Fitting a HUGE Lift Kit! Land Rover Defender Axle + Suspension Fitting Off Road Part 32 Restoration

As most of you know I've been waiting months to do this video and finally here it is.
This is an amazing suspension kit from Gwyn Lewis 4X4.
As most of you know I lost the footage of the rear Lift Kit install and that also showed the prep and paint that went into making this kit look so good!
I also want to add all the components from Gwyn Lewis are Galvanised so no need to worry about rust and can be fitted without painting if you wish.
As always thank you for watching my videos and please do subscribe to the channel.
Music: epidemicsound.com

[@simonroberts9759]

I am rather late catching up with you Tom. I agree, looks absolutely amazing - well done on the build and thanks for some fabulous videos.

[@lifes.projects]

Thanks Simon. Dont worry I am late uploading too 😂

[@simonroberts9759]

@@lifes.projects Tom, sorry if you mentioned this, but what factors did you take into account when deciding on how much lift (I must admit that I never understand why people do this) and also about which springs? I also have a Puma 2.4 and am interested in improving the suspension.

[@markbond4460]

Looks a proper job ... nice one man 👍

[@lifes.projects]

Thanks Mark. Really happy end result myself can't wait to get back driving it

[@gregorydobson4307]

Just subscribed, great to see man's best friend over looking the build.

[@lifes.projects]

Thank you. Yes he's my little sidekick 🤣

[@sams8635]

Good videos. Well done

[@judithwalker3007]

Looking great and its only half way there!!

[@lifes.projects]

👀👀

[@johnahrens8877]

That’s great to hear Tom I could have used Gwyn’s advice . It would have saved me a great deal of money , time , problems etc . Anyway, I now have his awesome new Prop Shaft to look at and it drives well again . Goodluck with fitting your bumper and the rest of the project.

[@lifes.projects]

Yeah but those propshafts are a work of art 😍. Thank you 👍

[@thegypsysterrier]

Cracking video. Lovely landy

[@lifes.projects]

Thank you. Still plenty to do 😂

[@RajSinghKhalsa]

It's going to look mega

[@lifes.projects]

I have to agree 😜😜

[@defender90keswick.nigelsla59]

Hi Tom, nice looking job mate!! I'm currently building up a big bill at Gwyns place.. all will become clear soon. Glad you mentioned the fact about torqueing bolts once the truck is at ride height.. I see so many people tightening at droop, however.. with the Super-Pro bushes you can torque at droop as the centre will turn inside the bush rather than the vulcanised rubbers that will rip. I'm glad you've done this, I have heard that you can get driveline vibration from the front on a lifted Puma??

[@lifes.projects]

Cheers Nigel. Yes its something that annoys me too. See it all too often! I think part of the vibration problem is really lack of maintenance like having worn joints/prop UJs or u balanced prop. The ones I've seen that have been lifted have no issues vibration wise but are really well maintained.

[@rustandoil]

Nice job... That bloody rattle gun 😂😂

[@lifes.projects]

Oh yes it got some use on this project 😂

[@johnahrens8877]

Looks awesome Tom ! Well done . I guess the Radius Arms are castor corrected for the 50mm lift . I found after fitting mine to the Puma , that a driveline vibration developed . I then fitted The Gwyn Lewis DC Prop Shaft which cured that issue but then I noticed the stabilizer bar was too close to the new Prop , so I’ve had to remove the bar for now . Will probably fit a spacer kit . Was wondering how you got on with yours ?

[@lifes.projects]

Thanks John no they are standard after talking with Gywn he said i wouldnt need caster correction. I will have to see how i get on for now as i have to fit my non standard bumper that will lower the suspension slightly due to the weight.

[@nickboylen6873]

They should be corrected for 2”. The forums are full of owners suffering “death wobble” with 2” lifts (that amount constitutes the vast bulk of lifts) who didn’t use castor correction. The radius and trailing arms should also be cranked to prevent rapid wear of the bushes or failure of the pins at their chassis ends, like you used on the back end. You can wait and see how it turns out with what you have, but those big tyres will have a lot of gyroscopic properties and the swivel pin axis will be significantly off the correct 3 degrees.

[@pauldashwood2897]

What size tyres are you running please ..height wise ..thanks pal .great stuff

[@millin2222]

Any chance you could update my Landrover nice work fella

[@kevinward4714]

Poly type bushes will wear out steel components & makes for a less comfortable ride but poly bushes will last forever.Rubber best for flex.

[@aytonbob]

Like your scene stealer lol

[@121bellboy]

Hi…..What size are the wheels on your Landy… what size are the tyres and make..?? Did you put spacers on with the wheels?? and a very informative video 👍🏼

[@lifes.projects]

Thank you. The tyres are 285/75/16 Cooper SST Pro MT. So 16" Wheels and the spacers are 30mm. Have a look at my the other videos i explain everything as i go.

[@ColmMcGrath]

How do you find that lift kit now? Do you have a pink to the kit you used here?

[@lifes.projects]

To be quite honest I cant fault it. The ride is better than standard and it handles fine laden and unladen. The steering is fine and self centre too. I havent got a link as its set up to what I needed for my build. I spome to Gwyn at Gwyn Lewis and he advised what rated spring and shock to go for. Their website is www.gwynlewis.co.uk

[@Bigballs72]

How does is the axle centralised Tom, I have just put a new set of alloys and tires on my defender. The wheel on the front axle passenger side is around 10mm further in the arch than the drivers side. I thought it looked slightly of. With the smaller wheels. The new wheels sit on the edge of the arch so you can see the difference because you can see where the arch sits in line with the tire. Any ideas what this could be causing this would be greatly appreciated.

[@lifes.projects]

The Panhard rod is what keeps the axle central. Strange if its on standard springs. The higher you lift it the further to the drivers side the axle will go. The Suzukis are shocking for it and you have to buy adjustable panhard rod so you can centralize the axle. You can get them for the Defenders too

[@Bigballs72]

Thanks for reply Tom, It is a strange one, and more prominent with the bigger wheels. I am not even sure if the drivers side is sticking out to far or the passenger side is to far in. Just hoping I haven’t bought a melon, or should I say a banana. I have seen defenders with one side higher. Oh well I wanted a defender so I could do a bit of tinkering, I have certainly got that.

[@lifes.projects]

@@Bigballs72 its not Defender ownership if you don't tinker 🤣 they only other thing is if its bent or not a Defender panhard rod. I couldnt tell you if say a Discovery one is shorter as ive never compared them.

[@Bigballs72]

@@lifes.projects Had a look at a couple of defenders today, Tom while driving round with work. Funny thing is both that I looked at had similar wheel alignment to mine. Starting to think it maybe another defender quirky build thing, That or imaybe it’s my eyes that are out of line.🤪 I even had a look at the icon Land Rover book.The picture on the front the wheels are to one side.

[@lifes.projects]

@@Bigballs72 ive never noticed 🤣. My other wheels stick out of the arches slightly and I am sure they were even. We will see when I put them back on 🤣

[@smartiboo]

What does the bumpstop do?

[@lifes.projects]

Stops the suspension riding up too high. Also protects the chassis and axle hitting each other

[@stephenelijah7746]

Where can I buy the complete lift kit from?

[@lifes.projects]

Gwyn Lewis 4x4

[@kevinward4714]

If you were to put better shockies compress & extend that is you would not need to install extended bump stops that way you would get more up travel & retain long down travel.

[@GrumpsBarn]

Bleedin two inch lift?.....you tart!...LOL....but seriously you've put together a nice little Tonka Toy there :)

[@lifes.projects]

🤣🤣🤣 Thanks Paul. Nothing wrong with Tonka! Although i suppose this is the Big Kid equivalent to my childhood 😜

[@axelcartwright4507]

Those old man emu shocks are not the best for big articulations, I have my rear sway bar out, and I was doing an up hill with axle twisters and bang went the shock, pulled the shock eye off the shaft. Was a loud bang, thought I did a half shaft.

[@lifes.projects]

Oh right. I will have to see how it goes. I won't be doing anything properly major axle twisty. How did you find them other than that issue?

[@axelcartwright4507]

Yeah I welded the eye back to the shaft. Proper bush fix. They were on when I bought the landy. So I don’t have anything to compare to, Other than that I haven’t had any issues, they last for ever. But mine I think are tired now. I also had them fired to an Isuzu kb300 And they were also good there. Good for overlanders carrying loads. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@lifes.projects]

@@axelcartwright4507 If it works it works 🤣 Ah great thats good to know 👌

[@andicog]

Old man emu are good but I found the finish really bad, all 4 dampers paint is rusting away after 18 months despite a regular dose of wd40. I went for similar kit with the 300lb rear springs and Gwynn Lewis H/D cranked arms and wide angle ball joint. 👍

[@lifes.projects]

Thats nice to know. My suzuki shocks and springs are pro comp and did exactly the same. I understand that all springs rust but hopefully by applying the Lanoguard it may last a little longer. I will let you know the outcome.

[@garyparkyn2087]

I spoke will gwyn lewis and he said to me about putting heat shrink on the metal part of the shocks to prolong the life. I also had the old man emu shocks, so will see how they last with the heat shrink on.

[@andicog]

@@garyparkyn2087 I fitted Pedders shocks onto a Toyota, they started to rust within months, after sending photos they sent me a new set foc. My OME ones look very scabby now.

[@pauldashwood2897]

Would it make a difference if you had them powder coated ..or is that something you can’t do ..cheers mate

[@andicog]

@@pauldashwood2897 it would mean stripping the shocks completely as you would need the bare casings for powder coat due to the baking process.

[@sams8635]

Do you an email to contact you pls

[@overnighter]

So, where are wheels??? 🙄

[@lifes.projects]

The wheels are what i run all year and one of the reasons i fitted the lift kit. Including the wheels the Defender is lifted 4inch. Realised after i put the video on i missed that out. I have to bleed up the brakes with a few more jobs before i refit them.

[@overnighter]

@@lifes.projects Looking forward to seeing the complete build, mate. Great vid, btw. Enjoy 👍 Cheers

[@lifes.projects]

@@overnighter Thank you 👌

[@harleycg75]

Caster correction needed over 2" lift surely.

[@lifes.projects]

@@harleycg75 yeah over 2 inch. Under 2inch no caster correction needed