By BradNC on Thursday, November 08, 2001 - 05:42 pm: Edit

I'm a 17 year old in Charlotte, NC and i just got a 97 Disco SE. I'm already in love and have caught the fever everyone else here has....I wanna fix it up for off roading. I want to get the OME HD suspension all around, and i was wondering what is the best tire size to put on with it. I want to go as big as I can, but my dad doesn't want us to do any trimming in the wheel wells. So any tires suggestions as far as size and brand would be much appriciated. I'll mainly be going wheeling in the North Carolina mountains. Money is a concern for me seeing as I am 17 and have to mow lawns to get my money. Any other comments on the suspension setup and any suggestions on what else i should do to my truck to start out wheeling would be greatly appriciatd.
Thanks -DWeb's the best
Brad

By lynden on Thursday, November 08, 2001 - 05:47 pm: Edit

I think you are a perfect candidate for "Uncle Ron's Premium Lift." What you do, you get a hold of John lee at www.expeditionexchange.com and order two rear OME HD springs. He sends them to you and you install them in the rear of your rig. Then move the rears to just took out to the front. I did this and am running 245/75's w/ very little rubbing on full stuff. I've done some body damage but you can't tell, unless you're me that is.

The lift is only $130, and tires are as cheap as you can find them.
Lynden

By Jarrod on Thursday, November 08, 2001 - 06:35 pm: Edit

Lynden,

I did the same suspension upgrade you did and have no idea how you are not rubbing 245/75s?? I was hitting those tires going around corners in parking lots with a little bit of dip in them, let alone, getting the truck to flex for me. They were just too wide to stuff into the fender well for me. I had to go with the 235/85s. I did not like the pizza cutters at first, but have now grown to think they look perfectly natural on the disco. ('95)

By lynden on Thursday, November 08, 2001 - 07:32 pm: Edit

I had some rubbing up front and trimed the inside of my plastic to give clearance. I'm now contemplating doing the whole bumper trim thing... when I get motivated.

In the back, I only get rubbing under full stuff, has to be pretty big things I'm going over to make it rub. My truck only has 55K on it and the buy before me didn't have kids and didn't load down the rear. Maybe my springs are a little taller from less use??? I've heard stuff like that though, something works for one guy and screws the next guy up... weird.
Lynden

By BradNC on Thursday, November 08, 2001 - 08:06 pm: Edit

Lynden,
I have enough money to go the $475 for full OME HD shocks and springs, and the car needs new tires so i'll probably just pay the difference of what we would've paid for stock tires.

If I get 235/85R16's will I have any rubbing at all w/ the OME suspension? Also do i need a diff guard for the front as a beginner or not?
Brad

By lynden on Thursday, November 08, 2001 - 08:11 pm: Edit

I think another guy had some 235's that rubbed but I think he had OME MD's (Rob Land). Don't know if you'd avoid problems w/ the HD's or not. Probably someone here has 235's that could advise you on it.

I think most people would advise against the OME shocks, I think people say they're too soft and will make the car rolly-polly. I'd look into Bilstien's, that's what I'll run when I get around to replacing my shocks. They're a little better for on road manners and are adequate for off roading. Ask more ???'s around here before buying the OME shocks.
Lynden

By Redsrover (Redsrover) on Thursday, November 08, 2001 - 08:45 pm: Edit

Brad in Charlotte,

Get OME HD all around. Stick with 245 75s if you want to avoid trimming. Put 235 85s on there and your cutting is minimal and Dad won't even know its been done if you do it while he's at the office. 235s are the true mark of the Jedi. Just do it.

Red

By BradNC on Thursday, November 08, 2001 - 10:17 pm: Edit

what is the height difference of the 235/85s to the 245/75s, i know the 245s are wider but are they taller or shorter? And you think i should go for OME shocks and springs? I'd heard nothing but complements from them except from lynden, so now i'm starting to question them. I'd also like some suggestions for other mods that will be good for off roading, like if i need a diff guard and other such stuff. Thanks.

bye the way, redsrover, you don't have a red rangie up in raleight w/ a redrover liscense plate, do you?

Brad

By gp (Garrett) on Thursday, November 08, 2001 - 10:43 pm: Edit

i have OME shocks on my truck with stock springs and have no issues what so ever. am putting on OME springs this weekend. a good % of folks on this board are running OME shocks. i rarely hear complaints about them. honestly i hear more about bilstiens, but that could me just hearing what i want. either way you go you will have a good set up.

By Eric N (Grnrvr) on Thursday, November 08, 2001 - 11:02 pm: Edit

235/85 is about an inch taller then the 245/75s. You will most likely need to trim just a little with either of those tires. Also, you will notice a drop in power going up hills. More so with the taller 235/85s. I'm trying to decide what new tires I want as well.. I am currently running 225/75R16 and they are just a little bit bigger then stock (1/2 inch) and they fit/stuff with no triming needed. I have a 2 inch RTE lift right now with those tires and it doesn't look too bad. You just see more wheel well. As for protection, I would get that front diff gard. Also might want to look into some sliders and a gas tank skid plate..

By MA on Friday, November 09, 2001 - 08:46 am: Edit

245/75 is about 30.7x9.6 and 235/85 is something like 31.9x9.2. But you will notice a power decrease with either one of these. Not to mention, your gas mileage will suffer. But this is all curable with 4.10 gearing. Good luck.

By Ron on Friday, November 09, 2001 - 09:05 am: Edit

Brad,

Save your money on the front springs. You don't need them. You will get the SAME lift by putting your rears in front.

As for the shocks. Its up to you. I would do the springs first, see how you like it and then decide if you want stiffer ride or not.

As for tires. 215 85 R16 is about what you can do max without any real trimming (you might have to bend the inner fender a bit to get it to clear but no one will notice, even disco owners).

Do the spring swap and see what you think. If you decide you don't like the rear springs in front (I highly doubt this) you can alway swap out later.

Shocks are subjective.

I like black diamond XTs the best.

Ron

By Redsrover (Redsrover) on Friday, November 09, 2001 - 09:27 am: Edit

Brad,

Whatever spring swap makes you happy, go for it. Remember, the rear stock springs may have sagged some over the years...

The guys above already answered your tire questions, but listen to this. To calculate the tire diameter multiply the width by the aspect ratio, double it and add the width of the rim. See, 235 is the width in mm's and 85 is the aspect ratio (%). 235mm x 85% = 199.75mm = the height of the tire from the rim to the tread surface. 199.75 x 2 = 399.5mm. Converted to inches (for US folk) is 15.72832". Add the width of the tire, 16" in this case, and voila...31.72832" tall. Following the same math, you'll see the 245 75 r16 tire is 30.466848".

Oh, Brad, the guy in Raliegh is an imposter.

Red

By Robbie on Friday, November 09, 2001 - 09:39 am: Edit

Ok, I know this should be in the Tech section, but since this topic is here right now, I'm gonna ask. I am getting new shoes for the 95 DI for Christmas and I am waffling between 245/75's or 235/85's. I am really worried about the power loss that the 85's will give me. Last year, driving up to a few ski resorts, I could really feel the lag in power with just the stock truck loaded with gear. I am definitely not planning on going to 4.10's anytime soon, so my question, what kind of power loss can I expect from both sizes? Thanks!

-Robbie

By Daniel on Friday, November 09, 2001 - 10:22 am: Edit

Well, since we're on the subject...
I'm about due for new tires, too.
I'd like to go with a wider tire, but I am not ready to start cutting.
Is there anything in the 240/70 to 245/70 range that wouldn't require trimming or are those just an uncomon sizes? I'm leaning towards the Dunlop Radial Rover or the Cooper Discoverer.
I've seen good reviews on both, but I'm open to other suggestions.
My driving is mostly on road, but I need to be able to get into and out of the usual camping/fishing /hunting type of situations.
Any suggestions?

By Jarrod on Friday, November 09, 2001 - 10:39 am: Edit

Wow - this got some responses over the evening. My truck is a 95. Lynden, is yours a D1 or D2? - is that why we have a difference or is it as you said - and just different stuff works for different people? My truck did have 80K on it, but that should really not be an issue because this rubbing was after installing new springs - and they were HDs, not MDs. Brand new (they may have settled slightly by now), the swap gained me over 2" of lift, yet the back fenders would hit with almost anything when I put on the 245/75s. Front has never rubbed. I guess I could say that there might be a bit of a difference in tire brands (I had GoodYear Workhorses), but not a big enough difference that I could have fit ANY brand of 245/75s. I trimmed the inner lips of the fender, but they were still going to hit unless I attacked the outer edge and I was not yet ready to change that.
Also, I am getting the impression that people are thinking that there would be more trouble fitting 235/85s than 245/75s. This was definitely not true in my case. The height of the tire was not the issue, the width was. The 235s stuff inside the fender, but the 245s wanted to catch the fender slightly before stuffing.

By Ron on Friday, November 09, 2001 - 10:47 am: Edit

yet the back fenders would hit with almost anything when I put
on the 245/75s.

245s is iffy if you run a really wide tread tire.

almost all fit fine with just the snip of the lip in the back, yours just did not for whatever reason (wide tread I am guessing).

This is the part reason I say 215 85 or 235 85 rather than the 245 75s, but mainly I think narrow is cool.

Ron

Glad to hear the fronts fit ok though

By Ron on Friday, November 09, 2001 - 10:52 am: Edit

And I am going to say it one more time to be clear:

Putting your stock rears in the front gives you the SAME lift as OME HD fronts.

Even if you have a lot of miles on them (70k).

Do what you want but I wanted it to be clear.

Ron

By Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) on Friday, November 09, 2001 - 11:00 am: Edit

I put 245/75 Dunlop Radial Rover R/Ts on my non-lifted Disco I; I had to snip a little at the rear, but even the wife didn't complain even after I showed her what I did... she even liked the bigger tires because it fills in the wheelwell more.

I had considered 235/85s in the same tire, but wanted to change the gearing, add a locker, and go to HD axles first. SO I 'settled' on 245/75s... and I've been VERY happy with them.

As money allows, I'll get a pair of RT rear springs, but I'm no longer in a hurry to do such... might be soon, might be a bit, but sometime this winter, we'll have to see how sneaky I can be with the fundage...

-L

By Daniel on Friday, November 09, 2001 - 11:13 am: Edit

Leslie,
What did you "snip" with? Do you mean just the little piece that turns into the wheel well on the back side of the rear wheel well?
(confused yet?)

I said I didn't want to trim, but if it's not a whole lot, and if I have a pretty good chance of not screwing it up, I'd try it.
Thanks,
Daniel

By Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) on Friday, November 09, 2001 - 11:24 am: Edit

Tin snips.

If you search back a bit, there's a thread where I posted pics of where I trimmed, and also the pieces trimmed off...


People will never know unless you show them.

-L

By Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) on Friday, November 09, 2001 - 11:29 am: Edit

Found it:

From the archives:

http://www.discoweb.org/discus/messages/1774/4402.html?1002110735

Hope that helps...

-L

By Bluegill (Bluegill) on Friday, November 09, 2001 - 11:46 am: Edit

>"I think most people would advise against the OME shocks, I think people say they're too soft and will make the car rolly-polly."
.
.strongly disagree

>"Get OME HD all around. Stick with 245 75s if you want to avoid trimming."
.
.slightly disagree

OME springs are much beefier than stock LRover. Here's a comparison of rear driver's side stock LRover next to rear OME HD #762 next to rear OME MD #764:

By Ron on Friday, November 09, 2001 - 11:53 am: Edit

But BG put that Stock rear next to an OME HD FRONT not rear.

You will see that it is comparable and will give the same lift.

Ron

By Bluegill (Bluegill) on Friday, November 09, 2001 - 12:01 pm: Edit

I'm talking about wire size, not necessarily settled length. You're right about the amount of lift.

Stock front springs are like bedsprings.

Ron, recognize those HD's?

By Ron on Friday, November 09, 2001 - 12:06 pm: Edit

I'm talking about wire size, not necessarily settled length. You're right about the amount of lift.

Look at an OME HD front! It is not as thick as the OME HD rear

I believe that to be genuine PA dirt on them.

Ron

By Bluegill (Bluegill) on Friday, November 09, 2001 - 12:13 pm: Edit

no, OME fronts are not as thick as OME rears, but my bedsprings are are thicker (and firmer) than stock fronts. My mattress also doesn't lean to the passenger's side since driver and passenger are usually right in the middle.

I purposefully left your dirt on those HDs.

By lynden on Friday, November 09, 2001 - 12:13 pm: Edit

Just wanted to say that I have NO experience w/ the OME shocks... I remember reading that someone changed from the OME's to Bilstein's because they were too soft. It seems you've got input from a few guys here who really like the OME's, that's why I suggested asking more questions. I'm not trying to change your mind, just want you to be happy and get all the info. up front.

My truck is a '96 D1, I bought a set of Dunlop M/T Rover's for $200 w/ 80% tread on them (dealer took them in on a used vehicle and the new owners didn't want them... I did). I ran those stock for about a month. Went on a trip w/ full rover (kids, gear, ski box on top full of gear, and waverunners behind). Didn't do any offroading w/ all the gear but had NO problems w/ rubbing even w/ all the gear. I then switched out the springs about a month ago and have only rubbed 2X when offroading. Basically, I rub on the same exact obstacles as I did w/ the stock springs. Like I said, it TOTALLY depends on your truck. You might rub w/ 245's, you might not. Mine did rub up front on the plastic end cap, I trimmed it w/ a sharp knife and it looks perfect, can't even tell. I only rub in back at the very rear of fender when under full stuff.

It sounds like you're going to have to decide on a tire size, throw it on, then deal w/ the consequences... if there are any. It's weird but these trucks all behave differently w/ lifts and tires. Good luck, you won't be dissappointed w/ the route you chose. You've got some good comments regarding all the options available, its up to you to decide.
Lynden

By lynden on Friday, November 09, 2001 - 12:16 pm: Edit

Ron, just as a side note, start collecting rear springs from all the people changing them out, package those w/ OME rears and sell them as "Uncle Ron's Premium Lift" or URPL's!!! Just send me $5 for every set... you know for giving you the idea.
Lynden

By Ron on Friday, November 09, 2001 - 12:23 pm: Edit

Evilfij Offroad stage II suspension

$1200

OME HD rears and Stock disco rears in front with Procomp shocks painted yellow.

ROn

By lynden on Friday, November 09, 2001 - 12:25 pm: Edit

Where do I line up to buy??? That's probably what's on that $100K Disco II on ebay!!!
Lynden

By Daniel on Friday, November 09, 2001 - 12:43 pm: Edit

Thanks for the post Leslie.
I even wrote to you back then, but it slipped my mind. That little bit of trimming I think I can handle.

By Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) on Friday, November 09, 2001 - 01:02 pm: Edit

-L

By Daniel on Monday, November 12, 2001 - 12:08 pm: Edit

Leslie,
I hate to beat this to death, but I took a look at my truck this weekend.
I thought the part you cut out was the little triangular indentation in the back of the wheel well as seen in your picture. It looks like my truck already has the same indentation back there. So my question is where did that piece come from?
Thanks,
Daniel
p.s. How's the noise level with those RT's?
I find the stock XPC's to be pretty noise, how do these compare?

By BradNC on Monday, November 12, 2001 - 09:13 pm: Edit

How much trimming and where is it required on 235/85's? I've also heard something about bumpstops, can i get some help there as well? Whatever i do to my car, my dad won't let me trim any of the metal and i'm gunna get the OME suspension and move the rears to the front. Just wondering about what to get to avoid trimming.
Brad

By Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) on Monday, November 12, 2001 - 09:16 pm: Edit

On a stock, un-cut Disco...

If you look at the picture of the piece that was cut off (at the bottom of the link that I posted above)... the little lip that is facing the camera is what is facing the rear of the tire.

Maybe the PO already trimmed it? (or did you buy the Disco new?)

The R/Ts are quieter than the XPCs that they replaced. They're not completely quiet, but they're not bad at all, definitely much quieter than the mud tires on my Series.

To be fair, I had 60k on the XPCs, and they were almost bald... I had held off as long as I could. SO, mayhaps they were extra-noisy than new XPCs would have been, that the old ones had gradually gotten louder over time and so switching to the R/T was, of course, an improvement.

Where are you at? Maybe you can find someone not too far away to look at their Disco, and check out both how the triming is done, or how the tires sound.... Just a thought....


-L

By BradNC on Monday, November 12, 2001 - 10:40 pm: Edit

I'm in Charlotte, NC. Anyone that even lives in the 704 area code that I could talk to on the phone would be a great help. I still don't think my questions about trimming with 235/85's have been answered, or i just didn't understand them. I really would like to find somebody's disco around here to look at. Anyone interested, send me a note.
Brad

By Daniel on Tuesday, November 13, 2001 - 09:47 am: Edit

Leslie,
You may be correct about the trimming being done already. I did not inspect it closely enough to see if the edge was "finished". The tires on my truck are stock, but they are a little (slight dry rot type of) cracked like they were stored for an extended period of time. Perhaps they were put back on before it was sold to the dealer. If the larger tires were put on, there was no other suspension upgrades that I can tell.
Curious...
Thanks,
Daniel

By Gregg Warnken (Gregg) on Tuesday, November 13, 2001 - 11:53 am: Edit

Brad - JUST DO IT. Your Dad will not notice. As it is stated above, some people did not have to trim at all. Some have had to trim off the tab that Leslie is talking about. With the 235/85, you might not have to trim the lip of the quarter panel, but you WILL have other issues, i.e. bumpstop adjustment. There just isn't much room on a Disco for much more than the stock tire size without some adjustment. The fenderwell trimming is unnoticable to the untrained eye, and if you do it cleanly (with tin snips or a Dremel tool) you will be fine.

By JC on Tuesday, November 13, 2001 - 12:01 pm: Edit

Brad, I'm right down the street from you if you want to look at my hack...errr trim job.
-Jon

By BradNC on Thursday, November 15, 2001 - 05:42 pm: Edit

Does anyone know the best place to buy an OME suspension from, and also, has anyone done the calculations for mpg w/ 235/85's? I'm getting 17.8 right now around town so i was wondering how much it would drop.

Brad

By lynden on Thursday, November 15, 2001 - 05:59 pm: Edit

What have you done to get 17.8??? I'm lucky to get 12. Do tell...
Lynden

By BradNC on Thursday, November 15, 2001 - 07:42 pm: Edit

i don't do anything different, it's just the way i drive and a well maintained truck i'd guess, other than that it's totally stock so i haven't done anything about it
Brad

By MA on Thursday, November 15, 2001 - 08:44 pm: Edit

$475 from Nathan e-mail: BOATBUGGY@aol.com

Did you get a lot of crap about driving a soccer mom car. I did for awile, until I took them off-roading. I already got one of them to trade in their Toyota FJ in for a Disco. Another is wanting a Disco really really bad.

Mel A.
(16 years old)

By shooter mcgavin (Shootermcgavin) on Thursday, November 15, 2001 - 08:57 pm: Edit

Good advice from MA. Just got in my D1 about a month ago and Nathan Crabtree is an awesome source. Very helpful guy. Ask him to put you on his email list. Good prices and nice dude. Get a manual from him. Good source. Anyone want some running boards?