By EricRat on Friday, August 24, 2001 - 11:27 am: Edit

I've read plenty of tire/suspension threads, but needs some input.

I believe (and belief is a powerful thing) that RoverTym is making the best springs. I was hoping to get springs and tires on my otherwise stock truck prior to the Solaros event. I can't do that and stick with RTE springs, as stock is currently out.

I have G**dyears on the back and F!rest*ne wilderness HT on the front courtesy of PO. I don't have much confidence with these and think it will inhibit my fun at Solaros. Do I wait on springs, buy tires that will fit on a stock truck, save my pennies for recovery gear?

Decisions Decision Decisions.

Do you think I could squeeze 215/85's under with stock springs, that might be a good compromise. Then I could move up to 235/85 when ready to do gears and lockers, tire price would be a drop in the torrent then.

You thoughts appreciated,

Eric

By Alex Schubow (Alex) on Friday, August 24, 2001 - 11:33 am: Edit

Wait and do it right the first time. A stock disco is a very capable vehicle.

Alex

By Perrone Ford on Friday, August 24, 2001 - 11:36 am: Edit

What kind of truck do you have? My RR on VERY saggy stock springs fit a 215/85 with no trouble at all. In fact, I could have gone with a 31" tire without trouble.

The RTE springs are REALLY the way to go if you are looking to do a real lift. The OME springs are pretty nice too but I like the RTE better.

If you don't have recovery gear, skip the other stuff and buy that first. People will help you out if you come up short on tires or ground clearance, but you will get cussed at if you don't have proper recovery gear.

If you're REALLY pressed, I have some D90 springs in the garage that will give you 1.5" of lift that I will sell cheap.

By Danno on Friday, August 24, 2001 - 12:22 pm: Edit

stock disco is fine, sounds like you REALLY need tires right now. a set of Dunlop R/T's or BFG Trac Edges will do you well. 215/85's or 225/75's will work fine with the stock setup. since you are planning to go with 235/85's in the future (which will need trimming anyway) you could go with 245/75's and trim (215/85 & 245/75'S have about the same diameter) get some basic recovery gear.

also look into a front skidplate and front diff guard.

Danno
who wheeled a stock disco w/245/75's until i met Ho on a chat room...

By Ho Chung (Ho) on Friday, August 24, 2001 - 02:01 pm: Edit

By Redsrover (Redsrover) on Friday, August 24, 2001 - 02:51 pm: Edit

If you really want to do it right, wait until RTE gets back up to speed. Leave it alone until then. Otherwise, you risk throwing away some good cash. If you get tires, you will get stuck with a smaller tire than you want once the lift is added. If you go with another lift, well, you won't have the RTE like you want. Why don't you buy some recovery gear, come to the Solaros rally and check out some rigs and talk to some owners about the best choices for you.

I'll be there in what I think is a well lifted OME suspensioned Disco and I know at least one other Disco owner with the full RTE kit who will be on board.

Oh, and nobody will cuss you out for not having recovery gear, at least nobody worth worrying about.

Ron Ward

By Mike B. on Friday, August 24, 2001 - 04:03 pm: Edit

I'm glad to hear that you are going to SOLAROS. I'm taking the whole family! There are a few of us coming from Florida.

Just like the previous post stated, stock Discos are pretty capable. If you have the front spoiler on, I'd remove it and cut down the bumper end caps. If you have side steps on it, I'd remove them. Total cost: $0.00.

And like the very vocal and articulate Mr. Perrone Ford said, go and buy yourself some good recovery gear. "Good" being the key word here.

I'd come wheeling to SOLAROS and then see what you need/like. If you have to spend some money, go for the RoverTym Rock Sliders. They are really nice.

There should be about 300 Rovers, so you can come see first hand what you like and don't like. I heard that John from RoverTym might be there, so you can come and give him some grief about not having springs ready for the most important event in your entire life!

I have two friends that are driving me absolutely nuts becase of SOLAROS and the lack of RoverTym springs. I'm thinking of sending John a stinky bomb or something for his incredibly bad timing!

Thanks,
Mike B.

P.S. - I'm only half serious about the stinky bomb thing!

By EricRat on Friday, August 24, 2001 - 07:07 pm: Edit

I'm really looking forward to the event.

The end goal is 235/85 or 16X7.5, I had a '71 Chevy and that was the standard size. I guess they seem "normal" to me. Of course that tempts gears, diffs and so on.

I trimmed the bumper, best return on investment yet. I have straps, shackles, chain, jate rings and a high lift. Oh and a shovel.

Theoretically, if I put 215/85s on now and trimmed a bit for full stuff. They shouldn't fit much differently than with the lift at full stuff with proper length shocks. I'm trying to convince myself anyway, are you buying it?

What was I read, it never over...

By Mike B. on Friday, August 24, 2001 - 07:28 pm: Edit

I'd not go with the tires until after the lift. Then I'd take some time to make sure they fit (proper trimming) before heading off onto the trail; especially SOLAROS. Look at my mistakes on the Vehicle Mods section on www.discocrazy.org. I bent up my fenders pretty good before I got the proper amount trimmed.

Assuming your tires are in good shape, come with them. They will be plenty of people to help you get through. Based on my personal experience, the tread pattern makes more difference than size. A 2" bigger tire only translates into 1" more under your diffs. That won't get you through as many places as more aggressive tires. I run 245/75/R16 Goodyear MT/Rs on a set of American Racing Steel wheels. This seems to be a good size for me. I run the stock gearing with no problems. In Florida, skinny tires sink, fat tires float. The skinniest that I would go with is 235. But that is my personal opinion based on where I wheel.

Thanks,
Mike B.

By Stinky John on Saturday, August 25, 2001 - 02:17 am: Edit

Stinky bomb? Damn

By EricRat on Saturday, August 25, 2001 - 04:45 am: Edit

You guys are pretty convincing! Living in Ohio it is pretty much mud where ever you go. The AT's that are on it clog up pretty quick, worse than stock Michelins. They are in good shape at least.

It is tread pattern that I am after. I'll get Trac Edge's when the time comes.

Skid plates would be a good idea, I have picked out gravel dug into the gas tank once already.

By Danno on Saturday, August 25, 2001 - 04:51 am: Edit

"Assuming your tires are in good shape, come with them. "

but he has Goodyears on the rear and Wilderness HT's in the front. the biggest improvement on on the disco is the tire upgrade.

eric, if the lift is coming in the near future, as well as the 235/85's, i'd get a tire size that i could sell off to another person, this is the approach i did.

the trimming i did was about 1.5" back and arched to meet the wheel well about 12" up.

By Eric on Saturday, August 25, 2001 - 06:27 pm: Edit

Danno,
You were running 245/75 on stock suspension?

By Danno on Sunday, August 26, 2001 - 03:46 am: Edit

i was running stock susp w245/75's many moons ago, then got OME HD/MD's 2 years ago, went to 235/85's last summer and upgraded to RTE 3" in january.

By James S. (Shack) on Monday, August 27, 2001 - 11:10 am: Edit

Save your money and wait.

Like others said, the stck disco is a capable vehicle. To get that extra help, take off your swaybars prior to the event. You can always put them back on later.

James