| Author | Message | ||
     Sheldon Charron (Rifleman) New Member Username: Rifleman Post Number: 1 Registered: 01-2004 |
Hey guys. I just bought my first Land Rover! It has the rear air suspension, which I have learned is probably a bad thing as they crap out often, but i still love the truck. It has crappy dunlop tires, and even though they are new, they have to go! I am looking for advice on tires, particularly how large I can go without a lift. I plan to do some mods, but I would prefer to add a winch bumper, and a safari rack and tent like a hannibal first, then look at suspension after. I already have a 94 Ford F150 Xtra Cab 4X4 with 31" tires for hunting and wheeling, so I'm good to go for that right now, but I definitely have big plans for my Disco. I just need to get the priorities done first. Suggestions for mods welcome! Thanks guys! | ||
| Jim Reynolds (4x4xfar) Senior Member Username: 4x4xfar Post Number: 297 Registered: 05-2003 |
265/75R16 with minor rubbing, looks really good with 2-3" lift. | ||
| not the same Mike (Mikem) Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 81 Registered: 02-2003 |
245/75R16 will fit without rubbing. You might want to consider the suspension lift before you add the extra weight of the bumper, rack and tent, especially if you go with larger tires. | ||
| Sheldon Charron (Rifleman) New Member Username: Rifleman Post Number: 2 Registered: 01-2004 |
Hey guys. Thanks for the response. Is the lift okay with air suspension or should I have that removed? If I'm going with a lift, shouldn't I just go higher and put larger tires? Just so everyone knows, I live in Canada. It's -40 degrees here with the windchill right now and the snow is pretty deep off main roads. Never thought of the weight problem with the bumper and rack. I have beefed up the suspension on my Ford, but never added a winch or front bumper... All I did was add longer, heavier duty springs, added a leaf in the rear, and put on 33x10.5 BFG Radial All Terrain TA KO's. I did buy a set of Rud-Matic chains for the Disco from the dealer. The only problem is they only would sell me a set for the rear. Apparently you can't put them on the front as it will ruin the ABS hoses, etc. That seems pretty stupid, but I got stuck in the snow the first day with my rig. I shoveled and managed to get through the snow pretty decent and make a long track, but I was in a deep narrow dicth and couldn't get my damn tires over the hump. I kept sliding back in. %$#%^$^%! The chains should help next time so I don't have to call my buddy to pull me out with his Chevy. It was pretty embarrasing the first day out! | ||
| Paul D. Morgan (V22guy) Dweb Lounge Member Username: V22guy Post Number: 2410 Registered: 02-2002 |
Sheldon, You obviously need to go with a more aggressive snow tire; especially where you live. 245/75R16 or 265/70R16 will work on your D2. You will be amazed at how your D2 will perform with good rubber. You can install a lift on a SLS equipped D2. However, if you plan on going off-road; I recommend removing the system. The rear bags on your D2 are very easy to swap out for springs. But before you get started, you will need to acquire the lower spring retainers. This is because the SLS Bags mount differently than the springs. After you get the springs in, disconnect the sensor in the back, and pop a fuse. Some folks go to the dealer and have the system disabled; your choice. | ||
| not the same Mike (Mikem) Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 82 Registered: 02-2003 |
I have a 99 D2 with stock suspension and SLS. I haven't had any problems with SLS off road. If you add a suspension lift, you have 3 options with the SLS. 1. add spacers under the airbags: http://www.rovertym.com/slsspacers.htm 2. trick the height sensor to raise the back end 3. replace the airbags with springs #1 is a good solution if you want to keep SLS. It allows SLS to work properly without adding to the risk. If you tow a lot, this is the best option. #2 is bad choice, but cheap. The airbags are more likely to fail because you are keeping them at a higher pressure all of the time. #3 is the best solution, in my opinion. SLS is a relatively complex system with many potential failure points. Springs are much simpler and less likely to fail on the trail. I will be replacing my SLS with springs in the near future. | ||
| Sheldon Charron (Rifleman) New Member Username: Rifleman Post Number: 3 Registered: 01-2004 |
Mike. If I understand you right, you have basically the same truck as me, but have not added spacers? Do you also run without a winch/winch bumper or rack? My dealer replaced the SLS air bags less than a year ago, and they are leaking again. They are going to replace them under warranty, and they tell me that they almost always are replaced before the year is up in our climate, and therefore people rarely pay to have them fixed. It has something to do with all the sand and salt we have up here that is used on the snow covetred and icy roads. It gets into the folds of the bags and chafes them so they start to leak. That is why i thought I should consider removing them, since eventually, it will cost me $1500 to fix, and I thought I needed them gone to lift the truck. Will the spacers under the airbags get me high enough to put 265's? Is there a kit for our rovers that includes the stuff for front and back? Thanks! | ||
| not the same Mike (Mikem) Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 83 Registered: 02-2003 |
Sheldon, Ours trucks are basically the same. I have added diff guards, better tires (245/75R16), a handle to lock the center diff, and a winch bumper. I will be adding rock sliders, a winch, and a 2-3" suspension lift in the near future. If your airbags are already giving you problems, I would replace them with springs and forget about the spacers. The SLS spacers from rovertym are more expensive than a set of springs anyway. Contact rovertym or expedition exchange for more info on suspensions. The best source of information about D2 tire sizes is here: http://www.disco2.com/howto/offroader/tyresizes.phtml Mike | ||
| Sheldon Charron (Rifleman) New Member Username: Rifleman Post Number: 5 Registered: 01-2004 |
Hi Mike. The SLS bags are leaking now, but they are going to be replaced free of charge by the dealer under warranty. They were replaced less than a year ago by the dealer for the previous owner. I can hear the system kicking on and off quite often, and the back end is pretty bouncy over bumps and squeaks/creaks while bouncing. So you added a winch bumper before you did your suspension? Can you recommend a winch bumper for me? I got the impression i had to beef up the suspension before adding the winch rig. Where do i get diff guards? Are they easy to install? I like the idea of rock sliders, if for no other reason, that i can easily jack from anywhere on the side of the vehicle. I need to track down all this gear... | ||
| Sheldon Charron (Rifleman) New Member Username: Rifleman Post Number: 6 Registered: 01-2004 |
One more thing Mike.... What is the handle you speak of to lock the center diff? That sounds like something I could use.... Thanks again. | ||
| Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) Senior Member Username: Deanbrown3d Post Number: 1340 Registered: 02-2002 |
Sheldon, Here's a pic of a D2 without lift, with 265//75/R16's: http://www.discoweb.org/deanbrown/DSCF0032.jpg As you can see, it clearly needs a lift. Its ok like that for a while, but you'll rub on cornering and when artucilated. Dean | ||
| Sheldon Charron (Rifleman) New Member Username: Rifleman Post Number: 11 Registered: 01-2004 |
Thanks Dean. Seems to me if you are planning on lifting the truck anyway, a little rubbing i the interim isn't a bad thing. My 33" tires on my Ford rub a little on the control arms when steering is maxed out, but I can live with that. I've got much more clearance than THAT though. Yeesh. ;) I imagine if you had a winch on that thing, you'd really have some rubbing on the front without a lift. | ||
| Rick Neff (Lostinboston) Senior Member Username: Lostinboston Post Number: 263 Registered: 06-2003 |
With a 3" lift you can go 285/75/16 or 285/65/18 if you want 18" wheels. There is no cdl handle, you have to put it in yourself. Your profile says a 2000 disco so you have the stud to lock it. http://www.expeditionexchange.com/cdl/ here are instructions for fitting a handle. or you cango with a set up from greatbasin rovers, or make something yourself. I still have me SLS and its working fine with the spacers. Never had a leaking problem, but i cant see it being 1500 to fix. there are cheaper and easier ways to fix a leaking bag. ifyour rear end is too bouncy, i suggest heavier shocks. OME or Bilsteins would be fine. | ||
| Sheldon Charron (Rifleman) New Member Username: Rifleman Post Number: 22 Registered: 01-2004 |
WTF!?! Rick: You mean my Disco already has this feature sans a shift selector? If I read this right, a stupid light for CDL is even hiding in my instrument cluster?? I'm not sure if I understand all tne implications, but I know I WANT THIS FEATURE! Too bad I suck as a mechanic and there are so few landrovers up here. Now I have to find a shift lever. Is this the same feature that I see the new 2004's have on the lever. I saw one at the dealership the other day and the shift lever would allow you to shift to the side to lock something or other in high or low. Is that what this is?? Maybe my shocks are shot. <shrug> This is suprising since the dealer did a safety inspection and passed the shocks. It was a local BMW Dealership who owned it and the sister Land Rover dealership that did the safety and the work. Maybe they suck or are crooked. I'm going to order the spacer kits and ask them to install them when they do the warranty thing. I'm also going to stick with 16" wheels. More tire choices... Thanks for all the priceless info. | ||
| Rich Lee (Rich_lee) New Member Username: Rich_lee Post Number: 22 Registered: 02-2003 |
Sheldon, Bill at Great Baisin Rovers is working on a mechanical CDL kit that uses all OEM rover parts. It will hopefully be available late this spring for less than the electronic ones that he sells. He's swamped right now, so call him in the spring when you are ready to do the setup. As to tires, I currently have 245/75-16 Yokohama AT +IIs on our 2000 SE7 with SLS. They work great in snow (4"-12" during the new years blizzard in the Sierras)and very well in hard cornering on pavement. However, for your area, I would suggest the Dunlop Radial Rover RT (I've been running them for 4 years on our D1). They are even better in the snow, way better in the mud and inexpensive. I don't know how tight the 265/75-16s would fit on your stock DII. I'm pretty sure they would rub with chains. You might just go with the 245/75-16 Dunlop RTs anyway. They would not look bad on a lifted DII and would probably work with chains - maybe even the chains you have now (some will fit both 255/65-16 and 245/75-16). Later (after you have lifted your Disco), you can get some wider/taller "summer" tires in 265/75-16. Good Luck, and relax. |
