Suspension Question

[Damonski]

Ok, This is something I started in the Mud-Club Live Chatroom but I think I want to hear what other members think before I act.

Ive fitted the Southdown tank guard couple of weeks ago now, since fitting that the rear has got incredably bouncy, which Ive put down to worn out springs (probably originals) and cheap replacement shocks (before I got it).

I use the Disco for greenlanes, offroad days, nothing extreme, pulling the caravan, car trailer, and general everyday travelling.

Ive already been offered a set of Bearmach springs 2" lift and Pro-comps that have come off a 90 truckcab can these be used?

Also should I be going down the road of 2" lift whilst replacing the suspension, or stick to standard, the tales of propshafts and radius arms dont get me too excited, but what benefits are there, Im staying with my BFG ATs at 235/75 for a while yet , Ive no reason to change them.

In either case, what combinations of springs/shocks do you recommend?

The Disco will this year be getting a rebel steering guard and winch bumper on the front and a HD discoparts on the rear, so with that in mind, what do you recommend?

[Richie_EB4]

I think you have the answer...........

A 2" lift will give you so much more ground clearance when off road and will also help with the extra weight of the new toys...........i have run a 200 and a 300 with the 2"lift and had NO problems.........but some have had bad vibrations etc.........think its down to bad uj's myself.

The ones from the 90 will fit......just find out if they are the extra weight springs........you can get a standard 2"lift or get the extra lb's for all the toys.........just work out what you plan to do in the future.

Shout if you want anymore help  

[datalas]

A 2" lift will give you so much more ground clearance when off road

Just to qualify that, a 2" lift will give you more ground clearence off road, provided you put bigger tyres on it, otherwise the gap between the floor and the diff is unchanged, and the disco takes on the side profile of a rollerskate.

[rollazuki]

If it feels bouncy, are you sure the shock absorbers and bushes are OK?
springs might make it feel wallowy, but not bouncy

[TimM]

Just to qualify that, a 2" lift will give you more ground clearence off road, provided you put bigger tyres on it, otherwise the gap between the floor and the diff is unchanged, and the disco takes on the side profile of a rollerskate.

Rollerskates were trendy once!

It will raise everything else, so when you've carefully got the diff over the obstacle the rest will create no problem (relatively) AND you have the option of adding larger tyres later where you can't do it the other way round (tyres then suspension).

I'd say go for it while you have the opportunity/excuse, it would be a shame to fix standard stuff now then have the expense of upgrading later (and paying twice). But be aware as people have said about getting the right weight of springs to match your toys/intnended toys).

P.S.
Nice to see you back Daz  

[Disco Inferno]

i'd go with the shocks being goosed.

[muddyweb]

As an everyday vehicle and tow vehicle, I wouldn't put more than an inch of lift on it just for the sake of it...  no point in putting all the other bits of the vehicle under additional strain for little benefit.

[Damonski]

Cheers guys, really I dont want to change tyres, Ive very happy with the BFG ATs at their 235 size.  Remember as well this is a 2litre mpi and bigger tyres are going to play havoc with my gearing and top speed is already flat out about 65ish.

Soooo, on that note, what kind of makes/models should I be looking for maybe staying standard or taking Tims advise of a 1" which sounds a good compromise :)

Also got to bear in mind my 5yr and 3yr old kids who already need a helping hand to get in since I took off the sidesteps  :lol:

[Henry Webster]

It sounds to me like your shocks are worn.  Is it sagging?  If not, you could get away with just fitting shocks at this stage if money is tight, if not put some new std height springs on as well.

If you are going to stick with your tyres then there is little point in lifting in my opinion.  A lift will always have an impact on roadholding and towing - regardless of what people might say and potentially has an impact on other components such as props as you mention.

In terms of which shocks - I fit std replacement Woodheads on my non-race discovery which I use for similar activities to you + setting up rounds of the British Off Road Championship.  Reason: cheap.  These are available from most of the spares company.  Mine originate from Allmakes, but I imagine Britpart do them as well.

If you want to uprate a bit then I would recommend either Procomps which I use on the racer and are excellent, or Konis which I have used on numerous road cars and am always impressed with.  Either way I would always splash out and buy new rather than second hand.

[Tyke]

taking Tims advise of a 1" which sounds a good compromise

And then you still have the option to fit slightly larger tyres as the kids grow up and demand more fun in the 'ruff-stuff'  :lol:


Seriously though - lift is highly addictive . . . . . be very carefull cos it has become an expensive habit for many of us :twisted:


1" for what you are doing with the Mpi sounds a very good compromise and that little 'extra' may be most welcome some day  

[Wanderer]

In an ideal world you need to get the weight of everything and work from that. Lifting the motor and getting the right springs is more than just buying them in a box off the shelf.

Not the answer you really wanted as getting them custom made can be expensive.

Ed

[Budgie]

As the others have said, unless you intend fitting large dia' tyres then there's not really anything to gain by fitting a lift kit.

I would, however, go for a heavier rated standard height springs if you intend fitting winch, winch bumper etc as these will droop the front end with standard rated springs.

MM 4x4 sell Bearmach springs & Procomp gas shocks as a kit and they also sell standard uprated springs. I would speak to them and tell them what you intent to fit so they can match the springs with your requirements.  
Or do the same with Devon 4x4, Paddocks, John Craddocks or DLS.  

[Fingers Mclean]

NNnaaaaa Go for it  8)  8) Go big get some fat 35's lift it up :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

[Damonski]

So on working out my costings a 2" lift kit + front radius arms + new propshaft to do the job properly, anything else?

Probably polybush at the same time (wise move?)

[Wanderer]

Mine has a 4" lift at the moment and to be honest it doesn't really need it that much. A 1" lift would mean no need to replace propshafts, radius arms and/or brake lines.

If you're stopping with the tyres you have then there's not much need for a big lift.

If you're doing it to put bigger tyres on then you'll need more (possibly) but you'll also need more power than an mpi is going to give you.

I put a defender transfer box on mine to cope with the 32" tyres and I'm down to just over 70mph instead of 90mph+

So I'm with 1"
New springs on an older vehicle can give you over 1" straight away. Although I've put 4" extra in there it's morel like 5-6" over the old springs.

Ed

[Damonski]

Yep I have to say that bigger tyres are a nono, it came originally with 205/somethings on it.

After reading more and looking on the various websites I think standard or a 1" is a good way forward. The mpi certainly doesnt have the power for bigger wheels especially when the caravan is there too :)

[Wanderer]

That was my problem Damo,

When towing the caravan I was forever going up and down the box while cruising around 55mph. With the transfer box swap it doesn't cause a problem. However the fuel bills then start to go up.

I doubt I would go the big lift route again other than for the fact it gives you more room for tyres that will give you the ability to get the diff casing higher off the ground. It's the diffs that usually impede most people's progress.

Ed

[gords]

I voted 1" lift, as that's what I have. I also have 235/85 tyres.

I stuck with a 1" lift to avoid the possible problems with propshafts, radius arms, etc.

The tyres give the most useful lift, but I don't think you could fit them without the minimum 1" lift. The only mod required is to trim the rear arches a bit.

[Big Rich]

I put plus one inch on my truck. The springs wern't cheap and I got plus 2 inch dampers (Koni ajustable) but I wish I had gone for 2 inch at the start.  :roll:

Rich

[lrmike]

I've currently got 2" on my disco, no problems with the suspension or driveline (slight vibration around 45mph, but that was there before the lift, too).  Even ran the stock rotoflex coupling for a while and it lasted remarkably well!
The only issue I've had was in towing, but that was after I fitted the 235/85R16 Super Swamper tires and removed the sway bars  :-k    #-o

[Spooky]

A mate of mine runs a 200-series V8 with a 2" lift. He's had no problems whatsoever.  This particular car has no anti-roll bars, and is still on its original radius arms, props and brake lines (a thorough articulation test showed no need to replace them).

If you decide to go for a 1" lift, a good tyre size (that doesn't look either too big or too small) is 225-75R16. This is the set-up that I ran on a Rangie for a while (before I sold the thing!) ...

[bullfrog]

I would replace standard.
On any other engine yes lift it and go big on tyre but on an Mpi Nooooooooooo. :shock:
Your engine will struggle on bigger tyres and look daft on standard.
You would not need new radius arms and props for a +1" or +2".
If your kids struggle now then a lift will mess that up.
I would go for H/D disco rears as the tank guard is fairly heavy and you originals are probably worn out.
I would go for monroe gas adventurers . They offer a nice ride and good bump rebound.
If you want a lifted LR sell yours and get a Tdi when funds allow and then go BIG. :?:  :idea:
Dont waste your money now.
The 90 springs will NOT be right for your disco anyway as yours needs stronger springs on the back.
I have lifted loads of LRs and there are pros and cons to it. Its not just "cool"
If you use it every day you may find it a bit wallowy .
If its just for ride quility and towing get a set of H/D standard hieght.
Maybe +1"s but no more. :arrow:
Your brake lines and every thing else will be fine with this.
If you do get vibration check the UJs as they may be worn , You wont need an expensive prop upgrade even if you do go down the +2" route.
Thats my 5pence worth, You decide ! :D
 :D

[davidlandy]

go 2"

its about as high as u can go without bother

..and its makes it all worthwhile

..and if u get bitten by the bug you will go to 2" anyway so save buying 2 lots of suspension.

but remember as Daz has said this dont increase the amount of ver y important space under the diffs - so consider tyres like 235/85s to keep it all in proportion

[Damonski]

Bigger tyres are a total no go for me. simply because the 2l Mpi engine wont take them!

Already noticed a difference from the 205's it originally had on it.

[Damonski]

Ive gone with 2"

The wheels fill the arches quite well at the moment, so I figured we will see how it looks and go's anyway.

Also could always be moved/upgraded onto a 300tdi.

[Jake]

Sounds like a good plan
Make sure you take plenty of pictures when you change the parts around
 :D

[Range Rover Blues]

If you go +2" then be prepared to keep spending.  It's a bit less road friendly too and as for towing the 'van....

Like Tim suggested go for +1", at least at the front and get HD springs to match the weight of the truck once finished.

Here's another thought, some insurance companies will not take a winch AND a lift, one or the other.

Also, the MAM of you truck is limited, if you bolt on lots of toys then the payload is reduced, in truth the weight should not affect your handling badly as the truck is designed to carry quite some weight, I'd say your shocks are worn but don't be put off standard ones as these are quite good and may be a good idea as an interim, otherwise go for Pro-Comp +2" as these just about fit an unmodified truck.

Think you truck is undewrpowered now? a lift will make it even less aero-di-whatsit :shock: