disco suspension options

[mickus]

Greetings all, just hoping to pick your brains on suspension options for a '96 TDi Disco. Current shocks are shot and I'm wondering what my options are.

So far I've come up with:

1. Koni 30series, front and rear, supplied and fitted for $860. Supposedly the best for Discos and can be reset.

2. West Coast Suspensions springs and shocks, front and rear, supplied and fitted for $1080. Will result in body lift of approximately 50mm.

Basically I'm after a firmer ride and better offroad performance, most of my driving is soft beach work, with the odd nasty rock climb. Which is the best option or are there any others without spending more than about $1500?

thanks,
mick

[KEV0044]

...

[shaunp]

Changing springs on a Disco is easy all 4 take no more than 2-3hours. There are heaps off springs around and they are cheap most are less than $200 a pair. Kings are about $120 trade they drop a bit height after a while however. Just make sure your shocks are long enough. Your Koni's will be adjustable you can firm up your ride by adjusting them if you want.

[agrojnr]

Don't know you all will take this but here goes

Mick I have a 93 V8 Disco with a racho setup on it and its the worst setup Ihave eva had a landy.
The problem I have that because I travel 60Km to work and back every day the setup is just too stiff and afer a while of driving I start to get a back ach.

If you can afford it try a OME setup as I'm going to get , I have had this make of shock and spring on other landies that I have owned and they are very good plus there australian made.

As kev said get a 2inch lift and fit those tyres it makes the Disco's look ten times better.

But if they are out of price range get the koni setup because they are also very good quality.

adam :twisted:

[mickus]

Thanks for the replies all. Everyone seems to be recommending the spring lift option. Does it really make that much difference to offroad performance in comparison to a set of good shocks?

[bigbugga]

A lift will give better clearance, this will mean you can go further than before.

[incisor]

Originally posted by bigbugga
A lift will give better clearance, this will mean you can go further than before.

before you get stuck

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif

[bigbugga]

Originally posted by incisor+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(incisor)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-bigbugga
A lift will give better clearance, this will mean you can go further than before.

before you get stuck

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif[/b][/quote]

Aint that the truth :wink:

[mickus]

Ok a 50mm lift aint gonna give me any more clearance at the diffs without changing to higher profile rubber. Correct?

Even if I do get new rubber the most I can increase the profile by is 50mm, same as the lift. Correct?

That means an overall gain of 25mm clearance at the diffs.

My question being, is it worth the extra $$$$$$$ for 25mm or will a new set of shocks achieve similar results?

[one_iota]

Taller springs coupled with longer shocks will increase axle articulation which means that your wheels have a better chance of staying on the ground. BB's Disco photo demonstrates this.

http://www.aulro.com/modules.php?name=Foru...iewtopic&t=1168 (http://www.aulro.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=1168)

If your wheels are on the ground then you can grab some traction.

Springs are the cheapest part of the quest.

Sure the diff will ground but a live axle generally lifts all the componentry clear of the ground unlike independant suspension.

Sure you will get hung up on the diff which is how far you have chosen to go.

I fitted some diff guards. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

I am still running stock diameter wheels albeit on 15" rims

I have heard that in NSW there is a legal limit of 15mm maximum over the placarded maximum size wheel diameter? This means 7.5 mm at the diff. :cry:

[bigbugga]

I used to scrape and bump the fuel tank and side steps before the new springs went in.

Still do it sometimes now but it only happens on tracks I could have never done before.

Diffs are always going to be a problem,

It all really comes down to how hard you want to drive your 4wd.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Originally posted by agrojnr
Don't know you all will take this but here goes

Mick I have a 93 V8 Disco with a racho setup on it and its the worst setup Ihave eva had a landy.
The problem I have that because I travel 60Km to work and back every day the setup is just too stiff and afer a while of driving I start to get a back ach.

adam :twisted:

Verrry interesting,,( he says wearing a german helmet)

I put some OME Nitrochargers on a couple of years back, worse thing I ever did, work fine between Rainbow and Freshwater BUT
stiff as a board around town,,,
NOT want I want in my Disco,,,
SWMBO says it goes faster round corners though :roll:

[bigbugga]

It is a good point to make but,Pedro and agrojnr


Most aftermarket suspension options that target offroad 4wd will make for a stiffer ride, some more than others.
Rancho and now Tuff dog both have an adjustable suspension option, but you also have the increased cost to go with it.

It really comes down to asking about and seeing who has what and then working out the type of ride you are looking for.

[discowhite]

If you go higher in the spring this usually meens the the spring rate
increases! and with this you will loose articulation!
trust me Im dealing with it now. stock suspension in my disco
was 133lb front and 170lb rear with monroe shocks. and now
i run king springs 250lb front and 330lb rear same shocks.
i cant go where i used to now with out locking in the diff!
and it sucks! my choice now would be to get custom springs made
to suit what i do

[agrojnr]

Hey discowhite please tell me if im wrong in saying this but


someone told me once the higher you go the stronger the spring has to be because it wont handle the weight?????

also if you do go lighter in spring lbs wont the usual disco spring sag come back or will spring spacers work???

i am also looking in to the spring problem as my disco does not have enough articulation as well


adam :twisted:

[aloa9061]

Hey guys,
I've upgraded my suspension by 2' on both of my previous cars and it has made the world of difference. Make sure you get a 4wd specialist to look at the setup. also talk to them and discuss what you want it for. my current defender setup is a 50mm lift6 with bilstein shocks. (expensive but rebuildable) The ride is firm when unladen but i use it mainly for trips and towing. If yopu want a compromise get advise and adjust the strength of the springs. My solution for both my cars was increase to a medium spring and just leave some recovery gear in the back around town.

The difference is unbelievable off and on road when set up properly. The increased tire diameter is important if you can afford it. wait till your tires need replacing and upgrade to a higher profile. Remember to replace the spare. you CANNOT run different size profiles you must have the same rolling diameter!!!! :!:

My defender now runs the two inch lift with 33' muddies and i love it.

If you want to talk suspension in disco's i would pm slunnie. he has a four inch in a disco 2 and is very knowledgable. he is the moderator on the overlander forum and he is also on here.
Cheers
Andy

[Timmo]

I am about to go down this road too. Have pretty much decided on the OME setup. How firm should I go? I don't do much towing, do some camping trips with a bit of gear in the back but also a lot of highway miles with just me on board. Medium? Maybe medium at the back and comfort shocks at the front?

[mickus]

Ended up with Koni 30series and no spring adjustment. Brilliant, like driving a different car, better on the road and fantastic offroad. Took it up to Wagoe on the weekend and cruised through dirt at 20lb that previously I would've struggled in at 10lb.
If you're thinking of a suspension upgrade, think long and hard whether you need to change your springs at all. A good set of shocks makes a world of difference.

[DiscoTDI]

Quick question, has anyone gone to airbags :?: