Xlifter – Intelligent Suspension Height Control
Xlifter is an advanced electronic suspension height controller designed for modern 4x4s. It offers precise, on-the-fly adjustment of ride height and driving modes, improving capability, comfort and control both on road and in demanding off-road terrain.
Jan Stanek created the XLifter for fellow LR enthusiasts. He has owned his Discovery 3 for nearly a decade, traveled across Europe and North Africa, and always felt the air suspension had more potential. After looking at options like the LLAMS system and not being convinced, he decided in 2015—armed with his IT/electronics background—to build his own solution. He assumed it would be easy. It wasn’t.
At the time, Jan was comfortably running several businesses, but the predictability of daily management no longer satisfied him. He wanted to build, invent, make mistakes, fix them—just like on his expeditions. So he “took the red pill,” and what followed was years of deep learning and challenges.
The early proof-of-concept came quickly, but turning it into a solid, reliable, market-ready product took three years. Development, testing, conversations with the LR community. He quit three times, and three times the Czech LR forum pulled him back. Nights of problem-solving across everything: robust circuitry, low-level C++ programming, UI on a few-pixel display, controller design, manufacturing, QA, manuals, videos, web, legal, logistics. The EAS unit sits quietly in a critical role with zero margin for error, demanding absolute attention to detail.
Fortunately, Jan wasn’t alone. Many talented friends contributed expertise that couldn’t be bought—people drawn in by the story and the idea. XLifter wouldn’t exist in its current form without them.
Was it worth it? Jan has no doubt. Maybe he’d make more staying in corporate IT or as a CEO, but creating the first self-leveling solution for Land Rovers feels right. The positive feedback fuels him and the team forward. XLifter is now a small group covering multiple areas, continuing to build new features and support newer LR models.
Ultimately, this is the story of how Jan blended his passion for Land Rovers, expedition travel, and electronics until XLifter was born. Along the way, he learned to appreciate the unseen work inside every product we take for granted.
And what’s next? Jan says, it’s all up to you. Get out there. Don’t take your umbrella with you. Just go. Go beyond… be a maker, or whatever you want to be, but… what if? And is it wise? Well, how can you know until you tried? Haven’t you heard? “One life. Live it”.
Devon 4x4 is an official importer and distributor of Xlifter, based in the UK, shipping worldwide.