What's wrong with my RTE lift?

Blue

Well-known member
Mar 26, 2004
10,043
856
AZ
I have a set of 1” spacers for a D2 sitting on my workbench shelf that I never used if you’re interested.
 

JUKE179r

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2016
761
95
Suffolkshire, UK
... Tempted to swap out the TF 2" for the new TF 3" valve adjustable shocks. $340 for a set, too good to be true?
I was going to buy new TerraFirma shocks and springs for my D2 but after hearing the horror stories of the shocks and springs rusting out and badly sagging
after barely a year, I'm going with Fox 2.0 shocks and looking for other springs.
A month ago I installed the new TF valve adjustable steering damper so I'll see how long that will last.
28427168_149212289106311_8835153288748859392_n.jpg
 

K-rover

Well-known member
Jan 15, 2010
2,163
62
Raleigh, NC
My TF springs have been on for over 2 years now and they have not sagged, just settled 1/4" from new. I "heard" that they fixed the powder coating issue, but cant confirm that. I would not recommend their shocks.
 

roverover

Well-known member
Feb 27, 2005
3,819
28
68
Lancaster PA
www.UsedLandRoverParts.com
On your RTE lift you didn't mention any spacers on the rear You need at least a 1" spacer as the springs are actually a D1 spring They used to market it as a 4" lift and included a spacer

Your comments are common with the RTE management that is why no one carries their products which were the best before the current ownership
 

Jeff Blake

Well-known member
May 6, 2016
429
16
Pacific Beach, San Diego
@roverrover, they still do 4" kits. RTE said the only difference in the rear between their 3 and 4 inch lift kits, is the 1" spacer. I'm not running a spacer as I only wanted 3"

How does one go about properly matching shocks to the springs/truck? Is there only 1 FOX part number compatible with the D2?

OME 763 springs arrive today. Specs are:

Free height: 16.54" passenger, 16.14" driver
Spring rate: 360 lbs/in

Compared to RTE:
Free height: 17.25"
Spring rate: 330 lbs/in

So as long as the OME's don't sag like the RTE's, I should be in pretty good shape without any spacer.

What's better, to keep the rig loaded and let the springs settle in to that, or remove loose gear (totaling around 250 pounds)?
 

K-rover

Well-known member
Jan 15, 2010
2,163
62
Raleigh, NC
L8 and RN sell FOX IFP shocks that are direct fit to the D2. Not sure on length?
Im running Fox 2.0 emulsions that are not a direct fit. Rear lower captive nut needs to but cut off and the whole reemed to 1/2" top rear mounts need to be trimmed. You would need front lower mounts as well, but with the emulsions you have more flexabitly with shock travel lengths. and obviously you can get them valved exactly how you want them. Id keep the weight in the back. Those springs ride better with weight on them.
 

Jeff Blake

Well-known member
May 6, 2016
429
16
Pacific Beach, San Diego
Here's some data I found:

OME 60025 Rear
Open: 587mm
Closed: 368mm

TF 179 rear (+3")
Open: 665mm
Closed: 410mm
Price: $58

Fox 985-24-128 rear (+1.5-2.5")
Open: 628mm
Closed: 397.5mm
Price: $130

TF's have almost an inch more travel.
 
Last edited:

azarmadillo

Well-known member
Nov 7, 2004
795
1
Phoenix, AZ
www.chadmanz.com
I have the old RTE springs from the original ownership.

From hub center to top of my wheel arch on my 1991 RRC Hunter:

21 1/8" FL FR 22"

22 3/16" RL RR 22 15/16"

Front left spring has started to sag over the last two years. When installed years ago there were exactly the same. However, my vehicle is VERY heavy as am I and usually drive it with only me in it.

I have a 1/2" angled spacer in the front and custom rear spring mounts that are 1" taller in the rear, hence the approximate 1" difference from front to back. So when loaded it would sit level. I have custom valved Fox 2.0 Adjustable Remote Reservoir shocks, 10" travel front, 11" travel rear (will NEVER do eyelet mounts again, only stem). RTE most everything else from original RTE owner. Only thing from new RTE owner is front adjustable shock towers, the new style, not the old tube style which I did have at one point.

Full details of suspension/modifications can be found at http://www.chadmanz.com/.
 

nickb857

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2004
1,388
3
38
Las Vegas
My front right RTE spring has started to sag, now its about 3/4" low, put them on in 2004. I'm in the process of finding the new springs now, might re-do some other parts while I'm at it.

I don't think fox makes 2" emulsion shocks any more, only remote res. Bilstein makes the 7100's in emulsion if you dont want to mess with reservoir mounting.
 

roverover

Well-known member
Feb 27, 2005
3,819
28
68
Lancaster PA
www.UsedLandRoverParts.com
@roverrover, they still do 4" kits. RTE said the only difference in the rear between their 3 and 4 inch lift kits, is the 1" spacer. I'm not running a spacer as I only wanted 3"

How does one go about properly matching shocks to the springs/truck? Is there only 1 FOX part number compatible with the D2?

OME 763 springs arrive today. Specs are:

Free height: 16.54" passenger, 16.14" driver
Spring rate: 360 lbs/in

Compared to RTE:
Free height: 17.25"
Spring rate: 330 lbs/in

So as long as the OME's don't sag like the RTE's, I should be in pretty good shape without any spacer.

What's better, to keep the rig loaded and let the springs settle in to that, or remove loose gear (totaling around 250 pounds)?


That's part of your problem the D2 perch is about an inch taller than the D1 You need at least a 1" spacer on the rear to make it level
 

JUKE179r

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2016
761
95
Suffolkshire, UK
Here's some data I found:

OME 60025 Rear
Open: 587mm
Closed: 368mm

TF 179 rear (+3")
Open: 665mm
Closed: 410mm
Price: $58

Fox 985-24-128 rear (+1.5-2.5")
Open: 628mm
Closed: 397.5mm
Price: $130

TF's have almost an inch more travel.
Hey Jeff... There is also the OME rear shock 60025"L" that is supposed to be longer at Open=627mm & Closed=388mm.
 

Jeff Blake

Well-known member
May 6, 2016
429
16
Pacific Beach, San Diego
OK just it's not uncommon that people put the heavier spring on the front thinking it has to carry the engine where it goes on the rear to carry the load

I currently have 4 trucks running the 3" RTE springs and no major issues both our 5" RTE sagged about 1/2" on the rear 2-3" just doesn't seem possible

Yep, I'm at a loss too.

The OME's are in. Hopefully get them in this weekend. They don't look as beefy as the RTE's, but I'll never go back to RTE that's for sure.

It will be interesting to see the uncompressed spring height of the RTE's
 

ezzzzzzz

Well-known member
Apr 22, 2010
604
7
SE Va
I've got RTE 3" springs on my '71 IIA LS1 rock crawler project. While it is still in 'project' stage after 10 years the springs have not settled any measurable amount.