By lynden on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 06:27 am: Edit

Well, I swapped my rear springs for front this weekend and installed some OME's in the rear this weekend. Took it out for some mild offroading last night and they seem to work well. Driving it to work this morning it seems to ride better and handle a little better (well, better than it did before). The look is excellent too. It now looks like the off-road truck that it is (245/75's under there) and the swap was pretty easy. No big headaches, just time consuming. You will need two people though, unless you're really brave.
Just wanted to let everyone know. Got the springs for $120 from Expedition exchange so it was a pretty damned cheap lift (thanks Ho and John).
Lynden

By Perrone Ford on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 08:04 am: Edit

Just curious..

Why would you need 2 people to change springs?

-P

By Anon on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 08:21 am: Edit

Because some of us are not as talented as you

By Perrone Ford on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 09:29 am: Edit

Has nothing to do with me, I've just never heard anyone say they needed two people to do it! I can't even think of where a second person might be useful besides handing me tools.

-P

By peter matusov on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 10:06 am: Edit

one more time - why does it take two people to change springs?

other than wife calling every 5 minutes "how much more will it take? lunch is ready!"

peter

By lynden on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 10:55 am: Edit

Well, instead of 4 hours I'd still be under the truck. The spring pullers I rented went on each side of the spring and then clamped down. I didn't feel like disconnecting the sway bars so I used the spring compresser. You wouldn't NEED two people but I can attest that its a hell of a lot faster. I was probably just rambling in my initial post. If you want to do it yourself more power to you. Also, I used two jacks, instead of giving one a pump then the other I found it easier to use two people. That's all I meant.

By JC on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 10:58 am: Edit

lynden, post some pics. curious to see what swapping rears to front and ome in the rear will get ya!

JC OME HD all around

By Perrier Chevrolet on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 11:00 am: Edit

So four people would be even better then?

-PP

By CR on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 11:03 am: Edit

Damn you guys can be quite ruthless at times!

concerned reader

By lynden on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 11:07 am: Edit

If you got enough tools, eight people would have the job done in about 35 min., so yeah 4 people couldn't hurt. I'll break down the best case scenario though...
12 People
1- running beer and chips to those under truck
2- Manning jacks/jack stands
2 X 4- on each wheel pulling springs
1- telling everyone what to do.
This would get the job done pretty quickly.

JC- I took some pics before I installed the springs, I'll take some this week and have to scan them before I post them. I'll try to post soon. It looks great!!!
Lynden

By Axel Haakonsen (Axel) on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 11:08 am: Edit

LOL! Good comeback, Lynden!!!!

By peter matusov on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 01:54 pm: Edit

Lynden,

i'm by no means a hercules or something, but it took me 2.5 hours to do four springs on a rangie (same deal as on the disco, except for rusted fasteners). There's even no place for the second person in a wheel well!

Spring compressors are jack shit, all you need is two at least 900-lb rated ratchet straps per spring. And you only need one jack (I hope you didn't have your Disco's axle sitting on a jack, did you?), and using one jack and jackstand is actually safer than two flimsy jacks.

no worries, your second set of springs will come through faster!

peter

By Kyle on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 01:58 pm: Edit

Well , it takes me under an hour to do four on mine , alone. But it damn sure is nice when you have competent help. I would never turn it down. If you can get 10 people to help Lynden and they are actually helping I say you da man....

Kyle

By lynden on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 02:13 pm: Edit

What we did was jack up truck, set jack stands under frame, then let jacks down to allow springs to stretch. Then compress springs, and reverse. I used two jacks because otherwise I would have been lifting only one side of the axle. I think the slowest part of the process was the damned spring compressor I rented. One turn of the nut was equal to about 1 mm of compression. You do the math, our forearms were mighty exercised yesterday (and not from lifting the beers either). Obviously this is the first time I've done the procedure and I'm sure I could cut down some time if I had to do it over. Again, two people weren't needed but I wouldn't have wanted to do it myself. Not that it was particularly hard or complex, just is nice to have a hand.
Lynden
PS- I'm not the smartes guy but I'm not retarded either... leaving the axle on jacks would not have been smart.

By Jeff Bieler (Mrbieler) on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 02:43 pm: Edit

Where do you sh*t heads get off bitching over the # of guys involved in the springs and the use of compressors?

Everytime this comes up, it's like flies on sh*t and you guys can't keep away. Who gives a flying f*ck if someone uses compressors? Why does it matter that he had 2, 4, 10, 20, 128 people sitting in his garage working with him?

Is there some pecker measuring contest I'm not aware of that unless you do the springs by yourself using only a splintered 2x4, a rock, and a bungee cord that you're not allowed to enter the ring of coolness? Count me out of this circle jerk.

By MA on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 02:46 pm: Edit

We had 5 people install OME springs and shocks on a 92 Rangie. By no means were any of us experienced(we are all <17.) But with lots of sweating and cursing, we got the job done in 5 hours. I have to thank Kyle for his spring/shock install article in the tech section. This was our first major project, so we thought 5 hours was ok. A couple of months later, I installed my Borla and AB front skidplate in 3 hours, by my-self. I didn't install the aux lights, or TT. Too technical for me. I think I could have done the lights, but the instructions were in black and white.

By gil on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 03:09 pm: Edit

right on jeff....

By peter matusov on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 03:16 pm: Edit

Jeff,

is that me who your post is aimed at?
If so, i am sure glad to enliven the conversation.
Been trying to make an inflammatory statement all day long on verious boards

But man, come on, how exactly do you manage your helpers so that they can actually help you?
That is, besides having a helper do the job while you're working on cold coronas

Then, the spring compressors - not all but most of those i've seen - are outright dangerous. Have you seen one that you could bet your head on not slipping off the spring? While if you use a ratchet strap, and make two to four loops around the top-1 and bottom+1 coils, it wouldn't shoot at you even if it breaks!

hehehe... i feel jealous that kyle could do it in an hour - kyle, have you used any power tools?

peter

By Rob Davison (Pokerob) on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 03:24 pm: Edit

i've done my springs several times and each time i slice off about 30 minutes. basically because i remeber little tricks like which nut i forgot to put anitsieze on or which bolt i striped, so i have a pile of extra hardware on hand just in case a bolt gives me grief... and then correct the problem for next time.

and then there is the air tools. ;)

probably down to 2 hours

a helper is cool to B.S. with and hand you tools.

rd

By Kyle on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 03:26 pm: Edit

POwer tools ? I wouldnt do such a thing...

Kyle

By Kyle on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 03:29 pm: Edit

As long as you dont have people in the way distracting you and you can get the job done properly without crushing your head or any other apendage I say it was a fine job.


Kyle

By peter matusov on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 03:30 pm: Edit

damn man, you've gotta be real fast at taking the lug nuts off!

(couldn't think of anything else time-consuming... oh wait, bottom front shock nut! - no power tools here)

peter

By peter matusov on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 03:31 pm: Edit

crushing your head... spring compressors come to mind...

By Kyle on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 03:36 pm: Edit

YEah , that shock nut is the most time consuming. And who takes the wheels off? I never take that shit off. I dont advise this method , but YOu can do it all with them on..

Kyle

By 94Rover on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 03:53 pm: Edit

Lynden that was a funny resolve...laughing all night..
94Rover

By Rob Davison (Pokerob) on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 05:04 pm: Edit

i agree, for the back, taking the wheel off was more time consuming than taking the spring out.

althoug EE retainers add another dimension to this now

rd

By Horness Spencer (Horness) on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 09:38 pm: Edit

Lynden,

Any chance of some piccies? I'm thinking of putting 762's in the rear of mine too.

As for two people - It's always better to have a couple of people around.

(a) to assist and offer moral support
(b) to ensure safety should anything untoward happen.

Just my opinion. Not saying every job should have two people, just that it can be a benefit.

Way to go Lynden!

HRNESS

By brakensway on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 02:26 am: Edit

If you disconnect the sway bars and the brakeline mounts from the rear diff and the front fenders, the axles should drop down far enough to put the springs in with out compressing. Just another opinion

By ken on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 04:11 am: Edit

Just a thought for the front springs instead of jacking up the front can't you just remove the engine to alliviate weight on the front springs and have a buddie or two lift the truck for you as you install the springs.
Side note as you set the engine down set it on the new springs compressing them and them put retainers on them it's kinda of a two birds one stone method. thats how I would do it and in response to pecker size
I'm only 12" but thats' phlacid folded in half with a ice pack on my nuts. Does that still count.

By lynden on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 01:40 pm: Edit

Horness,
I took some before pics and I'll take some afters and post them. I did it the slow way (no digital camera) so it might take me a week or so. It looks pretty much like the one posted last week (the one w/ the dog int he picture)- sorry I forget who's truck that was.

Thanks for the comments guys. It was fun to get it done and w/ only $120 spent it was a cheap mod that made a big difference.
Lynden

By Ron on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 02:17 pm: Edit

Some day all discos will have the rear springs in the front.

I will be happy that day

Ron

By lynden on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 02:22 pm: Edit

Good one Ron... Also, thanks for the idea (I think you were the one who originally posted this idea, if not, my appologies to the true thinker) it worked pretty well. The springs seem to ride better than before and tons more clearance!
Lynden

By Ron on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 02:32 pm: Edit

Yes,

I am the cheap bastard who came up with that idea i think you are #4 to try it and give it the thumbs up. I also talked to a couple more people who are planning on it at MAR. The results will be interesting to see when combined stock rears in front are combinded with RTE rears in back.

cheers
Ron

By Bluegill (Bluegill) on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 02:38 pm: Edit

OK - I admit it! I had Other Dude help me the first time I did my springs...I'm so ashamed. I'm sure this picture will soon appear in a cheap tabloid mag, so I'm posting it here to cope with my depression:

By Kyle on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 02:40 pm: Edit

Actually Ron its been done for some time now. Just with ome springs and not the stockers...

Kyle

By Kyle on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 02:42 pm: Edit

Bluegill , what I am seeing is one guy on his knees who looks very happy to be there , and another guy standing , who might be just a tad bit happier. One has to ask the question why ... Not that I am building smoke and mirrors...

Kyle

By Bluegill (Bluegill) on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 02:44 pm: Edit

hey, I needed the money...

By Kyle on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 02:47 pm: Edit

I can understand that I suppose , what I cant understand is why you didnt use it to replace those Mexican Hellas....

Kyle

By Ho Chung (Ho) on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 02:47 pm: Edit

kyle, i'll soon find out about the ... WHY...

By gp (Garrett) on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 02:48 pm: Edit

i like the built in beer holders you have going. very symetrical i might add. nice to have when you are working on the car with your 'buddy'.

By Kyle on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 02:50 pm: Edit

Hey GP atleast Bluedidnt have one sewn to the top of his hat , then we have a real concern.

Kyle

By gp (Garrett) on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 02:54 pm: Edit

hey kyle you can call me garrett.....bluegill does!!!!!

By Kyle on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 02:56 pm: Edit

lol,,,,damn , ,,,,,,

By Ron on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 03:00 pm: Edit

Kyle,

People run OME MD rears in the front but for that you need cv front shaft almost certainly and what good does it do as it still costs the same as you need four new springs.

I can't exactly take credit for the cheap bastard rear to front swap either, as I got the idea from somewhere i read someone had done that to a d90 or something.

I must say though it is pretty cool to suggest something and then have people try it based on your suggestion. Now, how can I abuse this "power" hehehehe chrome grill anyone

Cheers
Ron

By peter matusov on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 03:07 pm: Edit

Bluegill,

you've actually had a third person there!
Having an extra hand taking photos counts as much as an extra hand monkeying with a jackstand!

see, if i was taking pics during the swap, it would take me the regular 4 hours, too!

peter

By gp (Garrett) on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 03:09 pm: Edit

talk about cheap bastard......i just got a new pair of OME HD rears (751's) on eBay for $55 for the pair. yeah.....call me an eBay whore or whatever, but a kick ass deal is a kick ass deal. i just may be swapping out my rears to the front as well. i wish i had tons of $ to toss into my truck, but it is a slow process for me. hey if bluegill can make some extra cash the 'hard' way, so can i!!!

By Kyle on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 03:11 pm: Edit

Well Ron , that aint exactly true either. The truck at the house with the Coil overs on it has a completely stock drive line and its free of vibrations. Thats with a Roto rear and the stock front. Its lifted 3" at the very least... Get pics of the grille install would ya ?

Kyle

By Ron on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 03:12 pm: Edit

Well Garret,

What are you waiting for?

Swap those springs. it will make the dent in the door higher so the leprechauns can't reach it

Ron

By Ken on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 03:14 pm: Edit

I think I will give this a try I have a Dll.

1. will this work for me
2. how much lift will I get
3. will it look good with factory rims and tires
4. what will i need and where to get them (parts ect.)

Ken

By Ron on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 03:14 pm: Edit

Kyle,

will do on the grill. Maybe polished stainless would be better

If you want to tell people to play vibration roulette with a 3in lift more power to you but for most people I think they will be hapy with 2in (for a while anyway).

Ron

By Kyle on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 03:17 pm: Edit

Ron I think we are all playing that game already. There seems to be no means to the madness. Some get the vibs with an OME lift and there in the driveway sits one with atleast 3" and nothing... Shit makes no sense,,,dont fight it man....

Kyle

By Ron on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 03:24 pm: Edit

Ken,

1. will this work for me
Not the way it will on a DI. DII are higher in the front due to the spring plate on the axle.

2. how much lift will I get
John says ~3in, I would guess 2.5 or so.

3. will it look good with factory rims and tires
Will make them look small but with new tires it will look "right".

4. what will i need and where to get them (parts ect.)
If you were to try it I would suggest calling John @ Rovertym or Ho or John @ EE and tell them what you have in mind. I think you would be good with RTE 3in rears in your choice of weights.

If I had to GUESS i would say that you will be OK but you will have the following "issues":

1. 3in lift might be more than you want.
2. Brake lines will make it tough to install front springs (fka your stock rears).
3. With that level of lift you really should be looking at new brake lines and potentially longer shocks.
4. even with the issues above I think it is definately doable and a pretty good idea. DII can handle more lift as they have a front CV driveshaft unlike a DI.

If you want to try it I THINK it can be done, but until someone tells me the rear and front spring specs for a stock DII I cannot tell you 100% what to expect.

Ron

Now that I think about it, you will probably be ok with the plan as (correct me if I am wrong) I think John put DI OME HD fronts in a DII which would be about equivalent to what you are doing.

By Ron on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 03:26 pm: Edit

Kyle,

I play the odds man.

2in 90% you are ok
3in 90% you are not ok

Ron

Note this is DI not DII (which you can lift to the moon if you want

By gp (Garrett) on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 03:26 pm: Edit

yeah i am still don't want to wash my truck, but the smell of burning mud on exhaust is making me sick. but once i do all the dents and scraps will show up nicely. oh well. yeah......guess i will just have to do that swap. now my coopers will look pretty silly. just bought them too. damit......always something. lights, springs, tires, beer holders and so on. no one will want to help me now with my comment to kyle. i'm marked now!!

By Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 03:31 pm: Edit

Wash your truck, eh? Mud, eh?

You should here the comments here at work today....







-L

By Ron on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 03:32 pm: Edit

"yeah i am still don't want to wash my truck, but the smell of burning mud on exhaust is making me sick."

We very carefully drove through the river to clean the underside but left the top muddy for the look.



BTW I don't think the coopers will look bad with the lift. Ours runs on stock michelins on road with OME HDs and it look pretty cool I think at least.

By Bluegill (Bluegill) on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 03:40 pm: Edit

I see Leslie is testing the limits of his stock brush bar

The Disco looks all nice and neat parked squarely in the spotless parking lot.

By Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 03:48 pm: Edit

I can't afford to replace the stock one with a Mantec (CT-style) or a Rovertym, so we'll just see how far it'll last....

They re-do the parking lot here every year, so it's usually immaculate... but you can tell where I park..... heh heh....

By gp (Garrett) on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 03:56 pm: Edit

i don't have one of the fancy smansy parking lots to park in, but i think our qaint little victorian town thinks a little less of me. my office is among 90% homes and the one neighbor has made a few comments. hell.....maybe i will wash it right where it stands.

By gp (Garrett) on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 04:08 pm: Edit

i have to say those brushgards are a little stronger than i ever thought. having hung a few 3/4" shackles off the tie downs and getting my fair share of pulls via Bill B. there were no issues. and there were some pretty hard pulls on them from mud and not straight pulls as well. i have to say friday we did keep Bills winch busy. as long as those bolts are tight on the frame there was not even the slightest bit of rotation. works for me.

By Tom P. on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 04:16 pm: Edit

Garrett,

If those are really *751's*, then you bought HD fronts for $55, NOT rears. Better check...

Tom P.
96 Disco

By Ron on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 04:18 pm: Edit

there was not even the slightest bit of rotation.


Ahhhhhhhhhhh. Not to burst your bubble but . . .

that pull on the log bridge trail, rotated the brushbar all the way up to almost touching the hood. I looked at the other people and just laughed At least it did not hit the hood or fenders though How much more it would have taken, i dunno.

By Rob Davison (Pokerob) on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 04:24 pm: Edit

i win!

By gp (Garrett) on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 04:26 pm: Edit

i meant to say front 751's. they are for when santa brings me a new rovertyme front bumper.

ron...you were laughing at me. how could you.......it was bad enough not having gotten my shackles in time and having to borrow some. ugh.

oh well.....i did not know it had moved and it feels pretty tight today, but when you are really torquing the hell out of it you never know.

so far so good.......til next time!!!

By Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 04:27 pm: Edit

Rob, that wasn't from the Mid-Atlantic THIS year.....




-L

By gp (Garrett) on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 04:30 pm: Edit

rob......i would say so. saw those in your gallery. pretty nice job. i'm guessing you didn't have to make any lane changes on the way home!!!!!

By Rob Davison (Pokerob) on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 04:58 pm: Edit

i was on the parkway into pittsburgh with the beast like that.. i was late for my buddys bachelor party (And he was with me in the car) we didn't think it was going to be that deep

rd

By Ron on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 05:08 pm: Edit

Garret,

I was laughing at the brushbar. Not at you
To see it move I was just waiting for the dent right where it says Land Rover.

You kept up quite well I must say. Being the most stock of the trucks in our troop thats saying something.

Cheers

Ron

By gp (Garrett) on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 07:15 pm: Edit

lets hope next year i won't be the most stock. and maybe.......just maybe those damn leprechauns will leave us all alone.

i have to say.....after driving a series much of the weekend sure makes you appreciate the discovery.

By Petros Machlis (Runnerma) on Friday, October 26, 2001 - 01:47 pm: Edit

ok and what about after the lift?
I read at expeditionexchange that the vehicle wanders on the road more easily.Is nessery to change the radious arms, or the wander is not noticeable?

petros

By Ho Chung (Ho) on Friday, October 26, 2001 - 01:54 pm: Edit

petros, depends on how sensitive you are as a driver. and also, the "Wandering" really varies from disco to disco.

By Petros Machlis (Runnerma) on Friday, October 26, 2001 - 03:29 pm: Edit

I ll do it! I hope the "wandering" will be not noticeable on my Disco

Petros