I'm planning on some DIY summer suspension work, I'm excited and a little nervous about it because I've never done any suspension work and don't know a ton about it so I'm looking for some input and feedback. Right now I'm watching every video and reading every article I can get my hands on. At a bare minimum I'll be swapping out the shock absorbers but as long as I have to take everything apart I'm weighing what else I should do, I would hate to miss an opportunity. Here is the current use case/situation for my truck:

1. 180k miles, I'm pretty sure the suspension has never been touched.
2. I use my truck as a weekend/camping rig, to that end it has a roof top tent (125lbs) at the back and a camping drawer I've built plus a dual battery. Call it 200-250lbs in the cargo area when it's all loaded up for a total of~375lbs over the back.
3. 3 passengers- 2 adults in the front, 1 kid in the back.
4. Light to medium off roading- I don't plan on doing anything more intense than what I've already done which the current (stock) setup has handled just fine.
5. I have a short wife and a kid I have to hoist up, so I'm not looking for a big lift nor do I think I need one, I run slightly oversize tires but again, the stock setup accepts them without trouble.
6. Current heights (center of wheel to wheel arch):
   1. Front is at 490mm, spec is 500±15
   2. Rear is at 460mm (empty truck but with 125lb RTT and group 65 battery in back), spec is 483±15 so this is slightly out of spec.

My current plan is new Terra Firma shock absorbers, the price seems right and they are suitable for a stock setup. New stock height springs plus 1" spring spacers (I don't need a big lift but would hate to get nothing!). I might also throw in a set of D1 spring seats in the back for an additional 1/2" of lift to keep things level. I've been meaning to get those in as it seems pretty easy and I can check out how it looks but it never stops raining this time of year in the PNW and this is going to be driveway work.

 

I would run RTE springs, potentially run airbag helpers in the rear in the event of even more weight (it happens sometimes lol). TF shocks are alright but aren't valved for the added weight so there is room for improvement there if you are interested in the extra cash. A set of properly valved bilstien 7100s is what I'd run (don't have to be external reservoir). If going the 7100 route you might be able to bump up to a 10" travel shock with the short body shocks, would have to do some quick measuring to confirm you wouldn't end up hurting yourself with that choice.

Best way to get the most out of the truck is to buy the springs/spacers and get that all dialed in and then measure for the shocks to ensure you get as close to even travel up and down. Or just buy plain ome or TF shocks and be done, that's certainly the easier/cheaper option.

edit: might have the spacers and wait to see if you need them. If the suspension is stock then even replacing with fresh stock spec springs then you will probably see about an inch of improvement. 1" spacers are nice to have to even things out if things start to sag or the rear just needs a little boost from the get go.

 

I have OME shocks and terrafirma Medium shocks and need a 1 inch spacer in the rear after adding the RTT. But I am waiting for drier weather

 

Don't forget to replace the steering damper if your entire suspension is original... You'll be surprised at the difference.

 

Yes! I meant to include that in the original plan, that might be something I do sooner as it looks real easy to get to, and I can at least get the front of my truck in the garage so I can do it out of the rain!

 

Considering your rover is 23 years old, its mileage and never having any suspension work done...l'd go with new springs for sure. My previously owned 01 suspension was wasted at 123K, new springs gave it new life, even though l went with a 2" lift...it rode so much better and never bottomed out again.

If you go OEM, me, l'd add spacers, 1" and call it good...since you do camp with it.

TF shocks are fine, but OEM should be able to handle the extra 1" of height from the spacers...and especially if you just use the rover for mild off road...should be fine.

And don't get all nervous about changing springs, it's not that bad as long as you start spraying stuff down with WD40 prior and take your time. Plenty of help here, if you run into issues.

 

I was doing a lot of research on springs recently for my suspension overhaul. Wanted heavy duty but without alot of added height. Ended up finding Bearmach heavy duty springs which add about +20mm back, +30mm front, if I remember correctly, and had those shipped over from the UK for about as much as +2" springs cost here in the states. I don't like the fact that most of the heavy duty springs available here can actually go over 2"s without additional weight.

Haven't installed them yet, so can't give an opinion on them. They will be going in with standard Terrafirma shocks, which Terrafirma states will handle up to 2"s of lift. Figured If I wanted or needed to adjust height, there's the option of spacers, D1 rear spring perch, etc.

Also, I have the basic Terrafirma steering damper as well. Put it on shortly after I bought the truck to try and solve some bump steer issues that ended up being related to other steering component issues. It's alright I guess. Didn't have much time with the stocker but the Terrafirma doesn't like to return to center, but that's pretty normal apparently. I will say that Terrafirma bushings don't have a good rap and a lot of people say they wear out quickly, which I would agree with as the ones in my damper are already pretty bad after being in the truck for about 2 and a half years and maybe 10k miles.

 

I've had no trouble with the TF damper not returning to center. Made a huge improvement in how the steering wheel handles bumps and holes in the roads.

 

In my opinion disco should have had 2-3 inch lift from the factory. Just looks better.

 

Yeah, a "returning to center problem" would not normally be a damper issue anyway, unless damaged, manufacturer deffect, improper installation or something out of the ordinary. Typically, it would be an alignment issue or worn/binding ball joints or possibly gearbox or binding steering shaft (all of these would be on a stock suspesion, 3 or more inch lift has other changes that may need to be done, but that would basically fall under alignment issues).