2003 TD5 Suspension: What to get?

damo_s · 18th August 2011, 03:23 PM

Hi All.

Im a first time disco owner, and general car novice.

Id like to put some new suspension on my 2003 TD5 (no SLS), and id like to have it lifted, as I would benefit from a bit of extra clearance. When i go over a speed bump at a bit of an angle it feels like i am in a washing machine, bouncing around all over the place. When I was in coffin bay early this year, a friend sitting in the back was almost bashing their head against the ceiling ever time i went over a bump at speed. This makes me think that perhaps I could benefit from some new suspension. The car has done 125 000km and still has stock suspension.

I do the majority of my driving around the city, but i quite often carry heavy loads in the boot. As of yet, i do not tow anything. I go 4wd'ing when i can, and pack a decent amount of gear in the back, too.

So my questions is: Why shocks and springs should I get? Which ones are good? Which ones are not? Should i go for medium of heavy configurations?

A friend of mine is a 4wd enthusiast (non LR owner) and he has heard many a good thing about EFS suspension. Has anyone had experience with EFS? What other brands are worth going for?

Any help and information would be greatly appreciated.

Damo

**Pedro_The_Swift** · 18th August 2011, 04:20 PM

Take a look in the "Show us your D2" sticky at the top of the main D2 Forum page,,
most of the owners will have their choice of suspension there for all to see,,

damo_s · 18th August 2011, 06:45 PM

G'Day Pedro,

Trust me, i think I have read every thread in the D2 section regarding suspension! Im just looking for a bit of personalised advice, I guess. I have no idea about suspension.. what's good, what's not.

**biggin** · 18th August 2011, 07:00 PM

This stuff seems popular......
https://www.suspensionstuff.com.au/s...97713309ac16df
..... though I haven't used them myself.

damo_s · 18th August 2011, 07:12 PM

Cheers biggin. I had a look through SS's offerings.

So through suspension stuff:

A 'mates rates' 2" Lift kit = $770. Thats 4 dobinsons springs and 4 lovells shocks.

Bilstein shocks + dobinsons springs = $1400

Bilstein shocks + king springs = $1400

Dobinsons shocks + dobinsons coils = $950

According to suspension stuff, the dobinsons coils + suspension stuff shocks give the best combo.

Any info as to how correct this might be? Are the bilsteins worth the huge price tag?

Should I be looking at something else? Tough dog? EFS? OME?

Tough dog suspension kit = $1300

OME = $1300ish

So much to think about!

**Barney2803** · 18th August 2011, 07:20 PM

I just ordered a pair of rear extra heavy duty 2"lifted dobinsons springs from suspensionstuff and am intending to fit them myself. I already got 2"lifted shocks and front springs just now looking for more carrying strength at the back. We take the ski boat to Renmark half a dozen times a year an also tow a camper through SA over winter so were hoping these dobinsons are the thing we needed. Shane at suspensionstuff has been good to deal with so far. My disco had standard suspension still at 170km when I got it so it was high on the todo list like yours is.

I did get a set of 2nd springs and shocks 2" lifted fitted and installed by triumph rover spares at londsdale for $760 which is fantastic price but if I had my time again I'd go all second hand except the rear and get new extra hd at the rear instead of 2 Nd hand. TRS are good but busy and don't usually have time to chat too much.

I am near gawler so if you wanted to chat or catchup I'm sure we would organize something. Btw I just did the border track from pinaroo to bordertown and my 04 disco went a TREAT!

Enjoy your disco!

**Pedro_The_Swift** · 19th August 2011, 04:23 AM

You have to decide what you want your D2 to do,,,

Tour?
or
crawl over rocks?

the two are poles apart in setup and they dont crossover well,,

You have to find a medium because you will want to do both and then accept the vehicles limitations.

This is redbacks D2,,
a fine example of a happy medium.

2001 Land Rover Discovery
Series II TD5 Manual
Safari Snorkle
Donaldson pre-cleaner
ARB winch bar
9000lb Toyo X-9 Superwinch
04 D2a CDL Actuator
Traxide SC40 Dual battery system
Traxide Headlight & Spottie wiring upgrade
Fullriver 55AH AGM deepcycle battery
IPF 900ES Extremes
Madmans Engine Monitoring System
Provent Oil Seperator
Home made Rock sliders
DWE rear diff guard
DWE Steering guard
Home made storage drawers & box
3 extra accessory sockets
Hilift jack
GME TX3200 UHF
Mobileone 4.5db antenna
265/75/16 Maxxis Bighorns
Bruce Davis ECU upgrade
Larger Intercooler
Samco Silicon Hoses
4" Lovells lift coils
Ultimate Suspension front shocks
Bilstein shocks rear
Maxi Drive rear Locker
Maxi Axles
Waeco CF40AC 12v fridge/Freezer
Rear bar (home made)
Rock Sliders (home made)
Big Red Compressor
Rear wheel rubbish/recovery bag (home made)
Rhino roof bars
Rhino shovel holders
Long handle shovel
Bob Burrage awning
To tow our;
Redback country explorer
campertrailer.

**imatt** · 19th August 2011, 07:27 AM

Hi Mate,
I can vouch for dobinson coils although I have sls so only have coils in the front, but have also used them on many other 4wds and have been very happy. I run bilstein shocks all round and they are very good, probably a bit pricey but some people order them through the states to save a few dollars, I bought mine from suspension stuff when they were approx $850 with stone guards for rear. I would think the mates rates pack would be a pretty good start, you get dobinsons coils and the shocks will be far better than the worn out ones on your car at the moment. Installing is pretty straight forward to do yourself, or you would look to pay approx $300 for a mechanic/exhaust fitter to install.
Cheers Matt

Tombie · 19th August 2011, 10:20 AM

Damo

Go see David Fewster at ARB on South Road - Regency Park..

Tell him Mike Hayes sent you

Are you going to fit (or have) a Bullbar? If so.....

Front end:

Springs - OME 2751 - 225lb
Shocks - OME 60024

Rear:

Springs - OME 2762 - 300-340Lb progressive
Shocks - OME 60025

Will be a great setup for Touring, Towing, Playing...

Have run this on several D2s now and its a trouble free, reliable setup.

(Not to mention I was the instigator and tester for the front springs as their initial rate was too low)

damo_s · 19th August 2011, 11:26 AM

Thanks for all the input fellas.

Barney: Gawler to lonsdale is a fair hike! Were the shocks and springs you got from triumph second hand or brand new? The border track huh? Might also be something to look into! My most recent trip was the skytrek in the flinders. I dont think i would have made it if i hadnt put new tyres on the week before!

Pedro: I think im looking at an inbetween. I dont get to go travelling too often, but it generally involves a lot of highway driving to get to the destination, then a bit of rocks/sand/lumps and bumps. So far I have been beach driving and done the skytrek at the flinders ranges. (I haven't had the car for long enough to have done more!). So by the sounds of it i need something in the middle of touring and 'playing'.

imatt: I have heard good stuff about dobinsons suspension. Just the same as i have heard good stuff about OME (as well as not so good stuff!), bilstein, EFS, toughdog.. the list goes on! Im not sure about installation. I dont really have the equipment at my place. I guess id have to take it to my mechanic who would do me a good price for it.

Tombie: Cheers mate. I might call up and chat to him about it. Yes, I have an ARB bar at the moment. Would that setup result in a lift? If so then it sounds like its worth a look. Is that the nitrochargers or nitrocharger sport?

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