How far to lift my disco?

[discoandy]

i need to replace my rear shocks on my disco and thought while i am at it i could give it a little lift all round. any suggestions on how high and any adverse affects to handling a lift would make , i use the disco daily and it is a family car so i am concerned about saftey.

[Jake]

If your gonna lift it then 1" is good.
2" you'll need to change a few more bits + the handling will suffer.
the big question is, do you really need a lift?
Remember, if you use it daily, it wont go in multi storey car parks with a lift.
 :D

[discoandy]

i am just getting into off roading proper it is only normally used to get about fishing and shooting, muddy gateways farm tracks etc, i realise that it will not fit in a multistorey but as i hate shopping that is not a problem :D

[MuddyMachine]

I use mine as a family car. Ive just put 1" spacers on. Kept original springs but my shocks could do with being replaced.
I have noticed a little less roll in the corners and it fells like the suspension is a bit stiffer.
They have only been on a week but so far I am very happy.

[Manicminer]

Fit as little a lift as you *need*.

Unless you are going to use it a lot on difficult terrain then leave it as it is.

[Jake]

Wizard makes 1" spacers
He's a member on here, PM him or try http://www.wizardbilt.com/index.htm
I've got some to fit onto my all ready lifted 2" disco
Should look large when its done!
I have 2" DeCarbons and Scorpion springs and extended brake lines
I need to get castor corectted radius arms though, steerings...interesting!
Good luck
 :D

[colintandy]

hi if your gonna put a lift kit on i recomend fitting the correct extended brake hoses as the extra travel will snap your brake lines when you go offroading.
i use scorpion racing 2 inch lift kit with delphi gas shockers mix this with a set bfgoodrich 235/75/16 all terrains 30 psi front and between 32-34 psi rear depending on load ive also taken of all anti roll bars to free up more travel my truck grips very well she comes back up on cornering very quickly and with gas shockers the ride is very smooth i recomend scorpionracing springs as the front are uprated by 20% and rear 24% with the kit 2 lift kit this is for of roading and if you every purchase a winch and bumper then the springs can handle the extra weight up front
had mine on about a year now and must say very happy just watch them brake lines!

[Budgie]

If your not into serious off-roading then a 1" lift is the cheapest way to go.

You can still use standard lenght shocks with it and, as has been said above, you don't need to worry about the steering and handling being effected.
 
You may be better off getting extended brake hoses anyway, just to be on the safe side and a set of gas shocks will make the world of difference.  

Once you go +2" or higher then you start getting all sorts of problems that need looking at like wondering steering and if you are looking at larger diameter tyres in the future then this may have an effect on the gearing of the vehicle as well!  

Have a search through this and the Modified forums, there is loads of info on what you can expect with different set-ups.  :D

[chuggaman]

higher     ============        cost

[96Disco]

I've recently fitted a set of the new, yellow BritPart springs and ProComp shock absorbers.  I bought these from Paddocks as a kit and they've lifted the car about 2".  The only problem I've had is the rear anti-roll bar flipping over which I've solved by removing it.


Phil.

[Budgie]

I've recently fitted a set of the new, yellow BritPart springs and ProComp shock absorbers.  I bought these from Paddocks as a kit and they've lifted the car about 2".  The only problem I've had is the rear anti-roll bar flipping over which I've solved by removing it.


Phil.

You can leave the anti-roll bar in place by fitting spacers on the chassis mounts. RangeRoverBlue used solid tow hitch spacers and says the holes are the same pitch as the roll bar fittings.  

[GaryPatt]

I have recently fitted 2" lift kit with extended brakes hoses etc...etc
only having the disco for a couple of weeks before this mod i noticed a big improvement on road, more responsive steering and lighter. I agree that you should only fit what you need though, having bigger tyres fitted this week so that involves bump stops? and some other costly items

Gary

[96Disco]

Budgie, thanks for the tip, I shall probably leave the bar off because it doesn't seem to affect the handling.  I spoke to my insurers about this and it's not a problem as far as cover's concerned.


Phil.

[Henry Webster]

If your not into serious off-roading then a 1" lift is the cheapest way to go.

I would agree to a point, but I am into serious off roading and both of my cars are standard height.  You don't need to lift to have a very capable off roader.

Regards

H

[gecko]

i just put a 1" lift on my 300 disco and its a realy good set up you dont need to do anything else  the oly thing is that i had to get all mine sorted as thay were all snaped so i went for the lowist one have a look at mm 4x4 thay have some good stuf there

[Jake]

Looks funny when you lift without changing the tyres
1st pic, 225/70r16 muds
2nd pic, 235/85r16 muds

[davidlandy]

pic 2 = much better

[Jake]

pic 2 = much better

I know. Looks great on 31" Goodyears.
But it'll look better when i've got 35" Simex's on!
 

[Range Rover Blues]

Funny how often this question gets asked, and how it's the one's with a lift who try to talk you out of it!  I suppose there should be an article in the technical section..........

Anyway, a 1" lift would be a good compramise, otherwise think about new standard springs and an extreme kit to get extra articulation with droop travel (rebound travel) without lifting the car.  It seems insurers hate lifted cars now, some wouldn't even quote me this year.

[96Disco]

I have just had one slight problem after fitting the Paddocks lift kit.

Having removed the anti-roll bar because it flipped over, I found the rear springs popped out of the top mount occasionally.  I 'cured' this by retaining them with a couple of jubilee clips and all seemed fine.  This morning, however, whilst crossing some very bumpy ground I heard a bang and felt the car sink on the rear nearside.  Imagine my surprise when I got out and found the rear nearside spring lying on the ground about 10 feet from the back of the car!

It appears that retaining the spring in the top mount has over-strained the retaining plate on the axle mount as this has snapped, at some point the jubilee clips have broken and the spring has come free when the axle's moved.

So, I propose to fit dislocation cones and heavy-duty retaining plates, and now understand why Paddocks offer the springs and shocks as a kit with these items included.

You live and learn!


Phil.

PS - has anyone used the cones that Paddocks sell?  They seem much cheaper than those I've seen elsewhere.

[Jake]

I want to know if anyone is using the Paddocks disclocation cones too.
Must be someone on here?

[J B]

i bought the paddcks lift kit, procomps and britpart springs

and got a pair of dislocation cones from innovation 4x4, as i was allready aware of the springs being able to pop out 8)

[strangerover]

Just to offer my experience,

I have Scorpion 2" lift kit, rear disclocation cones and front lowered 1" turrets, I have bought the extended brake lines but not fitted them and despite my best efforts playing in quarries the original ones are still fine...

Steering... no problems, drives straight, goes round corners
Handling.. Seems fine my original shocks where shot, so its better now.

I use 235/85/16 tyres

The disclocation cones seem to help as I have not popped a spring yet  8)

[Bulli]

Jake you got a spare transfer and gearbox?? Sorry not trying to scare you but simexes will play havoc with your transmission. Mate has just fitted 33's to his g wagon and the garage COULDNT balance them....give you a clue,
They are great offroad but squirm on the road and you go deaf at about 35!!
What other mods have you done as 35's are a swine to fit?
The cones from paddock are cheap and functional... way cheaper than scorpion or check out the new plastic ones from Lrs performance..they are quiet!

[Jake]

Jake you got a spare transfer and gearbox?? Sorry not trying to scare you but simexes will play havoc with your transmission. Mate has just fitted 33's to his g wagon and the garage COULDNT balance them....give you a clue,
They are great offroad but squirm on the road and you go deaf at about 35!!
What other mods have you done as 35's are a swine to fit?
The cones from paddock are cheap and functional... way cheaper than scorpion or check out the new plastic ones from Lrs performance..they are quiet!

My intention is to change loads of things around the Simex's.
Devon arches, transfer box, diff's (?) and a set of Mach 5's.
Its gonna cost me a lot of money and time to change tyres.
I am aware of the noise. Thank g*d i dont use it every day anymore  :roll:

[Bulli]

if you are changing the diffs then you want at least 4.11 ratio. Has yours got 10 or 24 spline halfshafts?  You may as well got the whole hog if not.

[Jake]

Not sure TBH (if 10 or 24)
But i will be going the whole hog.
Dont worry about that (cash permitting)
Come on the lottery, you must owe me by now!
 :lol: