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Jack Auston 2” subframe lift, 1” Johnson Rods, sweet setup. Factory ride and better manners at full extension as well. Tires are Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT In LT275/60R20 tires. I didn’t want to loose braking performance by going to 18’s just yet. I air down to 25 PSI, 20’s just fine for now. 25mm spacers in rear only for wider stance.
Last edited by DefXBill; May 18, 2022 at 03:05 PM.
So what do you guys with lift rods think about the stuff new defender mods say about rods being not a recommended solution due to poor ride quality and handling effects. They no longer recommend them at all, favoring the sub frame lift (crazy expensive) and the lliams electronic unit instead.
I've read their comments and love the idea of a subframe lift. We had 2" Johnson Rod lift on our LR4 for a decade with no issues and went back to Johnson Rod for the 1 1/2" lift for our Defender and are very happy with it. After the Johnson Rods and putting 265/70R18 K02s on it we barely fit in the garage with the vehicle in Access Height (it barely rubs the rubber on the bottom of the garage door when entering and exiting) I'm not sure any other solution would allow us to keep the car in the garage and give us increased ground clearance like the Johnson Rods.
Love to hear thoughts on this as well. I have a 2 inch lift with 275/70/18 MTs and (maintained the rear calipers by grinding the fins). You can definitely tell that the ride quality is a little stiffer. I have ordered a sub frame lift to go back to the original rods.
4 inch subreame lift and 2 inch coil spring lift. 285 75 18 Goodyear MTR Kevlar (approximately 35 inch) tires. These tires do run skinny. No wheel spacers. No trimming. (Front bumper kit with center radiator does allow for tire clearance at front, otherwise trimming and radiator movement would be required