Topic: Best springs? (Read 3608 times)

Disco Matt · « **on:** February 22, 2009, 22:51:44 »

I'm looking for recommendations on who makes the best standard height heavy duty springs for a Disco 1, with a view to fitting those, trimming the arches, and fitting 235/85 R16s. Two questions:

Will this work, or do I need a lift? I'd rather have trimmed arches with those flexi extensions than a lift as it'll keep the centre of gravity down. I have heard of others running these tyres with this setup.

Who makes the best HD springs? Paddock have the Britpart ones at a nice price, but I know Britpart have an indifferent reputation.

Range Rover Blues · « **Reply #1 on:** February 23, 2009, 00:47:41 »

IMHO you need a lift, then just a tiny bit of panel trimming at the back and you can fit 235.85R16 MT with no problems. It's not the bodywork as much as the inner arch that will cause the grief, on a Disco you just need to remove the underside lip behind the wheel and possibly pull the body work out about an inch by adjusting the stay behind the splash shield.

Disco Matt · « **Reply #2 on:** February 23, 2009, 12:00:35 »

Thanks - how much of a lift are we talking? I'm thinking 1in would be enough as that's roughly how much larger in radius the new tyres would be?

I have read about HD springs achieving something like that, and may well get some. At under £100 a set they'd be worth having even if I had to replace them with +1in items after a couple of years.

I may look at the Insa Turbo Traction Track next time, which seems to be a half A/T, half M/T thing. Just waiting to see what others make of them. I think the main problem I have isn't lack of grip but running aground, so a slight tyre size increase would solve this. I don't plan to do any of this until my existing Insa Dakars wear out (expecting at least two years from them) so will be amassing information for a while yet.

crazymac · « **Reply #3 on:** February 23, 2009, 14:00:28 »

I've got the Britpart Yellow springs at standard length.

I've ran my Disco like that for about 18 months so far with them and 235/70R16 tyres.

I've just fitted 235/85R16 Cooper STT's and had my Disco in through a trial site yesterday as a marshal vehicle and I am VERY impressed and just a little chuffed as I haven't had a chance to do the "camel" cut yet!

I was at full articulation and i've not bent any body work, it was close!! but no damage. I am still going to do the camel cut, but yesterday was fine!

Disco Matt · « **Reply #4 on:** February 23, 2009, 15:14:02 »

How does it handle with the Britpart springs, and are they these and these? I'm guessing mine won't be too harsh as I have tree sliders and reinforced sills (rotten originals replaced with 4mm steel box section) so there's a bit more weight to compress the springs.

Thanks again!

crazymac · « **Reply #5 on:** February 23, 2009, 16:43:31 »

Quote from: Disco Matt on February 23, 2009, 15:14:02

How does it handle with the Britpart springs, and are they these and these? I'm guessing mine won't be too harsh as I have tree sliders and reinforced sills (rotten originals replaced with 4mm steel box section) so there's a bit more weight to compress the springs.

Thanks again!

Ye, I think they are the same ones, they do different rates, but I think they are the ones I have.

Handleing is much better than before, but of course the old ones were FUBAR so I guess its all relative!

I also have rock sliders and a winch bumper so similar weights on board.

There is body roll, but its not a sports car after all? I'm not a speed freak so its unusual to get over 50 really! The articulation off road is what counts for me, and they're great.

Disco Matt · « **Reply #6 on:** February 23, 2009, 17:56:48 »

So long as it corners with a bit less roll than the current set I'll be happy. Will have to order them next month, thanks for the help!

zulublue · « **Reply #7 on:** February 23, 2009, 19:21:40 »

Hi Matt,

Simple question how much use is it going to get, do you want to replace them often (and yes I know there will be people happy with Britpart) if you don't mind 12 - 18 months (In My Opinion) of use, use the britpart or even Bearmach, or if you want to fit and forget them use OME, yes they are more expensive, but you get what you pay for.

Have a look in the Defender or modded section to see what people think, give the guy's at Devon 4x4 a call they will tell you exactly what to go for with the weight you want to carry.

Devon-Rover · « **Reply #8 on:** February 23, 2009, 19:22:03 »

Am i missing something?

Dare i ask what is wrong with standard LR HD springs for the disco?

eugene · « **Reply #9 on:** February 23, 2009, 19:23:07 »

i run 235.85,16 with a 2inch lift they are the britpart super gas shocks and the yellow hd spring and it runs good havent had any problems with them at all

boss · « **Reply #10 on:** February 23, 2009, 19:25:50 »

pm sent :D

Disco Matt · « **Reply #11 on:** February 23, 2009, 19:37:59 »

Quote from: Devon-Rover on February 23, 2009, 19:22:03

Am i missing something?

Dare i ask what is wrong with standard LR HD springs for the disco?

If I could get them, I would use them. I'll have a nose on ebay and see what I can find. This is my day to day car as well as a laning tool so I don't want to lift it any more than I have to, and the tales of managing to squeeze 235/85s on with new standard springs and a bit of trimming sound pretty good to me. I want to end up with something that's capable but doesn't look too tricked up - I like the "sleeper" approach. :twisted:

Edit, I've just had a look on ebay and found I can get proper LR HD rear springs for £50 or so, that's only £10 or so more than the Britparts so I'll probably go for these.

Devon-Rover · « **Reply #12 on:** February 24, 2009, 23:43:15 »

They are out there just need some looking. I'm currently looking at new springs for my disco. Currently looking through the charts of different applications and deciding which length and rate would be best.

Gav_T · « **Reply #13 on:** February 26, 2009, 18:42:44 »

I ran 235/85/16's on a standard height disco and all i did was a camel cut. The springs were heavy duty ones but they were a few years old when i fitted the tyres. This was on standard offset (-33mm i think) landrover alloys and i ran with the anti rollbars still on.

You will lose A LOT of steering lock though!

I then fitted 265/75/16's on +8mm offset wheels with flexi arches still on the same suspension and had no issues at all. Even when i fitted my winch and the front end sagged some i had no problems. I also ran -2" damper droppers on the back and again no problems.

The ideal would be 235/85/16's with flexi arches,+8mm offset wheels AND spacers. Low CoG and increased track would make it loads more stable.

Gavin.

Disco Matt · « **Reply #14 on:** February 26, 2009, 19:23:33 »

Interesting! Apart from the spacers and different offset wheels that sounds very much like what I have planned.

Does anyone know what make these springs are:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Land-Rover-Discovery-Front-Heavy-Duty-Springs-BA2104_W0QQitemZ290267818097QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item290267818097&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1700|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

I think they may be Bearmach. Are they better than Britpart? I know Bearmach have a good reputation but someone above seemed to think otherwise.

Glynparry25 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 26, 2009, 19:34:57 »

I have Bearmach HD springs on mine.

Setup is 1.5" lift on the front and 2" on the rear. With that I have Pro-comp shocks all round. I paid £200 for the lot (4 springs, 4 shocks, 2 turret rings) inc postage. After that, all I had to do was camel cut to fit the 265-75-16s under the arches.

The ride is 100 times better than the standard springs and shocks- it feels very stable. All I can think of doing now is finnishing off with a dual shock configuration at the rear for addded stability for the fat rear-end.

Cheggs · « **Reply #16 on:** February 27, 2009, 16:30:33 »

Hi, I had a set of HD springs from MM 4x4 that where mil spec and had 7.50's on my old disco, only require a Camel cut for off roading. Springs were about £60 for the 4.

Disco Matt · « **Reply #17 on:** February 27, 2009, 18:49:30 »

Another query, I'm considering adding dislocation cones at the front at the same time. Do I need extended brake lines or will they be fine?

Glynparry25 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 27, 2009, 19:14:15 »

Quote from: Disco Matt on February 27, 2009, 18:49:30

Another query, I'm considering adding dislocation cones at the front at the same time. Do I need extended brake lines or will they be fine?

If you aren't putting extended shocks on there is no need for dislocation cones or extended brake lines.

Glyn

clbarclay · « **Reply #19 on:** February 27, 2009, 22:17:37 »

Extended brake lines and dislocation cones are not directly related.

Extending brake lines depend on the length of the damper and its mounting locations.

Needing dislocation cones depend on the lenght of the damper plus mounting locations and the uncompressed length of the springs.

Disco Matt · « **Reply #20 on:** February 28, 2009, 14:17:26 »

Ah, but surely if your springs can now dislocate then the axle is moving further away from the chassis, therefore it would need more length in the brake lines to avoid them being damaged?

I may fit them anyway, as if I want to go further in the future I'd have wasted about £15 on the heavy duty turret securing rings (these have extended bolts to fit the tubular shock turrets which I also like the look of). The dislocation cones have the turret securing rings built in.

clbarclay · « **Reply #21 on:** February 28, 2009, 23:50:15 »

Quote from: Disco Matt on February 28, 2009, 14:17:26

Ah, but surely if your springs can now dislocate then the axle is moving further away from the chassis, therefore it would need more length in the brake lines to avoid them being damaged?

Just fitting dislocation cones does not allow the axle to any thurther away from the chassis than before. If you either changed the length of the damper or its mounting points so that the axle can drop further then the springs may dislocate, but the spring dislocation is a side effect rather than a cause of increased movement.

If you do fit stiffer springs with standard ride height springs then these will have a shorter uncompressed length than standard springs and as a result may even dislocate with standard travel suspension.

Disco Matt · « **Reply #22 on:** February 28, 2009, 23:55:03 »

Sorry, what I meant is that if you fit dislocation cones (and longer shocks so you can use them) you will then need the brake lines. I realise they won't do anything with the setup I'm considering, but I was contemplating fitting them rather than buying the heavy duty turret securing rings which will be surplus if I later fit longer shocks and brake lines. It looks as though the Paddock cones double as turret securing rings.

I just try to avoid buying stuff I'll have to junk later on! :D

clbarclay · « **Reply #23 on:** March 02, 2009, 12:47:28 »

Ah a see what you mean know.

You can get cones which will fit with normal turret rings, though the ones like that I founf in a quick search were all more expensive than paddocks combined cones and rings.

If you do go for increased travel then one option worth considering is to use Gwyn Lewis front turrets which for an extra £14 can have dislocation cone built in so will work with standard turret rings.
http://www.llama4x4.com/page4.htm

Disco Matt · « **Reply #24 on:** March 02, 2009, 14:20:08 »

Yep, I've seen the Gwyn Lewis kit and it looks well made. I just prefer the look of the Paddock turrets really - doubt there's much between them for strength or build quality, I just like the tubular design.

Does anyone know if the Paddock cones include the retaining rings? The blurb says that they are "Designed to incorporate the heavy duty securing ring." and the photo definitely shows them as including it and the mounting bolts, but I just want to make sure as that wording could equally be taken as meaning "can be used with the HD securing ring".

Chris C · « **Reply #25 on:** March 05, 2009, 23:28:44 »

I am runing Britpart Yellow HD +2" due to the weight I carry in the rear most of the time and I also run 235/85/16 Insa Special Trax.

IMHO remould tyers are usally over sized and do vary from set to set so they may or no rub and it also depends on how good your body mounts etc are anyway so it is one of those try it and see unfortunatly.

When I need to change mine I will go back to standard LR springs as the ones on my motor lasted 16yrs and I will be shocked if the Britpart last 3/4yrs and then add the spring spacers from Wizard 2" lift but you may only need the 1" which I think are £50 (not sure) for the set and if you want to go higher you just sell them and get the 2"

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AuthorTopic: Best springs? (Read 3608 times)