I have 18" wheels with 255/55/18 tires. Shocks are bad. I am not ready to upgrade to larger tires yet. Can I just do the shocks from the Terra Firma 2" kit now with stock, original springs and install the lift springs later?
This is how it looks now.

 

Only problem is, the shocks will not be centered. meaning you can bottom them out(on the compression) and possibly destroy the shock. Just the opposite of installing lift springs but keeping stock shocks, then they bind on the rebound. I learned the hard way.

 

The answer is no. Learned that the hard way too. You don't put any new shocks on warn out springs, stock or +2.

It will feel and ride great for about 10k, then you buy springs and new shocks again.

 

If you aren't planning on lifting it, then just buy some stock height shocks.

Honestly though when installing a lift removing the shocks is 50% of it (especially on the front). Once the front shocks are removed and the axle is hanging at full drop all you need is the LR bottle jack between the frame and the axle and with just a few pumps you can pull out the coil spring and install a new one (don't go nuts with the jack and of coarse watch the brake lines at all times).

Last 2inch TF Medium lift I did on my Kalahari was right at 1.5hr from start to finish.

 

Here's my deal: I want a 2" TF lift and beefier tires, but my existing tires are practically new. At the same time the shocks are worn, and need to be replaced sooner rather than later. So I need the shocks soon, but the lift later.

If I put stock shocks, then to do a lift I need to buy a whole new kit later. So that's $250 now for TF shocks alone and then $500 later for new shocks and new springs for the lift.

On top of that -- to buy a new set of shocks and springs at OEM/stock original height, it's more expensive than a lift kit.

I feel a little stuck LOL

 

Two choices then, do the lift then and just leave it until the tires wear out or you swap em out and sell your 18's for 16's.

Or leave it 100% alone, let the OEM springs sag (don't look bad now) and leave the shocks until you can do the lift and tires. (I find 2012-2015 Jeep JKU 18 take off tires all the time online cheap 255/70R18's).

 

Thinking the same. Truck gets light use. 10 minutes each way to work and home. Think for now going to leave as is then re-assess in 2-3 months.

 

Ok, just to be sure, it's safe to leave the original springs in place and just swap shocks with new, OEM standard height shocks?

 

It might be technically safe but it would be a waste of your money and the shocks.

As mentioned before your old springs will kill any new shocks as the shocks will be doing their job and the job of the springs too.

I did this before. New Bilsteins on old springs at 130k and the Bilsteins were toast in less than 10k miles. So I had to eat that $300 and then buy new springs and shocks.

Your choices are to 1: Do it anyway and eat the cost of the shocks... 2: Do nothing until you can afford to do it right... 3: Do it right and get new shocks and springs at the same time.

 

Dave, here's what's eating me about this scenario. It sounds as if most all Discos settle over time. Mine is a 2002, so I assume it settled. Is every Disco owner expected to change both shocks and springs together? Ok, let's say the answer is yes. I'd expect to see tons of aftermarket springs and shocks, oem/stock height on the market.

I do see $500 kits for 2" lifts, but for stock springs and shocks, it's like $900-1000.

Why no Terra firma $500 kit for stock height if thousands of Disco owners all have sagging springs and worn shocks?