| Author | Message | ||
     Todd Rooker (Tryrook) New Member Username: Tryrook Post Number: 4 Registered: 12-2002 |
This is a follow up to an earlier thread that has since been archived. I said I'd post my thoughts on the "Green Benders" from www.northwestparts.com after I got them installed. First off, Andy was great...very knowledgeable and helpful. Thanks, Andy! I am a bit of newbie when it comes to the offroad stuff, so I spent a bunch of time cruising the boards here to figure out what I wanted. I bought a 95 Disco just for offroading in the AZ desert (I had a RR 4.0SE but got rid of it last year). I wanted to lift it as much as I could without having to redo the whole drive train...darn cash constraints! I have just installed Andy's 3" coil springs with some Gabriel nitro shocks. The Bearmachs that were on my truck must have been sagging pretty badly because I got a full 4 1/2-5" of lift just from the springs. I was sitting at ~17" from wheel center to fender and am now a full 22" on all corners. I also upgraded from my 235/65 Michelins to 247/75 BFG AT KOs which gave me another 1 1/2". Thankfully I can still fit in my garage...a solid 1/8" clearance on a 6' 10" door! Sometimes ignorance can be a good substitute for good planning. I will post before/after shots when they come back from the photo lab. I must say it looks a ton better, if I say so myself. I haven't done any serious offroading yet, but I have been very impressed thus far with the trails I have been on. No more high centering and dragging my butt where I used to. On the highway it is much much better than the old coils/shocks. No random swaying. Cornering is much better. Ride is firmer yet very comfortable. Absolutely no weird noises or vibrations. I love pulling up to Grand Cherokees and looking right over the top of them! The only complaint, if there is one, is that the extra 6" of height makes me a little more susceptible to crosswinds now. But that is a given with any lift. Now I haven't ridden on OMEs for comparison, but I must say the current set up is infinitely better than my old ride. At the same time, I can't imagine that a full OME set up could be THAT much better (or even any better at all?!) to warrant the extra cash outlay. I know that might be heresy on this site, but I must say I am exstatic about them so far. I think I will take my dear wife out for a really nice dinner with all the money I saved! Who says green springs don't look good on a Blue Disco? Cheers, Todd | ||
| Andy Nix (Andy) Member Username: Andy Post Number: 179 Registered: 02-2002 |
Glad you like 'em. I think I'll start calling them the green monsters.... | ||
| R. B. Bailey (Rover50987) Senior Member Username: Rover50987 Post Number: 278 Registered: 07-2002 |
Todd, I am looking at getting those same springs on my truck. I too have a sagging Disco - do not read into that statement - keep this thread clean. Anyway, I would like about 2 inches and I like what you have said about the handling and off-road improvement. However, I am also wondering about load factors. I will ask Andy about this more specifically. But how do they perform when you stick a trailer on there and load the interior with a week of camping gear? | ||
| Daniel Covaciu (Danielcovaciu) New Member Username: Danielcovaciu Post Number: 35 Registered: 10-2002 |
Todd, I was thinking about get the same springs. Possibly the same 3 inch lift ones you got. You mentioned before that you did not get any vibes on your truck. Did you lose the self centering in your steering wheel? Dan | ||
| Todd Rooker (Tryrook) New Member Username: Tryrook Post Number: 5 Registered: 12-2002 |
To answer the first question from RB about loads, I haven't had the chance to load it up yet...I am happy to say it didn't sag at all after I put my new ARB winch bumper with brush guard on. Andy could probably answer your question about trailering. I don't have anything to trailer (yet!) so have no point of reference. For Daniel, I haven't lost the self-centering with steering. Just to be safe on the no vibes front, I took it to my local shop and had them look over the drive train and I am happy to say everything looks great. No signs of any abnormal wear or anything. Had a chance to take them offroad on the weekend, and they are fantastic. The extra clearance from the tires and the extra compression room from the lift have proven great. The only adjustment I have had to make is the bump stops needed two turns to accommodate the bigger tires. Still haven't gotten the after pics yet. Hopefully I'll have them some time this week if I can get a respite from work. Todd |
