To lift, on not to lift?...

Right folks, Disco 300tdi ES Auto, last MOT advisory was light misting of oil from rear shocks, and lately have heard the occasional knock from the rear end, so suspect shocks need replacing.

I just wondered when I come to replace these, is it much more hassle to replace the springs too, is it much more work/ money to lift her 2"?, and if I were to lift, do I need different size shocks...

I know it is all a bit vague, I just have considered lifting her before, but never done more about it, usually due to something else breaking lol, and wondered if I buy a decent set of shocks etc now, and in the future decided to lift her, would I have wasted a set of shocks!

Just wondered what the thoughts are on this...

Depends how much, and how serious your off roading is.

Personally, I wouldn't bother with a lift, but thats just me.

Also, having just done the springs shocks and bushes on my D1, its not too difficult a job, just requires some patience and common sense.

Replacing the rear shocks is a piece of cake, just two 19mm bolts to undo although the bottom of the shock will require holding using a pair of stillsons.

I have given my heap a 2 inch lift using cheepo spring spacers. The front shocks move with the spacer so don't need changing. The rear ones you can almost get away with but after 'topping them out' on full extension a few times I have now replaced these with britpart +2" super gaz shocks from Paddocks at a little over £30 each.

Personally, I wouldn't worry about a slight misting, as long as they're still working (which because they passed the MOT, they are) I would do nothing.

There is nothing wrong with wanting a lift. But only lift it for the right reasons. If you don't have a reason, then you probably shouldn't.

If you do, and you know what you want to achieve, then there are many different ways of lifting a vehicle. But be warned, some ways of lifting it may result in worse off road ability, worse on road handling, worse on road ride and might cause other issues, such as prop vibrations, ponderous steering and over stretching of brake lines.

300bhp/ton said:

There is nothing wrong with wanting a lift. But only lift it for the right reasons. If you don't have a reason, then you probably shouldn't.

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Having checked in the Disco owner's handbook, the ground clearance without a lift is about 10 inches, and with a lift it's about 25.4 centimetres.

254 cm?? Isn't that a bit much? 25.4 cm are 10 inches exactly.

defNder said:

254 cm?? Isn't that a bit much? 25.4 cm are 10 inches exactly.

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I stand corrected!

OK, so the difference between 10 inches and 25.4 cm is truly insignificant

You don't gain any extra ground clearance of the diff pumpkins by fitting a suspension lift

Need to put bigger wheels on as well Im doing it this weekend so will let you know how I get on. 2" lift springs and shocks along with 235 85 16 tyres...looking forward to it

I have an 89 CSW and a 98 110 as you can see in my avatar. The CSW is stock and rides like a car, almost. The 98 is lifted, or I should say, is nearly 4 inches higher than my CSW.

The previous owner had what looks like Burp Part HD springs and shocks on it and it rides like its on rims only, very very rough. This Landy was never used for carrying heavy loads nor it went off roading, so a total waste of time and money.

I am not an old man nor am I short, but for the lil bit I test drove it before tearing it apart to make better, I almost need a ladder to get in.

Its nice to see the road ahead by looking over the other cars but its a compromise with ride comfort and safety if you lift it.

Only today I was wondering how tail happy she will be with the extra power I will be giving it. The fact that I removed nearly 500 lbs of steel which was added to the the cargo area for it to be placed in the commercial class weight here, will make it tail snappy around turns and it will be more prone to roll overs.

The Disco should handle a bit better than the Defenders if lifted.

I will be changing the suspension soon.

Think wisely before lifting.

Cheers

Barbados said:

The Disco should handle a bit better than the Defenders if lifted.

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The Defender has a lower centre of gravity as the Disco has a steel roof. So will likely roll less and handle better than the Disco. Assuming the same suspension setup. Under the body, they really aren't all that different.

MrNasty said:

You don't gain any extra ground clearance of the diff pumpkins by fitting a suspension lift

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Doesn't mean it isn't worth while however.

I had a lift on my fender without bigger tires. It made better approach and departure angles but also increased roll on road and got me out of some trouble when wading. Not much point unless you are fitting bigger wheels though imho.

300bhp/ton said:

The Defender has a lower centre of gravity as the Disco has a steel roof. So will likely roll less and handle better than the Disco. Assuming the same suspension setup. Under the body, they really aren't all that different.

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Really? I thought by looking that the Landys body it seems taller than that of the Disco giving it a higher center of gravity.

The roof makes a difference for sure, mind you the 110 roof might be longer than the Discos, but the landys overall length is greater too.

Its nice to see how the guys built some of the Landys to do Auto Xing and how they handle in turns at higher speeds.

Mine wont be off roading, if anything at all I might either go back to a stock suspension or go even lower.

Cheers.

Gerrit lifted and get some big rubber under it,even if it never goes off road it'll look great...

Be aware that +2 HD springs will make it uncomfortable to drive so if you're only fitting them for looks or laning you'd be better using lift blocks to preserve the comfort of the original suspension. You'll probably get ripped by the one life live it butt snorkelers but you'll know better..

after only two weeks of driving my defender on a ****part 2" lift kit it's coming off. I've just ordered a complete set of new take off's from urban truck

daddy2coull said:

after only two weeks of driving my defender on a ****part 2" lift kit it's coming off. I've just ordered a complete set of new take off's from urban truck

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Mine will have to come off too. Would like to have a bit of lift and expect ride comfort would be compromised but not killed.

most i'm going to do is some gentle laning. we just liked the lift kit to improve our view over hedgerows etc, but i'm halfway there because i fitted mudstuff seat rails lol