Disco 1 lift kit.

[franko]

I know this has been asked I am sure a million times. But I am still trying to figure out what lift is best before dropping the coin.

I have looked on all the sites Lucky8,Rovertym,and InlandRovers. They all seem to want mega money for any lift. I know I want at least a 3inch lift, it will need to be heavy duty springs as I will have a diesel in the front and will want to pack lots of gear in the back. But I guess with the heavy springs I sacrifice flex right.

Can i just buy the 3 inch springs and some shocks and call it good, would be the cheapest way to go i guess.
Anyone with a Disco that has lifted it and can speak with some experience.
Thanks

[John]

I have no direct experience so my opinion is worth what you paid for it :) but you will find piles of threads on this subject on sites such as discoweb.org. From what I have read once you exceed the 2" lift mark you are likely looking at issues with steering and suspension and driveline geometry.

Maybe somebody with some first hand experience will chime in but I have not seen too many, if any at all, large lifts on local Disco's, at least not on club runs.

[franko]

Thanks, maybe 3inch is to big . Just figured it would settle down over time.
I am not going any bigger then 33's anyway.

[discojonny]

I did the 2" OME springs. any larger is a big hassle. I have just ordered the offset bushings as lifting reduces the castor in the front end. This makes the steering vague so either the bushings or new radius arms are needed. other than that I got heavy duty springs and the ride is a little harsh. I have the diesel so you should let them know when you are ordering. I plan on a winch bumper and towing my boat so when I am loaded the truck feels fine. If you are going to remove your sway bars for better articulation, you might consider locating cones if you are going for serious off roading. Also remember the wider your tires the less steering you have as you have to move your steering stops to not rub your radius arms. I have 32" tires and they rub alot.

[95d1]

I have a 4" kit and 34's with stock gearing and would reccomend you change the gearing if you want to go that big and drive it really slow or on the highway. I don't have any driveline issues but all of my bushings are tight. I have been running this setup for years on 2 different trucks too. If you want a diesel then you have no choice but to get the kit. If you want more then 2" then you can use spacers under your springs. After 2" you will need to do some work on shock mounts and replace the shocks too or they will extend too far and can break off. I also use larger bump stops to stop the tires from rubbing in the wheel wells and had to do a little cutting on the wheel wells also. At 3+ inches the sway bars will have to come off or be modified. I have HD springs and drive mine on the highway with out the sway bars but with 34" bias ply tires I don't go over 95 anyway. I'm sure there are things I forgot but any questions just ask. I have a set of HD springs on my parts truck from a D1 and could get the other stuff made for you minus the shocks if you want.

[franko]

Sent you a PM 95d1

[DaveB]

I did the 2" OME springs. any larger is a big hassle. I have just ordered the offset bushings as lifting reduces the castor in the front end. This makes the steering vague so either the bushings or new radius arms are needed. other than that I got heavy duty springs and the ride is a little harsh. I have the diesel so you should let them know when you are ordering. I plan on a winch bumper and towing my boat so when I am loaded the truck feels fine. If you are going to remove your sway bars for better articulation, you might consider locating cones if you are going for serious off roading. Also remember the wider your tires the less steering you have as you have to move your steering stops to not rub your radius arms. I have 32" tires and they rub alot.

Just curios what brand of offset bushings you've ordered. I'm looking for the same as my 2" lifted Range Rover Classic's castor is out by 3 degrees after its lift. I would go with radius arms If the lift were any more, but the offset bushings will likely do the trick at only 2 inches.

thanks, Dave

[discojonny]

sorry to say I am not sure. I am getting them from Duncan my man in England. I will have them in a few weeks and will be sure to let you know.

[red90]

Just curios what brand of offset bushings you've ordered. I'm looking for the same as my 2" lifted Range Rover Classic's castor is out by 3 degrees after its lift. I would go with radius arms If the lift were any more, but the offset bushings will likely do the trick at only 2 inches.

thanks, Dave

The "best" solution for castor correction is modified swivels. The other solutions get the pinion pointing at the wrong place.

As for offset bushings, I used the ones from OME and they worked fine.

As to the OP. I would suggest waiting until the engine is in and then measure spring height. We can then work out the sprung weight and better suggest a choice of springs. Normally 90 or Disco rears in the front and some aftermarket rears to match your desired load range work well without breaking the bank.

Remember that a "proper" spring lift does not affect tire clearance. So fitting 33s requires other modifications beyond the lift.

[franko]

Thanks man for the suggestions, guess we may have to get together at Chesters place to go over what the best lift will be for this truck and the places that i want to take it. Like I said 33 the max, but for now more like a 265/75/16 or 235/85/16.
And I really don't like the idea of spending a G note on a lift.

Cheers

[discojonny]

you will spend another grand or more on the tires as well. I have the 265's but would recommend the 235's.

[red90]

....And I really don't like the idea of spending a G note on a lift.

A normal 2" spring lift should be $200 max....

1) Move rear springs to front or get some hand me down rears from a friend.

2) Buy a pair of 2" aftermarket springs. $200 local retail.

That is it really. Shocks stay the same for a "normal" spring lift. Like mentioned, if you go above 2" actual lift, there are a bunch of things you "should" do.

Again...both 235/85 and 265/75 on a Disco 1 require other mods to fit properly. A spring lift should have no effect on tire clearance. You need to trim for both of those sizes.

[franko]

Cool, well we shall see how heavy the diesel is first then. Not sure if the Disco rear springs will handle that much weight.

[franko]

Cool, well we shall see how heavy the diesel is first then. Not sure if the Disco rear springs will handle that much weight.

[red90]

Any idea on engine weight? I doubt it would be much different than a Rover TDI.

[franko]

Yeah about 450 lbs from what I can find on the interweb.

[red90]

A fully dressed TDI is about the same, maybe a bit more.

[95d1]

The springs will sag too much with the weight and if you are going to have the truck higher then you want the stability with stiffer springs.

[franko]

So your saying get the HD springs and be done with it.

[discojonny]

definately buy some new springs. I have yet to rub my 265's with my stiff new springs.

[PaulC]

Of course keep in mind that very stiff springs are going to compromise a good part of what makes a Discovery perform well on the trail...good supple suspension articulation.