Converting to Stock Suspension

specops1526

Well-known member
Jan 17, 2007
845
11
Los Angeles, CA
So this is probably going to be counter intuitive to everything on this forum, but I'm going to be converting a 2003 DII back to stock suspension. It's an '03 TReK truck and I'd like to get it as close to stock as possible.

It's currently got +2 Terrfirma Springs, Terrafirma front shock towers, and Fox Shocks.

With the winch basket on front I'm going to add Land Rover HD (REB000490) brown/pink springs. Anyone know if they are left/right sided or not?

For the Rear, I'm foregoing the Air Bags because of their tendency to fail over time, even though they were stock for this truck. Should I use Regular or HD rear springs?

Finally, for shocks, thinking about going Bilsteins. I had an OME 2" on my last truck and I liked the shocks. Anyone have any other suggestions?

I'm guessing the truck has an updated front drive shaft due to the current lift. Will I need to change that out after the lift is removed?
 

4Runner

Well-known member
May 24, 2007
660
110
Boise Idaho
I don’t think your driveshaft will be any issue. Lots of people go the other way without any problems. Hopefully it’s not a custom length unit, but I don’t see why someone would go through that trouble for a 2” lift. What are you going to do with the lift after you remove it? I might be interested if there is some life left in it.
 

Howski

Well-known member
Oct 19, 2009
1,483
209
Alabama
Even if the front driveshaft is upgraded (Tom Woods?) I’d be pretty confident it’d be the same specs as factory. Be aware the factory springs do tend to sag a bit more over time, especially with a winch on the front. You may need some trim packers to help level it out over time
 

luckyjoe

Well-known member
Oct 10, 2004
455
118
New Jersey USA
If you're going back to stock, I'd do new rear airbags. It's a much more versatile system and not that hard to maintain, especially with new bags (and compressor).
 
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specops1526

Well-known member
Jan 17, 2007
845
11
Los Angeles, CA
Thanks for the feedback.

Current suspension will be for sale when it comes off unless I keep the FOX shocks as suggested.

In terms of the airbags, the issue with going back to them is that one of the previous owners removed the compressor on the frame so I'd have to locate one. I could find a used one but not sure how advisable that is?

Noted about driveshaft and factory spring sag. I need to get under truck to make sure the driveshaft has grease-able U-joints.
 

Tugela

Well-known member
May 21, 2007
4,754
562
Seattle
Unless you routinely carry a lot of weight or put a bunch of armor/accessories/excessive overlanding crap in your truck, skip the HD rear springs. They will make for an uncomfortable ride in an unladen vehicle, which it sounds like you're going for with a return to stock. I had HD springs on my first RRC and it rode like a dream with 4 occupants and a full load of climbing gear. The rest of the time it bounced around harshly. I second the suggestion for a return to rear air suspension. Perhaps a little more work up front but in the long term I think you'll appreciate the ride better. Plus, originality adds value for some people, including me.
 

specops1526

Well-known member
Jan 17, 2007
845
11
Los Angeles, CA
Yeah, this truck isn't going to be used heavily on trails, sadly. A previous owner removed the compressor so I'll need to locate one in addition to the air bags to go back to SLS. It is very tempting because as you mentioned, it adds to the originality of the truck. I was contemplating it but with the lack of compressor, it wasn't high on my list. I'm reconsidering now though.

Sadly when I moved a few years ago, I threw my old air bags out after converting another truck to 2" OME. I'm checking with the new owner to see if they want to part with the compressor that's still on the truck.
 

Lake_Bueller

Well-known member
Aug 11, 2004
2,105
59
56
Beloit, WI
The previous owner butchered the air suspension system on my TReK also. Because I didn't buy it to be a museum piece, I'm okay with the 2" lift and bigger tires ;)
 

specops1526

Well-known member
Jan 17, 2007
845
11
Los Angeles, CA
I agree. The 2" lift is nice on these things. Even if I kept the lift, I'd want to convert it to OME as I'm not a fan of the Terrafirm springs I have now.
 

Tugela

Well-known member
May 21, 2007
4,754
562
Seattle
OME springs will rattle your teeth out. I prefer my TF springs. People need to clear coat them before installing.

What model and what application? That makes a big difference in ride quality. I've been in empty Rovers with heavy duty springs that were jarring and in fully loaded Rovers with HD springs that rode well. I have TF light duty springs on my D1, which are comparable to OME medium duty, and I'm happy with the ride. I've also been in Discos with OME medium duty and thought the ride quality felt better. When it's time to replace my springs again, I'll probably switch over to OME. Anything will be an improvement over factory springs with 170K miles on them, but I think there is a gradient in how much better.
 

specops1526

Well-known member
Jan 17, 2007
845
11
Los Angeles, CA
Anyone know if these fox shocks will be ok on stock height?


I believe this is what’s on the truck currently.
 

specops1526

Well-known member
Jan 17, 2007
845
11
Los Angeles, CA
So, I've still been wrestling with the decision to go with Coils or SLS. Obviously SLS will bring it back to factory. But, I'm slowly finding out that I may need almost everything in the SLS system now.

I crawled around underneath and the lines to each bag are certainly cut. The compressor is gone but I can get a used one off one of my old '04s from the current owner, however, it's 16 years old now and hasn't run in 11 years when I put the OME lift on the truck. I also looked around for the air lines that go to the compressor and couldn't feel anything. The wiring is still there though. This means that I may need to replace the entire set of air lines which doesn't sound like fun. The lines from RN are around $200 but Zack and I can't even figure out if the part that we're looking at is the correct one I need. For anyone that's curious: https://www.roversnorth.com/parts/rqm100012_pipe_assembly_sls_air_suspension_discovery_ii_l322

I'm not sure it's worth all the effort and money. I'll certainly be pissed if the compressor craps out or doesn't work at all as a new one is $$$.

Anyone else do this yet? Is it really worth it in the long run since coils are virtually maintenance free?