D2 2" Lift

[Hendrik]

After numerous searches on this forum I have decided to start my own thread as I'm considering a lift, and would require all the advice i can get.
I use my disco for weekend trips mainly, so its mainly a touring vehicle but i do like getting into the rough stuff also. I would need something that is heavy duty, as I was close to hitting the bumpstops in the rear on my last trip through some rough sandy tracks.
Now while i want more articulation and less chance of bottoming out off road, I would like to maintain the current on road performance as a lot of touring is done on the black top. My parents used to own a D1 with a 2inch lift and it was an absolute boat around corners, and it wondered badly on dirt roads. I would like to avoid this situation at all cost, as a stock disco 2 is very comfortable on road.
Mine is a 99 model with coils all round. Now ive looked into the arb OME's but by looking at other threads, ive seen that people are getting some good results from the cheaper stuff like lovell's and ironman. I would like to hear people's experiences with these cheaper set ups, is the on road performance still good?
Secondly, I'm confused to what set up to go for; stiff all round, or stiff up front and soft at the rear with poly bags.
Sorry if i dribble on a bit, but your advice would be really helpful.
Kind regards
Hendrik

[Boxer]

I just recently installed a full EFS 2-inch lift in my D1, aswell as a new steering dampner. I was really happy with the way my car handled standard, but then it wasn't until I fitted the new stuff that I realised how soft it was on the road before. Other than that I've just fitted swaybar disconnects for offroad driving and will have a set of 33s on it this week.

[Hastykiwi]

Hendrik,

I think all of us newbies on these forums have probably started this thread. I know I did. Like you i have been looking at the same issue and seen the various pricing. The gear at suspension stuff looks good, and i have seen several guys on here using it. For advice on suspension geometry etc, Slunnie looks to have an almost encyclopeadic knowledge of it so u can't go wrong there. Shane crowther at suspension stuff is also worth emailing. Prompt replies and knows the stock. One piece of advice i was given was to sort your bullbars etc first, so you know the weight the springs will have to deal with before you fit them.

Nick

[Grover-98]

www.suspensionstuff.com.au <<<< Answers to all you suspension questions will be answered by Shane! top bloke and he really knows what he is talking about!

[long stroke]

Yep just give Shane a ring and he'll set you up!!!
But i would be considering sway-bar disconects if you want more travel;)

[Grover-98]

Hey, I have heard a lot of you guys speak of these sway bar disconnects and i was wondering what the deal is with them, price and functionality. Do they allow you to run with the sway bar connected on road, and then disconnect them for off road use?

[dirtdawg]

Do they allow you to run with the sway bar connected on road, and then disconnect them for off road use?

that would be why there called sway bar disconnectors :p :wasntme: :D

[McDisco]

Hey, I have heard a lot of you guys speak of these sway bar disconnects and i was wondering what the deal is with them, price and functionality. Do they allow you to run with the sway bar connected on road, and then disconnect them for off road use?

Yep. They are a fairly simple linkage with a split pin and shaft at one end. I have one on my disco and often disconnect it for tougher trips. Does make the Disco sway into corners and bit more but after a while you compensate for it and get used to it...did my whole Simpson trip with mine disconnected. You just undo the split pin and zip tie it out of the way.

It doesnt help with articulation. I tested mine before and after fitment and I gained about another 2-3 inches in travel up front. Heres a pic after fitting with it disconnected - https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

Mine is from here - www.slickrockfabrications.com. I got mine as part of a group buy. They sell them as a set, but you dont need two as you only need to fit one to the passenger side (which is easier to get to due to the steering box on the drivers side). Unlike some out there, these are custom made for the D2 and they bolt on really easy - fitted mine in about half an hour.

Angus

[Hendrik]

I might give suspension stuff a ring, theyre prices look very good. At the moment the Lovell's look very tempting, but are they as good as the OME's. Are the OME's expensive for a reason? Has anyone fitted lovell's to their d2? I would be very interested in how you find them.
I want to set up my d2 pretty much like Mcdisco's, i already have a steel bar, and i want a winch and another battery, so thats a lot of extra weight.
Cheers
Hendrik

[Kandy]

Hi Hendrick,
I note that you are a "tourer", same here-- "almost hit the bumpstops" , mate the Landrover is awesome, u probably didnt come close, Ive been over lots of sand tracks and rough as but never once did I think -- Oh, I need a 2"" lift or any lift--- sure if your suspension is gone then an up grade is justified but suspension lifts can involve angle changes in your running gear( props etc.) and while 1 vehicle seems OK another starts vibrating at odd times--0- why chance it. Sit down, have a coldy and think of the cost versus benefit.
Steve

[Hendrik]

kandy..
now that you say that, im more confused haha.
I just want suspension that will be able to accomodate the weight of touring and accessories like a winch, roof rack and dual battery. Im not really sure if a lift is really needed, although i do want to run larger tyres like 265/75/R16. Larger mud terreins just make it so much easier when going up rough hills etc. I think i lift will also help, as it will allow for more flex and keep wheels on the ground.

[Redback]

I can recommend the Lovells 2" springs and shocks, i helped YORKIE install his a couple of months back, they seemed to give very nice ride.

I have Lovells in my D2, they are a very good and long wearing spring, they don't suffer from the sagging that OME do.

If your thinking of doing the install yourself, you will need spring compressors the fit the springs.

Baz.

[Yorkie]

yep happy with the full lovells kit in mine (heavy duty front & medium rear) and very happy with the price from shane. on road the ride is firm but compliant and offroad i find it much nicer to drive. :D
i am thinking of maybe needing bags in the rear as the medium springs do sag a little when loaded but not enough to cause concern. this would only be needed for longrange touring when everything and the kitchen sink are packed:eek:.
cheers
yorkie :)

[Redback]

yep happy with the full lovells kit in mine (heavy duty front & medium rear) and very happy with the price from shane. on road the ride is firm but compliant and offroad i find it much nicer to drive. :D
i am thinking of maybe needing bags in the rear as the medium springs do sag a little when loaded but not enough to cause concern. this would only be needed for longrange touring when everything and the kitchen sink are packed:eek:.
cheers
yorkie :)

Good to see they are good offroad Liam, we are camping at Belanglo this weekend if your up for it:D

Baz.

[MickG]

I have had 40mm lifted OME springs and shocks in my D2 and the front sagged completely after about a year - rear springs and shocks were fine though. I now have 40mm lifted King springs and Bilstein shocks up front and Pedders shocks in the rear in mine which works great. I also have steel bull bar, winch, dual battery, spot lights and the King springs do not appear to have sagged at all - 210lbs up front and approx 310lbs in the rear from memory.
I would also highly recommend the poly air bags for the rear if you like touring as these not only help maintain ride height but set correctly, help a lot with body control. I do mainly rough off roading and you can deflate the bags to 5psi and they still allow great flex in the rear. Well worth the money in my opinion as they offer a very wide range of flexability and comfort levels for all situations.

If you are going to fit 265/75 (32") tyres, then I think you do need to raise your ride height and approx 2" or 40mm to cope with possible rubbing - others may be able to confirm this. Does your car have ACE? If so then body roll should not be too much of an issue when cornering.

40mm or 2" seems to be the standard for the D2 and does not require any other modification of brake lines or prop shafts etc. Make sure your shocks are matched to the spring rates etc and you will be fine.

Best of luck, Mick

[Hendrik]

Thanks MickG, that is really helpful, thats the kind of advice I was after.
Yours and Yorkie's set up is sort of what i want. I think i will give the lovell's a go, and have a good talk to suspension stuff on what i need exactly.

[Rosscoe68]

i am about to order some "suspension stuff" lovells for my D2 maybe we could organise a group buy ?

[McDisco]

kandy..
now that you say that, im more confused haha.
I just want suspension that will be able to accomodate the weight of touring and accessories like a winch, roof rack and dual battery. Im not really sure if a lift is really needed, although i do want to run larger tyres like 265/75/R16. Larger mud terreins just make it so much easier when going up rough hills etc. I think i lift will also help, as it will allow for more flex and keep wheels on the ground.

You will find Hendrik that you will need a 2 inch lift if you want to run the 265's. They will fit on a standard disco, but you may have some clearance issues offroad. A lift will help with the clearance and plus it looks better.

I would also seccond what MicKG said about the airbags. I fitted firestone airbags before my last Simpson trip and it improved the ride and handling really well. The firestones are a lot cheaper than the polyairs - check out Timbren, Hellwig Helper Springs, Bilstein Shocks, Firestone, Air Spring Kits, Mile Marker Winch (http://www.truckspring.com).

Angus

[Yorkie]

Good to see they are good offroad Liam, we are camping at Belanglo this weekend if your up for it:D
Baz.

sorry, busy with xmas parties and stuff but would have like to come.

hendrik, just check with shane on the rear springs as not sure but think there maybe a longer drivers side spring depending on part no, meant to correct sag due heavy loads on that side:wasntme:. i can not really notice any difference on mine fitted and the springs were all the same height before install.

cheers
yorkie

[Hendrik]

You will find Hendrik that you will need a 2 inch lift if you want to run the 265's. They will fit on a standard disco, but you may have some clearance issues offroad. A lift will help with the clearance and plus it looks better.

I would also seccond what MicKG said about the airbags. I fitted firestone airbags before my last Simpson trip and it improved the ride and handling really well. The firestones are a lot cheaper than the polyairs - check out Timbren, Hellwig Helper Springs, Bilstein Shocks, Firestone, Air Spring Kits, Mile Marker Winch (http://www.truckspring.com).

Angus

Thanks heaps for that. I think i might go the poly airs, had some on a previous disco and they are quite comfortable. Yeah i think i will get the 2 inch lift before i get the 32"s, I wouldnt want them to be rubbing on my guards.

The group buy sounds like a good idea, although i do need to have a chat to them first. At the moment im pretty set on those Lovell's
Thanks for everyone's input, really appreciated.

[McDisco]

Make sure you post pics when your done! :D

[that_kid]

ive been looking around for the same sort of thing and being a bit of a newb the amount of stuff out theres making it a bit overwhelming. combined with the conflicting views i get from different people.

with my D2 im aiming for something mostly setup up for maximum articulation and clearence as mine is soley a weekend toy. ive have been watching the USD as the rovertym 3" bilstein kit looks to be the all in one solution for what im after and reasonbly priced minus shipping. Rovertym Engineering (http://www.rovertym.com/)
i too am wanting to run bigger mud terrains something like a 285/75r16.

with my lift will ill be doing the SLS to coil swap for reliability and more offroad ability as ive found the bags particularly when raised dont flex all that well.

sorry to hijack your thread hendrik :angel:

[McDisco]

You will need to trim the guards to fit 285/75s. And you dont need to buy a package from the states to get good suspension. The americans are just good at packaging things and making it sound awesome.

A bit of research and you can get what you want a lot cheaper here...

Angus

[that_kid]

You will need to trim the guards to fit 285/75s. And you dont need to buy a package from the states to get good suspension. The americans are just good at packaging things and making it sound awesome.

A bit of research and you can get what you want a lot cheaper here...

Angus

im not wanting to cut the gaurds so i think im just gonna have to go down a size,

and yeh i know you dont have to go for one from overseas its just a very good and easy solution, at the least it has given me a shopping list of the things i need.

if anyone knows of any good places in brisbane other then MR automotive to help me out with the landrover suspension, lifts etc please give me some details.

[McDisco]

Just stick with 265/75/r16s. About the right size for a lifted D2 and doesnt affect the gearing that bad...unless you have a manual like me! :D

A couple of people on herre have gone through suspensionstuff.com....I think that right. I am sure you will find something through them.

Angus

[Slunnie]

Yep, Shane at Suspensionstuff looks like he's developing some really good kits for the Disco2, especially lifts over 2". He shortly will be the other offroading option apart from Rovertym.

Without having had my hands on a set, I don't think that you'll have to trim with his 3" kit if you fit 285/75-16's.

[MickG]

For your info, I run 285/75s with my 2" lift on my '99 D2 and I have not had to trim my guards. I do however get some slight rubbing inside the wheel arch when fully compressed but nothing too bad. I have also adjusted my steering stops with a couple of washers to account for the larger tyre. Rubbing on my wheel arches only occurs when playing hard;)

Also keen to see how the 3" kit from Shane turns out as I may try this next.

Aye, Mick

[Rosscoe68]

fitted my lovell shocks from suspension stuff 2 days ago. i must say they are a nice feel to ride on, nice and firm but not bone shaking, feels like it will handle the rough stuff heaps more capable now than with the stock landrover shocks.

[that_kid]

ok ive decided that im going to go with the bilsteins and lovells from suspension stuff and do the 2" lift, my last question is am i going to have to do ABS and brakes lines too?

[turbo6i]

Just stick with 265/75/r16s. About the right size for a lifted D2 and doesnt affect the gearing that bad...unless you have a manual like me! :D

A couple of people on herre have gone through suspensionstuff.com....I think that right. I am sure you will find something through them.

Angus

Hi
i have a manual,
and have booked the car in to get a 2" EFS lift kit
2000 D2 - with 265/75/r16s

will it effect the gearing bad?

[bryan]

I have a manual td5 with 265/75 r16. I drove it around for ages like this before I got the chip an intercooler. It certainly quite leisurley but (for me at least) quite acceptable. The td5 is no rocket ship even with the chip! ;-) I think the bigger tyres are around 9/10% bigger. Huge difference offroad and well worth any decrease in road performance in my opinion!

[McDisco]

Yeah you will notice. I dont like running the 265's around town as the gearing *****s me. I have a set of HTs for around town in 255/70/r16.

If you are only running the 265s offroad its not that noticeable. I have done tons of day trips and longer touring trips with them without any noticeable issues.

The added height is handy on tougher tracks. You will notice a little less engine braking on really steep sections and it will run away a bit. You find you need to use low first more than normal whereas you would usually use low 2nd with standard tyres. Climbing isnt affected that much really.

If it annoys you that much you could always fit 4.11 CW&P gearing which would counteract the larger tyres.

Angus

[turbo6i]

thinking about running 265/75/r16 bfg muddy's permenantly

they place doing the lift recommended castor correction
i'm thinking about giving a skip, and getting it if i needit after


any opinions on this?

regards

[Tombie]

thinking about running 265/75/r16 bfg muddy's permenantly

they place doing the lift recommended castor correction
i'm thinking about giving a skip, and getting it if i needit after


any opinions on this?

regards

2" wont need it...

Try the stock gearing and see what you think.. The D2 here ran 265-75-16s for 7 years like that (Auto)

Dont run 4.11's with 32's you'll rev higher than needed and lose some economy.

4.11's are for 33" up :cool: There are 3.9's though that will work nice with a 32 as an everyday option.

[Redback]

thinking about running 265/75/r16 bfg muddy's permenantly

they place doing the lift recommended castor correction
i'm thinking about giving a skip, and getting it if i needit after


any opinions on this?

regards

I'd like to see them do a castor correction on a D2:eek:

No need for it anyway, the 265s will affect the gearing quite a bit, but if your not towing anything heavy it's fine, you'll notice the most when taking off.

Baz.

[Slunnie]

You can do castor correction to a D2 using Castor bushes to rotate the whole axle instead of just the ends.

[Redback]

You can do castor correction to a D2 using Castor bushes to rotate the whole axle instead of just the ends.

Yeah but it doesn't correct it properly AND creates vibration in the driveline, from the guys Rovatym, the bushes take the castor to 0deg and aparently doesn't improve the wandering, the QT radius arms are the best solution and correct the castor to 3deg for 3" to 4" or 6deg for over 4".

(this for lifts over 3" guys not 2")

Baz.

[mrapocalypse]

I thought you could go up to 3" in a D2 with no castor probs!

2" on mine and it's fine. It actually cured a steering alignment problem.

I went 265/70/16 which are only 7% bigger than standard. they look small under the lift! The gearing is acceptable but it's on an Auto V8 so you diesel manual guys are running a whole different scenario.

With the bigger tyrtes and a 2" lift it's a whole different truck. I went for OME and on a rought dirt track it's a lot more confident. Feels like a real 4x4. I would doubt you get more articulation unless you're hauling a really heavy load. It's pretty thumpy, probably a little mopre choppy than I would like but there's no sag with a 70l LPG tank and a 165l Long range tank full of petrol :D

The Suspension that comes standard with ACE trucks is a joke! Put a can of coke in the back and it'll bottom out!

2cents from me!

[Tombie]

I'd like to see them do a castor correction on a D2:eek:

No need for it anyway, the 265s will affect the gearing quite a bit, but if your not towing anything heavy it's fine, you'll notice the most when taking off.

Baz.

Interesting actually, I'll give my experiences here so far..

'Bryce' has recently been given a 4" lift (Lovells, 7100 Billies etc...)

New tyres fitted (275-70-18LT MTZs) and the handling is ok, but wanders onroad.

Chucked it on the alignment machine at mates tyre store and had -0.1 caster.

Solution: 3 deg castor bushes from superpro... Drives brilliantly now...

Not sure why Slunnie gets the handling he has, but my D2 did not like having the lift without the correction..

Superpro do 2 and 3 degree bushes and the Disco is lapping it up... Drives better than it did with the 2" lift on!!!

[Tombie]

Yeah but it doesn't correct it properly AND creates vibration in the driveline, from the guys Rovatym, the bushes take the castor to 0deg and aparently doesn't improve the wandering, the QT radius arms are the best solution and correct the castor to 3deg for 3" to 4" or 6deg for over 4".

(this for lifts over 3" guys not 2")

Baz.

Baz..

The 4" lift makes caster =0 approx...

The bushes from Superpro put either 3 or 2 degrees back into it and do it very well...

No vibration, no issues and drives just perfectly...

I now have 2.9 degrees of caster on Bryce and it handles great!

[Slunnie]

Not sure why Slunnie gets the handling he has, but my D2 did not like having the lift without the correction.
Do you mean in terms of it handling well or poorly? I think it handles fairly well, the only issue that I've had was that twitchiness which you also noted when with me a few years ago, but a tweak to the ACE got ride of that.

[Tombie]

Do you mean in terms of it handling well or poorly? I think it handles fairly well, the only issue that I've had was that twitchiness which you also noted when with me a few years ago, but a tweak to the ACE got ride of that.

Twitchiness with ACE is good, steering is very light and less self centring than stock / 2"

I'm ecstatic with the handling with the 3deg bushes....

The continuing build rolls on!!!
(Roof lining, interior etc come out next week)

[McDisco]

2" wont need it...

Try the stock gearing and see what you think.. The D2 here ran 265-75-16s for 7 years like that (Auto)

Dont run 4.11's with 32's you'll rev higher than needed and lose some economy.

4.11's are for 33" up :cool: There are 3.9's though that will work nice with a 32 as an everyday option.

Thanks Mike. I had always thought 4.11's were too much considering that this is what people put in for 35s etc.

Do you know anyone that makes the 3.9's?

Angus

[Slunnie]

4.11's will correct the gearing for 33's on a RRC or Disco. 35's are about 5 or 6% out again with these gears. I'm pretty sure I calculated a while ago that 35's are corrected with 4.3 gears, but they are not a real Rover option or very good in terms of strength for tyres that size.

[geckos]

Maybe try these
Equipe 4x4 - Base Kit Stage 1 - Standard (http://www.equipe4x4.com.au/shop/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=2)
or
Equipe 4x4 - Base Kit Stage 1 (http://www.equipe4x4.com.au/shop/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1)
if they make them for disco2's.
The aussie shop is very helpful. Just uy the springs. Might expensive, but.......... it could be just right for you.
just a thought
geck