iain cooper : Half of a difference is done by spacers, another half from tyres. I had some stuff in a boot when measured, 20-25kg

MihaiB :
- These spacers are between struts and body so they are improving ground clearance. Space for bigger tyres is just a bonus . If I will have any chance to try 265/75 R16, I will do it. I believe it should works with proper backspacing .

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Martas, how is the wheels alignment after installing the spacers? I understood from some opinions that the wheels angle cannot be adjusted accordingly and therefore, after installing spacers, the wheels not fall perfectly straight
(but something like this / \ ).

Did you experience this after installing the spacers? Is the wheels geometry ok or did it needed any adjustments?

Wheels never fall down perfectly straight when car in the air. I still don't have time to go for a geometry check, but I will go soon. Stance looks straight as before. Geometry was one of the reason why I got only 20 / 25 mm spacers. Rear has adjusting bolts.. 

Hi Martas, I'm from Italy and following your way, applied 1" spacers in front (between coil spring and its seat) and the car stands up well, not charging the front too much as before. I was thinking to replace the spacers with proper +30 mm coil springs front and rear.
I have friend helping me in thi job and wandering how to reach rear struts: is that a massive dismantling job with rear covers? I put a pic of my 2008 auto FL2 on the Maritime Alps showing how is stands, with BF Goodrich T/A KO 235/65 R17 looking like tires

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Hi Piero,

I think that made some custom coil springs will be quite difficult job - to get same comfort level and suspension travel as standart car and achieve exact 30mm increase. But it is possible if your guy is experienced enough...

In my opinion - it will do the same job as spacers and whole suspension travel will be limited by standart shocks.

Dismantling of trunk plastic trims is easy enough...

1) Pull the trunk sill (you can see the holes from plastic clips)- green , than turn and pull the round "hangers" - red. Orange circles are some of the points for whole inside trim...

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Great Martin!!! As weather will turn back to moderate warm, today we have over 35°..., I will attemp this job! The coil springs I'am talking about, are not 'home made ones': I've found them on off road tuning magazines... and they claim no special shocks are required as they stand in the standard suspension working travel. I'll revert to you when job is made, in the meanwhile: many thanks!

Hi Martas,

How is it with the tires? Still 245/70/R17? Happy with them and the suspension?

Thanks!

Top job !!!

Would be wasted on me due to crap hearing. Enjoy your sounds

Thanks guys...

Unfortunately I sold my Freelander two weeks ago, bought (don't laugh ) a Ford Fiesta and I'm looking for a motorbike for fun and shorter trips.

MihaiB : I did around 22.000km on 245/70 R17 Grabber AT's, it can't be better . Thread was still around 50-60%, ride very smooth and great even in winter (loads of snow this year). I had about 10 times less bottoming after suspension lift, driving the same routes ...
I was very happy with them. Are you planning something?  

Hi Martas,

Even though you sold the Freelander, do you maybe still have the design specs of the spacers you fitted? I would be very interested in them (dimensions, materials, etc), maybe I can manufacture some in Romania and get them fitted.

As you fitted 245/70/R17, what about the spare wheel? Did you get one the same size and did it fit in the spare wheel space?

Much appreciated!

Thanks,
Mihai.

PM

Spare wheel was the only problem I didn't solve. But I never use it, I'm one of the lucky guys .
I believe that you can put a slightly bigger spare wheel instead of the standart piece - there is some room around it. You have to measure it... 

I've recently mounted some 245/70/R17 Cooper S/T's.

The spare tire fits in the boot no problem (Room for even bigger tire), my only complaint is the tires are loud as hell. Fairly big improvement in clearance with these, about 25mm in my case, also planning to make spacers soon.

Will post pics soon

Strah, very good information, thanks!

Did you raise the car to fir those tires or not? If not, don't they rub?

Havn't raised the car yet and so far no rubbing at all, will however try the tires out off road this weekend to see if they rub in some more extreme situations

Stock tires:

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Strah wrote:

Havn't raised the car yet and so far no rubbing at all, will however try the tires out off road this weekend to see if they rub in some more extreme situations

Looks very good. Looking forward to the rubbing test while offroading.

Did you maybe do a measurement like in the picture below? Is so, what is the height front and rear?

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