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Lifted Disco query

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simondarby:
I have recently fitted a 2" lift to my 95 300Tdi Disco.  One of the main reasons for fitting this is because I often have a car full of people (5-6), several kayaks on the roof (2-3) and associated gear such as paddles, wet suits, bouyancy aids etc on board.

Before I fitted the lift the car would bottom out at the rear when I drove over the speed bumps in my road.  This was not unexpected as I believe the suspension was original and therefore rather tired and saggy (aren't we all?).  Indeed when you looked at the truck from outside when it was loaded, it was sat down at the back, confirming that the suspension was saggy.

So I took the plunge and fitted Pro Comp ES9000 dampers which are 2" longer than standard.  I also fitted extended bump stops and Britpart yellow springs which are one down from maximum heavy duty as the vendor I got the bits from said that I would be shaken to bits if I drove the truck with the stiffest springs when it was unloaded, which is most of the time.  This seemed fair enough to me as I didn't want to upset my wife and family by making the car uncomfortable to drive or be driven in.

However, when I load the truck up in a similiar fashion to before the lift and drive over the speed bumps in my road at anything more than a very slow pace it still bottoms out.  If you look at the vehicle from outside though, it is not sat down at the back anymore, but still looks lifted and level. I have talked to the vendor who is happy to let me try the stiffer springs if I want.

What troubles me is that next year I am driving the truck to Iceland for 3 weeks and I want to make sure any modifications I make now are going to be right for that trip.

I know this is a very subjective subject, but I would really appreciate your thoughts and opinions.

Cheers,

Si

thermidorthelobster:
When you say it bottoms out, does it hit the bump stops or is a tyre rubbing somewhere?

Tyke:

--- Quote ---fitted Pro Comp ES9000 dampers which are 2" longer than standard. I also fitted extended bump stops
--- End quote ---


It sounds like you have probably negated the advantage of fitting taller springs by putting extended bump stops on. The extra shock length applies to the available 'droop' at the axle and will do nothing for the upward travel.

Check the clearance of the axle from the extended stop and compare with standard. Some of the stops I've seen actually end up with less clearance than standard. Best to set the axles up without springs then compress shocks to optimum position whilst still maintaining clearance for the tyres. Measure up for the stops, re-fit springs and arrange stop height to sit as measured.

Lots of messing about there . . . . but hey . . . that always comes with modifications  :wink:


BTW - I didn't need extended stops, with my lift. untill I put 32" tyres in.

Tyke:
oops !!!

Budgie:
If it's bottoming out on the extended bump stops and you havn't increased the tyre size then you should be fine with the standard dump stops.
The extended ones are normally only fitted to stop larger diameter tyres from hitting the inside of the wheel arches.

Another route you could go is double rear shocks. I did this on mine for the same reason, I have 33" tyres, +3" lift & extended bumpstops, it was bottoming out on thr ruff stuff. I got a double rear shocker kit from Wizard on here, or you can go to his website. This has stiffened up the rear end, allowed me to remove the anti roll bar and isn't too bad on the road unloaded but you can alway just remove one set of shocks for normal driving if yo want too.  :wink:

I've done a "how too" in the workshop section of the site for fitting the kit, see here: http://members.mud-club.com/library/?articleid=21

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