Will Landcruiser springs go on Discovery one?

I have a set of OME Springs which were sold to me some years ago through an acquaintance of a friend of a friend as a set for a Discovery One. I have just found they are for a 80 or 100 series Landcruiser....... Groan......

They have Devon 4x4 part numbers being: D44R Rear Springs D44F Front Springs N74L Rear Shocks and N73L Front Shocks.

I've read a little about some bizarre spring and shock combinations on Land Rovers but I wonder what more experienced people than think about fitting this to my Discovery. Clearly the rear shocks are wrong but the rest should fit anyway.

I've got an ARB bumper and Warn winch at the front and a tank guard and extra 40l fuel tank at the rear so I am carrying some extra weight.

What do you guys think the result would be if I fitted this suspension kit and just got replacement rear dampers?

jimllshiftit said:

I have a set of OME Springs which were sold to me some years ago through an acquaintance of a friend of a friend as a set for a Discovery One. I have just found they are for a 80 or 100 series Landcruiser....... Groan......

They have Devon 4x4 part numbers being: D44R Rear Springs D44F Front Springs N74L Rear Shocks and N73L Front Shocks.

I've read a little about some bizarre spring and shock combinations on Land Rovers but I wonder what more experienced people than think about fitting this to my Discovery. Clearly the rear shocks are wrong but the rest should fit anyway.

I've got an ARB bumper and Warn winch at the front and a tank guard and extra 40l fuel tank at the rear so I am carrying some extra weight.

What do you guys think the result would be if I fitted this suspension kit and just got replacement rear dampers?

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I think you need to research it, try and find the spring rates of the LC springs, and the D1 springs.

The measure the diameter of the springs, and the free lengths.

If the rates, diameters, and free length are more or less the same, they should work. If not, maybe better to leave it.

Remember that all the standard springs on a D1 are different. I do not know if that is the same on a LC or not.

Most owners would fit OEM springs that are compatible with their model of Land Rover
So. Fit the springs and let the Forum know with photographs of course, you'll be the first so u maybe a winner.

discool said:

Most owners would fit OEM springs that are compatible with their model of Land Rover
So. Fit the springs and let the Forum know with photographs of course, you'll be the first so u maybe a winner.

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If the springs are not the same diameter, and about the same free length, I don't think he will physically be able to fit them.

Turboman said:

If the springs are not the same diameter, and about the same free length, I don't think he will physically be able to fit them.

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Shame he won't be a winner then

I can’t see it being a great idea, you do get one side longer than the other on standard disco front springs. You’ll be very lucky if the specs are similar.

Are you looking to lift it or just refresh?

discool said:

Shame he won't be a winner then

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No idea if he will be a winner or not, I have never even seen the springs, and can't recall anyone ever asking the question before.
Personally, I think I would try and sell the LC springs, and get the normal LR ones.

Nether can I that's why I said to him "you'll be the first"

The diameters are equal. I had actually fitted the rear springs to the axle before I noticed the shocks would have to be upside down. The springs seemed to sit quite happily in there.

Maybe it is a dumb idea and flogging this lot to buy the correct ones is the right way to sort this. I am looking for a 2" lift so if any one has a set of new disco +2" springs they could measure, it would be interesting to see how far out mine are.

jimllshiftit said:

The diameters are equal. I had actually fitted the rear springs to the axle before I noticed the shocks would have to be upside down. The springs seemed to sit quite happily in there.

Maybe it is a dumb idea and flogging this lot to buy the correct ones is the right way to sort this. I am looking for a 2" lift so if any one has a set of new disco +2" springs they could measure, it would be interesting to see how far out mine are.

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Good start, but I would check the free lengths and spring rates as well. If the springs are too soft, or too hard, ride and handling will be compromised.

As an aside, a Disco rarely need lifting unless you are planning to drive in serious off road comps, etc.

AdamD1 said:

I can’t see it being a great idea, you do get one side longer than the other on standard disco front springs. You’ll be very lucky if the specs are similar.

Are you looking to lift it or just refresh?

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Not quite right, with the UK spec D1 V8 the front springs are both the same and marked with a blue stripe.

There seem to be many schools or thought surrounding lift kits but one reason I wanted to fit one was the mother in laws dodgy hip. She can just about get in with standard suspension. A lift kit should make it impossible for her ........

jimllshiftit said:

There seem to be many schools or thought surrounding lift kits but one reason I wanted to fit one was the mother in laws dodgy hip. She can just about get in with standard suspension. A lift kit should make it impossible for her ........

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That is one reason for lifting that we have not heard before!

Make sure she doesn't make you fit steps so that she can still get in!

"Nah love, side steps won't go through the Mot!"

On a serious note, whats the recommendation for new springs and shocks?

Id like it to look purposeful without looking naf. I used to have a 200tdi with a Britpart 2" lift kit and that looked naf to me. This 300 has got more iron work bolted to it than the 200 did so I would like to try to compensate for that if its necessary.

Someone mentioned "police" springs to a while ago..... Anyone got any thoughts on those?

jimllshiftit said:

"Nah love, side steps won't go through the Mot!"

On a serious note, whats the recommendation for new springs and shocks?

Id like it to look purposeful without looking naf. I used to have a 200tdi with a Britpart 2" lift kit and that looked naf to me. This 300 has got more iron work bolted to it than the 200 did so I would like to try to compensate for that if its necessary.

Someone mentioned "police" springs to a while ago..... Anyone got any thoughts on those?

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Personally, I would get standard genuine springs, and quality shocks. Armstrong or Boge, something like that.
I think police springs were for Range Rovers, and they are quite soft, with a bit more travel, but I am not sure, never had them.

Here is a chart that may help you select springs.

http://red90.ca/rovers/springinfo.html

Police springs is a term used for the early Range Rover, basically heavy duty but designed for the RR.
The HD spring for for the disco is just called heavy duty STC9937 but never worked. Did you ever see a D1 when loaded with the kit the Police carried ?, the disco's were always low down at the back.

And don't hold your breath for Genuine LR springs to fit the disco, they were obsolete years ago, but there OEMs still around like British Springs.

jimllshiftit said:

"Nah love, side steps won't go through the Mot!"

On a serious note, whats the recommendation for new springs and shocks?

Id like it to look purposeful without looking naf. I used to have a 200tdi with a Britpart 2" lift kit and that looked naf to me. This 300 has got more iron work bolted to it than the 200 did so I would like to try to compensate for that if its necessary.

Someone mentioned "police" springs to a while ago..... Anyone got any thoughts on those?

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Also, don't forget that if your springs are very old and tired, new ones the same will give you at least an inch of lift.

I fitted the standard spec britpart springs and shocks last year. No complaints so far, gained some height over the saggy old ones, behaves well on the road and has done everything I’ve asked of it while laning. Unless you need something special I’d certainly buy the same again.

AdamD1 said:

I fitted the standard spec britpart springs and shocks last year. No complaints so far, gained some height over the saggy old ones, behaves well on the road and have done everything I’ve asked of it while laning. Unless you need something special I’d certainly buy the same again.

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I fitted new springs on my Ninety, I ordered genuine, but they were Britpart. All the right numbers, all different, as they should be on a Ninety.
They were cheap, the vehicle sat and drove nicely, and they have lasted well.
Not really heard anyone say anything bad about Britpart springs.

And for £130 for springs and shocks in my case you can’t really argue at that!