Lift Question

[mrmilo]

Hello,
This is my first post here! I've done some searching, but I haven't found really the answer I'm looking for, as I'm a "newbie"... I've got a 97 Discovery and I want to lift it...2 inches. I know this maybe dumb, but what is the difference with a "body lift", that raises the body above the suspension, and a (I guess) a suspension lift, where you put larger springs, etc in. I see that RoverTym has a 2" body lift. I'm not a major off roader or anything like that, but I do go off road frequently and I want larger, fatter tires for my Disco. Are there positives and negatives to either? Thank you very much! mrmilo

 

[Morpheus]

Im in the same boat... I saw on EBAY that someone makes 2" coil spring spacers that will lift the truck 2".does anyone have experience or thoughts on taking this route?

 

[Scott]

Jim, I have a '97 also and went with the OME HD springs. I still have my factory shocks. The lift starts at 2" but will settle to about 1.75". I also am running 245/75 BFG AT KO's and love them. I do wish I would have gotten the 235/85 though. I personally do not like a body lift. I think it puts too much stress on the attaching bolts than stock (JMO). The OME lift wil also inhance the driveability of the Disco. If you decide to go with OME suspension be sure to get matched springs the shop you get them from will know what you are talking about. I pesonally got mine from John @ ExpeditionExchange.

 

[ColonialRovers]

My 2 Cents on lifts

I have gone the spring lift in a previous defender. Now that I have a XD disco with 77,000 miles, I'd rather replace the tired springs with new springs & shocks. The spring will also counter the weight of the offroad accessories I plan to add to the truck. If I went the body lift route then the tired springs would sag with the excess weight. No If I was going to go all out and build a kick ascii trail slug, then I might use both the get the added height for the larger tires.

 

[Morpheus]

Scott,
You used OME springs with factory shocks? and it worked? I though that OME componants were meant to be used with aftermarket shocks? If not thats cool.

 

[Disco Mike]

Replace the coil springs instead of lifting the body, your old springs are just that old and tired. Plus lifting the suspension will give you better results off the road. Here again, your truck has some miles on it so change out the shock at the same time.
Mike J.

 

[Morpheus]

Ok heres my question.....I just changed out my shocks woth Woodheads, Can I put an OME or rovertym HD spring on it without problems and get a "lift" for larger tires?

 

[justinhaaga]

Factory shocks eh? Are they orignal or have you replaced them?

I have 65k on my '96 and my shocks are shot. Want to get a lift, looks like the OME is what I want.

 

[Morpheus]

Ummm

 

[fergy]

My 97 D1 is fitted with OME 3" lift, 1" rear spacer and stock length shocks. I say stock length shocks for I've replaced them with Bielstien "stock" length shocks. I'm also running EE rear shock locator (and 1" EE spacer) which allows you to run stock length shocks.

So, yes stock length shocks will work with up to a 3" lift (OME). I bought mine thru EE, talk with John.
fergy

 

[Morpheus]

Fergy...do you have a link to EE? did you need to put the rear shock locator on? if not why did you choose to do it?

 

[Scott]

I believe they are stock, I have not changed them as yet because they ae still in good functioning shape. Most factory shocks are good for 1"-2" lifts with out change.

 

[Morpheus]

So if I have a stock rover, Is it safe to assume that I can throw some HD springs on it and get a "lift"? or do i need all kinds of brackets and stuff?

 

[Sergei]

Stock length shocks will work with 3" suspension lift. However - they will be nearly maxed out (or maxed out. depends on shocks and depends on which suspension lift you getting, plus how much extra weight is on truck). And if they will max out - any vibration will be amplified - so you may get shake-mobile instead of good riding truck.

And they will limit travel, so entire thing of longer springs will be somewhat defeated.

So if you go with lift just to look cool - you may stick with stock. If you getting lift in order to gain suspension travel - you may be better ponying up some extra cash for those.

However if money are tight and you desperate to get lift - you can do it

And no - you dont need any brackets and stuff to install springs. Just tools to swap them..

 

[Robbie]

it is safe to assume that. what happens to your driveline after you throw those springs on though, that is another story. might not have any issues, or you might be shaking the whole way down the road. but the springs are just plug 'n play.

 

[Morpheus]

Im not tight or cheap or anything...I just dont do much Hardcore offroading but I am looking to put larger tires on the truck. For a little more clearance. So i dont want to spend alot of money to lift it for no good reason..

 

[Scott]

Do the OME HD springs and be done you will love it.

 

[fergy]

Bruce,
In order to use the stock length shocks I had to use EE's (Expedition Exchange) rear shock mount set-up. These mounting brackets drop the top of the rear shock mounting holes down approx. 2" thus allowing you to use the stock length shocks. You might want to give John a call at Expedition Exchange and discuss this further with him
There is however a down side to using stock length shocks, which Sergei mentioned earlier, that is limited travel. I had recently purchased a set of the Bielstien shocks (which I paid handsomely for) and could not (at the time) bring myself to drop another $300+ on new OME shocks. I figure I'll by a new set from OME with my Santa money.

I may be one of the luckier Dwebers that have not experienced any shake or vibe with my 3" lift running 235 BFG MTs. I did however invest in a steering stabilizer relocation kit using the D90 OME stabilizer.
fergy

 

[Rover3]

After I did an upgrade from an OME 1.5" MD lift to an OME 3" lift, the MD OME shocks were completely maxed out in the back. I thought about buying the shock relocation kit from EE, but 2" lower still wouldn't be enough especially for offroad use, so I used the rovertym rear setup. Generally speaking, when you do a suspension lift, the length of the shock should match the length of the spring. It is possible to put HD OME 2" springs with the 2" lowered shock mounts with the stock shocks, but it isn't recommended because the stock shocks are designed for the stock suspension. If you use relocated stock shocks with a lift, the shocks will wear out quicker, and the ride will be loose and unstable. The OME kits were designed to give you a better ride with their shocks and springs.