D1 suspension - improve ride quality?

I have a 97 D1 300tdi, it came to me with raised springs/dampers (Terrafirma +4" I think), and tired suspension bushes. The ride quality is pretty bad, harsh and crashing. It's fitted with 235/70R16 tyres.

It's mainly used on road, although sometimes loaded heavily, but generally not.

My plan is to replace the suspension bushes, fit 205/80R16 tyres (for less unsprung weight, and maybe minor MPG improvement), and return to standard height, or maybe just a little higher.

I'd like to get a softer, floaty ride, but really struggling to understand what springs/shocks will give me this.

Has anyone here any recommendations on springs/shocks, or generally improving the ride?

Thanks

Jalfrezi said:

I have a 97 D1 300tdi, it came to me with raised springs/dampers (Terrafirma +4" I think), and tired suspension bushes. The ride quality is pretty bad, harsh and crashing. It's fitted with 235/70R16 tyres.

It's mainly used on road, although sometimes loaded heavily, but generally not.

My plan is to replace the suspension bushes, fit 205/80R16 tyres (for less unsprung weight, and maybe minor MPG improvement), and return to standard height, or maybe just a little higher.

I'd like to get a softer, floaty ride, but really struggling to understand what springs/shocks will give me this.

Has anyone here any recommendations on springs/shocks, or generally improving the ride?

Thanks

Click to expand...

The best of luck with that.
The D1 fitted with steel springs was pretty hard even when when it left the factory.
The early RR is/was a “softer, floater ride” so u can try fitting springs with the same spec for that vehicle, but you will have fit a self- levelling system like the Borge strut that the RRs had.

My D1 has softened up a bit 26+ years, so I have to slow down a bit now due to body roll.

Old man emu

I replaced all the suspension bushes on mine with rubber oem and the overall refinement was absolutely transformed, it’s on standard springs and dampers.

Jalfrezi said:

I have a 97 D1 300tdi, it came to me with raised springs/dampers (Terrafirma +4" I think), and tired suspension bushes. The ride quality is pretty bad, harsh and crashing. It's fitted with 235/70R16 tyres.

It's mainly used on road, although sometimes loaded heavily, but generally not.

My plan is to replace the suspension bushes, fit 205/80R16 tyres (for less unsprung weight, and maybe minor MPG improvement), and return to standard height, or maybe just a little higher.

I'd like to get a softer, floaty ride, but really struggling to understand what springs/shocks will give me this.

Has anyone here any recommendations on springs/shocks, or generally improving the ride?

Thanks

Click to expand...

My 300 tdi is awful on the road, fitted with large wheels mud tyres and lifted 2 inches. Things weren't too bad before these were fitted though, it's almost like the wheel base is too short. If your not going off road I'd suggest getting things back to standard.

Jalfrezi said:

I have a 97 D1 300tdi, it came to me with raised springs/dampers (Terrafirma +4" I think), and tired suspension bushes. The ride quality is pretty bad, harsh and crashing. It's fitted with 235/70R16 tyres.

It's mainly used on road, although sometimes loaded heavily, but generally not.

My plan is to replace the suspension bushes, fit 205/80R16 tyres (for less unsprung weight, and maybe minor MPG improvement), and return to standard height, or maybe just a little higher.

I'd like to get a softer, floaty ride, but really struggling to understand what springs/shocks will give me this.

Has anyone here any recommendations on springs/shocks, or generally improving the ride?

Thanks

Click to expand...

Why did you buy a +4" lifted Disco for road use?

Standard shocks/springs should ride quite well, it should not be harsh or stiff. But you probably won't ever achieve a "floaty" ride, just the wrong sort of vehicle.

I quite like the Flatdog springs.

But you could mix and match springs from other vehicles to get what you are after. Do you have anti roll bars fitted? The softer spring you go, the more lean you'll get, but less hauling ability. As someone said above, the RRC has softer springs, but used a self levelling device at the rear to compensate, you won't have this on a Disco.

If you don't haul loads you might be ok though.

These are standard rate but +2 length, they'll give more like a 1" lift due to them only being longer. They should ride quite well.


As for shocks, better shocks can improve damping and control, but might feel stiffer in most cases. If you haul or tow a good twin tube shock will be a good upgrade, but slightly stiffer at other times. Otherwise a gas shock might suit.

If you want soft, then I liked the ProComps I had on mine, but they are very soft and will induce a lot of body roll, you'd probably want anti roll bars for road use.

Also consider bushes, Polybush offer a blue comfort grade.

If you don’t need the 4” lift, I’d revert back to standard. It will handle much better and new shocks and springs in standard will transform the ride. Otherwise, old man emu are very good, but very expensive. 235/70 16 tyres will also look lost on a 4” lift.

I had terra firma shocks on my old disco 1 and they didn’t last well.

@300bhp/ton Bought it as it was pretty good nick, yes have ARB's installed. Will look at the ProComps.

@Knappster Thanks, and yes the tyres look crazy small with the lift.