99 D2 suspension 2" lift & tyre questions

[heavydevy09]

I would like to lift my 1999 discovery, it doesn't have airbags and should be simple but I have a couple of questions about it all.
The shocks in it are old man emu which I'm pretty sure they were close to new when I got the disco because they still ride nicely, can I just put some lifted springs in and they will be long enough or will I have to put longer shocks in?

I don't have a winch or roof rack but I do a little towing, any suggestions for spring setups ( make and weight ) would be appreciated.

What would be the biggest tyre to fit to my bus once it is lifted. Would 275/75/16 be to big?

Last of all, I was looking at a set of cooper s/t maxx tyres the other day and wondered if people were happy with them?

[Expatdisco3]

I have Lovells H/D 2" springs front and back along with Lovells shocks, I have towed before with this set up I noticed the back of the car squatted a bit but handled great.

If I was going to tow heavily loads for periods of time then I would consider putting airbags in the springs to help ride hight. I also fitted a tough dog return to steering damper which helps too.

I obviously find the ride to be stiff but compared to the old worn shocks and soft sagging springs it handles like its on rails and not a boat!!

[schuy1]

Suspension! 500 spring and shockie manufactures and about 5000000000 ideas on which is best combination!:o :D Do a bit of a search using the function at the bottom of the page. Then grab a kilo bottle of coffee, milk and sugar to taste, and start trawling! Its gonna be a looooonnnnnngggggg night :D
But to your Q about the shocks, if the coils are standard the shocks will be to so cannot raise with them, otherwise the eyes break off.
Cheers Scott

[elshano]

Have been told the standard shockies have enough length to cover the std 2" lift.

I have dobinsons +2" hd springs and terrafirma extended length shocks and have been extremely happy with it for the price.
Running 245/75 discoverer at3s, the search will confuse you here as some people say a 265/75 will fit without scrubbing, the conservative safe bet is 245/75 though.

[Squanderer]

i have the exact same setup as elshano including tyre sizes. My only comment is the lateral swaying movement after a few days driving on bumpy roads makes my neck go out of alignment and get very stiff and painful. if you are not in your 50s, not a problem of course!! I have read a lot of negative comments on this forum about Coopers shedding big chunks of tyre on flinty roads; I have goodyear AT wranglers which have been outstanding on the flinty corrugated stuff but there will no doubt be lots here who have had good experience with plenty of other brands

[Squanderer]

….including Coopers!

[FenianEel]

I would like to lift my 1999 discovery, it doesn't have airbags and should be simple but I have a couple of questions about it all.
The shocks in it are old man emu which I'm pretty sure they were close to new when I got the disco because they still ride nicely, can I just put some lifted springs in and they will be long enough or will I have to put longer shocks in?

I don't have a winch or roof rack but I do a little towing, any suggestions for spring setups ( make and weight ) would be appreciated.

What would be the biggest tyre to fit to my bus once it is lifted. Would 275/75/16 be to big?

Last of all, I was looking at a set of cooper s/t maxx tyres the other day and wondered if people were happy with them?

If they are OME, they will fit with raised springs no worries, but it's always better to replace shocks & springs at the same time.
I have OME shocks & springs on my D2 and love it. Kings make OME springs.
Durashocks are another good, cheaper option.
265s will be about as big as you'll want to go.
I've got STTs in 265/75/16s and they've been everywhere and are awesome on & off road. Very happy with them, best rubber I've had. (And I've had Pirelli, Maxxis, Mickey T). Mickeys were worst by a mile.

[joel0407]

If you want a cheap raise just to fit tyres but not for the extra travel. I have a set of lifting blocks from Toddco.

I purchased this kit Lucky8 Llc. - Take the road less traveled... (http://lucky8llc.com/Products.aspx?ProductID=2299#prettyPhoto) from Lucky 8 and used the SLS lift blocks in the rear but I put new springs in the front.

You could have the front blocks for $100 deilvered if you like. That way it ride will stay the same as the springs and shocks stay the same. Except for some more body roll in the corners due to the higher centre of gravity.

Happy Days.

[CJT]

If they are OME, they will fit with raised springs no worries, but it's always better to replace shocks & springs at the same time.
I have OME shocks & springs on my D2 and love it. Kings make OME springs.
Durashocks are another good, cheaper option.
265s will be about as big as you'll want to go.
I've got STTs in 265/75/16s and they've been everywhere and are awesome on & off road. Very happy with them, best rubber I've had. (And I've had Pirelli, Maxxis, Mickey T). Mickeys were worst by a mile.

When I replaced my coils to the upgraded +50mm Dobinsons, heavy front and GVM +200kg rear, the supplier sent me standard length Bilsteins by mistake. They kept topping out immediately and where swapped out for the correct extended Bilsteins the following day.

You might get away with it on normal rate +50mm coils but mine did not work with standard shocks.

[Tombie]

If you want a cheap raise just to fit tyres but not for the extra travel. I have a set of lifting blocks from Toddco.

I purchased this kit Lucky8 Llc. - Take the road less traveled... (http://lucky8llc.com/Products.aspx?ProductID=2299#prettyPhoto) from Lucky 8 and used the SLS lift blocks in the rear but I put new springs in the front.

You could have the front blocks for $100 deilvered if you like. That way it ride will stay the same as the springs and shocks stay the same. Except for some more body roll in the corners due to the higher centre of gravity.

Happy Days.

And your coils can bind and crack your mounts...

Those spacers are a bad idea on so many levels...

[joel0407]

And your coils can bind and crack your mounts...

Those spacers are a bad idea on so many levels...

If coil bind was a problem, you could always extend the bump stops. My coils are a long way from binding. I doubt an extra 30 - 40mm would be enough for them to bind.


Anyway. I guess another option would be a chassis/body lift


Happy Days

[DazzaTD5]

Ive used OME and Ironman on clients vehicles with mixed results.
But have been most happy with Terrafirma on both my own D2 and clients, they seem pretty happy too!!

Apart from the issues of rubbing with bigger tyres, I find 245/75R16 to be the best size on a D2 especially if its a TD5 auto, the bigger sizes seems to take a lot out of the truck.

Regards
Daz

[d2dave]

Anyway. I guess another option would be a chassis/body lift


Happy Days

Highly illegal on a D2.

[joel0407]

Highly illegal on a D2.

Ok. I'll bite. Why? And why specifically on a D2.


I personally wouldn't do it as I can't see the point of raising the COG just to fit bigger tyres but each to there own. I can't really talk, I lifted mine just to fit some shocks I wanted. I must say it like chalk and cheese the improvement over what it was like but I can't really say if it wouldn't be this good with good springs and shocks at standard height.


I have read it many times though that lifting the D2 by 2 inches is the best improvement in ride you can do. My shocks are soft enough that they partly take advantage of the extra distance to the bump stops and allow the axle to move more giving a softer ride on stuff that would take a heavier shock to keep the standard height of the bump stops and the ACE keeps the body roll down to less than the competition that isn't raised.


Happy Days.

[d2dave]

It is illegal on any vehicle that has SRS. This is why I said D2, as early disco 1's did not have SRS so a body lift could be done.

[ozscott]

75090

[ozscott]

Sorry cant work tapatalk. .so 45mm Dobinson in rear - linear. Plus 20 linear Dobo in front. Weight of LPG gear meant a need for 45mm rear to even it up. Bilstien shocks. 245/75/16 General Grabber AT2. Much better ride than stock. Excellent handling if slighty and only slightly more initial body roll. Soaks up big bumps beautifully. Cheers

[Tombie]

If coil bind was a problem, you could always extend the bump stops. My coils are a long way from binding. I doubt an extra 30 - 40mm would be enough for them to bind.


Anyway. I guess another option would be a chassis/body lift


Happy Days

Coil bind is a very real problem with the spacers, and whilst when its static and touching the bump stop it may still have a gap between coils; those bump stops compress quite a lot in dynamic situations.

Spacing the bump stop down will prevent this problem - BUT... you've now reduced the up travel of your entire suspension set up, so the 2" gain in travel usually associated with the lift kits and longer shocks is now back to std.

The ability to stuff tyres upwards is very important to keeping the vehicle balanced IMNSHO. A balance must be maintained in suspension design - short cuts are just a compromise and a waste of time.

Amazing how many people mess with suspension, without ever bothering to truly understand the hows and whys...