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Brendan Kearns
| | Posted on Monday, July 15, 2002 - 05:55 pm: | 
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This is probably one of the over-asked questions, but I searched the archives, and I am in tears about the funny responses when someone asks about suspension advice. So here I go.
I have a 112K mile 95 Disco that still has the OEM suspension. It is so trashed now, that I can barely drive a straight line when I hit a bump or hole.
I need to replace the suspension. I would like to stay below $500.00 for the parts, but will go a max if I have too of $1K.
I called my local "off road suspension experts" to seek advice, and here is how the conversation went.
Q: "Have you guys worked on Land Rovers before".
A: "Yeah man, all the time"
here is the funny part. Within 50 miles of this shop, I can only account for about 7 Disco's and 1 D-90)
A2: "We just did a $30K job on a Land Rover"
Q: "Hmm, what year was it? Was it a Discovery"
A: "It was a 78, I don't think it was a Discovery"
Q: "Are you sure it wasn't a Toyota Land Cruiser"
A: "Ughhh, my bad man, it was"
Q: "No problem man. So do you know if you guys have worked on Land Rovers before, you know, those British vehicles that are expensive to work on and maintain?"
A: "Okay man, I know what they are now, we haven't worked on them"
I pretty much ended it there.
So here is the deal.
I go off-roading, but nothing to "extreme" (I hate that overused word). I use it as a daily driver, and I like to take it when we go on long trips. I occasionally haul my Trials Bike or Dual Sport on the moto-tote which adds up to 350lbs on the rear. I do plan on putting a full rack on the top, with the possibility of a Maggiolina roof tent.
I would like a little lift, but want to limit the job to springs and shocks only. (No extended brake lines, etc.)
If anyone can give me some advice on what to get, besides "Rancho's suck" "Ho's truck looks like a tampon" etc, I would greatly appreciate it.
Oh yeah, and who to buy from would help.
Brendan Kearns
95 very stock Disco with crappy suspension.
http://www.Howboucha.com |
Will Roeder (Will_Roeder)
| | Posted on Monday, July 15, 2002 - 05:58 pm: |
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Old Man Emu HD
www.expeditionexchange.com for good prices and great service. |
derek (Vortrex)
| | Posted on Monday, July 15, 2002 - 06:01 pm: |
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I am in the same boat as you now, '95 with stock and tired suspension. from everything I have read, I am going with OME springs (medium since I carry nothing) and bilstein shocks (seem more reliable and better ride than OME). you can get 4 shocks and 4 springs for around $500. for you, I would go OME heavy springs, which would be 1.5" - 2" lift. I don't believe you have to change the brake lines with this setup. |
Blue (Bluegill)
| | Posted on Monday, July 15, 2002 - 06:07 pm: |
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OME MD or HD
Springs and shocks
of course, shop at Expedition Exchange |
Carter Simcoe (Carter)
| | Posted on Monday, July 15, 2002 - 07:52 pm: |
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I just got done putting on OME shocks and Rovertym 2 inch spings and am very pleased with the results. |
Ron Ward (Ronward)
| | Posted on Monday, July 15, 2002 - 08:24 pm: |
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For my money I can't go wrong with John at Rovertym.com. Just call him and tell him what you want to do. And he will give you the answer.
You'll probably like either RTE or OME MD or HD 2" springs and either Bilstein or OME shocks.
Good luck and have fun!!!
Ron Ward |
Moe (Moe)
| | Posted on Monday, July 15, 2002 - 09:14 pm: |
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Brendan, the favored choices have already been mentioned. So far I've been happy with OME.
If your disco is all over the road, it sounds like you might need to address other items as well . . . such as the steering damper, new bushings front and rear (especially panhard rod), tie rod ends, and steering adjustments. $ and time spent there will likely improve handling. |
Mike B.
| | Posted on Monday, July 15, 2002 - 11:13 pm: |
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Don't forget to change out your steering dampner. I recommend the OME steering dampner. In fact, do this first while you try to figure out the rest of the suspension. You will thank me for this later.
Thanks,
Mike B. |
Will Roeder (Will_Roeder)
| | Posted on Monday, July 15, 2002 - 11:17 pm: |
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while you are doing the steering damper, it may be a good idea to move it to the front of the axle. several vendors have kits to do this... |
Brendan Kearns
| | Posted on Monday, July 15, 2002 - 11:25 pm: |
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Thanks guys!
I will make the phone calls tomorrow.
In my note, I mentioned that there is 1 D-90 in a 50 mile radius. Crazy thing is that I saw it on the way to work in Bloomington, and on the way to my radio show in Terre Haute in the evening. Tony was parked at a gas station at an intersection so I pulled in to hang out. It was just wierd seeing him twice in one day, and so far away.
Thanks again,
Brendan Kearns
www.howboucha.com |
muskyman
| | Posted on Monday, July 15, 2002 - 11:39 pm: |
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ok he wanted a funny answer
I think if you have had it this long all the rack and tent stuff is just a pipe dream, and if you had the life style that demanded such gear the doors would have long since been scratched real good and you would allready have them.
so
I say get the LR HD rear springs to add that carry capacity you want everytime you put your trials bike on the back. move your current rear springs up front and add the Bilsteins to get back that new car dampening. now get all new bushings,steering damper and a new rotoflex and you should have a truck as tight as new plus an inch or so.
I did this to my 94 20k ago and it made a big difference over the stock set up |
hendrik
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 05:03 am: |
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one could add the "isolator rings" (sit on top of later Discos I rear springs, rubber coated rings) to the top of the front springs. They are 1cm thick so lift the same amount and help reduce noise/vibration from the axle to the chassis
To level up a spacer to be put beneath the rear lower spring mount is easily made. |
Brendan Kearns
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 10:40 am: |
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Howboucha Muskyman!
Great answer, but quick rebutle to your pipe dreams point. 
I have had the disco for about 1.5 years now, but also had to maintain a Pinzgauer (very expensive to maintain) about 5 motorcycles, house, website, bla bla bla, and wife. And sure enough, my air conditioner in the house took a crap last night, and the wife is in complete full bitch mode right now because "it is too hot". I just told her to walk around the house naked and don't worry about it. Didn't work.
So therefore, the Disco is completely scratched up from off-roading, there is mud in the corners of everything including the two sunroof areas (stupid thing I did, but funny). And I never wash it. I like my rover to look like it is used the way it was intended. Oh yeah, there are a few dents too.
I would have no problem laying down the $$$$ for the full rack (which I will have custom built) to replace my current Yakama set-up with Steel Horse basket with Hella's on top, and my J-Channel carrierers for my Kayak, but I recently purchased a Suzuki V-Strom (about $9K). Ergo, the extra doolers to spend will have to re-accumulate in the next month. I purchased a great tent for an "adventure" I had in Colorado last year, and I would ideally like to put in on the "to be made" rack instead of spending $1400 for the Magiollina and having the weight.
I like the spring swapping idea. That may be the way to go to help save some doolers.
B.K. |
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