Lifted Disco, camel cut, still rubbing on the ruff stuff!

matty_daak · Oct 27, 2010

Hi all,

Im pretty new to the 4x4 scene, i bought a V8 discovery 1 on a whim to have some fun with, i'm a fast learner and spent the last couple of weeks honing my skills on some local byways.

I've since done a camel cut on the rear as i lost some plastic arch trim over a very slow bump! It strikes me that although there's a +2inch lift all round the rear sits lower that the front, its got a full set of procomp es9000 shocks and what ive worked out to be britpart hd +40mm springs, tyres are 31" BF Goodridge mud terrains - It still rubs on the rear arch over the lumps and bumps!

Suspension kit has been fitted for about a year, is it time to replace the rear springs due to sag or is it supposed to be this way? Should I use spacers to raise the rear a bit more to level out the vehicle and help cure the arch fouling?

Thanks guys, I'll post some pics of my new toy soon.

Matt.

kingsonlim · Oct 27, 2010

Before I had a winch at the front, I used to lift it a further 2" with suspension block to even out the car. Changed it to a 1" block after putting winch at front. You can either get the suspension block from ebay, or go to your local steel stockist, have them cut out a pair of aluminium or steel block (2" x 4" diameter or 1" x 4" diameter), then use the spring seat, mark and drill 2 holes. Then use longer bolt to secure the suspension block under the spring seat using HD spring retainer.

Standard disco uses 235/70 tyres on standard offset wheels. By changing it to a 31" diameter tyres, I will assume the tyres are 31x10.50. That's equivalent to 265/75 width. So the outer edge of the tyre is sitting outwards compared to originals. If modular wheels are used, having a bigger offset, the outer edge of your tyre is now outward even further, catching the arch at full articulation. You have a few options tho : (a) have the tyres on standard alloy (b) change to slimmer tyres (c) extend the bump stops reducing articulation (d) cut out bodywork wherever it hits ...in a sensible way

I went for (d)....

matty_daak · Oct 28, 2010

cut out bodywork wherever it hits ...in a sensible way

/\ Will defender arches fit?

I've seen the flexi jobbies, they seem a bit pricey tho! I already tried rolling the rear arches but it still catches as the rear drops over bumps.

And yeah I figured as much about the spring spacers - ordered from fleabay today, my mate was gonna make me some but he's busy building a trailer

Thanks for the advice

woods767 · Oct 28, 2010

There are two or three different stiffness of 40+ mm britpart springs, maybe you dont have the heavyest duty one? I fitted esactly what you have to a disco and it sat esactly level with no load; i was not impressed. That was with medeum duty on the back and light on the front (both +40mm britpart). I would therfor recomend the heavyest duty ones for the back.

Rich.

matty_daak · Oct 28, 2010

I've seen a few websites that do heavy duty rear springs but they say they are for extra load carrying NOT off-roading. If any one's good with Britpart part numbers the rear springs are DA4203 and fronts are DA4202... according to the invoice!

Anyone recommend different springs to fit?

kingsonlim · Oct 28, 2010

For offroading, you would want softer springs (thinner gauge spring steel, but longer). For load carrying, you would want stiff spring (thicker gauge, but shorter). If I remember correctly, standard disco front springs are 150 lbs/ft, and rears are 180 lbs/ft. It's designed to be soft, so that they can flex and articulate in offroad condition. If you go for the really heavy duty springs of 330lbs/ft, they won't articulate.

DA4203 rear - 220lbs/ft
DA4202 front - 230lbs/ft

So, swap the front springs to the rear. This will bring the back up slightly

Big Stu 12 · Oct 28, 2010

kingsonlim said:
For offroading, you would want softer springs (thinner gauge spring steel, but longer). For load carrying, you would want stiff spring (thicker gauge, but shorter).

One question, I off road, I carry loads and tow a caravan, just looking at Re Springing mine. I will be adding a winch on the front as well, with in a couple of months.

Which should I go for.

bobbler · Oct 28, 2010

Big Stu 12 said:
One question, I off road, I carry loads and tow a caravan, just looking at Re Springing mine. I will be adding a winch on the front as well, with in a couple of months.

Which should I go for.

Paul D uses his Disco similar to yours I think and went for HD springs but recons they werent as comfortable when he had no weight on it.

If you tow regular and carry weight then stiffer is better and if you dont need a lift it could be worth looking at police spec springs (there is a thread on here about it somewhere)

matty_daak · Oct 29, 2010

For offroading, you would want softer springs (thinner gauge spring steel, but longer). For load carrying, you would want stiff spring (thicker gauge, but shorter). If I remember correctly, standard disco front springs are 150 lbs/ft, and rears are 180 lbs/ft. It's designed to be soft, so that they can flex and articulate in offroad condition. If you go for the really heavy duty springs of 330lbs/ft, they won't articulate.

DA4203 rear - 220lbs/ft
DA4202 front - 230lbs/ft

So, swap the front springs to the rear. This will bring the back up slightly

Genius! Thanks kingsonlim, I think I'll try that

woods767 · Oct 29, 2010

kingsonlim said:
So, swap the front springs to the rear. This will bring the back up slightly

Realy??? I seem to remember the springs i fitted for the front were shorter and less beefy than the front ones.

Big Stu 12 · Oct 29, 2010

woods767 said:
Realy??? I seem to remember the springs i fitted for the front were shorter and less beefy than the front ones.

So what size are the rear ones, lol........:doh::doh::doh:

kingsonlim · Oct 29, 2010

woods767 said:
Realy??? I seem to remember the springs i fitted for the front were shorter and less beefy than the front ones.

I had a Britpart set a few years back, bought new and fitted to the RRC. Same happened when back end sits lower. As they look almost identical, I swapped them round, front to back, and it sits level. But, when it's loaded with camping stuff, the back end get lower again. The leveling improved after I put on a winch at front.

I am now using Bearmach blue springs, softer than the Britpart HD yellow's, but firm enough for road use. Down side is, when disco is loaded to the roof, the back end will drop....guess a helper spring is needed. Heard the Terrafirma springs are quite good. Not use them yet, so can't really tell.

GRATCH · Oct 29, 2010

I think the main problem the OP has (and others) is the fact they're using ****part springs. A lot of people have had issues with them sagging within weeks of fitting.

stevo88 · Oct 29, 2010

GRATCH said:
I think the main problem the OP has (and others) is the fact they're using ****part springs. A lot of people have had issues with them sagging within weeks of fitting.

i think even using ****part springs as coffee table legs will result in spilt coffe the amount they sag!!!

Mr Noisy · Oct 29, 2010

I had my disco on 31s with a 40mm lift, and yes it caught on standard arches at the back, and a little at the front. this was just on spring blocks, no arms or anything.

You can cut your bodywork out to profile with that of the inner arch tub, then theres plenty of room.

I now have 33s with 2-3" lift (well, 3" but with lots of accessories weighing it down), front and rear arms and the extended arches with 15x10 wheels. also has extended bump stops, and its just a bout right.

teeny bit of rubbage, but nothing more than a rub, and it doesnt cause damage or wheel stoppage. and it articulates very nicely.

tbh mate cutting the arches away is the best option, cos bigger tyres are better and shorter bump stops are better.

its all a trade off when upgrading!!

matty_daak · Oct 30, 2010

/\ Thanks for the advice Mr Noisy, ive decided to get a set of those flexi arches, also some spring spacers for the rear for the time being. I haven't decided which springs to replace my saggy ones with yet so that should do in the meantime. I do plan on doing some camping trips with it and a few mates so it will be loaded occasionally. Winch coming soon too

Mr Noisy · Oct 31, 2010

I use bearmach blue springs, I think theyre the fattest ones, cos I have rears on the front and uber ones on the back to give 3" lift.

It's got winch, Rocksliders and its full of gear, and it sits level and rides really well, but it's quite hard over bumps tbh!

woods767 · Nov 1, 2010

My 110s rear britpart springs are awsum. Its like +4" still and rock solid after being on there for 4 years. The front ones however are soft little ***** and sunk an inch in the first six months, i put a spacer in there to compinsate but i think theve sunk loads since then too. Both these are britparts heavies load +2" springs ofr the 110.

matty_daak · Nov 1, 2010

Thanks for the heads up, I got spacers on the way for the rear and i'll try swapping them for the fronts, I'll let ya'll know how i get on.

matty_daak · Nov 13, 2010

+2 inch spacers now fitted, shows how much the springs have sagged as she now sits level. springs are under just the right amount of compression, now rides really great! I'll change the springs if they sag any more.. which i guess they will

Lifted Disco, camel cut, still rubbing on the ruff stuff!

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