the wheel.:)

[DiscoDino]

Honestly, leave it stock height, run a set of 265's and buy protection, diff guards and sliders/bumper.

Wheel the truck, have fun and when/if you're ready to wheel harder lines , then modify your truck as your seat time increases.

I think too many people feel they "need" to lift a truck before they even go wheeling. A stock 90 is pretty capable, especially when there's a skilled driver behind the wheel.:)

FULLY AGREE - you can put 285s on it stock...some fiddling around, but nothing crazy..

Put a rear ARB in there with the money and your truck will perform MUCH Better than a 90 on 35s and open diffs

[Buckon37s]

Honestly, leave it stock height, run a set of 265's and buy protection, diff guards and sliders/bumper.

Wheel the truck, have fun and when/if you're ready to wheel harder lines , then modify your truck as your seat time increases.

I think too many people feel they "need" to lift a truck before they even go wheeling. A stock 90 is pretty capable, especially when there's a skilled driver behind the wheel.:)

I have a 1in lift. It works for me.

[EWR]

I have a 1in lift. It works for me.

:rofl:rofl:rofl

Yeah, .....BUT....... you're so far from stock.....:eek:




in a good way though.....:)

[Buckon37s]

:rofl:rofl:rofl

Yeah, .....BUT....... you're so far from stock.....:eek:




in a good way though.....:)

Hey, I have a ROVER Engine, transmission, and transfercase. Thats more rover than any NAS!! :tounge

lol.

While mostly meant to be funny, there is something too it. I know I am too far gone to matter, but often the best way to increase performance is not just to go out and jack the thing up. There are other better things you can do first. Thats all.