By badams on Monday, July 23, 2001 - 05:45 am: Edit

Background:

I was looking for a conservative lift that would give me greater clearance and make room for larger tires. I wanted to maintain my vehicles on-road performance, and I did not want to deal with the potential for driveline vibration.

Vehicle:
I have a 1998 Discovery stock except for a factory A Loop Brushbar with a set of Hella's installed.

I looked on this site and then contacted RoverTym, they were really helpful, but their springs would have lifted my car a little more then I was interested in (way over 2" inches).

I then contacted John Lee at www.expenditionexchange.com, he was extremely helpful and per his recommendation and those of this board I went with OME HD in the front, and OME MD in the rear. Why OME MD in the rear and not HD, I use my car mainly as a daily driver with my cargo area empty. Drivability is a main concern.So far I am stoked.

The install was very straight forward and took me about 3.5 - 4 hours. Actually, it took my friend about 3 - 4 hours with me trying my best to help

Since I am upgrading 1 component at a time, I left everything stock except the springs.

Result:
I really like the way the car drives. The ride is firmer (in a good way), before it was a little mushy. The car handles undulations in the road surface much better and doesn't bottom out on big hits. I plan on upgrading the tires next weekend, either 235/85/16 or 245/75/16. Havent decided yet. I got about 2.1 inches of lift upfront, and 1.4 inches in the rear.

Thanks to this site and all those who helped!
Brian

By Mike J. (Mudd) on Monday, July 23, 2001 - 05:55 am: Edit

why did it lift more up front? because of HD?

By Blue Gill (Bluegill) on Monday, July 23, 2001 - 06:03 am: Edit

due to HD and other misc. variables (such as the condition of his stock springs and shocks). My HD front / MD rear OME upgrade gave me a more even lift front & rear, but my 96's stock suspension was equally dead front & rear

By Wes Legaspi (Wes) on Monday, July 23, 2001 - 06:57 am: Edit

With the HD in the front and the MD in the rear, what is the overall height of your discos'? From Blue's pics from other threads, it seems like you still park your disco in your garage. What is your garage's height clearance? thanks...

By badams on Monday, July 23, 2001 - 09:29 am: Edit

I will check the overall hieght of my disco tonight and try and post it tomorrow.

I had to air down the tires and have my friend step on the bumper to get it out of his garage after the lift. We knew it might not make it of the garage but his compressor hoses wouldnt reach outside.

However, my truck fits in my garage with about 2 or 3 inches to spare.

With my current set up I went from tire to top of fender measurement in the front of 30 3/4 inches to 33 3/4. In the rear I went from 32 inches to a about 33 1/2.

The HD springs did lift the front more then the rear. What this did was to make the car look level. I think it looks great except for all the room I know have in the fender. Time for some 235/85's tires.

I will try and get some pictures up this week.

By Blue Gill (Bluegill) on Monday, July 23, 2001 - 09:41 am: Edit

I have my measurements written down in my field book - will check tonight and post mañana.

P.S. That's funny about getting stuck in your buddy's garage.

By Leslie on Monday, July 23, 2001 - 09:56 am: Edit

While on topic.....

The wife and I are planning on building a house in a year or so. SO, I'm trying to put a bit of forethought into this, and pick a garage door size that'll fit the Disco...

Haven't changed 'em yet, but should have, by the time I have a garage, anyway, a Rovertym 2" lift with 235/85s on my Disco, and will hopefully have added a roof-rack by that time, too. Right now, still dead-stock, I'm barely squeezing into my buddy's garage as-is, so I know a tire-change alone is gonna keep me out of a standard garage, much less new springs and a roof-rack.

What size garage door am I going to need to find??

-L

By Stephen on Monday, July 23, 2001 - 10:23 am: Edit

Can you post some pictures of your Rover with and without the lift?

By Discosaurus on Monday, July 23, 2001 - 10:39 am: Edit

My 8 footer works just fine.

32" tires & 3"+ lift (no rack tho...)

keith
discosaurus

By Murray (Cdnrvr) on Monday, July 23, 2001 - 11:00 am: Edit

Leslie - will be in the same boat as you and 8 feet should do the trick. A friend of mine has the RT 3" springs and 31" tires with no bumpers, sliders, etc. and he is just squeezing in at 7 feet. I would play it safe with 8 feet - remember that some electric garage door openers actually drop below the garage door level. Just wish they would build parkades that would accomodate lifted trucks.

By Leslie on Monday, July 23, 2001 - 04:36 pm: Edit

8 foot it is, then... I was kinda doubting about finding a 9', would've been a custom job at some ungodly cost, I'd have expected.

Thanks all.....

-L

By C. Ross on Monday, July 23, 2001 - 05:48 pm: Edit

I'm in the process of installing my OME HD all around and also adding 265/75/16's. I have plans to add an adventure rack when I'm done. We are also going about building another house and I'm glad that this conversation was taking place. The last time we built a house I completely forgot about it and built the door too short for a lifted rover;( Unfortunately I'm the only one to blame as Homebuilding is what I do for a living. It's not much more of an expense...just one more door panel.

By badams on Monday, July 23, 2001 - 06:42 pm: Edit

The tallest point on my vehicle (top of stock rack)is about 82 " inches.

By E Snyder on Tuesday, July 24, 2001 - 02:20 am: Edit

The HDs will really come in handy up front if you add an ARB (or similar) and a winch. The extra stiffness will keep the front end from sagging. With the MDs in the rear, you will end up trimming some in the rear with 235/85s. You may want to cut your front spoiler off, as well, to keep from rubbing there. Not sure how lifting the front end more than the rear will affect driveline vibrations, particularly the front driveshaft.

By badams on Tuesday, July 24, 2001 - 06:59 pm: Edit

Here are some images of before and after with only new springs.

\image {Before}
\image {After}

By badams on Tuesday, July 24, 2001 - 07:12 pm: Edit

Try again..

By Ali on Wednesday, July 25, 2001 - 07:10 am: Edit

C. Ross, can you email me as I have some questions regarding home building stuff. Thanks.

By Jeff Bieler (Mrbieler) on Wednesday, July 25, 2001 - 07:13 am: Edit

That picture looks real familiar...

OME MD lift with 215/85R16 Dunlop R/T's

By Blue Gill (Bluegill) on Wednesday, July 25, 2001 - 07:18 am: Edit

hee hee hee:

By Blue Gill (Bluegill) on Wednesday, July 25, 2001 - 07:19 am: Edit

hee hee hee:

By Wes Legaspi (Wes) on Wednesday, July 25, 2001 - 10:03 am: Edit

Blue, how about it? How tall is the opening of your garage?

By badams on Wednesday, July 25, 2001 - 10:30 am: Edit

Jeff - Nice color!


Jeff or Bill, if you were to do it again would you stay with your current tire size or go larger?
like 235/85

At least if I go with 235/85 I can call jeff mini-me.

By Jeff Bieler (Mrbieler) on Wednesday, July 25, 2001 - 01:10 pm: Edit

I might. I am partial to pizza cutters, but the 235's aren't that much wider.

When I saw your pic and the color, I laughed and laughed. That was too funny. All you need to do now is trim your front bumper.

Bill, you're facing the wrong way! ;-)

By peter matusov on Wednesday, July 25, 2001 - 02:18 pm: Edit

Leslie -

email Chris Walker about his garage height.
mine is total crap, with OME HD springs, 245/75 tires, and roof rack (pretty much C.W.'s stuff), my concern is not to take out the balcony, let alone the garage :-)

peter m

By Leslie on Thursday, July 26, 2001 - 06:30 am: Edit

Peter,

I can't put a finger on his email....

If you would, send me an email w/ his in it : mine's lnbright@naxs.net (at home)....

-Leslie

By Tom P. on Thursday, July 26, 2001 - 07:38 am: Edit

Leslie,

You should be fine with the 8 footer. I went through this a year ago, but I can't find my comparison measurments from Chris Walker. I remember that his SG stage 2/3 lift would clear the 8 foot door, while the 9 footer would give you 12+ inches clearance. Since I'm running OME HD-rear, MD-front, the 8 foot door fit my needs.

Also, for DIY garage door openers I only found extensions for 8 footers - didn't see any for 9 footers (although I'm sure they exist).

Tom P.
96 Disco

By Blue Gill (Bluegill) on Friday, July 27, 2001 - 06:21 am: Edit

my garage header is a lame-ass 7 feet (84"). The even-lamer door is the low point at 82.5" (the bottom of the door stops just behind and below the header when door is open). I have about 2" of clearance at the highest point on the Disco (rear of stock roof rack), so the Disco must be about 80" tall after lift and tires.

Trust me, I didn't build this 1961 garage door. I will be building the next one at least 8' high, preferably 9'. I have no hopes for a roof rack with my current setup.

By Jeff Bieler (Mrbieler) on Friday, July 27, 2001 - 06:44 am: Edit

With OME MD duty springs and 215/85R16 tires, our Disco is just about 80 1/2" at the highest point.

Our home and garage were built in 1938. It ain't gonna' ever fit...

With the tool bench and closets across the rear of the garage, it's too long as well.