Disco 300 TDi 2" lift

After reading countless posts on the pro's and many con's of raising a Disco I have decided to raise my Disco (98 300 TDi Auto).

Been thinking about it for a while and the decision has been brought forward due to a dislocated spring and sheered damper.

The Disco is not my everyday day car as I’m lucky enough to have a company car (taxman seems happy about it too).
The Disco is used for P&P days, laning and as a family runabout at weekends (I prefer it to the car).

I fully understand that the axles will remain at the same height (unless bigger tyre’s are fitted).
On the few occasions that I have been stuck its been due to grounding out on the sliders / the steering guard and The improved approach angle will be handy.

Loads of threads on if this is a worthy modification and the pro / con’s etc, but very few on how to fit / feedback after modification. The Purpose of this thread is to share feedback / photos on the fitting of the kit and keep a log of how they perform on and off road and to record any components that fail or even better if they don't fail.

Before this I need to select what kit I will be buying.
Currently looking at the Terrafirma Pro Sport kit (2” raise).
Based on good reviews, I was tempted by the savings on offer with the ProComp shocks, but for a bit extra the Terrafirma has great reviews - buy cheap buy twice.
Just trying to see who is doing the best deal on them.

My only niggle at the moment is whether I should go with heavy or medium load.

Current additions which affect vehicle weight
Pro Trac - Steering Guard.
Rock sliders.

Future additions over next?????
HD tubular bumper
Winch
HD tank guard / tow attachment
Roof rack for kayaking / camping gear).

I’ll be ordering tomorrow and will post before & after photos as well as some during the installation.

Nice... looking forward to some updates... we love pics!!!

So who you going to buy your kit from?

[JP];1508494 said:

Nice... looking forward to some updates... we love pics!!!

So who you going to buy your kit from?

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Just got back from my local 4x4 specialist. Would prefer to buy from them as they do look after me and I like buying locally, asked for their very best price and turns out they cheaper than anywhere online (that I have found), but no stock and will have to wait for 4 weeks.

I can't have it off the road for a month so, looks like I'll be having another look around online this evening.

Have a word with Matt think he came against the same sort of thing and got the last set of Medium 2" lift Teraferma Springs in the UK by the sounds of it, and got them from M&M.

Give Matt a call and find out.

Got medium duty terrafirma all terrain. Heavy duty would be far too much. Next lot of terrafirma stuff seems to be landing in the uk on the 13th so I am told.

The price difference between the bearmach and terrafirma was not very much so I went for the terrafirma. The fact that they are sold out must be a good sign.

If you want to come and see them, drop me a line and you can pop round.

Part number for the kit I got was terrafirma tf202.

matthew2riches said:

Got medium duty terrafirma all terrain. Heavy duty would be far too much. Next lot of terrafirma stuff seems to be landing in the uk on the 13th so I am told.

The price difference between the bearmach and terrafirma was not very much so I went for the terrafirma. The fact that they are sold out must be a good sign.

If you want to come and see them, drop me a line and you can pop round.

Part number for the kit I got was terrafirma tf202.

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Cheers Matt. The guys @ Mansfield also talked me out of the HD kit.
I'm opting for the TR208 (Terrafirma Pro Sport Medium load) which I have been offered at a good price. just no stock But thinking about it, maybe its a good op to have the Disco off the road for a month and complete some maintenance tasks.

I'd get all terrain if I were you.

matthew2riches said:

I'd get all terrain if I were you.

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I know you have also done a lot of research on this.
What made you pick the AT over the Pro Sport.
This was one of the many reviews I read:
WINCH REVIEWS - ELECTRIC WINCHES AND 4x4 EQUIPMENT, Terrafirma Suspension Kits

For what we do all terrain were enough. Cheaper to replace and didn't have those stupid plastic blue boots on that'll trap **** in after a mud run.

If it were a challenge truck then I'd be getting the big bores. But off road and on road... All terrain made sense.

That link to a review sounded like the general terrafirma sales pitch to me

If you want to go for a ride in my disco then give me a shout. Then you can make your mind up!

Update time.

I purchased and now have the kit (TR208 Terrafirma Pro Sport Medium load).
Matthew2Riches has kindly offered to help me fit this next Tuesday.

But......

Well I couldn't resist so I've tried to fit the rear shocks and pop the spring back in. this way the Disco will be mobile again and will hopefully speed up Tuesday.

Managed to get the broken shock off and levered the dislocated spring back into place (couldn't put the new one in as I don't have spring compressors).

All looks good


Then moved onto to the drivers side. Bottom nut removed without bother. top one started ok, but now just spinning on the thread. Which I presume means the thread is shot
The new shock will fit over this fixing (if i could get the nut off). I guess this means the thread will need to be re-done before I can proceed. Really ****ed off as I was looking forward to taking the Disco for a run tomorrow.

We'll sort it out on Tuesday. It shouldn't be anything major.

I'd talk you through it if you'd answer your phone lol. I also need you address!

Gave mine a 2" lift today, took me about 8 hours bloody hard graft but it was worth it.

I did not use spring compressors (1996 300 Tdi ES) I just used the bottle jack to jack the axle down, taking care with the ABS cables and brake hoses.

Rear ones were quite easy, front ones were harder, got the top nuts of the tower then ground through the spring and rod on the shock with a 4.5" angle grinder and pulled it all out. Kept the new shocks compressed and fitted them along with the springs.



Well happy and ready for a few beers now

Nick, new shock mount will be best. Part number is NRC7981 for upper shock mount.

Speak with britcar on Monday. Britcar (UK) Ltd > NRC7981. SHOCK ABS MOUNT TOP REAR DEF/DIS (P)

You'll need to get the associated bolts too

Just got in. In the end I managed to get the nut off. lots of pressure put behind it as i wound the nut.

Thread was clearly damaged but i couldn't help trying another nut and it seemed to work. So installed the new shock, tightened bottom nut up. all ok.
But the top nut will not wind up tight. Rather ****ed off now.

Matt, what do you think? continue with plan A and buy a new mount or see if a local garage can run a die over the thread?

Discodad said:

Just got in. In the end I managed to get the nut off. lots of pressure put behind it as i wound the nut.

Thread was clearly damaged but i couldn't help trying another nut and it seemed to work. So installed the new shock, tightened bottom nut up. all ok.
But the top nut will not wind up tight. Rather ****ed off now.

Matt, what do you think? continue with plan A and buy a new mount or see if a local garage can run a die over the thread?

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Don't go there with the die. You've already weakened the thread by fookin it up A die will just create a maze of different threads.

At the end of the day, for £15 you can have a new shock mount. A garage will charge you that for a few mins labour with the die and with that you'll be taking a chance so I'd vote NEW MOUNT! Saves any fart arseing and any possible shock shearing disasters off road!

:alien:

matthew2riches said:

Don't go there with the die. You've already weakened the thread by fookin it up A die will just create a maze of different threads.

At the end of the day, for £15 you can have a new shock mount. A garage will charge you that for a few mins labour with the die and with that you'll be taking a chance so I'd vote NEW MOUNT! Saves any fart arseing and any possible shock shearing disasters off road!

:alien:

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Ok,OK,
Its not the £15.
Its making sure i have it for Tuesday and removing the broken one.
Bloody sedimentor needs removing to get at the other side of the bolts.

So if anyone is reading this thread about to embark on rusty nut removal. Wire brush it before undoing the nut.

Or else you will end up with this:

Yeah mate. Deffo ****ed. Trying to run a die across that will just make it worse. You'll also loose a lot of the bolts strength.

Grab a new one. Britcar haven't ever been out of stock of something I wanted!! The place is masshoosive!!

If the worst happens and we can't get that side shock done on tuesday then it is only an evening that you need to spend when you do get the shock mount We can do the rest!

If yu want a short term fix, then wind nut up as far as you can and then run a bead if weld between the nut and spigot until yu get a new mount and nut. Yu will have to cut the nut off, but it will give yu a bit of time.

The Mad Hat Man said:

If yu want a short term fix, then wind nut up as far as you can and then run a bead if weld between the nut and spigot until yu get a new mount and nut. Yu will have to cut the nut off, but it will give yu a bit of time.

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Don't give him ideas

cool, cool... nice update...

I havent bought the lift kit for mine yet... have loads to do on my 90 over the summer, including the lift, but have lost motivation to work on it