I know it’s a popular topic... but I just need some advice on my specific set up. Looking at terrafirma 2in lift. Can’t decide between medium duty vs heavy duty.
Load includes:
- Steel bumpers front and rear
- winch
- roof rack
- big plywood sleeping platform/storage container ~50 lbs I would guess
- when camping a lot of gear is added to the point where my tires (255/70/16) will rub on dips currently

ive read both medium duty and heavy duty is good for added weight. Concern is if I go with heavy duty it will be a bad ride when not loaded down with gear.

 

Go medium. I have all the accessories you mentioned and I made the mistake of going heavy duty. Even with 33”s mine rides like a wagon on concrete wheels.

 

right on, perfect answer. Thank you

 

Went with medium on my 01, wish l'd have split the lift and went with front medium - rear heavy duty. When loaded for extended travel, week or more...she sat a little lower than expected in the rear. No steel bumper in rear, but had sleeping compartment inside...which was over a hundred pounds (but rear seats were removed, so pretty much a wash). Now, if it was just me, no other person's gear or extra supplies...the medium TF lift and shocks were fine.




This was my daily driver for two years, 35K, and it did ride nice with the medium lift.

 

Im guessing now your rig is reserved for trips. As mine is my daily I’ll probably lean towards the medium for both. Just loaded with the platform, tools, and surfboards on a daily basis.

I’ve heard some people install a small 1” lift spacer in the rear to help with sag?

 

I went HD all around, front, rear bumpers, sliders rack etc... I don't mind the ride, up until 2 years ago it was a daily driver. I went OME so not sure how they compare to the TF stuff but my ride quality is fine for what it does.

On another note, you can use D1 rear spring seats to get a little more lift in the back.

 

@Disco Aaron yes to the 1 inch spacer I am considering that myself, I run MD Terrafirma's and notice I sit down a bit at the back fully loaded. Part of the hard ride is tire pressure at 40 psi my Disco gets better fuel milage but rides harder

 

My Disco is very lightly modded as far as heavy things go. It has a steel rear bumper and will be getting a steal front when I get back to work after this furlough. I went with bearmach's Stock height Heavy Duty springs and bilstein shocks. It rides hard, but I am used to that as all my cars have ridden that way. At least with it's comfy seats my Landy feels softer to ride in than my Abarth.

 

As a long term owner with OME MD springs, here is my assessment of the shock options... I've tried them all! OME Nitrocharger Sport = stiffest, BIlstein just about as stiff but don't last as long and most expensive... Terra Firma, smoothest ride at half to 1/3 the price.

Note that shocks do not effect load carrying ability or rear end sag when fully loaded, just the nature of the "damping."

I don't fully load my vehicle and it is a daily driver and freeway flyer so the MD springs are as stiff as I would ever want to go.

In my case the ride is best with two full size adults on board if not otherwise loaded.

When I first got the TF shocks i was surprised that something at that price point was so "magic carpet" smooth.