By bob on Saturday, March 03, 2001 - 06:56 pm: Edit

I want to get a 2" lift on my Disco. I have narrowed the choices down to either the Safari Gard Stage II(w/ all options) or the Rockware kit with OME springs and rs9000 shocks. I have heard good things about both of them, but I have read that the Safari Gard suspension proved unreliable on-road. I read this in a almost 2 year old issue of Four Wheeler. I want to know if they have worked out all of the "bugs" in their suspension. Is it safe now?

By ed hart on Saturday, March 03, 2001 - 08:38 pm: Edit

I personally like SG stuff but many will argue the effects of a 3 link front end . If you only want a 2" lift why not just add OME or Rovertym springs ? That should lift your truck with minimal investment . Check out a truck that has SG drop kit or possibly Rovertym shock mounts if you want any add ons . Save the money on the Stage II and buy their bumper ( best one out there by far ).

By Mike on Saturday, March 03, 2001 - 09:29 pm: Edit

I have just done the RoverTym suspension upgrade. I did the Rancho RS9000 springs, RoverTym 2" springs, rear upper shock mounts (not the lower), RoverTym Quite Cones (drop kit), and OME Steering Dampner (stabilizer). I am very happy with the ride.

One of the cool things about owning a Disco is that you can do upgrades a little at a time (if you do it in the right order) or all at once. If you are on a budget or prefer the step by step process, start by replacing the springs, then the shocks, and then the steering dampner. You can add different shock mounts when you replace the shocks. That way you can see which components make the biggest difference!

I have seen the rockware and the SafariGard stuff. I really cannot comment on either system. I am putting on a SafariGard bumper this weekend. I like the SafariGard stuff, but their 3Link system was way to radical for me. I like to take long trips in my disco and did not feel comfortable with the onroad capabilities of the SafariGard system (more lack of knowledge/experienc than anything).

Thanks,
Mike

By Cal on Monday, March 05, 2001 - 08:19 pm: Edit

Mike,
HOW MUCH UP TRAVEL DID YOU LOSE OR GAIN? IS THE REAR END TOO STIFF? I AM ALSO READY TO GET A
1 1/2" INCH LIFT. ROVERTYM WILL CREAT A 1" SHORTER SPRING SET IF YOU NEED LESS LIFT. AND HIS CUSTOMER SERVICE SEEMS GREAT.
CAL

By Chris B on Monday, March 05, 2001 - 08:49 pm: Edit

Bob: Don't ignore the OEM solution for springs via RN. Very happy with the result. Though I will say I was more concerned about the 95% of miles done on road and went with Bilsteins

By Mike on Monday, March 05, 2001 - 09:43 pm: Edit

I did not loose any uptravel at all. The springs have the same diameter and the same number of coils as the original LR springs. They stuff the same even though they are slightly taller.

The rear end is not too stiff. I thought that it would be from the specs and from seeing the spring, but no. In fact, I might want it to be just a tad stiffer (but not much). I can stuff everything the same as I used to before the changes. I replaced my rear upper shock mount and used RS9000 9234 shocks in the rear, so my down travel is awesome! Front down travel is limited by anti-sway bar.

John at RoverTym is great. He has taken the time to answer all of my questions. He has worked very hard to insure that I am a satisfied customer.

I really like the 2" lift and would not really consider anything much shorter. The only reason I would go shorter is to fit in the garage better (I have to air down to fit after the lift).

Thanks,
Mike

Email if you have more questions.

By Cal on Tuesday, March 06, 2001 - 12:28 am: Edit

Mike,
For some reason my email connection ddn't work.

Did you install the springs first and the shocks later? If so how did it handle on the highway compared to stock? And how does it handle now with the ranchos? For shocks I'm going to be using Bilsteins for now. I'm trying to figure out what each modification does seperately as well as together so I can make a decision on which springs to buy. Most everyone seems happy with rovertyms. Thanks for any input.

Cal

By Greg on Tuesday, March 06, 2001 - 04:03 pm: Edit

In the last month I was finally able to conclude my mods. I went with OME HD springs and Rancho RS9000 long travel shocks. I consulted with John at Rovertym, as everyone says and I agree they are fabulous, I went with their rear shock mounts, upper and lower. After more discussion with John he sent me a slightly extended upper shock mount, giving me another inch of up-travel. They only work with certain models disco's, long story and will have to share later, the lower shock mounts I placed under the factory mount, which the combination of the two provide more than enough up-travel, with minimal fender cutting. I included the drop-out cones, for the long travel shocks, which again are great. I also extended my brake lines in the rear so I would not have to worry about that. I was finally able to try it all out two weeks ago, everything was great, no problems. The on-road ride is great as well, the Rancho's are adjustable so you can play around with what you like most. Just my two cents about what I did, but I do have to say that I am very pleased with the outcome.

By bob on Tuesday, March 06, 2001 - 08:18 pm: Edit

Thanks for the imput, Mike. I think that I will purchase the Rovertym 2" lift with Rancho rs9000 shocks, but what size shocks should I get?

By Mike on Tuesday, March 06, 2001 - 09:51 pm: Edit

Go with the 9027's in the front. These will work just fine with the 2" lift.

The rear is a little tricky because the Land Rover upper rear shock eye is very big compared to most vehicles. I replaced just the upper shock mount using the RoverTym product (which has a 1/2" eye mount). This allowed me to use the 9234's in the rear. These things have 11+ inches of travel and extend to 28.5 inches (versus the 23.5" of the stock shock). This give the rear plenty of legs with no perceivable negatives. When off-road, remove the rear anti-sway bar and the thing will articulate like crazy. The big boys with their 3" of lift only have 12" of travel on the longer shocks, so we have nearly the same capability for a lot less money (no castor correction to deal with).

John gave me a deal on the upper shock mounts at $125.00 for only the upper shock mount. They are very well made and bolted in easily. If you end up not wanting to replace the upper shock mounts in the rear, ask John, and he can probably recommend another RS9000 that will fit.

Email me if you have more questions.

Thanks,
Mike