Suspension Upgrades

A 2-inch lift is the standard upgrade for a Defender that is touring Australia. It gives adequate extra clearance for corrugated outback roads and rocky tracks without requiring driveshaft modifications or compromising on-road handling significantly. Larger lifts (3 inches plus) are for dedicated off-road builds and require additional work to the caster geometry, driveshaft angles, and sometimes the steering geometry. For most touring vehicles, 2 inches with caster correction arms is the correct specification.

Yes, on Defender, Discovery 1, and Range Rover Classic with solid axle front suspension, caster correction is recommended with any lift of 2 inches or more. The lift moves the axle centerline forward relative to the steering geometry, reducing caster angle. This manifests as vague straight-line tracking and reduced steering self-centring. Caster correction arms restore the angle. After fitment and alignment, the steering typically feels better than before the lift.

LLAMS (Land Rover Locking Axle Management System) is an aftermarket electronic controller that overrides the speed-dependent height restrictions in the factory EAS system. It allows the driver to raise the vehicle to Extended Profile at any speed. It fits Discovery 3, Discovery 4, Range Rover Sport (L320), Range Rover Vogue (L322 2007+), Range Rover Sport L494, and Discovery 5. It is an essential modification for vehicles used on Australian outback tracks where the factory height limiting at 50 km/h causes the vehicle to bottom out on corrugations.

Yes. Terrafirma heavy-duty spring kits are rated for laden weights rather than unladen kerb weight. This means the 2-inch lift is maintained when the vehicle is loaded with camping gear, water, and recovery equipment — not just when empty. Standard-rate springs at 2-inch lift height often sag back to near-standard height under full touring load. The heavy-duty rating is a primary reason we specify Terrafirma for outback-touring Defenders and Discoverys.

Yes, in two ways. The LLAMS controller allows you to use the EAS Extended Profile position at any speed, which gives approximately 50–70 mm of additional ground clearance over the standard On Road height. For a permanent lift, aftermarket EAS springs with a revised calibration height are available. We can discuss the most appropriate solution depending on whether you want on-demand height adjustment or a fixed higher ride height.

Rated recovery points with a minimum 4.75-tonne load rating are the correct specification for vehicle recovery. We fit DPL (Davis Performance Landys-stocked) heavy-duty recovery points and Terrafirma units for Defender, Discovery 2, and Range Rover Classic. Factory tow balls are not rated for snatch strap recovery and must not be used. Front and rear rated recovery points are both required for serious off-road use.

A correctly installed 2-inch lift with appropriate springs, caster correction, and a fresh wheel alignment should not significantly compromise on-road handling. In fact, replacing worn original suspension components as part of the lift typically improves handling compared to the worn standard setup. Larger lifts, off-road-specific shock absorbers, and aggressive tyre fitments do increasingly affect on-road dynamics — we discuss these trade-offs when planning a suspension upgrade.

Yes. The Range Rover Classic (1970–1996) shares many suspension components with the Defender and Discovery 1 and is well-supported by Terrafirma and other aftermarket suppliers. We fit coil spring upgrades, caster correction arms, recovery points, and bash bars for Range Rover Classic. The model is popular in Australia and we see a good number of them in our South Windsor workshop from across the Hawkesbury and Western Sydney regions.