Procrastination & Flex

CORover · Oct 12, 2017

One of the benefits of being the last one to get around to things is that most of the issues I run into have already been solved. So I bet this one is too. I have been slowly going for more flex on the Disco over the years and now I am getting to the point where my rear tires are starting to rub the inner fender well at full stuff. 235-85x16 tires on stock wheels.

Looks like my options are wheels with different back spacing, hub spacers or something else I have not read yet. The tubs on these are wider than a 90 so some of those parts options do not work and I do not want to start cutting. Maybe the answer is that I am done and that is OK too. I still want to drive it on road and not make a trailer queen.

What worked for others?

Mongo · Oct 12, 2017

longer bumpstops...

DiscoPhoto · Oct 12, 2017

Mongo said:
longer bumpstops...

^^^

Jimmy · Oct 12, 2017

Mongo said:
longer bumpstops...

I did this to keep the 255/85s on Wolf wheels from doing the same. I switched to some GM one I saw on Pirate and pulled from a junkyard after the tall Energy Suspension polys were getting destroyed:

It's been 5 1/2 years now and no issues from them.

CORover · Oct 12, 2017

Just in the back? I hate giving up on lost potential in that wheel well. It seems like there is more flex to get from the back than the front since I don't have a 3 link up there.

CORover · Oct 12, 2017

I remember reading that thread Jimmy. What vehicle were those from? I'm headed to a few yards tomorrow to look for some other parts. Did you do any extra cutting to squeeze the 255/85s in?

fishEH · Oct 13, 2017

Can you describe your suspension set up? Maybe post a pic? Most people running a 2" lift don't have any significant issues with rubbing 235/85's. I have two D1's, both with 2" lifts, and both running 235/85's. I haven't done anything regarding bumpstops and haven't had any real problems with rubbing inner fenders. Though my 94 does have the TerraFirma hubcentric wheel spacers.

I agree that those tall Energy Suspension bumpstops suck. I ripped both of mine my first trip out. Bought them off Amazon and promptly returned them.

Jimmy · Oct 13, 2017

CORover said:
I remember reading that thread Jimmy. What vehicle were those from? I'm headed to a few yards tomorrow to look for some other parts. Did you do any extra cutting to squeeze the 255/85s in?

I think they came from 1990s and 2000s SUVs like the Blazers, Bravadas, etc.

I had to trim one door edge, but only after I flexed the hell out of it on a trail and the tire got into the door and damaged it. Prior to that, I don't know of sure... looks like Mike removed the mud flaps and bent the mounts out of the way some (I think).

Jimmy · Oct 13, 2017

fishEH said:
Can you describe your suspension set up? Maybe post a pic? Most people running a 2" lift don't have any significant issues with rubbing 235/85's. I have two D1's, both with 2" lifts, and both running 235/85's. I haven't done anything regarding bumpstops and haven't had any real problems with rubbing inner fenders. Though my 94 does have the TerraFirma hubcentric wheel spacers.

I agree that those tall Energy Suspension bumpstops suck. I ripped both of mine my first trip out. Bought them off Amazon and promptly returned them.

He has one hell of a flexy setup... I couldn't believe how much the wheelwell swallowed that 235/85 on a factory alloy. I'll let him post (or give permission for me to post) pics, if he wants pics here.

On those bump stops: The original owner of mine didn't push it as hard as I do, so the bump stops weren't getting used that much until I got it. It wasn't long until they were splitting and one tore off. Lesson learned.

CORover · Oct 13, 2017

Jimmy, if you have pics post some. I was driving and did not get any. I'll post specs after I think about the pieces for a minute. Your rig was very close to mine IIRC.

CORover · Oct 13, 2017

fishEH said:
Can you describe your suspension set up?

You asked for it.
 Out back
Heavy duty rear bumper with swing away tire carrier
Blings, short body 12 inch travel, poly bushings in the shock ends
unconfirmed valving, I have a 400/100 kit for a rebuild
RTE upper and lower shock mounts for eye to eye shocks
RTE RR3-3 springs, captive tops, free to roam lowers
TF lower dislocation cones
Rover Tracks rear cranked arms with 1.25 inch RTE spacers to level the axle
Extended brake lines
Slightly extended bump stops
RTE A arm extension
Tom Woods DC prop shaft
235/85-16 rubber
Stock Disco wheels

In the lead
RockWare heavy duty bumper with winch and lights
Blings, short body 12 inch travel, poly bushings in the shock ends
unconfirmed valving, I have a 400/100 kit for a rebuild
TF skeleton shock towers
RTE lower shock mounts for eye to eye shocks
Unknown, SG or OME maybe, rear +3 inch shocks mounted up front, progressives
TF upper dislocation cones, captive lowers
Stock radius arms with well-aged bushings, probably original, nice and loose
Cranked swivel balls, drilled 6 degrees from standard
Extended brake lines
Re-routed ABS lines
Slightly extended bump stops
Tom Woods DC prop shaft
235/85-16 rubber
Stock Disco wheels

What about a 1 inch body lift?
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DiscoPhoto · Oct 13, 2017

You can tuck a 255 pretty well up there, I'm surprised you're having issues with a 235, "needing" more flex. Are you really doing trails that require the extra 2" of upward travel? On 32s?

Mongo · Oct 13, 2017

Longer bumpstops...its really simple.

CORover · Oct 13, 2017

DiscoPhoto said:
You can tuck a 255 pretty well up there, I'm surprised you're having issues with a 235, "needing" more flex. Are you really doing trails that require the extra 2" of upward travel? On 32s?

Honestly, it's been fine on the trails I have been running. It gets over what I want without too much trouble. The people following me have been impressed with the flex as they see it from behind.

That is where it all falls apart, need vs. want. It crossed over from rational to emotional. What really started this little quest was a ramp. Not an RTI ramp initially, but one that you drive up and park on the top of. I have been going to a bunch of jeep events that the ramp has been at, and as usually the only Rover, I start to feel inferior. Most of the jeeps that top out are really built so it is not surprise. But then this ramp started showing up at some Rover events so I did not feel outnumbered. Over a few months of tweaking and swapping, I got real close but no summit. At the Rover events, I saw a classic make it, a modified D90 with a custom three link up front, and one of the most heavily modified P38's in the country.

So I started playing with setup. I have not spent any money other than normal upgrades, most of the parts have been used or something I was buying anyway. Just playing around with different trailing arms and lengths, different springs which I had anyway, front and back. Retained and open springs. It has just been a learning lab.

I just want to make it to the top of that ramp and be the first Disco that I have seen do it in our group. Frivolous yes but with a useful end game in mind. I don't want a trailer queen, a ramp contest winner or something else specific to one purpose. I want that sweet spot between stock and trailer vehicle with the ultimate test, that I could let me teenage son drive it to high school and not kill himself or anyone else. I will hit an end point sooner than later and will have spent less than those over hyped, amazon accessory jeeps that show up every month. I learn a few things on the way and have some fun too. It's summer fun on the trails and winter fun at a meet and greet with a ramp. The guy with the flat top ramp just bought an RTI ramp, can't beat that one.

CORover · Oct 13, 2017

Mongo said:
Longer bumpstops...its really simple.

I will try that next. I am trying to find a salvage yard or two to see what they have, like Jimmy did, and give it a shot.

bsa_m21 · Oct 13, 2017

FYI - My 96 Disco with 235/85 & 2" lift is able to take most things I push it at. Lets see a pic of this ramp you are referring to. I want to know what a D1 like mine has trouble with.

M.

fishEH · Oct 13, 2017

DiscoPhoto said:
You can tuck a 255 pretty well up there, I'm surprised you're having issues with a 235

That's pretty much what I was getting at.
OP says the tires are rubbing the inner fender well. Seems the simplest solution to your specific problem of rubbing the inner fender would be to install the TerraFirma hubcentric spacers.

lunchbox · Oct 13, 2017

Bump stops...

fishEH · Oct 13, 2017

From what he described it sounds like it rubbing where I have circled in the pic. It would seem this is the result of 1 tire dropping and the other stuffing, causing the stuffed tire to angle in and hit. If that's the case he doesn't need to limit uptravel but push the tire further from the tub.
Bumpstops would work too, but may unnecessarily limit uptravel.

CORover · Oct 13, 2017

That is exactly where the tire maxes out, I even have the tire wear pattern from the rubbing against the liner paint, it's a nice arc around the well. If I can space out the tire, it will stuff more into the well. Or raise the body a little, depends which is easier and or cheaper. If bump stops do the same thing, they are easier and cheaper than the other two options I can think of.

Here is a pic of the flat top ramp. Not a full attempt since I was working by myself one day and playing around. With a spotter I almost got to the top. The tire rubbing the fender well seemed to inhibit my forward progress just enough that I could not get over the lip of the ramp to settle into the hole.

Jimmy might have some pics on the RTI ramp.

Procrastination & Flex

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