To lift or not to lift?

[RCTD5]

Hi all,
I need to replace all shocks and could do springs at the same time.

I have some questions regarding the 2 inch lift that a lot of people on here have done with Bilsteins and King springs.

My 2003 disco has ACE and handles quite well on corners at standard height.

How do they handle when 2 inches higher with this set up? Is their any more body roll or does ACE compensate just as well? I am guessing spring rate impacts here a fair bit also? I don't want to turn it into a rough ride when empty however as this is reason for wanting new shocks to start with.

I have no roof rack (just standard roof bars from factory) but not sure about the extra height in car parks?

Some people seem to purchase longer break wires but some have not?

Is there any extra pressure put on other components such as driveshafts, transfer case, diffs etc that may produce premature wear?

I can see the advantages of a lift but maybe not worth it for me when don't seem to get a lot of chances for going bush at the moment.

I am keen to see some opinions on the above questions.


Thanks in advance

[joel0407]

I'm interested to see the answers to your questions, mate. Something else you might want to consider is fuel usage. All but one of my previous 4x4 vehicles have been work vehicles. I never worried about fuel usage on the work vehicles and never raised my own.

I do know fuel consumption drops when you lower a car so I presume the opposite happens when you lift a 4x4. The questions is it enough to worry about?

Happy Days.

[northiam]

http://www.dobinsonsprings.com/docs/catalogues/4x4/pdf/LAND-58.pdf

The dobinsons supply a standard height + 20mm which brings the disco up to the highest standard height listed in the book. The sagged front springs I replaced ended up 45mm higher!
Looks good (like you have nothing to prove) and handles well :)

[RCTD5]

Thanks for the info on the Dobinsons northiam.

What shocks did you use? Did you need extended height ones or are standard fine for the springs you installed.

Could be a good way to go for me also.


Cheers

[northiam]

Thanks for the info on the Dobinsons northiam.

What shocks did you use? Did you need extended height ones or are standard fine for the springs you installed.

Could be a good way to go for me also.


Cheers

Didnt replace shocks so running standard original.
From all reports here, heavy duty shocks will give a rougher ride.
Regards

[Disco Muppet]

I've got King springs and Suspension Stuff shocks.
Extra heavy duty.
I'd not intended to go for a lift, but it was the easiest option for me.
You get used to actually climbing up into the car, and the extra clearance offroad is brilliant.
I still fit into most car parks no problems, it gets close but with some careful judging I've never scraped anything.
It certainly gives a harsh ride unladen, 150kg in the back makes it a bit softer :angel:
At just 2" you should need to look into cross member spacing or longer brake lines, but some lifts do.
It has impacted fuel economy slightly, only by like....an extra litre/100km at the most.
Lift means greater wear on prop shafts, other than that not really.
Mine handles better with the lift than stock, as it has stiffer springs so it sways less.
With ACE it should be magic.
So, in direct answers to your questions:
Handling with ACE: Not going to be an issue
Rough when unladen: Depends on your spring/shock types
Car parks: Hasn't been an issue for me, my UHF antenna is a perfect height gauge.
Brake Lines: Shouldn't need them for 2"
Strain on components: Prop shafts wear faster with a lift
HTH.
Cheers
Muppet

[clubagreenie]

I'm running HD +2" Lovells and because I don't have the extra weight the HD's are planned for I actually end up with a final height of 2040mm (top of factory roof bars with cross bars), still fit in carparks (carefully) and have about 2.3/4" lift (when new, about 2.1/2" now settled).

With ACE it's still the same, no change there. I have extended the brake lines and ABS lines just for peace of mind. The front shaft is a time bomb regardless of lift, so when due just get a woods shaft, measure and make to order. It's no extra cost. The rear has the donut which is the same, again just upgrade to uni/uni when due (you'll need to change the diff flange too).

For shocks I had Koni raids but got too good an offer for them (compared to the pittance I paid), so they were making way for +3" Terrafirmas which are supposed to be good, but I went and got a job so will be back to fox reservoir's as originally planned when first started upgrades. I'm actually back to std shocks and it rides fine.

Also allows running 265/75's without rubbing, I seem to clear the crossmember without dropping (dropping it negates part of the lift IMO)

[Jason789]

Hello RCTD5,

I have King Springs and Bilsteins +2" with ACE.

I didn't notice any difference in handling when I got the lift done although the ride was firmer than the original suspension. The front end had sagged badly and I got +100mm lift over the very tired and sagged original springs at the front end.

The ACE works just as it does at the standard suspension height as it does with a 2" lift.

If you keep your double cardin joint greased, it will last just fine. Mine lasted for 100,000km+ after the lift was done before I had to refurbish it, which goes against the rumour that a double cardin will fail after a suspension lift. I am not sure if the front shaft had been repaired/replaced prior to my purchase of the vehicle. There have been no issues with the rear tail shaft, the transfer case or diffs before or since the lift.

Any additional height, be it just the lift or plus a roof rack, you will have to measure and know, but is parking in an underground car park that important?

There is no need to extend the brake lines or the sensor wires for the wheels, although you will have to shift the connector in the brackets for the wheel sensor wires.

You will require a wheel alignment after the lift is done(don't listen to anyone who says you won't need it). You won't need castor correctors for a 2" lift.

Something I have found with tyre pressures after the lift are that running 44psi rear, 42 psi front(done to give even tyre wear on cheap Chinese H/T tyres) I thought was fairly good, a little harsh on the ride, but good handling.
I dropped the tyre pressures to 40 psi rear, 38 psi front and found that there was a much better ride and the turn into a corner to be markedly improved. I was really surprised at how the tyre pressures could affect the cornering so much. So it may be an area to play around with if you go with King springs and Billies.

Cheers,

Jason

PS:You will need spacers under the front cross member for clearance of the drive shaft. There are people on European sites saying remove the cross member completely as it apparently makes no difference. Personally I kept the cross member for protection and strength.

[RCTD5]

Hi again northiam,

Was it still necessary to move/ extent break lines and were any spacers/ mods needed for the clearance of driveshaft above cross member?

Has any sag occurred with your Dobinsons over time?

I have started another post asking about these springs and standard height Bilsteins. Do you know anyone with this combination and if so has it been a good set up or not?

Thanks again

[greg smith]

I got 2" lift springs froma local L/R workshop not real sure of brand were told they were a fulcrum brand[ yellow] and the replacement shocks are the RAW brand the ride was a bit stiffer [no ace] lift was definately noticeable handling actually improved, it has been done for about 4 yrs now and when I go bush it has been a real godsend as another D2 I saw at the fossicking grounds was noticeably lower and with water crossings and rough bush tracks I know what I prefer:D

[elshano]

Thanks for the info here guys. Useful.

My shocks and springs must have been done at some point because she's still riding nice and high but the 2" is on my list.

I did an order from John Craddock a while back so I chucked in some of the TerraFirma extended brake lines just in case. Don't think they were too expensive.

Haven't heard of the spacers being required under the xmember, is this a must-do?

[Disco Muppet]

Haven't heard of the spacers being required under the xmember, is this a must-do?

Now that's a question.
Some do, some don't.
I didn't, haven't had any issues and mines closer to 2.5" to 3".

[elshano]

That gels with the general train of thought on the 2", in that you can get away with chucking the springs and shocks in and off you go.

I've been looking at this kit: 2" Lift MATES RATES KIT for Discovery Series 2, Suspension Stuff (http://www.suspensionstuff.com.au/shop/product_info.php?cPath=1980_27_94_113&products_id=1255)

[Disco Muppet]

That gels with the general train of thought on the 2", in that you can get away with chucking the springs and shocks in and off you go.

I've been looking at this kit: 2" Lift MATES RATES KIT for Discovery Series 2, Suspension Stuff (http://www.suspensionstuff.com.au/shop/product_info.php?cPath=1980_27_94_113&products_id=1255)

Thats the one I've got, but the Extra Heavy Duty springs lift it a little more, and I've got an ARB bar, dual batts, and a winch.