Lucky8 takes their Defender 2 on a Class IV trail

"TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts." (thebloody) 10/06/2020 at 12:18 • Filed to: Land Rover, Defender

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Defender 2 running a 2inch lift on 35's.

Quick thoughts:  
I don’t like the lift, all it does is trick the truck in to thinking it’s lower than it actually is so all you’re doing is running on fully inflated bags all the time and as you can see it bounces a lot . I think you either need to add pucks or bigger bags when lifting if you want to keep any sort of articulation.

That being said, the truck looks awesome and I REALLY can’t wait to get mine... 

adamftw > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 10/06/2020 at 12:31

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I watched this right when it came out and thought about posting it but wanted to see if anyone else would, lol.

I’m kinda upset they skipped over the more difficult sections of the road(s) right before and after this section. I would have liked to see it on the harder parts. A stock JK (non rubi) can do this section.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > adamftw 10/06/2020 at 12:36

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I have a hunch the lack of articulation is causing some issues. That truck is VERY bouncy so probably didn’t look so great.

I’m also stalking Lucky8 to see how they develop theirs lol

adamftw > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 10/06/2020 at 12:39

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Oh yea, its jacked way up to stuff those 35s. I’ve seen a few pics of them on 33s with a 1" rod lift and that “looks” right to me. Though I think a new GAP tool is a better option than the rods. Someone needs to grab one of these and cut it up with fit 35s or a small subframe drop instead of jacking up the bags.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > adamftw 10/06/2020 at 12:48

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Agreed, I the ones I’ve seen on 33's look great. I think the subframe drop might be the better way to go as apposed to just messing with the sensors (be it rods or GAP tool). 

nermal > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 10/06/2020 at 12:54

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The biggest takeaway is that you shouldn’t put a $68 “ lift kit” on a $70k+ vehicle...

The fully inflated airbags increase the spring rate, and combined with the stock shocks make it bounce all over the goddam place. To actually lift one of these and not make it not handle like crap , you really need a ton of new parts, just like any other independent suspension.

I betcha it would have performed better with stock suspension and the biggest tires you can fit ( 32 s or 33s) , locking diffs, and as much armor as you could stuff under there. 

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > nermal 10/06/2020 at 12:58

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As with anything, you get what you pay for... 

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 10/06/2020 at 13:28

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Yeah it looks like it’s way too stiff and doesn’t really articulate until it’s all the way crossed up. Also, it looks like it was using traction control the entire time. Do these have lockers?

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 10/06/2020 at 13:29

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IIRC it has a rear electronic LSD (which is a factory option) .

adamftw > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 10/06/2020 at 14:09

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IIRC this one doesnt not have the rear locker.

WiscoProud > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 10/06/2020 at 15:12

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The lift system is the same one that was initially developed for the LR3. You’re right in that it tricks the airbags into thinking their lower than they are (either through software or physical rods), which causes them to inflate higher. The main downside is more their inflated, the harder the ride is. I’m not aware of anyone who makes bigger air springs for Land Rover, but its an interesting idea. 

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > WiscoProud 10/06/2020 at 15:25

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The more I see it, the more I’m not a fan of this jerry rigged setup. I’d rather spend the extra money on a lift that gets you the clearance without ruining the ride. Hopefully they put in the time to design and build a proper lift.

WiscoProud > adamftw 10/06/2020 at 15:34

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I don’t think i’ve seen a subframe drop for Land Rover’s oddly enough. Its pretty common on most vehicles, but LR guys seem to go with software or new rods instead. 

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > adamftw 10/06/2020 at 15:36

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I do believe you are correct. 

WiscoProud > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 10/06/2020 at 15:59

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Honestly Lucky8 is one of the best sites for Land Rover accessories. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a lift for a land rover IFS/IRS platform that used a subframe drop .

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > WiscoProud 10/06/2020 at 16:24

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Very much agree on that, I got most of the parts for my D2 from them. If anyone is going to build a decent lift kit it’s going to be them. Given that they’ve had the Defender for (maybe) 3-4 months, they’ve done some pretty cool things. 

WiscoProud > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 10/06/2020 at 16:39

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I completely agree. I was following their instagram closely. I think 33" would be perfect for this platform, but I understand why they fit 35". I just wish it had more storage space. A rooftop carrier is pretty much required. 

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > WiscoProud 10/06/2020 at 16:47

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Yeah, it actually feels similar is size as my Series is in the back (which I guess is kind of the point?) so a roof rack is needed if you’re carrying 5 people and camping gear. 

WiscoProud > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 10/06/2020 at 16:56

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I had an LR3 and loved it. The 2nd and 3rd rows were actually roomy enough for adults, and when the 3rd row was stowed, you had a good amount of space in the back. I fit a ridiculous amount into mine with all the seats folder flat. The 2nd row of the defender is great. Like shockingly spacious. I’m 6'5" and had no issues. The trade off is the cargo space is notably smaller than the LR3/4 and even my land cruiser (which isn’t great unless you remove the third row seats). 

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > WiscoProud 10/06/2020 at 17:05

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Heh, well given my 5'9" frame no longer feels like my knees are next to my ears when I sit in the drivers seat the Defender 2 is a HUGE improvement over the old Defender. The old Defender was designed for a 5' nothing Englishman, I’m sure of it. 

WiscoProud > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 10/06/2020 at 17:07

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I’ve read that as well. I’d still love a Series 2 or 3, but like so many other fun vehicles, I likely won’t fit

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > WiscoProud 10/06/2020 at 17:39

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I learnt how to drive in a IIa and 15 year old me loved it. Y ou’d fit, y ou’d just not be comfortable so long road trips would be out of the question.

adamftw > WiscoProud 10/07/2020 at 09:10

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I’m 6' and I fit in them, but you live on the door. I have shorter legs tho, so it isn’t that bad. The first one I drove the owner said to me (in his British accent of course) , “You don’t drive as much as you wear it.” II, IIa, III, and even the D90 all pretty much sit the same. The 90 is the most comfortable though, the seating position is a little different.

adamftw > WiscoProud 10/07/2020 at 09:20

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Some shop is doing them somewhere on the L494s and L405s.

https://expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/37s-on-a-range-rover-sport.169476/

WiscoProud > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 10/07/2020 at 11:59

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I can’t imagine taking a long road trip in a Series II or III in any case. I’d love to just sit in one. I DD’d a 89 Celica in college and was fine, but that was about 50 pounds ago. 

WiscoProud > adamftw 10/07/2020 at 12:00

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Watching the Harry’s garage episode with his old Series made me really want one, but I’m a good 5" taller than Harry, so who knows. I’d just like to sit in one to see. 

WiscoProud > adamftw 10/07/2020 at 12:04

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That looks mean as hell. I read that the Range Rover s port supercharged all come with the heavy duty package, and it made me want one.

WiscoProud > adamftw 10/07/2020 at 12:06

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Here’s the company that makes them: http://jaustonfab.com/

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > WiscoProud 10/08/2020 at 16:11

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Also forgot to mention, Lucky8 had to do a lot of modification to get the 35's to fit. 33's are way easier and don’t need anything other than a mild lift.