Thread: D2 suspension solution?

Originally Posted by tombraider

2" = 50.8mm we're talking less than a 10mm increase difference

Thats also the difference between 1/4 tank and full tank ;-) so no real panic there.

Once again, those 30mm spacers are dangerous, coil bind etc will crack the front spring mounts if you coil bind (which will happen with 30mm spacers)

You could get out of this easily with a front set of coils.

BTW, I dont like my ride harsh, I like a controlled ride with comfort (ironic for a Fender driver I know) but I built the D2 as a tourer and capable offroader. It rides soft and comfortable on all surfaces and has been tried out quite a lot.

IMHO keep your money in your wallet and fit a set of new front coils and some shocks.

Having springs sag again in 12 months will only annoy you!

Cheers
Tombraider

I hear you, so other than OME what would you recommend?

Also, does the cracking of mounts come from repeated binding of the springs at speed or also slow compression. I dont do any touring or driving that will force the spring to bind hard and therfore transfer the force through to the mount. Most if not all my off road driving is slow and controlled. I agree though, the spacers are merely a short term pick me up so to speak until I figure out what to put under her.

Controlled, comfortable and relatively soft is my goal also.

Again, really appreciate the input, Mick

For those who dont know...

Tough Dog suspension is Kings powder coated grey. So just go to kings for those exact coil spec (they are std king spring rates etc...)

OME is made by Kings, but to OME spec and differ from Kings rates etc...

Les Richmond does some nice springs in the same rates as OME and also in different rates....

OME rears are progressive, Kings are progressive rear... Les R are linear.

Seriously, after the work done getting the 779s sorted they are now a great spring.

Otherwise, bite the bullet, tip your wallet out and go the Slunnie/Lovells/Bilstein route... Makes for one mean truck, but total overkill on a 32" tyre IMHO...

Better still do the 'slunnie' kit and go the whole hog... Slunnie would LOVE to hack into another D2 I'm sure

Tombraider

Yeah, King make quite a few springs like OME, Rancho's Rockcrawlers etc. I wouldn't go 180lb/in or less personally unless you see the front springs as an expendable. They'll just keep sagging.

I also wouldn't put spring spacers into the front. The setup isn't really suited to them, and the springs are compacted really tightly into the given area. Its really will take next to nothing to cause spring bind. The rears however will take a coil spacer.

The setup which you may like is the King Springs setup. 190lb/in fronts producing a 40mm lift, and rears are about 230-270lb/in and give a 30mm lift, but your spacers will bring that up to 50mm. Thats a true 2" lift. These spring rates are actual also, as tested by Lovells.

The other issue is with control and comfort. As a big generalisation, the stiffer the shock setup, the more control you will have. Of course this also depends on how the shocks are balanced between bump and rebound, as its the bump setting that you will generally feel. Stiffer springs of course will help, but your polyairs will substitute when touring.

Mick,
I have fitted what Tombraider has mentioned.
OME Front Springs (Part 779)
OME Rear Springs (Part 763)
Both front and rear are HD Springs.
From ARB fitting it lifted the measurements from stock and I checked there measurements to a 60mm front and rear lift. The disco looked ridiculously high to what I though. On 5 months driving it settled to a measurement 50mm higher than stock.
The ABS / Brake lines I checked at Justin's with all 4 wheels at full droop on the lift. The ABS / Brake lines are at the full length stretch, but are acceptable. I wouldn't want to have gone serious off road the next day after ARB first installed it riding at 60mm higher or I reckon it could have pulled a ABS or brake line out.

The suspension is now exactly just over 18 months old and is still riding at 50mm as fitted. Handles great on road better than the stock setup and also handles the weight full rear load. Though I would think if a loaded 4x4 trailer was also on the back the air bags would be needed.

The drop travel is still limited by the shocks, so it wouldn't have ripped anything out at that ride height. Also, those 779's will have been the 180lb/in front springs, not the newer 225lb/in springs which have not been out for all that long.

Well, I suppose it's decision time after all that input, plus I was refering to all my other notes from up to 1.5 years ago where most people on this thread feature as well with similar advice.

Pretty much decided to try and avoid any modifications underneath to mounts etc, so whatever I end up fitting with be relatively standard although aiming for around the 2" lift mark.

Thanks for all the input again and hopefully I will actually get round to fitting something soon so my suspension issues/questions don't raise their heads again in a years time

Aye, Mick

For those interested, some more info and conclusion Here

Thanks again.....the learning continues

Aye, Mick

Originally Posted by MickG

Yep all making sense. I am still astounded though that the guy said you don't get any compression and therefore no settle and if you order a 3" spring, that is your ride height.
Anyway, have gone for a straight off the shelf 40mm over standard spring lift which is what I have just now albeit with slightly different spring rates - 210lb front & 250-340lb rear - so basically just replacing the shot springs and shocks with a slightly different set up. This way I avoid having to alter anything under the car if I went taller and I retain the already sufficient articulation of the D2. As mentioned in previous threads, the car goes most places and combined with the rear locker and 32" muds, it gets up and boogies good enough. Suppose I just wanted to see what else was possible whilst making changes and spending $.........all too hard at the end of the day plus too much $ for little gain.

Hopefully this will be the end of my constant suspension questions over the past year or so. Thanks to all who tipped in with suggestions....until the next upgrade..........

Aye, Mick

Which springs are they Mick?