Advice on off road mods
 

Hey Guys, I have a 95 Disco with an automatic trans. I'm looking for advice on the best way to raise the suspension about 2-3 inches and basically get it ready for some moderate/aggressive trail riding.

My hello thread
https://landroverforums.com/forum/ne...veryone-46664/

I've had this thing for a while but never took it off road much because the wife mainly drove it. It's been down a while because of the transfer case but I'm looking for a used one to replace it now. Anything I should do to it before I install it?

I'm not sure if I should raise it 2 or 3 inches. This thing will mainly be driven off road but I don't like the feeling of a high center of gravity so I'm leaning toward 2". I had a Jeep that was real high and it always felt like it was going to tip.

Now how to do it? they make a kit like this.
2" Coil Spacer Suspension Lift Kit
http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-3906644..._2193_10646769

I'm on a budget so seems like this would be good for me. What else would I need? Would I still need longer brake lines and lower the sway bar?

I know it would be better to replace the springs and shocks but I'm not sure if it would be worth the investment right now. Also I don't know how well the engine is going to hold up. I have a feeling I might need to replace the head gasket before too long.

Tires, anybody have a good recommendation on tires? The rocks are slick here in Tennessee.

Any advice is greatly appreciated. I just want to do the right mods without wasting money where I didn't need it.


Pic of the Disco

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o...4564/jakes.jpg

Thanks, Paul

A body lift requires stiffer springs to counteract the roll of a higher center of gravity. Any suspension lift over 2" causes drive-line issues. Some even experience issues with 2" lifts. RTE sells a 3" suspension lift kit with everything you need to do it right, except shocks and possibly a U-joint or double cardigan conversion.

That said, it's very impressive stock with good tires.

Might just go ahead and forget the 3" lift. Doesn't seem like it's worth the extra cash.

This seems more up my alley at this time.

LAND ROVER PARTS - OME SUSPENSN KIT - DISCO I HEAVY DUTY

i would get the terrafirma 3 inch kit from lucky 8... spacers will just make the truck unstable off-road.

Do you have a link? I'm not having a lot of luck searching. About how much does that kit run?

I was just checking out this video and he didn't replace the brake lines. Is that just a Disco 1 thing (needing the lines replaced because of length)? Edit: probably a good thing to replace anyway.

Lucky8 3in Terrafirma lift install - YouTube

I did my lift and all that on as much of a budget as possible. While eric was trying to help you what he said is not entirely true. The magic number with our trucks tends to be 3". You can lift your truck 3" (although, the rotoflex rear drive shaft may be the limiting agent in your setup) without any driveline issues. It's when you go beyond that, things get squirrely. The cheapest lift you can get is roughly 2" (sometimes 1.75, sometimes 2.25) from the toyta fj80 spring lift (search akdisco or fj lift) and that'll run you about 80$ for 2.x inches. It doesnt get any cheaper than that. If you wanna throw good money at it, ed is right, go to lucky8 and get the terrafirma HD kit here. Thats the best moeny you could throw at it for new parts. Having said that, eric is right about getting it good tires and you'll be surprised. Trim the front air dam down and find some used 31-33" tires (after you put your lift in) on a forum or get em off paul grant or will tillery when he gets a loaded truck in. Thats the best and cheapest way to do it right, stay away from the spacers. After you see what the truck can do you can talk about dropping sway bars and things of that ilk. I'd DEF replace/fix you lt230 (t-case) that thing makes a world of difference.
1) fix the tcase
2) lift: 80$-700$
3) trim fenders (camel cut) and air dam - free
4) Get big kid tires-$400?

now you're way ahead of the curve

Go enjoy your truck

A stock Disco that is running right with a functioning transfer case (CDL) and good tires is better than a screwed up one with any kind of kit on it!

Get it functioning correctly, replace springs and shocks, especially if they are original, forget spacers and such. Do as much as you can yourself and you will be much happier with it in the long run.

Before you do anything you need to take it out and see what you actually need, this is not a Jeep, this was off road ready from the showroom floor.

Trail Issue 4x4 Land Rover Stock Off Road Test

Get some tires.

Tires.

Also, I'm on the mobile version so I can't see. Where in Tennessee are you?