Ok, so I'm new to the world of Land Rovers, but have been building 4wd vehicles for many years now.
Everything from Land Cruisers, to 4wd Vans, to fullsize trucks, to 6x6 conversions.


With the approaching winter, I knew that my rwd BMW was not going to cut it, so I began searching for a 4wd SUV to fulfill the needs of a snow/ice caddy.

Looked at several jeep cherokees/grand cherokees, as I know that they are pretty solid rigs for the price. Also checked out some other SUVs.
My buddy (who has owned several D1s/D2s in the past) told me to look into Rovers.

Found this one, and had him go with me to check it out in person. After driving/inspection, he told me that it was mechanically sound and to jump on it.
Offered $2k cash, and drove it home.




Now........ I'm hooked. Always loved the looks of these, but like most, were scared of all the horror stories you hear. This one seems pretty solid, and runs and drives GREAT.
I'm already ordering parts to fix it up, but would like some help from some seasoned owners in identifying what has already been done to this one (modification wise).




Here's the good stuff:

- 1999 Discovery 2
- Has had headgaskets done, and block replaced
- Everything works on it (power options/heat/AC/lights)
- Has CDL conversion done
- Has heavy duty double cardan front driveline (looks brand new)
- Has brand new 285/75/16 tires on it
- Has some sort of lift (don't know what though...)
- Has nice replacement exhaust installed



Here's the not so good:

- Interior isn't very clean
- Needs brakes (Complete brake replacement kit ordered)
- 3 amigos are lit (Check with my Autel Scanner, and it's caused by Left Front Wheel Sensor - Have ordered all new sensors)
- Had exhaust leak (I fixed with new gasket from AB)
- Needs Watts Link bushings (ordered RuffStuff Trackbar Kit to replace)
- Steering box is leaking from backlash adjuster set screw/nut on top
- Has various dings/scratches/faded paint



Overall, I don't think it was a bad deal. And as you can see, I've already ordered most of the stuff to take care of the issues that it does have.


So now, it's on to the fun stuff, like modding! Here's what I'd like to figure out on it:

- What color is the paint -
Sticker under hood is gone, so no paint code. I'd like to get a rattle can mixed up so that I can hit that front area on the roof to make it look a little better. My best guess from doing my research, is that it's a color called Niagara Gray

- What type of lift is on it -
I love the overall height, and the way that it drives, but i'd like to replace the rear springs with something firmer for carrying my gear. It also appears that the rear needs to come up just a tad to look level with the front?
I also need to order replacement shocks, as what's on it looks STOCK




Here are some pictures of the Rover:

 

- Details on the suspension lift -


The owner told me it was a 3" lift, but he didn't know for sure, because he wasn't the one that did everything to it...
I can tell you that the 285s don't rub, even when I had it offroad last weekend. The will lightly touch the front control arms at full lock, but that's more of a wheel backspacing issue.

I like the overall height (not too tall), and the fact that it drives great as is, and I don't want to get into all of the caster correction stuff that you have to deal with on taller lifts.

I'm mainly just looking to replace the rear springs with something a little firmer!



Front suspension details:

Looks like spring only lift in the front. Springs are black, and I didn't notice any markings on them, that I could tell anyway.

Pic -








Rear suspension details:

Looks to me like it's maybe just the stock spring (is black in color just like front springs) with a spacer bolted up at the bottom?
Ideally I would be able to replace the rear spring and spacer with a firmer spring that would do away with the need for that spacer.

Pic -

 

nice find for 2k. looks good and welcome to the land rover club.

 

that is a spacer under the rear spring perch
measure from center of wheels to arch, you might not be as raked as you think.
looks rte to me, but that is a guess

 

looks like one of those Toddco 2/3 inch spring lift that 6-speed has been waiting on.
i cant blow up the pic, but it pretty much looks like the top 3 or 4 coils on the front springs are just laying on each other, so those spring are gone.
it does have 285 x 75 so that would explain the coil spacers. I think you need to by yourself a real lift kit with spring and shocks.
someone put some time and money in it.
good luck

 

RTE springs are a metallic gray color. original and old man emu are black in color. Probably just did a spacer lift.

I'd take a look at the TerraFirma lift parts from Lucky8, give Justin or Erik a call (716) 898-8153 tell them what you want to accomplish with ride and lift amount. They will get you set up properly. They both use all the equipment they sell and abuse it so they know what set ups work well. Good prices, customer service and quick shipping to boot.

 

doh, I forgot they are gray. I painted mine before install. just thinking they had the kit that requires spacers to sit a d2 level. (rrc or d1 kit) but I think that is like a 3" or 4"....this one is likely 2"

 

Thanks for the replies!


I'm completely open to buying all new springs and shocks, but I don't want to wind up with anything taller than what's currently on there. My fear is that I'll call someone and order up a lift, and it'll be quite a bit taller than I want. Previous owner said it was a 3" lift, but he really didn't know.
If it is stock rear springs with a spacer, that spacer only looks to be 2" at MOST. So maybe I'm really looking for a 2" lift?

Was hoping that someone with 285 tires could look at the side profile picture and compare it to their known lift height so that I could get a pretty good handle on the actual amount of lift that it's running.

 

As suggested above measuring from the center of the wheel to the bottom of the wheel arch is how you tell how much lift you have.

 

Totally missed that...

What is the stock standard measurement to compare to?