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Thread: Best front springs for a Disco 2 to match rear air bags

  1. 5th December 2005, 06:33 PM #1
    Robbo
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    Best front springs for a Disco 2 to match rear air bags

    ARB bullbar has gone on and I now want to lift the front end about 30-40mm above standard. When the bullbar went on, it dropped about 10-15mm below standard. The Vehicle has ACE and rear air bag suspension. I want to keep the plush front end but need to raise the vehicle about 30mm. Any suggestions on brands of springs to best match the rear suspension softness. :wink:
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  2. 5th December 2005, 07:18 PM #2
    tombraider Guest
    Quick easy answer is OME779

    The updated version is 225lb and works nice with the ARB bar setup.
    Other options are lighter custom springs (refer Walker) but not so well suited to non-ace and IMHO too light, with a risk of bottoming out on hard corrugations/ fast dirt with washouts.

    Do Not be fooled, many ARB manuals state 180Lb for OME779, this is not the case. I worked on the 779s with ARB techs to get it sorted properly. The 225lb is a great match for ARB bar etc... and flexes brilliantly offroad.

    Slunnie also runs 230Lb fronts. At one stage I ran 295Lb fronts and she still fully crossed up!

    Cheers
    Mike
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  3. 5th December 2005, 10:19 PM #3
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    DEFENDERZOOK
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    <span style="color:blue">what about some spacers.....?</span>
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  4. 5th December 2005, 10:26 PM #4
    tombraider Guest
    Spacers in excess of 10mm can cause spring bind, a dangerous phenomenon!

    Spacers also dont increase rate which should be at least slightly increased to compensate the increased vehicle height.

    Spacers should be for trimming a vehicle level, never for lift. Those who manufacture them and push them dont have a strong understanding of suspension design and really shouldnt do it!

    Small spacers can be fitted safely BUT <span style="color:green">YOU MUST</span> check for coil bind and ensure bumpstops etc are modified to prevent this occuring.

    $150-200 for coils is a damn sight cheaper than the repair bill if you get it wrong!

    Cheers
    Mike
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  5. 5th December 2005, 10:46 PM #5
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    MickG
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    My D2 with ACE currently has an ARB winch bar (no winch) plus a dual battery set up and I run OME 777 springs on the front which gives me a 40mm lift although that will have sagged slightly now - haven't measured it. According to ARB the 777 springs are 180lbs, and my dilema at the moment is trying to make my ride softer as I find it really harsh around town when not loaded with my gear for a trip.
    According to Walker (and I would tend to agree but haven't tested it) you can get away with softer springs with ACE but then run the risk of bottoming out occasionally. Depends on how and where you drive I suppose.
    My 10c, aye, Mick
    '99 Manual TD5 D2.......heap of money spent on it and it has ended
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  6. 6th December 2005, 10:12 AM #6
    Fish Guest
    I also have an issue with the front springs in my D2 with ACE. The rear air bags are nice and soft giving comfortable ride but the fronts feel harsh. They're just the standard springs and shocks and I have a factory brush bar fitted. I'd like the front to have the same supple ride as the rear if possible. Anyone know where i'd start?
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  7. 6th December 2005, 10:23 AM #7
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    Slunnie
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    King Rover Front Raised will give 40mm with a steel bar and TD5. The rate is 190lb/in as advertised and tested.
    Cheers
    Slunnie


    ~ Discovery II Td5 ~ Discovery 3dr V8 ~ Series IIa 6cyl ute ~ Series II V8 ute ~
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  8. 6th December 2005, 02:55 PM #8
    PhilipA
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    If you have 180 lb springs on the front, your ride should not be too bad.
    the BIG problem with D11 ride are shocks and poly bushes.

    Graeme Cooper was sayng that the D11 hates gas shocks.
    He has had a lot of experience with this, and mentioned it to me spontaneously, so it must bug him. They have tried lots of combinations.

    So suggest you talk to them.
    Regards Philip A
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  9. 6th December 2005, 03:19 PM #9
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    Slunnie
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    That surprises me. Gas shocks dont present any problems that are indifferent to their use on any other 4WD with the D2. The bushes don't either. I think the big problem with the D2 is getting enough shock rate into the rear, but thats about it, and once you do this, foam cell and low pressure gas shocks start to fade very quickly. Thats from my experience at least. So far revalved Bilsteins have done the trick, and these dont seem to fade.
    Cheers
    Slunnie


    ~ Discovery II Td5 ~ Discovery 3dr V8 ~ Series IIa 6cyl ute ~ Series II V8 ute ~
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  10. 8th December 2005, 06:53 AM #10
    PhilipA
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    The particular issue I was talking about is ride quality.
    The old stagers rule of thumb was that ride quality was heavily dependent on the front suspension, and load capacity in the rear.

    All I know is that my ride quality in my 92 Range Rover deteriorated markedly with OME gas shocks and their poly bushes. Both go hand in hand to some extent. I once bought TJM rear shocks that were so heavily valved that they chewed out the supplied rubber bushes in 200KM. TJM were good enough to give me a Maglight and some Poly bushes but this then caused increased harshnesss.

    My discussion with Graeme Cooper was about why Bilstien didn't make softer valving particularly in the front, and he mentioned the Disoc 11 in that context. He has had no luck in getting them to develop softer valving.

    BUT ride quality is very subjective. I do not like the "thump , thump" on sharp bumps given by poly bushes and/or gas shocks. Some people don't notice and like Bilstiens because they give flatter cornering, or more correctly better turn in.
    My comment was to have Robbo look at his shocks and bushes if he finds the ride poor before changing springs, as they seem a reasonable poundage, although I have 160lb , the Rangie is lighter.
    regards Philip A
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