3 Inch Lift kit help

[SlippytheDisco]

So, my passenger side rear tire blew out, and I’m now driving on 3 off-road tires and 1 spare (full size, original street tire). My Rover is stock suspension, and frankly I have been wanting to lift it for a long time, but was waiting for the life of these tires. They are 4 years old, and one blew out, so might as well. I have read a lot of differing opinions on things. My line of thinking has been getting either the Terrafirma or OME 3 inch lift kit, HD. I believe these can do 33 tires, but correct me if I am wrong. I would extend the brake lines, and ABS line.
I would keep the current wheels. I have an upgraded driveshaft in the front. I have a rack. I off-road probably one average 5 times a year, and it’s mostly trail riding around here, with sand and dirt, water crossings, etc. No extreme rock crawling. I know the 2 inch lift doesn’t require as much as the 3 inch, but frankly I notice a big difference in photos between the two, and I have seen a lot of people end up regretting not getting 3 inch, especially after they set in. Correct my line of thinking, or anything I am missing based off what you have read. Thank you!

Edit: It is an 04 Disco 2 V8, 4.6L

 

[Blue]

Here was my 2004 D2 with OME HD springs & OME shocks (about 2.5" lift) and 33" tires (285/75/16):

 

[SlippytheDisco]

Here was my 2004 D2 with OME HD springs & OME shocks (about 2.5" lift) and 33" tires (285/75/16):

View attachment 66069

Wow, that’s an amazing build. What all did u do for the suspension, besides tires, wheels, and the actual kit? Also, how did you fit 33s on a 2 inch lift?

 

[rovercanus]

Wow, that’s an amazing build. What all did u do for the suspension, besides tires, wheels, and the actual kit? Also, how did you fit 33s on a 2 inch lift?

33's are standard on a 2" lift. 285/75-16 will rub the radius arm but 255/85-16 fit perfect and I think are the perfect tire size for the D2. If you have a factory front bumper you will need to trim the corners. I would go with the OME and not the Terra firma (actually, I would go with RTE).

 

[Blue]

The 285/75/16 will also rub the rear quarter panel behind the rear tires a bit, if I recall correctly. I obviously had aftermarket front & rear bumpers but trimming the stock bumpers will work too. Let me see if I can dig up my initial lift measurements upon installation of the OME HD springs and shocks. It was more like 2.75” in the rear and 2.5” front or something like that.

 

[outono]

I know you're driving a D2, but on my D1 I have never regretted going with a 2" lift. Not sure why i'd ever need 3" unless I had a much more intensive build planned.

Tires are 235/85R16

Top photo is running King springs (Australia) with a 40mm (1.5") lift.

Bottom photo is running RTE springs with a 2" lift (though most say its about 2.5" unladen)

As another said here, go with RTE over the others. OME second choice.

 

[Blueboy]

but on my D1 I have never regretted going with a 2" lift. Not sure why i'd ever need 3" unless I had a much more intensive build planned.

Yep, agree only with a ‘94 LWB. OME HD with Bilstein shocks. Enough room to fit 265/16s as well. 2” is sufficient especially as load up the roof rack on trips. Now that we’re back in US have a WARN 10k winch up front as a traction aid if needed.

 

[SlippytheDisco]

33's are standard on a 2" lift. 285/75-16 will rub the radius arm but 255/85-16 fit perfect and I think are the perfect tire size for the D2. If you have a factory front bumper you will need to trim the corners. I would go with the OME and not the Terra firma (actually, I would go with RTE).

I know you're driving a D2, but on my D1 I have never regretted going with a 2" lift. Not sure why i'd ever need 3" unless I had a much more intensive build planned.

Tires are 235/85R16

Top photo is running King springs (Australia) with a 40mm (1.5") lift.

Bottom photo is running RTE springs with a 2" lift (though most say its about 2.5" unladen)

As another said here, go with RTE over the others. OME second choice.


View attachment 66070

Wow, that is such a beautiful vehicle. The reason I would go with 2 inches instead of 3 is because of how much extra stuff is needed with a 3 inch instead of a 2 inch. Do you know where I could go to find this out specifically?

 

[SlippytheDisco]

The 285/75/16 will also rub the rear quarter panel behind the rear tires a bit, if I recall correctly. I obviously had aftermarket front & rear bumpers but trimming the stock bumpers will work too. Let me see if I can dig up my initial lift measurements upon installation of the OME HD springs and shocks. It was more like 2.75” in the rear and 2.5” front or something like that.

I have an aftermarket front bumpers but not rear, I forgot to mention that. Have you liked OME?

 

[SlippytheDisco]

33's are standard on a 2" lift. 285/75-16 will rub the radius arm but 255/85-16 fit perfect and I think are the perfect tire size for the D2. If you have a factory front bumper you will need to trim the corners. I would go with the OME and not the Terra firma (actually, I would go with RTE).

I see a lot of differing opinions with ome vs terrafirma, why exactly should I go with one over the other in your opinion? Also thank you for the information, really helpful

 

[SlippytheDisco]

Yep, agree only with a ‘94 LWB. OME HD with Bilstein shocks. Enough room to fit 265/16s as well. 2” is sufficient especially as load up the roof rack on trips. Now that we’re back in US have a WARN 10k winch up front as a traction aid if needed.

View attachment 66072

Noted, thank you for your response. Also, that’s one good looking build!

 

[outono]

Wow, that is such a beautiful vehicle. The reason I would go with 2 inches instead of 3 is because of how much extra stuff is needed with a 3 inch instead of a 2 inch. Do you know where I could go to find this out specifically?

This is what RTE recommends you change when you go to 3”+

Extended Brake lines
ABS extensions
Adjustable panhard bar
Rear Watts linkage
Caster corrected radius arms
Double Cardan driveshaft (although I’ve seen people stick with their OEM)

You’ll probably want to remove your sway bars too (or get quick disconnects).

You really don’t need any of that except maybe the extended brake lines for a 2” lift.

 

[SlippytheDisco]

This is what RTE recommends you change when you go to 3”+

Extended Brake lines
ABS extensions
Adjustable panhard bar
Rear Watts linkage
Caster corrected radius arms
Double Cardan driveshaft (although I’ve seen people stick with their OEM)

You’ll probably want to remove your sway bars too (or get quick disconnects).

You really don’t need any of that except maybe the extended brake lines for a 2” lift.

Well, I think 2 inches is looking better and better. I think a 2 inch lift and 275/65r16s would look pretty awesome. So my understanding is that for the 2 inch lift, you really only need the kit and maybe brake lines/abs lines? Thank you for your helpful responses by the way.

 

[outono]

Ya basically just the shocks, springs, and the extended brake lines (and the lines are technically optional).

If the driveshaft hasn’t been replaced so it can be serviced (greased), you might as well take care of that too, but obviously not required for the 2” lift.

Just keep in mind that you can get a 3” lift and not add any of the extra stuff listed, but the truck isn’t going to handle great. You’ll feel a difference with the 2” lift, but it’ll still drive well.

 

[rovercanus]

You don't need to extend the ABS lines with a 2" lift.
Just reroute them so they don't get pulled.
If you really want them to be longer, just use front sensors in the rear since the cable is longer.
I think that a lot of people here's experience with Terra Firma is substandard quality and that their springs sag within a couple of years.
I've been using the same RTE springs for years but I'm on a nearly 6" lift with 35's.

 

[SlippytheDisco]

Ya basically just the shocks, springs, and the extended brake lines (and the lines are technically optional).

If the driveshaft hasn’t been replaced so it can be serviced (greased), you might as well take care of that too, but obviously not required for the 2” lift.

Just keep in mind that you can get a 3” lift and not add any of the extra stuff listed, but the truck isn’t going to handle great. You’ll feel a difference with the 2” lift, but it’ll still drive well.

Okay awesome, thanks so much for your help, this is why I always ask the experts

 

[SlippytheDisco]

You don't need to extend the ABS lines with a 2" lift.
Just reroute them so they don't get pulled.
If you really want them to be longer, just use front sensors in the rear since the cable is longer.
I think that a lot of people here's experience with Terra Firma is substandard quality and that their springs sag within a couple of years.
I've been using the same RTE springs for years but I'm on a nearly 6" lift with 35's.

Okay, that’s good to know. I’ve seen differing opinions with everything, I’ll probably go ahead and get ome but I’m still deciding. Thanks so much for your help, I’ll post some before and after pictures in a month or so when I get them on

 

[outono]

Okay, that’s good to know. I’ve seen differing opinions with everything, I’ll probably go ahead and get ome but I’m still deciding. Thanks so much for your help, I’ll post some before and after pictures in a month or so when I get them on

Just as a final note, I agree with @rovercanus about RTE. It's worth the extra cash if this is a longer term investment. Shocks, go with OME and you'll be fine.

 

[kris812]

My 2 cents.. I lifted my D1 3" with a TF medium set of springs. Got the extended braided brake lines (which actually helped the brakes some) abs wires I unplugged and rerouted them, idk if possible on D2 though.

The TF springs are stiff and bouncing on the road. Also needed 1" spacer on RR to get the damn truck leveled up. Emailed TF on it and got a "that's the way OEM was made" and was offered to buy some 5mm TF spring spacers to level it... Even not installed I could tell RL spring was longer than RR.

Caster correction arms on front will probably be needed if you use the freeway any, and want to keep clean underwear.

And you'll probably have to lower/drop the front sway bar to clearance the front driveshaft if you off-road as they will hit on a lift.

 

[Blueboy]

Just as a final note, I agree with @rovercanus about RTE. It's worth the extra cash if this is a longer term investment. Shocks, go with OME and you'll be fine.

OME springs are a quality product as well as Bilstein shocks.
My OME HD springs and Bilstein shocks were installed in 2011. No sag in the springs and no leaks in the shocks. RTE also a great choice yet OME an alternative. And we travel heavy!