Light and Medium Duty Spring Rates

[Howski]

I'm now on my third Rover (two DII's and one 90) and have learned some valuable things in modifying my first two - I overbuilt them. While I did utilize their capabilities my needs have changed. Currently my 02' DII is stock and I really appreciate the more comfortable ride the factory springs and shocks in comparison to my past setups with RTE and OME HD springs. This build will be more of a camping and fishing rig with occasional light wheeling. The goal is 2" of lift to fit 265/75's while retaining as close to possible of a factory ride. The only possibility of adding more weight would come in the form a factory brush guard and possible discreet winch setup. I'm now deciding which route to take concerning suspension - light/medium duty OME/Terrafirma shock and spring combination or factory springs with spacers. If anyone could provide specs on spring rates for the above setups it'd help a bunch. Any other input or experience with light/medium duty setups would be appreciated as well

Cheers,

 

[ERover82]

I went into some detail here:
https://discoweb.org/forums/showthread.php?t=91324

And here:
https://discoweb.org/forums/showthread.php?t=84806


I ended up with OME 2766 and BA2251 springs.

The Bearmach springs from UK vendors offer more selection.


Shocks make a huge difference in ride feel too. Soft springs and stiff shocks still makes for a stiff ride. I'd get custom valved shocks to maintain ride quality.

 

[Buddy]

I ended up with OME 2766 and BA2251 springs.

Shocks make a huge difference in ride feel too. Soft springs and stiff shocks still makes for a stiff ride. I'd get custom valved shocks to maintain ride quality.

Interesting, I assume you're running the 2766's in the rear? I'm looking at doing something similar on my next project. The goal is to keep it light and remove anything that's not mission critical and keep it at around 2" of suspension lift . So with the lower weight, I definitely want lighter springs. I have a set of old Big Blue front springs (not sure on the part number) that I plan to run in the front and I'm thinking about taking my HD RTE front 3" springs and running them in the rear. I think the specs are close to the 2766's at 245lb/ft.

How do you like the ride? Do you normally have the truck mostly empty or loaded up? What shocks/valving are you running with them?

 

[ERover82]

Yes 2766 in the rear, and 1/2" leveling spacers I forgot to mention. I've got a roof rack, front/rear bumpers, sliders, steering guard, fuel tank plate, and a winch. It's usually loaded with a lot of light gear and a couple people. Ride is softer than previous TF med, but I still have the TF Prosport +2" shocks that refuse to die and which make the ride a bit firm. It's not a DD anymore so I'm willing to trade body sway for flex and soft ride.

 

[Howski]

Thanks for the references. That chart is especially helpful. Concerning height above stock, how does the amount of lift the springs provide differ between a DI and DII? I know they are different

 

[Tugela]

I can't offer anything quantitative, but earlier this year I put TF015 light duty springs on my Disco 1 - I believe they are close to the same spring rates as OME medium duty. I went this route because

1. I don't have armor, bumpers, winch, or any other hefty add-ons
2. I wanted a small lift
3. My tires are only slightly larger than stock- nearly 1" bigger diameter: 235/75/16 as opposed to 235/70/16
4. I wanted a supple ride off road (my RRC bounced around a lot with stiffer springs)
5. I pile a bunch of gear and people into my truck for weekend trips so need a little more weight-carrying ability but not all the time.

Between the springs and the isolators I also installed (well worth it), my effective lift is probably less than 2". I'm happy with the ride quality and I have had no driveline or handling issues. Having driven a few thousand miles on this setup I would not hesitate to go this exact route again. I never considered spring spacers because I wanted the extra articulation and a slightly higher spring rate over stock. My shocks are aging Blingsteins that have been on the stiff side, but overall I'm completely satisfied with the setup.

Here's what it looks like:

 

[K-rover]

TF015 are HD front springs..http://www.terrafirma4x4.com/product_detail.php?prod=TF015&grp=103.

 

[MM3846]

I plan on doing TF lights and Fox shocks in the future.

 

[Buddy]

Thanks for the references. That chart is especially helpful. Concerning height above stock, how does the amount of lift the springs provide differ between a DI and DII? I know they are different

DII front springs are roughly 1" shorter than DI (i.e. 2" springs give a 3" lift on a DII). Rear are roughly the same but the perches are shorter. So switching to DI perches is recommended.

 

[Howski]

DII front springs are roughly 1" shorter than DI (i.e. 2" springs give a 3" lift on a DII). Rear are roughly the same but the perches are shorter. So switching to DI perches is recommended.

Thanks that confirms what I'd thought for the front. Seems like the medium duty offering from TF or OME might fit the bill

 

[ERover82]

TF light = OME med
TF med = OME hd
TF HD = OME xtra-hd

Even TF light will give a firmer ride than stock.