Thread: 2004 TD5 - 2" lift. How easy to install myself?

I know exactly where you're at. I bought my 04 td5 last June and had the same predicament.... Sagging at the back and also a rough ride and I domt have ace or sls either. I firstly went to TRS about 2 hr drive from me and they fitted a 2nd (almost new) lift kit with 2" springs and shocks that took them a full day to do, ($750 all up) but the back left side sagged so I took it back and they fitted a brand new OME spring. I was happy until my first off road trip and the whole back sagged when I loaded it up with not really that much stuff IMHO. Thinking I don't want sagging when I was about to tow our 2tonne ski boat or 2.5 tonne van, I looked at replacing the back springs again.

I researched and ordered 2x2" lifted extra extra heavy duty constant load dobinsons springs for the back from suspension stuff for $200 or something then, yep.....fitted them myself with the father-in-law. I did post pics and a description on here when I did it too..... Have a look for that!

If you've done a suspension kit with a mate on his triton then you're ahead of where I was. We replaced the back springs in about 3 hours and that wasn't rushing either. My fatherinlaw is careful to say the least so it took time. All the tools I used was a hi lift jack and trolley jack and car stands etc but nothing specialised. We "compressed" the new ones by jacking up SWIMBO's car and putting the new springs under the tow bar and letting it down and then wiring them up in a compressed state. It didn't compress a lot as its really quite difficult to tie them off, but it did compress just enough to push them into the space in the disco. We dont use dislocation cones and I run 265/70/16's.

I would never pay someone in the future to do a suspension kit unless it was a great price for install such as my brotherinlaws recent one. He has a d 40 navara and he was only charged $200 for the full install of shocks and springs which he felt was worth it for peace of mind and to ensure it all went well and professionally done. Luck has it that it needed a bit of tweaking and he took it back to them to do so all went well really.

Anyway, I'd set aside a full weekend with a mate and ensure you got some jacks, car stands, timber blocks, all your tools, hilift, a large work area and plenty of time. My guess is it'd take you the full day but if things don't go perfectly to plan then you've got Sunday too.

All the best, hope this helped!

I am considering a lift also and there is heaps of tips on here but Les Richmond Automotive has a" suspension spacer kit" and info with big red letters declaring any "lift" of a vehicle fitted with SRS is illegal.

They say their kit is legal and gives the same result as a lift.
Check it out here

Body Lift Kit


Scroll down to D2 info. Read mandatory for mandetry! Lol.
Cheers

Mate I think you'll find that 'body' lifts are illegal on an srs equipped vehicle. A 2 inch suspension lift doesn't lift the body as such- it just has taller springs. As many have said, check the good oil out.

If you do it at home, I cant stress enough to compress the springs very carefully and safely - do it properly with the appropriate gear, ie good quality and spring compressors. If something breaks and lets go while the springs are compressed they will knock your head off.

Originally Posted by alpick

I am considering a lift also and there is heaps of tips on here but Les Richmond Automotive has a" suspension spacer kit" and info with big red letters declaring any "lift" of a vehicle fitted with SRS is illegal.

They say their kit is legal and gives the same result as a lift.
Check it out here

Body Lift Kit


Scroll down to D2 info. Read mandatory for mandetry! Lol.
Cheers

Those comments are in relation to a body lift, where the body is spaced up off the chassis. The spring lift being talked about here is legal and quite common.

Another knowledge gap filled,

Thanks gents.

Hi guys,

Thanks to all who replied for your advice, tips etc. Much appreciated.

@Barney2803 - lol, mine's the exact opposite to yours. My front is sagging due to the previous owner putting a steel ARB Sahara bullbar on but left it on standard factory springs. My front sags, not the back! The front factory springs can't handle the extra weight and I'm planning on adding a winch as well. I emailed Dobinsons (in Sydney) today and they recommended the extra HD constant load springs for the front (45mm lift) and because most of the time, I won't be carrying a heavy load at the back, they recommended the variable HD 50mm lift springs for the back. They can also install the springs and shocks for a reasonable fee (around mid $200's) so I think I might just let them do it. Better than risking getting my head knocked off.... And they do a 1,000km check up afterwards.

As for the body lift, it wasn't what I really had in mind for now, but I have looked into the LRA 4" lift to fit larger tyres. I believe that lift can accomodate up to 35" tyres? Since I'm not really planning on going to that extreme, I decided it wasn't worth it because then I'd have to spend all sorts of $$$$ upgrading axles and CV's etc etc. I have read & seen photos of a number of forum members here with a D2, 2" suspension lifted with 265/75's which looks great, so that is all I'm planning on doing asw well. This way, there's less stress on all other running gear and I won't have to upgrade other parts. I don't do anything extreme like rock crawling or anything.

@gusthedog - Cool, understand that. So, let me see if I got this right. If I did a 2" suspension lift, I basically put taller springs (and shocks to match of course) in correct? With the taller springs, won't it push the whole car up higher off the ground so there's more ground clearance than before? The gap between my tyre and wheel arch should increase after the lift correct? If that is the case, would I get better wheel articulation than standard? That is, more wheel travel so I can clear bigger obstacles and or handle deeper ruts for example? Especially with bigger & higher profile tyres?

I guess what I am ultimately wanting to achieve is a) more ground clearance than standard so I don't get hung up on things, and b) more wheel articulation so it "flexes" more, and the assumption is that all of this means when I do come across rocks and steps and ruts etc, I have more ability than standard to get through them because I have more clearance and better approach and departure angles. Am I on the right track here or am I way off??

Cheers guys! Again, I'm just a beginner at this....only been 4WD'ing a few times and got bitten by the bug. And yes, I know I have a lot more to learn so thoroughly enjoying this forum.

Ernie.

Ernie, you will probably find that the springs are not a lot different in their free height, but most of the lift comes from stiffer spring rates. Despite the stiffer springs, comfort can improve because you are not always hitting the bumpstops.

Articulation... you will have to get out and see. There are a heap of factors.

Thanks for the reply Slunnie! Yes, can't wait till I get the lift done and tyres on so I can go out and hit some mud and slopes! Is that a Samoyed in your profile photo? I've got a Jap Spitz...pretty much a mini Samoyed.