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Yea, I concur. Super harsh ride in off-road height (I’m also lifted 1.5”). It’s a bit annoying that “rock crawl” automatically selects off-road height and asks you to select low range. You can however override the height by hitting the height-down button. I also find low-range is rarely needed as the engine produces plenty of torque for climbing hills.
I’ve also found that using “Configurable Terrain Response” with both lockers engaged, low throttle response (“Relaxed”), and manual first gear selected works well for rock crawling.
There are dozens of possible combinations with this stuff, but in the end, the Defender doesn’t much care and it just goes.
- sorry if this strayed off-topic -
I am not sure we are getting this super harsh ride because of the lift or is this common with other non-lifted cars too. Maybe someone stock could chime in.
I am not sure we are getting this super harsh ride because of the lift or is this common with other non-lifted cars too. Maybe someone stock could chime in.
It is due to the lift rods. You lifted with the roots that trick the system to over inflate the bags initially. Then when it goes in to off road height it lifts it further maxing the bags harder. I had a two inch rod lift initially and had the exact same experience. I actually moved to a two inch sub frame lift and then roughness/hardness is gone in off road height
Ok, here is my experience after two days running trails near or at Capitol Reef NP in Utah. I run the same set up as nashvegas. P400 275/60/20 KO2s with 1,5 lift rods.
I hit the highways from Texas to Utah with roughly 45 psi all around. Super smooth on the highways and got an average of 19mpg, doing 75mph or 80mph in some sections and 65mph/70mph in others.
The trails I faced were a mix of very light rock crawling with sand and gravel roads with tons of washboard sections. Some had sharp rocks around - which gave me a bit of anxiety. I did one river crossing section.
At the first trailhead I aired down to 35 psi all around. I was not brave enough to go below this, due to some sharp rocks around. The beginning of this trail was paved and immediately after airing down and running on pavement I noticed a great improvement in comfort. Much less harsh ride, but I suspect that would translate to worse mpgs than 45psi.
I ran these trails for pretty much 180 miles combined the two days. Not once I touched again the tires to air down. I have to say the air suspension does an amazing job of filtering the washboard corrugations. I can't imagine running 35 psi on these trails in my old 4runner trd pro and being as comfort as we were in the Defender.
On the light rock crawl sections, I used rock crawl mode and the suspension went to off-road height. That was considerably more harsh than normal height. The added height significantly impacts the suspension travel and you feel every bump and drop in a very harsh manner. Maybe because I have the lift rods, the harshness was a bit increased. I am not sure. What I am sure is that I had zero fear of touching the bottom of the car. There is soooo much clearance on this thing.
Used wade mode in one river crossing. It was a breeze for the Defender, water was about middle of the wheels.
The much added benefit of airing down to only 35psi was that in the end of the first day I did not have to stop to air up. Rode on the highway back to our hotel with 35 psi with nooo problem. Even did a couple sections at 70 to 75mph - zero issues. It was just my wife and I in the car, so light load settings was just fine.
I did not touch my air compressor during the whole trip. When we started our journey back to Texas, I just used the gas station air gun to air back up to 45psi all around.
I have to say, having done this same mix of long day highway travel with off-road trails at least 4 or 5 times before with my old 4runner and comparing to the Defender it is night and day. After this trip, my conclusion is that the Defender is THE perfect all arounder. I threw everything at it and it handled like a champ. Didn't skip a bit, but did with soooo much more comfort and fuel economy than the Toyota. Not to mention much more style.
Returning from the trip and arriving back home I am more in love with the car than before.
Back to the topic, if you are not doing crazy snow/sand deep, IMO you do not need to go below 34/35psi. The car will handle everything with comfort and loads of traction. My car has the rear "locker" but I am not sure it made a ton of difference. At the same time, running these pressures will almost always avoid you from getting a puncture (there was plenty of sidewall with the 60 profile) like those morons with TFL.
After this experience, I question if I will ever try to fit 18s in this car. It seems an ordeal to go through caliper grinding or switches just to gain a couple inches of sidewall and be able to air down to lower pressures that are not really needed with the air suspension. Now, fitting 35s may make a huge difference, but like nashvegas said, you need to be willing to compromise in other areas, which may affect the car's components in ways LR did not design it for.
Hi. This is great info. I’m about to switch out my 275/55R20 for either 275/60R20 or 265/60R20. Either Johnson 1.5” or Proud 2” Rods. Big question/ is there any rubbing at full turn when navigating trails?
As you seen from the links listed above, 265/70R18 will fit. Be careful with the 275/70R18 - these may fit when selecting a wheel with an appropriate offset otherwise they will require a lift. For example, the popular 18" TuffAnt with a 29 offset will rub with the larger tire.
An extra inch of sidewall is a lot and will have noticeably different trail characteristics. I've cut my sidewall while aired down to 26 lb on 19"s. Maybe it was just bad luck, but it made my decision to go to 18's easy. Haven't had a problem (yet) on 18"s.
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Hi. Do you experience any rubbing on the inner wheel well at full turn? My Defender came with Mud Flaps which I’m not a fan of. Was wondering if you have any insight regarding any potential issues running 275/60R20 with Mud Flaps and if you are running 1.5” or 2” rods. Johnson vs Proud Rhino?
Absolutely *zero* rubbing with this setup = Stock 20" 5098 wheels, 1.5" rod lift, 275-60-20 BFG KO2 tires ( 33" tires), with the smaller LR genuine mudflaps front and rear.
Absolutely *zero* rubbing with this setup = Stock 20" 5098 wheels, 1.5" rod lift, 275-60-20 BFG KO2 tires ( 33" tires), with the smaller LR genuine mudflaps front and rear.
Not sure what size they are. Came with them on from the Dealer. May just remove them to give it a more aggressive stance.
Absolutely *zero* rubbing with this setup = Stock 20" 5098 wheels, 1.5" rod lift, 275-60-20 BFG KO2 tires ( 33" tires), with the smaller LR genuine mudflaps front and rear.
Ditto here. Same rods and tire size. Only differences for me, mine are style 5095 and I have the classic flaps. No rubbing at all.
Appreciate it. 275/60R60 it is. I may go with the General Grabbers or Toyo R/Ts. Had the Toyo’s on my previous Raptor.
Be careful if you are not going with the KO2s. Check the measurement for the grabbers and toyos against the KO2s. Usually they are not the same among different manufacturers and you may find rubbing with the other brands.
I’ve run a couple trails now with 275/60/20 K02 D load rating and a 1inch proud rhino rods. I run them at around 37 for every day use. Still see about 19mpg average at that set up. On the trail I’ve aired them down to about 25 with a combination of sharp rock trails to sand and off camber sections. Drive beautifully. The suspension handles rock and washboard with ease. Super smooth even in offroad 2 height it’s not bad compared to other air suspensions I’ve owned. Only rubbing I get with the wheels is at full lock when in access mode just barely in the lower front part of the fender liners.
Last edited by 916Defender; Aug 5, 2023 at 01:10 PM.
