The lift is an OME lift that should net me about 1.5" over stock. The main reason for doing it is added load capacity, not height. The stock springs are pretty well overloaded at this point and you can really feel it driving down the road. A simple/quick fix would be to add a set of air shocks, but I don't feel like that is a good long term solution. Proper spring rates and matched shocks are the right way to do things. If the springs were not as taxed, I would not consider a lift. Ground clearance at your rockers at gas tank do help, regardless of diff height. The diff can be placed where you want on a trail and the tire usually goes over the tall part of the obstacle anyway. Getting the long rockers of the 110 over obstacles is sometimes a challenge. The OME lift should be well within factory design limits for alignment and driveline angles, especially with the longer 110 wheelbase.
At any rate, the main reason for the lift is spring rate.
The tires that I have on now are 285/75/16 and I prefer that size 100x over the narrow 255/85 that the ExPo forum loves. I don't want to get into a tire debate, but the potential benefits of a narrow tire don't work out for me in real life and the areas that I drive. The tires I have now rub slightly on the fender flares which can be cured with a 1/2" worth of trimming at stock height. With the lift, I wont need to trim the flares unless I plan on jumping the vehicle (which I dont plan on). The tires only rub on compression of both sides at once. (large bump, etc). With the 200tdi and Lt77 gearbox, I actually want to run a taller tire to give me more top speed. The acceleration is certainly not affected by running the larger tires. With an R380 and/or 1.4 T-case, this may be a different story.
1.5" is within reason, but I think you'll feel it already. You might gain load capacity but you'll start offsetting it with worse handling.
The route I took with my 110 when going for load capacity, was not a lift, but indeed the proper springs and suspension setup.
I've seen some really poorly lifted 110's in the UK, not saying yours will be one, but it's really easy to mess it up. You're gonna have to see alot of effort to stop the back end squatting down when fully loaded. I understand the unwillingness to go for the spring air bags, I didn't want the complexity either, but Defender 130 rear suspension works great.
Unladen it's tall and very stiff, but loaded up it's spot on. Doesn't squat, good for high speed drivinng too. Has stiffer regular springs, and helper springs inside the main ones. Good setup. I also have a twin 'V' shock absorber setup on the rear axle. Helps to significantly reduce the stress on the rear shocks, and better than the cheaper aftermarket twin shock jobs.
For offroading, I think the ~1" clearance gain under your fuel tank is not going to make a noticeable difference at all.
Do all the other mods to the truck and when fully laden, then get the suspension sorted out and try to match the stock stance as closely as possible.
My 300Tdi maxes out at about 135km/h, GPS indicated. I'm sceptical that you'll see large improvements in top speed even with a taller tyre, with the rooftent and all. I think the power simply isn't there. I'd be very cautious driving at those speeds anyway.
As for tyre width, you know what you like and go with that. I'm still running stock 235/85R16 due to that size matching 7.50R16 in diameter, making it easier to find a spare if need be. The more exotic you go the riskier it gets. I'd actually like to lower my gearing from what is now, for more control in low range first. But hey, can't have it all.
:costumed-smiley-007
