How to make a D2 ride like a RRC ????????? help

[lyonsy]

Does anyone have any advice in how to get a Disco2 to ride like a RRC
i have both atm and the RRC kills the disco for ride comfort and it was worse before i put a lift kit in.
disco has std load King Springs in it with some Chinese 41mm foam cell shocks
this kit basicly
LANDROVER DISCOVERY SER2 ARCHM4X4 / COIL SPRING 2inch SUSPENSION LIFT KIT | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/LANDROVER-DISCOVERY-SER2-ARCHM4X4-COIL-SPRING-2inch-SUSPENSION-LIFT-KIT-/391133635458?fits=Model%3ADiscovery+II&hash=item5b1161a382:g:tmMAAOSwyYlYm7fo)

reason this is a much bigger issue is i injured my back at work and the jarring ride of small bumps kills me but when the disco hits bigger bumps its probably a bit better which i am putting down to the extra travel in the springs not increasing in stiffness as quickly as the RRC

[Graeme]

The best ride that I could achieve to compare with the RRC was with Koni (adjustable) shocks revalved to provide softer initial bump combined with 40mm lift springs. I made a tool that grabbed the top of the front shock to depress the shock to easily and quickly change the settings. The towers had to be rotated 180 deg to allow the bolt to be easily removed.

[bee utey]

Don't forget the effect that high tyre pressures can have on ride, you may have to drop them by 20% and put up with a bit more wear for a while.

[lyonsy]

played with pressure a bit but no real difference unless i drop them right down played from 28 to 35 :s

[Tins]

Does anyone have any advice in how to get a Disco2 to ride like a RRC
i have both atm and the RRC kills the disco for ride comfort and it was worse before i put a lift kit in.
disco has std load King Springs in it with some Chinese 41mm foam cell shocks
this kit basicly
LANDROVER DISCOVERY SER2 ARCHM4X4 / COIL SPRING 2inch SUSPENSION LIFT KIT | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/LANDROVER-DISCOVERY-SER2-ARCHM4X4-COIL-SPRING-2inch-SUSPENSION-LIFT-KIT-/391133635458?fits=Model%3ADiscovery+II&hash=item5b1161a382:g:tmMAAOSwyYlYm7fo)

reason this is a much bigger issue is i injured my back at work and the jarring ride of small bumps kills me but when the disco hits bigger bumps its probably a bit better which i am putting down to the extra travel in the springs not increasing in stiffness as quickly as the RRC

King springs in my D2 buggered the ride no end. Way too hard. Not sure if yours are the same, as I don't remember what rating mine are, other than that they are yellow[bigwhistle]. But my D1 has Dobinsons, and it rides like a RRC. Can take speed humps at the legal limit, where my D2 would kill me if I tried. D1 has TerraFirma shocks, and My D2 has stock, sort of. It's the springs, IMO. My D2 had a great ride on the SLS, but it picks up cats eyes etc really badly since I put the Kings in it.

Just my two bobs.

[Vern]

Mine rides great with kings, and its a rrc, its not the brand, its the rate of the coils! It rides even better now that i have revalved the shocks!

[FisherX]

I'm in agreement that the Kings spring kill the ride.

I put standard hight King springs in the front of my D2 with SLS in the rear. Definately rode harder and was a bit jarry on the road. Didn't like it at all. I would have put the originals back in but I tossed them[bigsad].

[twr7cx]

Fit RRC coil springs to the D2? I know the fronts are slightly different but Les Richmond Automotive swear that they use the same springs for RRC, Defender, D1 and D2 and that they will sit fine on the D2 spring seat.

Having never been in a RRC - what makes their ride so special? Is it just a soft plush ride or do they actually handle well? The D2 might be hard riding but they handle very very well, and softening up the ride might have a negative effect on the handling?

[Tins]

Mine rides great with kings, and its a rrc, its not the brand, its the rate of the coils! It rides even better now that i have revalved the shocks!

I agree that it's the rate, but I have never encountered supple Kings yet. Maybe I could have a ride in yours!
I reckon my Kings will be for sale here soon, as I hate them. I want to re fit the SLS. Mario has the airbags, and my compressor was still working.

[Vern]

Fit RRC coil springs to the D2? I know the fronts are slightly different but Les Richmond Automotive swear that they use the same springs for RRC, Defender, D1 and D2 and that they will sit fine on the D2 spring seat.

Having never been in a RRC - what makes their ride so special? Is it just a soft plush ride or do they actually handle well? The D2 might be hard riding but they handle very very well, and softening up the ride might have a negative effect on the handling?
Lra have a large selection of coils at different rates and heights, and thats how you make them ride well.

When i ordered my front kings, i got all the specs on them first, pd rate, static height etc...if the specs were no good, i wouldn't have ordered them.

[Roverlord off road spares]

I have a bad back and have also had spinal surgery and I can't say the Kings on my D2 make the ride harsh at all. I have a 2 inch lift, bull bar and winch on mine.
I'd be more inclined that the shocks are your problem, Shockers are Dampers they are supposed to Dampen the jolts, so maybe this is where your problem is, they might be too harsh

[loanrangie]

As good as they are king springs are generally too firm , you want LRA to sort some springs for you.

[Vern]

As good as they are king springs are generally too firm , you want LRA to sort some springs for you.
Lra were either too soft or too hard or not the right length for my situation for the front, but i do have them in the rear. They are expensive too compared. Have always used them in the past, but the front lra's i pulled out were to stiff, which is the same as if you ran the wrong kings!
Not about the brand, its about the specs!

[Lemo]

I can second that shocks will make the difference, had some aftermarket ones that rattled my back teeth!!
Went back to all genuine original shocks, springs front and bags rear.
Not knowing how good a RRC is I've no reference but it's pretty blood smooth!

[lyonsy]

Thanks for all the reply's.

a RRC drives like you have the tyres down around 20psi or so and just absorbs all the little bumps and undulations, interesting about the springs being able able to cross over.

I might have to get some specs from ya Vern.

Has anyone played with the tough dog adjustable shocks? i would have to assume there shocks are adjustable on rebound would have too see if they have different bump valving options as well externally adjustable is much easier then koni's only other option would be to get one of guys at top performance to make up so external adjustable ones

has anyone tried a D2 with no sway-bars? did it make any difference to the ride

not too concerned about handling its a big heavy vehicle and drive it as such


Roverlord off road spares
I have a bad back and have also had spinal surgery and I can't say the Kings on my D2 make the ride harsh at all. I have a 2 inch lift, bull bar and winch on mine.
I'd be more inclined that the shocks are your problem, Shockers are Dampers they are supposed to Dampen the jolts, so maybe this is where your problem is, they might be too harsh

i don't have a bull bar or winch it did ride a bit better with about 120kg of concrete behind the driver passenger seat but

ill look into if there is a variable rate front spring for the rear that fits i think from memory std height RRC can go in the front of a RRC and gives it a raise or 20-30mm so maybe something similar with the D2

[Vern]

Mine are heavy springs due to the weight of the isuzu engine, bar, winch, battery etc..236pd @ 460mm free height.
As for shocks, adjustable are on the compression stroke. I run 80 series cruiser superior engineering remote res which i have revalved to landy specs, these are 8 way adjustable, i am very happy with them

[lyonsy]

hey Vern
thanks for that yeah i was thinking more like 200 maybe less
and yeah on the bump/compression stroke is where i would want to be able to adjust, i am surprised there is no double adjustable's available but

[lyonsy]

ok so did some digging and RRC D1 and D2 can all use the same springs how ever kings dont list a raised comfort spring in the discovery like they do for the RRC so think ill give them call and see what the poundage is and waiting back on a reply from tough dog as to what is adjustable on there shocks.

[V8Ian]

I'm surprised Pedro hasn't chimed in yet, he's got these.
Rancho RS9000XL Front Shocks to suit Land Rover Discovery Series 2 (http://rancho.com.au/rancho-rs9000xl-front-shocks-to-suit-land-rover-discovery-series-2-pair.html)

[Vern]

I'm surprised Pedro hasn't chimed in yet, he's got these.
Rancho RS9000XL Front Shocks to suit Land Rover Discovery Series 2 (http://rancho.com.au/rancho-rs9000xl-front-shocks-to-suit-land-rover-discovery-series-2-pair.html)One of the worst made shocks ever. Great marketing, crap product. But they may have improved

[Vern]

hey Vern
thanks for that yeah i was thinking more like 200 maybe less
and yeah on the bump/compression stroke is where i would want to be able to adjust, i am surprised there is no double adjustable's available butYou would be wanting under 200pd considering no bar or winch.

[loanrangie]

Lra were either too soft or too hard or not the right length for my situation for the front, but i do have them in the rear. They are expensive too compared. Have always used them in the past, but the front lra's i pulled out were to stiff, which is the same as if you ran the wrong kings!
Not about the brand, its about the specs!
Exactly , kings are a limited range though.

[ozscott]

I really appreciated the Dobinson springs and single wall Bilstein shocks on the badly corrugated roads of Cape York. Cheers

[FisherX]

I really appreciated the Dobinson springs and single wall Bilstein shocks on the badly corrugated roads of Cape York. Cheers

Totally agree with the Dobinson's and Bilsteins. I had that set up in my old 93RRC and it was the best riding vehical I've ever had by far. I'm trying to replicate the ride in my Soft Dash RRC at the moment. I've got the air springs and and Bilsteins and it's close but not there yet. (I haven't got the full EAS going yet just got shroder valves on the springs)

Funny story with my old 93. I was givng a mate a lift home from work one day in Sydney, and going down his street in Homebush they had those big flat top speed bumps. So cruising down the street at 50 odd Ks or so, I didn't even slow down for the bump, didn't even think about slowing down. Then I hear a scream from the passanger seat and arms going everywhere grabbing on to the dash, the jeasus bar and screaming at me to slow down! I met these screams with bemusement as we rode smoothly over the speed bump still at speed and hardly felt it. My mate still panting for breath said if he went over a speed bump at that type of speed he'd be bounched through the roof... Any takers for guessing what kind of car he drove???? TOYOTA HILUX of course..[thumbsupbig]

[Vern]

Your bilstiens will be valved wrong for the eas, unless you have had them revalved.

As for dobo's, when i was making recent spring enquiries, they were the same rate as kings (1pd difference), but much shorter, i found them useless to deal with over the phone as well.

[Cambeaner]

Funny story with my old 93. I was givng a mate a lift home from work one day in Sydney, and going down his street in Homebush they had those big flat top speed bumps. So cruising down the street at 50 odd Ks or so, I didn't even slow down for the bump, didn't even think about slowing down. Then I hear a scream from the passanger seat and arms going everywhere grabbing on to the dash, the jeasus bar and screaming at me to slow down! I met these screams with bemusement as we rode smoothly over the speed bump still at speed and hardly felt it. My mate still panting for breath said if he went over a speed bump at that type of speed he'd be bounched through the roof... Any takers for guessing what kind of car he drove???? TOYOTA HILUX of course..[thumbsupbig]


I drove a brand new triton recently and honestly it made me miss my horse and cart. chiropractors must love them.

[trout1105]

I have got Bog standard springs/shockies on the front end of my D2 and I got Wyatt's in Geraldton to convert the rear air suspension to springs for me.
I have No idea what type of springs/shockies were used to replace the air bags But the ride although a bit stiffer isn't THAT much rougher than the SLS system.

As for bumps and ride comfort goes maybe lower your tyre pressures and change your driving style (Slow down a bit) will help [thumbsupbig]

[FisherX]

I drove a brand new triton recently and honestly it made me miss my horse and cart. chiropractors must love them.

Another story, (yes slow day at work) So this is when I had my D2, I started work at a ship yard up here in Cairns that has their yard split in half by a public road. So they have to drive up to 600T of ship travel lift across the road from one side of the yard to the other. This makes some rather large depressions in the ashvalt road where the huge tyres run back and forth. So driving the D2 down the road at 60Ks you can feel them but really no big deal, thought nothing of it.

Then I drove the work ute, (a Triton duel cab tray back V6 that makes Rover V8s fuel useage seem frugle), out the gate and started down the road for the first time blissfully unaware of what was about to happen. Anyway hit the dips at about maybe 40Ks, bugger me, the car bounced off the ground and me off the seat and I hit my head on the roof and stoved my neck in and my back suffered as well [bawl].

So I hated that car and got rid of it as soon as I could. But replaced it with another Triton [bigsad] it's the company policy to have Mitsubishi fleet vehicles. This one's a lot better, Diesel duel cab with a full styleside. Still crap though.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

I'm surprised Pedro hasn't chimed in yet, he's got these.
Rancho RS9000XL Front Shocks to suit Land Rover Discovery Series 2 (http://rancho.com.au/rancho-rs9000xl-front-shocks-to-suit-land-rover-discovery-series-2-pair.html)


One of the worst made shocks ever. Great marketing, crap product. But they may have improved


Marketing? what marketing? JustinC told me the exact same words when we fitted them,, They are crap. I still PM him every so often just to remind him that 15K down the road later and I still find the adjustability great and they are a pleasure to ride on. Its amazing how people dont like things that are different,,

[Vern]

Marketing? what marketing? JustinC told me the exact same words when we fitted them,, They are crap. I still PM him every so often just to remind him that 15K down the road later and I still find the adjustability great and they are a pleasure to ride on. Its amazing how people dont like things that are different,,About 10 or so years ago they were huge, marketed everywhere, everyone was buying them, and having them die! My inlaws got some for their disco, between melbourne and broome, 1 way, they went through 3 sets!! All replaced under warranty.
Probably fine if you don't go off road

[rick130]

Marketing? what marketing? JustinC told me the exact same words when we fitted them,, They are crap. I still PM him every so often just to remind him that 15K down the road later and I still find the adjustability great and they are a pleasure to ride on. Its amazing how people dont like things that are different,,

I'm glad they are working for you but I agree with JC and Damien. [bigwhistle]

[edit] and it's quite ok to cc me on the JC message too. [biggrin]

[rick130]

RRC's and 1980's 110's ride brilliantly because they use soft springs (150in/lb in the front rings a bell?) with softly valved dampers front and rear and use the load leveller to keep the back end up under load.

I've found the D2 really nice with stock springs and dampers, it just runs out of travel.

I'm going to keep the stock rates and go a little higher, maybe 25-35mm longer loaded height as I'm bottoming out through dips and depressions where I used to sail through in the 130, but it had over 100mm before hitting the bump stops, and I kept the axle pads polished in it. [biggrin]

[CU55TM Disco]

I have kings in the front of my d2, and boss bags in the rear replacing the factory sls bags. Boss are triple convoluted and the factory are rolling sleeve, as such, the boss bags are quite firm, and VERY progressive.
I have bilstein 7100 remote res front and rear.
The front kings are 2" higher and are 190lb/in vs the factory 150lb/in.
The ride is good at speed, handles well and soaks up most bumps nicely, however, I will agree that sharp ridges on the road feel like you are driving on solid rubber tyres, overlapping joins in tar make me wince and rattles everything in the vehicle. Perhaps the bump valving on the billies is a bit high,I did have the rear ones re valved to suit the bags, the fronts I just went with the specs that most people seemed to be running.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

About 10 or so years ago they were huge, marketed everywhere, everyone was buying them, and having them die! My inlaws got some for their disco, between melbourne and broome, 1 way, they went through 3 sets!! All replaced under warranty.
Probably fine if you don't go off road


oh, I'm sorry!! your second hand knowledge is TEN years ago?!?!

So glad I bought mine TEN years later,, [smilebigeye]

[Vern]

oh, I'm sorry!! your second hand knowledge is TEN years ago?!?!

So glad I bought mine TEN years later,, [smilebigeye]
Secondhand knowledge! I fitted them, drove the car heaps, actually did a lot of work on it! No i didn't do the tanami track with them though.
They are still a crap shock.
Where have you taken them? Corrugated roads?

[lyonsy]

ok so just did a 4 hour trip with an extra set of wheels in the car plus some extra goodies and it rode much better,
so when its unloaded the spring rates seem to be a bit hard and the shocks are probably a bit too hard on compression.
the front was still a bit too firm but if i fit a steel bull bar will probaly be close to how the rrc rides,

so i think ill get a set of adjustable shocks to play with initialy and then maybe get a set variable rate springs for the front from a rrc and see how we go and ill keep ya all up to date on how it goes

[lyonsy]

was just talking to tough dog with their adjustable shocks they say that the adjust effects both the bound and rebound
with the shock starting at a 30/70

[lyonsy]

response from king springs
so thinking this is a good option for a much lower spring rate
for more comfort


KRFR-06 390-410mm long 190lb

KRRR-04 425-435mm long 240-345lb progressive rate.

The range rover springs

KRFR-03T 405-415mm long 150-240lb progressive

KRRR-04T 450-460mm long 150-240lb progressive