By Horness Spencer (Horness) on Monday, September 17, 2001 - 06:01 am: Edit

I have a stock Disco TDi 1998.

What is the best / cheapest way to get a 2 inch lift? I have seen the OME kits, but cannot find anywhere in the UK which does them, and I've heard a few bad reports about OME.

Opinions (as always) appreciated.

Horness
horness@hotmail.com

By Horness Spencer (Horness) on Monday, September 17, 2001 - 06:03 am: Edit

Oh, and my disco is mainly used for dirt roads / fields / muddy areas etc., no rocks (yet).

On / Off road ratio is about 70/30

Horness

By kyle on Monday, September 17, 2001 - 06:05 am: Edit

You can get springs right from Land Rover to get that done. Talk with Ron about the 110 springs. I had a set in mine for a few years and they always performed for me. Never had a problem out of them..

Kyle

By Ron on Monday, September 17, 2001 - 06:52 am: Edit

110 springs went out the window

Horness, Take your rear springs and put them in the front and then buy some LR HD rear springs or OME HD rear springs. You will be about 75ukp lighter and about 2in higher.

Ron

By Jarrod Leonard on Monday, September 17, 2001 - 06:56 am: Edit

Hey Horness - just thought I would quickly add my story here. I have a 95 Disco and recently put in a lift of about 2". I don't know if it is recommended for everyone, but after feedback from this board, I decided to buy the OME HD springs for the rear and swap my stock rears to the front of the truck. With the Bilstein shocks, I am very happy with the ride, the look, and the performance of my newly lifted truck. I am not a hard-core wheeler and this is only the first of many mods that I hope to do, but I was happy with the results.

Good luck!

Jarrod

By Ron on Monday, September 17, 2001 - 07:33 am: Edit

Cool Jarrod,

Glad it worked out for you. Just did the same thing to another truck this weekend. Worked out well too. Based on this I would say that buying new HD fronts is definately optional as the stock rears do well in the front.

Cheers
Ron

By Jarrod Leonard on Monday, September 17, 2001 - 08:13 am: Edit

Ron,

I am sure that you probably remember, but you are the one that told me that procedure would most likely work. Based on that I went ahead with it and as you just read, I am real happy with the results. Thanks for the feedback and the advice!

Jarrod

By Ron on Monday, September 17, 2001 - 08:31 am: Edit

Bet you would have been POed if I was wrong huh

Seriously though if anyone is considering it I can't see any problem with it at all. The rear springs are just as long as the stock fronts but not appreciably longer, just a stiffer rate so no danger of unseating and they are not too long to be a royal pain to get in with the brake lines even without a spring compressor. 19.5in wheel center to bottom of fender with an ARB and 9000 warn winch (64k on stock rear springs relocated to the front). For reference OME HD (35k on springs) fronts with a SG and a Husky were 19.25in (.25 difference could be that the SG and Husky are slightly heavier). So if you were being cheap because you did not want to shell out for a full set of 4 springs (you know who you are ) just get some HD rears switch the stock rears to the front and be on your way.

Cheers
Ron

By Shane C. (Qsiguy) on Monday, September 17, 2001 - 09:15 pm: Edit

Does anyone have a link to a photo of a Disco with the spring swap/replacement you guys are talking about? I have a totally stock 95 that I'd like to do that on and would like to see what it looks like.

By Ron on Tuesday, September 18, 2001 - 03:27 am: Edit

It looks the SAME as if you put OME HDs all around. The measurements were within 1/4" (higher) of Alyssa truck (see photogallery above)

Ron

By Horness Spencer (Horness) on Tuesday, September 18, 2001 - 04:23 am: Edit

Ron,

So all I need to do is replace the springs? Do I need to do anything with the shocks? Am I right in asuming that they will limit the reach, rather than the spring?

If I were not so "cheap", what front/rear OME combo would you recommend?

By Ron on Tuesday, September 18, 2001 - 04:27 am: Edit

So all I need to do is replace the springs?

Yes, stock rears in front and buy new rears

Do I need to do anything with the shocks?

No

Am I right in asuming that they will limit the reach, rather than the spring?

Yes

no opinion on which spring set up is best. All personal taste.

Ron

By Dominik Chrzan (Dominik) on Tuesday, September 18, 2001 - 04:42 pm: Edit

before



after



these are pics of the truck ron is talking about.
2" ome hd rear (both drivers side), stock rear w/ 64k to the front.


ron, thanks again pal. cound never have done this without your help.

dom

By Shane C. (Qsiguy) on Tuesday, September 18, 2001 - 06:47 pm: Edit

Looks great! That's what I want to do with my '95 Disco. Thanks for the pics. Are those OME springs available at most off road shops or if not what is a good source for them. I am in Arizona.

Found some on a web site. They have three models. OME762 (constant load 100kg),763(constant load 200kg), and 764(medium load). Which one is best or recommended, or what's the difference?

By Horness Spencer (Horness) on Wednesday, September 19, 2001 - 02:11 am: Edit

THAT'S WHAT I'M AFTER - WOOHOO!

which ome rears are fitted? how long did it take you to do?

Also, did the dog come with the kit or not?

Horness

By Ron on Wednesday, September 19, 2001 - 03:26 am: Edit

They are 762, they are both DS (bit taller) and we refitted the stock anti-rattle spacers which added a 1/4-3/8" or so.

Are those OME springs available at most off road shops

www.expeditionexchange.com (plug for Ho and John Lee) others sell them as well.

How long did it take?

Dom what was it hour or so for the rear and 90minutes for the front? We were not being particualrly quick about it either. I had never done fronts before (did not tell Dom until after though )

BTW No problem, happy to help as always.

Ron

By Horness Spencer (Horness) on Wednesday, September 19, 2001 - 05:28 am: Edit

Ron - "We're not worthy"

Thanks for your help.

Ho and crew - expect an order for some 762's via ExpoEx.

Now... how do I break this to the misses?

Horness

By Bluegill (Bluegill) on Wednesday, September 19, 2001 - 06:30 am: Edit

>"Now... how do I break this to the misses?"

Do what I did with my recent spring purchase from Ron...don't tell her! I now have 10 springs and two spare wheels/tires "hidden" in the garage!

disclaimer: uh...just kidding, honey

By Ron on Wednesday, September 19, 2001 - 07:51 am: Edit

One thing I should add.

Kyle will LOVE this by the way as it means he bought a set of springs which he already had.

Disco rear springs are INDENTICAL to 110 front springs

Don't believe me check the Part #s

DISCLAIMER:
this might not be the case on NAS discos

By dom on Wednesday, September 19, 2001 - 08:48 am: Edit

glad to see that this helped everyone out.

horness,

they only throw in the dog if you get both drivers side 762's .... you know, to counteract the lean towards the left that you now have while driving.

;)

By lynden on Wednesday, September 19, 2001 - 09:01 am: Edit

Okay, I might be missing something but what did you do for the front? Isn't the PS front a little lower than the rest? since the PS rear is shorter than DS rear, but those are now in front??? Or am I missing something???... Sorry.

This is what I'm going to do though, it looks good! I just want to know what to do about the lean.
Lynden

By Ron on Wednesday, September 19, 2001 - 09:23 am: Edit

Let me spell it out for you:

Remove PS rear spring, replace with OME HD rear spring. Repeat for DS.

Remove PS front spring, discard, install stock PS rear spring you just took off. Repeat for DS.

Ron

PS while the difference between PS and DS of stock front springs is dramatic (right Dom) the difference between PS and DS rear springs is minimal. When set next to each other stock rears were nearly identical (one was a tad shorter 3/8" or so) and when I measured Dom's truck it ended up being even on both sides (19.5in wheelwell bottom to wheel center), now when you get in it will lean a smidge.

By lynden on Wednesday, September 19, 2001 - 09:48 am: Edit

Great! Thanks, where do I send the check for the extra $120 you guys just saved me??? I imagine to the goverment!
Lynden

By dom on Wednesday, September 19, 2001 - 09:50 am: Edit

yes, ron is right. i could not believe the height difference between the two stock front springs (i'll try to post pics later tonight to show you), but rear springs are almost identical.

j/k about the lean, there is none. J

By Javier Velador (Jvelador) on Wednesday, September 19, 2001 - 11:02 am: Edit

Damn, I thought the lean to the right was because of poor installation. Glad to see I'm not the only one. FYI I did OME MD in front and OME HD in rear and got about a 2" lift.

Dude, call EE, they have reasonable prices. Beter than what I payed at RoverAccessories

By kyle on Wednesday, September 19, 2001 - 02:33 pm: Edit

I have a set of th HD 110 springs Ron , the real stiff bastards...

Kyle

By Dominik Chrzan (Dominik) on Wednesday, September 19, 2001 - 03:01 pm: Edit

i know, we had a perfectly good thread goin, and now this.

....... why

i go too far.

J

By Dominik Chrzan (Dominik) on Wednesday, September 19, 2001 - 03:41 pm: Edit

btw, these are the stock front springs.

expl
_____ai
_______ns

_________a

___________l
____________o
_____________t

_______________K

By Steve (Steve2) on Wednesday, September 19, 2001 - 06:31 pm: Edit

dom

your rig looks the business - what was the height difference between the ps/ds 762's?

how does it ride/handle - ok?

thanks
steve

By jmon on Wednesday, September 19, 2001 - 08:04 pm: Edit

question..are stock rear springs with 94000 miles on them still good to transfer over to the front if you are going to get 245 75 16 or will there be to much sag? can i go a bit bigger? thanks

By Dominik Chrzan (Dominik) on Wednesday, September 19, 2001 - 08:14 pm: Edit

steve,

mine are both ds 762's (decided to do this after talking with john at expeditionexchange.com) so i am not sure what the difference is, but i don't think it is much. however, why not just do what i did, that way you know you have a nice, even lift. only reason stock ps springs are shorter (and i'm assuming why they make ome ps springs shorter) is because they are set up in such a way that when it's just you in the truck, your weight should balance it out and, in theory, the truck should be level. however i never fully grasped this concept as my disco always leaned to the right. J but now .. no lean. i am happy.
as far as the ride, the truck does tend to wander a bit at hw speeds, but this is to be expected and is not at all bad. springs are also a bit loud (clanking sounds when offroad). but the need for a running start to make it into the seat makes it all worthwhile!!!!!! J J

so, in conclusion, do it ... you will not be sorry.
hope this helps.

dom

By Horness Spencer (Horness) on Thursday, September 20, 2001 - 03:26 am: Edit

If I were to put OME front springs in instead of the stock rears when I replace them, what would you recommend?

Horness
horness@hotmail.com

By Ron on Thursday, September 20, 2001 - 03:37 am: Edit

jmon,

If you do not have a winch and bumper I would say yes ok 100%. Probably could go to 235 85 if you wanted. With winch and bumper (like Dom's truck) I still would say yes but I would check first by measuring the clearance in the back from the center of the wheel to the bottom of the fender line. New would be 19-19.5in or so, anything 18-18.5in or over and you should be good to go. Otherwise look for another set if you want to run a winch and bumper in front.

Dom,

We can allign your truck and that should help the wandering a bit I meant to check it but forgot (you get what you pay for , it won't fix it all the way either though), also we can check your swivel ball preload as that often effects it as well. Overall though some more wandering is to be exspected with a lift. The only real ways to cure it are castor corrected radius arms and/or a TT in the front dif.

Clanking? Make sure they are still seated properly (if not hit with a hammer) and none of the bolts backed out at all. If it persists and turns out the springs are unseating a bit (highly unlikely, actually near impossible as the shocks were limiting it when I checked) I will make you a set of spring retainers and we can bolt those on.

And thanks for being a sport and posting the stock fronts it does explain a lot

Kyle,

Ok I see, I remember you like that smooth cloud mobile caddy ride

Ron

By Andrew Vick (Afv) on Friday, September 21, 2001 - 07:31 am: Edit

Ron:

Not to make this even more complicated, but how 'bout moving the backs to the fronts and putting unused LR HD fronts on the back?

By Ron on Friday, September 21, 2001 - 07:39 am: Edit

Not to make this even more complicated, but how 'bout moving the backs to the fronts and putting unused LR HD fronts on the back?

Depends on what unused LR HD fronts you have but unless you are talking about XHD 110/130 fronts (which would be disco LR HD rears) I would say no. as you will end up higher in the front than the back. (stock is about 1in higher in the back than the front on a DI)

Get OME (either MD rears or HD rears) or LR HD rears (but not LR HD 110 rears) for the swap.

Ron

By Andrew Vick (Afv) on Friday, September 21, 2001 - 07:46 am: Edit

Thanks. I'll check on the HD fronts.

By Lee on Thursday, October 04, 2001 - 10:24 am: Edit

Does this rear-to-front switch with new rears work on Disco II?

By Lee on Thursday, October 04, 2001 - 10:33 am: Edit

Does this rear-to-front switch with new rears work on Disco II?

By John on Thursday, October 04, 2001 - 10:58 am: Edit

You will get closer to a 3"/3 1/2" lift switching fear to front on a series II..

By Emilio 98Disco on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 10:54 pm: Edit

Which is better then? OME HD's or LR HD's and which are taller?

By Jaco de Klerk on Wednesday, October 10, 2001 - 05:12 pm: Edit

Anybody ever considered spring refurbishment? I understand some suspension specialists remove the coil springs, heat them, stretch it to your preference, and heat treat to regain mechanical properties... So you can get whatever lift you want (within reason) using your existing lame springs.

What would the height be of new springs?

Jaco
South Africa

By peter matusov on Wednesday, October 10, 2001 - 05:38 pm: Edit

Jaco,

at least, in the U.S. it is cheaper to buy a set of rear OME HD springs, put them in the rear, and former rear springs move to the front.

In general, it is a poor solution to stretch the existing springs. The ride will be stiffer, and the springs will sag pretty soon.

peter

By Jaco de Klerk on Wednesday, October 10, 2001 - 05:58 pm: Edit

Thanks Peter

The issue is that my rear springs are not sagging be the same amount, the DS spring has sagged about 2.5cm (1 inch) more. Will the front shocks compensate for that or should I rather replace all 4 springs?

(A colleague got a quote for R3000 (ie US$340) for OME springs for his S1 Landy.)

In my prev mail I've tried to indicate that I want the springs heat treated after stretching, not merely stretched.

Jaco

By Emilio 98Disco on Thursday, October 11, 2001 - 08:41 pm: Edit

Is it possible to put a D90 spring in a Disco1 rear end and put the rears in front? .. Is it any taller. Will it be level?