By Spoon on Saturday, October 20, 2001 - 09:14 am: Edit

I came into the Disco community about a month or so ago, and I LOVE IT! (ticking exhaust, squeaking brakes, low gas mileage and all!) I've been monitoring this site...added some stuff to my truck...mostly cosmetic...I watch as people talk about putting in new shocks, springs, lifts etc. and don't follow so well. I'd like to upgrade sometime, cause mine's all stock underneath. I don't know what to get, who to get to do it, will I have to trim the wheel wells? How in the hell do you do that and make it pretty? Can anyone give me some crash course in useful suspension upgrades?( also interested in how these mods affect the warranty!) I would really appreciate the help! My name's John Witherspoon, by the way...my friends call me Spoon!

Thanks a bundle for any help!
Spoon

By Ho Chung (Ho) on Saturday, October 20, 2001 - 11:16 am: Edit

spoon, glad you like your disco.
let's start with what year disco do you have?
and what you do with your disco, road? mall? weekedn trails?

By John Witherspoon Spoon on Saturday, October 20, 2001 - 12:37 pm: Edit

Sorry...should have been more specific!
I have owned a series of 4x4 trucks...you know, Fords. I'm used to using them for camping, hauling etc. I'm not going to be doing any three week expeditions into the outback, or anything. (don't have enough $ for that! :-)) I do have occasion to get off road, here in the North Carolina Mountains, though. I'm not sure exactly how much abuse my stock 98 will take. Its likely to be some stream crossing, hill climbing,mud messing, I've forded the river (low water level) in my truck...It sat so much higher than my Disco does though. I'm not yet ready to go out winching myself up over 7 foot cliffs yet (picture to left!), but who knows? I guess its hard to say exactly what I'll get into in the future. Of course, I will also be driving to work, daughters dance class, some interstate driving etc. I guess I need a jack of all trades suspension? Any thoughts?
Spoon

By Ho Chung (Ho) on Saturday, October 20, 2001 - 12:55 pm: Edit

ahhh, jack of all trades... i like that description.

in that case, a good solid mild lift should do.
and of course, i would recommend the OME lift.
they are the proven and tested suspension that will give you a mild lift, and enhanced handling.
it'll be like shifting into "sport" mode in one of those fancy suspension that are selectable.
also load handling capacity.

i'd guess the OME lift is the most popular for the "jack of all trades" discos.

now, where you get them? i'd point you to
http://www.expeditionexchange.com/ome/

but since you are in the east coast, try 4x4connections.....
http://www.4by4connection.com/discovery1.html
you should save some in the shipping.

By John on Saturday, October 20, 2001 - 01:24 pm: Edit

Spoon, there is a great Land Rover club in N.C. that you may want to contact called The Old North State Land Rover Society. They have monthly trips including events in the Uharrie Nat. Forest and offer help to new owners as well as the opportunity to wheel and learn with them. There is a link to their web site under resources.

By jmon on Sunday, October 21, 2001 - 12:59 pm: Edit

i would go with springs, shocks, and new tires...if you are limited on what you can do first..do the springs and tires...ome are great! I have the HD all the way around and i really like them...some go mds all the way around some go hd and md..read through the varying posts on the subject..the archives on this site are filled with detailed information on this subject...i got my springs from nathan crabtree (boatbuggy@aol.com)he can get the springs and shocks for great deals...springs were 55 dollars a piece...goodluck...lots of great folks here to help whenever you need it...

By John Witherspoon spoon on Sunday, October 21, 2001 - 09:21 pm: Edit

Thanks for the help and suggestions so far...I must say, this is the first discussion board I've ever been on that offered tiny electronic cheerleaders to spur me on! And they say land rover owners are stuck up! :-) Thanks again...for any who may read this!