Thread: reason for front bolt on X member?

I suspect it is there to control flex and seperation in the chassis. I ran mine off for quite a while and the body mounts cracked. Had the mounts repaired (also a D2a upgrade item) and ran the Xmember back in but spaced and no problems since then. I think most people these days just space them down to clear the front propshaft if there are clearance problems.

As Slunnie wrote.

Bolt in bracing is quite effective. Space it down.

Consider it in the context you would a strut brace - also bolt on, extremely effective at controlling torsional flex.

thanks for the feedback, back in it goes.

Wouldn't having a proper front bar/bullbar provide any necessary additional bracing ?

mines been off I did contemplate getting the droppers but never got round to it, yet...

Originally Posted by Four Loko

Wouldn't having a proper front bar/bullbar provide any necessary additional bracing ?

mines been off I did contemplate getting the droppers but never got round to it, yet...

Nope. It’s at the far end of the structure.

Does anyone have experience with using the angled cross member spacer from Les Richmond? How much suspension lift / travel do they accomodate?

I have been running without a front cross member for a couple of years but have always wanted to reinstall it so that I can mount a bash plate to protect my V8 catalysts from rocks and thieves. All built D2s in our club (NorCal Rovers) have the cross member removed.

I have tried 1.5” spacer blocks but they do not provide enough clearance for my suspension lift (4.5” RTE springs, 12” Bilstein 7100 short body shocks, Adrenaline Johnny jointed radius arms).

Copy of Discovery 2 Cross Member Spacer Kit "Angled Style"

Cheers,
Robert @lr_discostu

Originally Posted by RR876

Does anyone have experience with using the angled cross member spacer from Les Richmond? How much suspension lift / travel do they accomodate?

I have been running without a front cross member for a couple of years but have always wanted to reinstall it so that I can mount a bash plate to protect my V8 catalysts from rocks and thieves. All built D2s in our club (NorCal Rovers) have the cross member removed.

I have tried 1.5” spacer blocks but they do not provide enough clearance for my suspension lift (4.5” RTE springs, 12” Bilstein 7100 short body shocks, Adrenaline Johnny jointed radius arms).

Copy of Discovery 2 Cross Member Spacer Kit "Angled Style"

Cheers,
Robert @lr_discostu

Would make a note about the spacers, went to get the angled spacers from LRA but his advice for a 2" lift and the longer Bilstein's was just the square block spacers at half the price! Even with ACE this has proven adequate at full articulation.

Would a set of both spacers accommodate the lift you have - that is the block spacer under the angled spacer???? Would need longer bolts of course but this is no biggie and both sets are pretty reasonably priced.

That 6.2 LSA fitted LRA special with all his suspension mods it is quite plain to see on the vid at around 2.00 minutes he has just the angled spacers

LRA Discovery Series 2 Walkthrough - YouTube

Originally Posted by RRT

Would make a note about the spacers, went to get the angled spacers from LRA but his advice for a 2" lift and the longer Bilstein's was just the square block spacers at half the price! Even with ACE this has proven adequate at full articulation.

Would a set of both spacers accommodate the lift you have - that is the block spacer under the angled spacer???? Would need longer bolts of course but this is no biggie and both sets are pretty reasonably priced.

That 6.2 LSA fitted LRA special with all his suspension mods it is quite plain to see on the vid at around 2.00 minutes he has just the angled spacers

LRA Discovery Series 2 Walkthrough - YouTube

It looks like Les Richmond is running Bilstein 994 front shocks which are 2” longer than stock. I’m running Bilstein 7100 short body which are 4” longer than stock. He has also corrected his front diff pinion angle which places the front of his front driveshaft much higher than mine. I doubt these spacers would work for me.

Thanks for the pointer to the video.

I love the Les Richmond builds. They are more of a touring build than rock crawling and better suited to Australian conditions than what we tend to build in California. I’ve built a mild rock crawler / over landing compromise to take advantage of various trails in the High Sierras.

Inspiration for when I one day return to Australia.

Cheers, Robert @lr_discostu