| Author | Message | ||
     John S. Bleazard (Injun) New Member Username: Injun Post Number: 10 Registered: 12-2003 |
I finally found the right Disco. 98 LE w/ 68K and immaculate records with the dealer. All maint. is up to date and current. I go to pick it up saturday. Im already thinking of mods. What is the first thing you did? Lift, tires, etc.? I am currently leaning to a OME MD spring and Bilestein shock setupon all 4 corners. Some posts I have read suggest using the HD springs in the rear. Any suggestions on which springs/shocks would give the most road friendly lift and still do well off road? I would like to get an inch or two more in lift, but do not want to fool with vibrations or mods to steering shaft or drive shafts at this time. What would you suggest. Thanks | ||
| Victor (Vabiro) Member Username: Vabiro Post Number: 169 Registered: 10-2003 |
John, I'm happy with having started with tires. They made a Big difference. Do a search here, and you'll find tons of info on suspension. Victor | ||
| Joey (Joey4420) Senior Member Username: Joey4420 Post Number: 531 Registered: 04-2003 |
John, you will find that everyone will have a different opinion. It also depends on what you are planning to do with your Disco. If you ever plan to off-road, then I would suggest. Recovery Gear - then HD springs front and back with shocks your choice....I like my Bilstiens. (HD Springs, in case you ever plan on a new bumper or winch = not changing them out later) and then new tires. but that is my opinion. If just driving on-road with little or no off road driving, then it is entirly up to you, but with 68k on the clock I would at least change you shocks. Give EE a call and explain what you want the Disco to do, and I am sure John will give you some great advise. I know he has helped me, and even told me who to call when he didn't have the parts in stock. But like I said everyone has an opinion and I am sure you will soon here a lot of them. Also if you do a search you will find lots of info, and remember when you start noticing little issues that may come up with you Disco check the Tech section very carfully first, you would be amazed at the info that is listed in there. Have fun, Joey | ||
| Phil (Discoanywhere) Member Username: Discoanywhere Post Number: 104 Registered: 06-2003 |
John... IMO I'd start with a little protection... Skid Plate/Steerin protection... You said you want to get an inch or two more lift? If your looking for 2-3 inch the OMD HD are a 2-2.5inch lift. 3 inches is the max you can go before having to do other modifications. (not positive on the 98) and you still might find vibes at 3". I'm going with a 2" spring lift and 2" body lift. The Bilestein are a very good all around shock. You may find a difference of opinion here depending on where and how you drive...its sorta persoanl pref. It really comes down to what you want to do to the truck .. lift, tires, skid plates, bumper, winch, rack, lights, snorkle.... and how hard you wheel? Heres some suspension vendors... check em out www.expeditionexchange.com www.northwestparts.com www.rovertym.com www.roversnorth.com www.greatbasinrovers.com www.discountbritishparts.com | ||
| Perry Ray Miller (Discojunky) Member Username: Discojunky Post Number: 56 Registered: 03-2003 |
Go with the MD or HD and 245/75 or if your doing a lot of off road 235/85 tires. Otherwise you will open up the proverbial can of worms. Lots of timming, drive shafts, gears, real bad speedo readings... Plus its easier to add modifications than it is to go backwards. But like Joey said everyone has an opinion and thats just my 2 cents. | ||
| Jaime Crusellas (Jaime) Member Username: Jaime Post Number: 197 Registered: 05-2003 |
John, Depends where you are going first. If mud, get recovery gear and mud tires. Actually go with just recovery gear first, then try the same thing with mud tires, and you'll be amazed at the difference. If rocks, get protection (diff guard first, then steering protection) a lot can be prevented with a spotter through the difficult parts. And don't forget the recovery gear. But most importantly, don't drive like you're in a commercial. Be deliberate about the line you choose through the difficult spots, and even in its stock form, a disco will impress you with its capabilities. | ||
| Eric N (Eric_n) New Member Username: Eric_n Post Number: 17 Registered: 01-2004 |
If you just got it and you haven't driven one off road before then don't get anything for it. Learn how to drive it as it is and then you will know what you need to get and what you don't need to get. | ||
| Chris Browne (Chris_browne) Senior Member Username: Chris_browne Post Number: 598 Registered: 02-2003 |
Any clubs down your way in KY, first thing I'd do is join one....You'll be very surprised at how well a totally stuck D1 goes off road. | ||
| Robert Pate (Racerx) Member Username: Racerx Post Number: 70 Registered: 08-2003 |
John Eric makes a good point. I went with tires and a great cheap mod, I removed the stupid air dam off the front end. That cost $0 took 15 mins and the truck looks a lot better. | ||
| Clif Ashley (Cta586) Senior Member Username: Cta586 Post Number: 489 Registered: 04-2002 |
There are several first "mods" I would suggest... -Learning how it use the search function on this site, and search for the question you asked. -Read the manual & anyt other information you can find on safe offroad driving & recovery -Drive offroad, a lot, with your truck the way it is and then at the very least, you will be a better driver and apprecaite the mods you make | ||
| John S. Bleazard (Injun) New Member Username: Injun Post Number: 11 Registered: 12-2003 |
Thank friends for the opinions. I plan on using this truck plenty off-road. It will be my primary transportation, but I chose this particular rig to go out and have fun and plan on getting it dirty. Everyone has made excellent suggestions. I never thought of just getting some recovery gear first. That is a great idea. I most likely will see a mix of rocks and mud, nothing real serious though. I should be getting some money from the govt in a few weeks and thought I could use it for a suspension, especially since the quality of factory shocks are questionable. I also like the idea for tires. What can one expect to spend on the OME suspension kits? What are your favorite all terrain tires? Im going to check out the recovery gear first and go from there. Thanks again for your suggestions. | ||
| Brendan Kearns (Howboucha) Member Username: Howboucha Post Number: 214 Registered: 01-2003 |
Howboucha John! Welcome to the LR world. I want to second what Clif said. You mentioned that you are gong to take it off road "plenty". If this is going to be your only vehicle, be carefull. Make sure you don't bust the diffs, exhuast, or anything on the bottom end for that matter. I think I read you are from KY. I have wheeled in the Danielle Boone and from what I recall, there were rocks everywhere. Great potential for some serious damage. I learned the hard way with my first Disco (95) I enjoyed going through water crossings. No big deal but I never thought of checking the swivel balls to see if there was any water in there. That mistake cost me over a grand replacing pretty much everything that drove the left front whee. Monitor the site and you will learn more than you can imagine about your Disco. If you want to check out Indiana's first state owned OHV park www.redbirdsra.com , shoot me a note and I will give you a tour. Brendan | ||
| Adam Ross (Discodriveradam) Member Username: Discodriveradam Post Number: 163 Registered: 01-2003 |
Along that same line John, there are a lot of folks here in TN who would love to take you out for a day on the trails. We can show you the ins and outs of the Disco, and let you decide what fits your style the best. www.tnrovers.com is the homepage for our club. My personal email is adamr_179@hotmail.com Let me know if you are interested. | ||
| John S. Bleazard (Injun) New Member Username: Injun Post Number: 12 Registered: 12-2003 |
Brendan I would be very interested in that tour. And Adam, I just signed up with TNRovers today. I looke forward to meeting you and the rest of the group. Im in western ky and only about 2.5 hours from Johnson City, TN. But I would drive to Nashville or Memphis for that matter to go on a trail ride with other Rover owners. Thanks for the help. | ||
| Peter J Blatt (Peteb) Senior Member Username: Peteb Post Number: 322 Registered: 10-2002 |
One of the nicest things is a 2" lift and the larger tires, this makes the maintenance easier, you can just crawl under without the help of jacks or ramps, Just another reason for a lift. Peter, | ||
| jay caragay (Jcaragay) Member Username: Jcaragay Post Number: 164 Registered: 02-2002 |
First Mod: DiscoWeb Sticker Second Mod: Recovery Gear Third Mod and Beyond: Read DWeb archives on tires, suspension lifts and more and determine for yourself which is the path to take. But the recovery gear is a must!!! | ||
| John S. Bleazard (Injun) New Member Username: Injun Post Number: 13 Registered: 12-2003 |
Thanks again. Maybe a small sticker in the corner of the windshield wouldnt be too gawdy. However, I am serious about the majority of the advice on this thread. I found a used 48" high lift jack and am looking at ordering a tow strap from EE. Any other good ideas for recovery gear. Is there a "best" spot for a tow hook installation in front? Hoping to go for the voyage trip with a friend who has Cherokee and a lot more experience in part of the woods than me. He also mentioned he was an official "Land Rover Recover Team" member and had a sticker if I needed to see it. I forgot how cocky these Jeep people get. Any good comebacks for that. | ||
| jay caragay (Jcaragay) Member Username: Jcaragay Post Number: 169 Registered: 02-2002 |
The High Lift is a good idea. However, the main concern with a stock truck is an appropriate jacking point for the HL. Try jacking the stock rear bumper and it will bend. Without any exterior mods like bumpers or sliders you should consider the HL tow hitch adapter. If you're planning on recovery gear, I suggest checking out RecoveryGear.com. They've got recovery kits that cover most of the bases at a good price. | ||
| Lance Doyle (Discokayaker) New Member Username: Discokayaker Post Number: 17 Registered: 11-2003 |
Any opinions on this for jacking with a Hi-Lift on a truck with a stock bumper? http://www.4wheelparts.com/product2.asp?imseqn=317&occlass=HILI&cat=ACC The product is called a Lift Mate. Seems like it would be worth a try. Lance |
