2" lift, front crossmember hits prop shaft

**RenoHuskerDu** · 24th December 2011, 01:36 AM

Hi folks,

We just installed a 2" lift from Britpart in my Disco, and on the lift I saw that the front prop shaft is now in solid contact with the front crossmember. I found advice from that nice pommy lad with his whole site dedicated to D2s www.discovery2.co.uk / 2" Suspension lift Full of good stuff, that site is!

Here's a pic of his solution (sorry I borry-ed it witout askin' first)

His idea did already occur to us yesterday, but I was thinking of steel stock instead. Two of my crossmember mount bolts were broken loose anyway, as are those pesky captive nuts in the frame.

Then I got to thinking (always dangerous) "why not notch the crossmember and weld in reinforcement instead?" I figured that an august body of genteelmen such as this group would have well-heeled advice for me.

So, howzabout it - has anybody else cut a notch out of that crossmember, just big enough to clear the driveshaft, then welded in reinforcing steel in the form of a V or semi-circle? How did it work? Or should I just go with the spacer idea as in the photo I used above (despite the tut tut)

Reno, France
2000 D2 td5 auto, PSI chip, EGR and silencer delete, 2" lift, Fosters sky blue, formerly featured in french Fosters Beer adverts.
The bikini blondes in those adverts did not come with my car though; probably a good thing as I taught my wife to shoot.

Discobaker · 24th December 2011, 05:21 AM

I would think the mod detailed in the pic would be the go, if u were to check a section out of the crossmember, the piece of steel you would have to weld in would have to be that thick to maintain its strength that the heat from a decent weld would probably compromise the integrity of the steel in the original crossmember. Not to mention I believe from memory, the steel in the crossmember is rectangular tube & is only strong due to its shape, if u go changing that I doubt very much if you'd ever get it up to its original strength.
Opinions are like assholes, everyone's got one & they all stink😊
Cheers
Mat

**georgesadlik** · 24th December 2011, 08:46 AM

Another option is to move the crossmember back on the same plane by about 3" and use the existing mounts. A bit of welding but I run close to 4" of lift and have plenty of space left. Also haven't lost any ground clearance by doing it this way. When I get home (in hospital with a torn larynx) I'll post up a photo with mod.
Cheers and Merry Christmas.

George.

**RenoHuskerDu** · 24th December 2011, 04:26 PM

That's an alternative I never thought of, so thanks for the idea. Today in go longer SS brake lines, then I'll attack the crossmember issue. Gotta knock off at noon though for Christmas visits etc.

Sorry about your larynx, I don't even wanna know how one gets torn!

**fatman** · 24th December 2011, 05:58 PM

Originally Posted by RenoHuskerDu

So, howzabout it - has anybody else cut a notch out of that crossmember, just big enough to clear the driveshaft, then welded in reinforcing steel in the form of a V or semi-circle? How did it work? Or should I just go with the spacer idea as in the photo I used above (despite the tut tut)

.

How i fixed my front crossmember

**georgesadlik** · 24th December 2011, 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by RenoHuskerDu

That's an alternative I never thought of, so thanks for the idea. Today in go longer SS brake lines, then I'll attack the crossmember issue. Gotta knock off at noon though for Christmas visits etc.

Sorry about your larynx, I don't even wanna know how one gets torn!

Cheers mate, I sneezed! For real.

Should be back home boxing day so I'll post up a pic then. All the best for Christmas.

George.

**twr7cx** · 25th December 2011, 06:36 AM

The previous owner of my vehicle just removed it - thanks. I managed to find a replacement and purchased the angled spacers from Les Richmond Automotive White Tiger line - Discovery 2

**Krayzie Keegs** · 25th December 2011, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by twr7cx

The previous owner of my vehicle just removed it - thanks. I managed to find a replacement and purchased the angled spacers from Les Richmond Automotive White Tiger line - Discovery 2

Best way to go easy fit and cheap I got mine with the whole 50mm lift i'll post a pic in the morn raining here.