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Dave51



Member Since: 26 May 2015
Location: Worcestershire
Posts: 20

England 2011 Freelander 2 SD4 XS Auto Lago Grey
Ride height

I have a 2011 SD4 which I am generally happy with. It runs on 65 profile tyres.
Lately, because of a back injury, my wife has been finding it hard to get in and out of the car, and on country roads finds the bumps that I am unable to miss painful.
I have looked at the alternative vehicles but cannot find anything with the right mix of height, comfort and appeal.
The question therefore is, does anyone know if there is a way to reduce the ride height of the FL2 by an inch or two, and reduce the spring/damping rates. I would guess that the roll stiffness would need to be reduced as well, as lateral pitching on uneven roads is a problem.
I know this would impair both on- and off-road capabilities to some degree, but would accept this.

Appreciate any reasonable suggestions.

Post #354153 30th Jul 2018 6:31 am
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Splodger



Member Since: 30 Jan 2018
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 2

United Kingdom 2009 Freelander 2 TD4 GS Manual Zermatt Silver

Have you considered inflatable cushion/back support to absorb the bumps and sways? Less expensive than undertaking significant costly modifications which may or may not provide any improvement. You wouldn't find out until after you've spent the money!
Gel-pack car-seat supports may also be beneficial.

Post #354221 31st Jul 2018 10:44 am
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Lightwater



Member Since: 21 Aug 2014
Location: Sydney Northern Beaches
Posts: 4732

Ukraine 2013 Freelander 2 2.0T SE Auto Fuji White

What PSI are you running?

A few comments further down the page here on PSI http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic32055.html Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

Acoustic insulation ARB TPMS 3xARB air compressors After cooler Air tank On-board OCD pressure air/water cleaning Additional 50L fuel Carpet in doors ABE 2x1kg Waeco 28L modified fridge Battery 4x26ah Solar 120w Victron MPPT 100/20 DC-DC 18amps 175amp jumper plug Awning 6x255/60R18

Post #354225 31st Jul 2018 11:14 am
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Yorky Bob



Member Since: 28 Apr 2015
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 4561

United Kingdom 2013 Freelander 2 TD4 GS Manual Firenze Red

Hate the look but side steps for access will help.

17" wheels. FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current

Post #354231 31st Jul 2018 12:47 pm
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Paul4751



Member Since: 02 Mar 2018
Location: lightwater
Posts: 204

United Kingdom 2012 Freelander 2 SD4 HSE Auto Alaska White

Get a Freelander 1, and add some side steps. Simples!

Post #354232 31st Jul 2018 12:51 pm
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JulesK



Member Since: 07 Dec 2014
Location: Ceredigion.
Posts: 1652

Wales 2014 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Auto Firenze Red

Dave, I carry a small step stool around in the boot doesn't help you with the bumps but a cheap option for getting in and out. Thumbs Up If it wasn't so bad it'd be funny.

πŸ‘
Freelander 2 HSE auto 2014 ( Florrie ) ..... Try again.
Freelander 2 GS 2012...... Gone.

Post #354242 31st Jul 2018 1:38 pm
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dunkley201



Member Since: 09 Jul 2011
Location: Lincolnshire
Posts: 2739

United Kingdom 2010 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Auto Stornoway Grey

I run with 19” rims which admittedly are not so smooth on our pot holed roads as your 17” rims. I also have side steps as my wife is not so nimble as once was. Nevertheless, she finds our Freelander the most comfortable car. Even more so than our old Alhambra MPV which is always considered inferior to ourFreelander. I would not consider altering ride height or spring rates. (LR took a lot of trouble to get the ride β€œright” - possibly the best riding small/medium SUV at the time). Try side steps and seating cushions as others have suggested.

Bob 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

Post #354247 31st Jul 2018 2:59 pm
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IanMetro



Member Since: 11 Sep 2017
Location: Somerset BS21
Posts: 2776

United Kingdom 2014 Freelander 2 SD4 Metropolis LE Auto Fuji White

Is there a way of mounting passenger seat on some kind of suspension, like you see in some lorries?

Just a thought, I have never seen it, but all kinds of adaptations are possible these days. FL2 XS SD4 Auto 2010 2012-2017 (21k - 91k miles) (MY2011)
FL2 Metropolis SD4 Auto 2014 2017- (16k - 76k+ miles) (MY2015)

Post #354258 31st Jul 2018 7:45 pm
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Dave51



Member Since: 26 May 2015
Location: Worcestershire
Posts: 20

England 2011 Freelander 2 SD4 XS Auto Lago Grey

Thanks all for the suggestions.
I run at 32 psi - have previously tried going a little softer but it made little difference. Some improvement gained by swapping the Contis for BFG all season, which are a bit softer.
Have tried using a step but not so nimble these days and is nervous when off the ground, same with side steps. If I can count on finding a kerb this does help. Had a FL 1 previously but do not remember it as any better.
May try putting some seat height adjustment in; there's not a lot of room to allow a worthwhile seat suspension.
May just have to travel slower when the road is uneven.
Unfortunately low seats are also a problem, so swapping to a regular car is not an option, some other SUVs have a low enough seat level but no better on the ride front. I'm also reluctant to let go of the old bus.

Thanks again for the ideas; if I find a solution I'll post it up here.
Dave

Post #354264 31st Jul 2018 10:33 pm
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Dave51



Member Since: 26 May 2015
Location: Worcestershire
Posts: 20

England 2011 Freelander 2 SD4 XS Auto Lago Grey

Missed out - have been using cushions for some time, which do help a bit, but don't do anything for the height issue.

Post #354265 31st Jul 2018 10:37 pm
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Lightwater



Member Since: 21 Aug 2014
Location: Sydney Northern Beaches
Posts: 4732

Ukraine 2013 Freelander 2 2.0T SE Auto Fuji White

A 100 kg or so extra weight in the car! Fill up water containers & place them behind the front seats. You will get 70 litres in there for a start together with dropping your tyres 5 PSI. Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

Acoustic insulation ARB TPMS 3xARB air compressors After cooler Air tank On-board OCD pressure air/water cleaning Additional 50L fuel Carpet in doors ABE 2x1kg Waeco 28L modified fridge Battery 4x26ah Solar 120w Victron MPPT 100/20 DC-DC 18amps 175amp jumper plug Awning 6x255/60R18

Post #354270 1st Aug 2018 3:14 am
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SYFL2



Member Since: 16 Jun 2012
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 2550

2007 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Auto Stornoway Grey

My wife seems to carry her own cushion suspension around with her Very Happy

Post #354272 1st Aug 2018 7:04 am
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Paul4751



Member Since: 02 Mar 2018
Location: lightwater
Posts: 204

United Kingdom 2012 Freelander 2 SD4 HSE Auto Alaska White

I clearly remember a much firmer ride in two stages of firmosity;
1) Changing up from FL1 to FL2 SE,
2) Changing up from FL2 SE 17" wheels, to FL2 HSE with 19" wheels.

The latter was a bump too far, and I changed the wheels immediately down to 17".

The 19" diamond cuts are available to anyone who's interested. Pictures in my gallery.

Post #354292 1st Aug 2018 1:40 pm
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blacktiger



Member Since: 31 Oct 2015
Location: St.Leonards on sea
Posts: 564

England 2013 Freelander 2 SD4 HSE Auto Santorini Black

You need a Citroen C6. According the James May it has the best ride in the world. MY13 Santorini Black SD4 HSE

Post #354295 1st Aug 2018 6:12 pm
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Yorky Bob



Member Since: 28 Apr 2015
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 4561

United Kingdom 2013 Freelander 2 TD4 GS Manual Firenze Red

15 years ago the Berlingo came second to a RR for best ride of any car according to Top Gear. FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current

Post #354306 1st Aug 2018 9:34 pm
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