Disco 1 Most Comfortable suspension?

Morning Landyzone, I'm looking for your advice on springs and shocks to make my wife's 300tdi as comfortable as possible. I'm thinking along the lines of range rover classic armstrong shocks but I'm uncertain which springs I should go for? Obviously if I'm asking an open question like what shocks and springs I'm open to suggestions, although the vehicle needs to remain at standard height to make it easier for my childrens to get in and out so lift kits are a no no. So what do you all recommend?

The Range Rover before the so called "Classic" had soft 'progressive' rear springs so softish and the vehicle would roll a bit, but then it had a SLS strut to give the self adjusting rear height facility so pretty stable when loaded.

The 300 series disco when it left the factory had as standard, stiffer springs all round to compensate for being without the SLS, and fitted with antiroll bars so a harder suspension without the roll of the RR, not that I've ever found it as issue.. it goes with the vehicle.
Without any SLS fitted the disco rear does dip slightly even though it has hard rear springs, enough to raise the head light beam slightly at night, and also rolls on roundabouts when the boot is fully loaded but again that goes with the vehicle.

Perhaps your vehicles suspension is non standard so check them, u may have to replace the springs with ones that match the original factory spec, standard dampers all you need, Armstrong, Monroe etc etc.

That's about it.




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Hi Discool, thanks for the reply, I suspect her vehicle has been fitted with heavy duty standard height springs and possibly shocks as its a bit harsh when in normal use, but when heavily loaded it is a much smoother ride. I completely forgot about the SLS thing on the RRC, and I should know better as I also own an RRC and had to look up the weird contraption connected to the rear a frame. I'll go with Disco standard springs and RRC shocks. Any recommendation on which "colour" of springs I should use? As I understand it the spring rates are denoted by the colour of the stripe painted onto them?

Getting information on what's available and spec on springs for a D1 appears to be a mine field, as they have been obsolete fro a few years now., but you can find lists on the www.

When the 300 tdi left the factory they were fitted with, according to my disco parts book, as follows below.
My RR parts book gives part numbers that are well out of date, as expected after 30 years.

Front drivers side, ANR 4351 colour grey grey at 150 lb/inch.
Front passenger side, ANR 4350 colour brown brown at 150 lb/inch.
Rear ANR 43477 colour orange at 166 lb/inch. Which is the same for the V8 D1.

As they are all now obsolete I'm pleased I don't have to go there, but if I did I'd go direct to the spring manufacture British Springs who supplied among others Land Rover, so are an OEM manufacturer.
Ive used British Springs in the past for springs on classic cars and the replacement has been exactly like the original in spec and fitment.

I fitted the standard height britpart kit which came in around £130. Has given the car a lift vs the saggy old suspension, it’s now polybushed too and if I’m honest it is a little on the firm side against what I’d like. They are gradually softening though so fingers crossed they settle a little more, haven’t done many miles yet.

Jayridium said:

Morning Landyzone, I'm looking for your advice on springs and shocks to make my wife's 300tdi as comfortable as possible. I'm thinking along the lines of range rover classic armstrong shocks but I'm uncertain which springs I should go for? Obviously if I'm asking an open question like what shocks and springs I'm open to suggestions, although the vehicle needs to remain at standard height to make it easier for my childrens to get in and out so lift kits are a no no. So what do you all recommend?

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RRC standard suspension springs, if you are lucky enough to get them, stock straight hydraulic shocks all standard rubber suspension bushes, lose the front and rear anti roll bars.