Disco 2 Shock and spring upgrade help needed!

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Ok, looks like back to air is the best option!!

Trip to the garage then as I have no idea how to check what is/isn't working before I start buying and trying to fit things and have no nanocom to reactivate the air..

Thanks for all the help chaps
 
There are very few situations when Air is not the best option - it makes the best "spring" out there ..... "problem" is .. it needs containing in a bag which needs maintaining .... and until we have forcefields to contain it ... we're stuck with bags ;):D:rolleyes:

If you can find a RRC near you with Air on, try and cadge a ride / drive - air all round and so much better for it .... If your wallet can stand it, you might like to consider changing the front coils to air - expensive, but it's on my list for our D1's in the non too distant. :)
 
Disco1BFG said:
If your wallet can stand it, you might like to consider changing the front coils to air - expensive, but it's on my list for our D1's in the non too distant. :)
Click to expand...

How would you go about changing the front suspension to windy springs? Would you be "re-purposing" the spring set from say a RRC or Disco 3?
I did run a quick google check, but whenever you do a search on Disco 2 suspension you just get page after page of removing the air and replacing it with steel springs.
 
brian47 said:
How would you go about changing the front suspension to windy springs? Would you be "re-purposing" the spring set from say a RRC or Disco 3?
I did run a quick google check, but whenever you do a search on Disco 2 suspension you just get page after page of removing the air and replacing it with steel springs.
Click to expand...


I would like to as well
 
brian47 said:
How would you go about changing the front suspension to windy springs? Would you be "re-purposing" the spring set from say a RRC or Disco 3?
I did run a quick google check, but whenever you do a search on Disco 2 suspension you just get page after page of removing the air and replacing it with steel springs.
Click to expand...

There are two companies which do it for the deafener:-

http://www.marantdesign.co.uk/

http://www.neneoverland.co.uk/nene-...r-suspension-systems-for-land-rover-defender/

.... nene do it for the 110 as well as the 90 .... so I'm gonna approach them both and see if it's possible..

Given that they're all ladder chassis live axle in nature - I would expect it to be quite possible .... but i might also expect it to be quite expensive:rolleyes:.

When I went from a coil sprung RRC to the first air one I had, it was a revelation ...and yes, I do wish I'd kept either of the air RRC's I had :mad::mad::mad:

I should have had words with myself back then o_O
:)
 
So the air is back. New "springs" fitted and new compressor (joy), certainly feels good and better than the springs so fingers crossed for the light off road duties and extra weight from the tent.

Thanks again for the comments & suggestions
 
02Disco2 said:
So the air is back. New "springs" fitted and new compressor (joy), certainly feels good and better than the springs so fingers crossed for the light off road duties and extra weight from the tent.

Thanks again for the comments & suggestions
Click to expand...

I’d be very interested in your first hand view of changing back to air springs please.

My D2 was changed to coils and I’m seriously thinking about trying to change it back.

For those in the know, is there a way to check the system before buying the bags to make sure it’s working? I have a nanocom.
 
Spot1 said:
I’d be very interested in your first hand view of changing back to air springs please.

My D2 was changed to coils and I’m seriously thinking about trying to change it back.

For those in the know, is there a way to check the system before buying the bags to make sure it’s working? I have a nanocom.
Click to expand...
Well I'll start by saying that the air to spring conversion was fairly shoddy, the previous owner hadn't set the ecu back to spring and I'm willing to bet he used the cheapest kit going.
I had a local land rover /4x4 specialist convert it back for me - both because I didn't have the time/skills myself or a nanocom to plug in. Luckily he happened to have a 2nd hand compressor which saved me £300 as mine was ceased and probably the reason it was converted to spring in the first place.

Ride seems much improved, slow bumps on the rear seem much more stable and on a quick drive round the woods its noticeably better. No grounding on the tow bar (I did cut off 2" from the bottom with the disc cutter but it still grounded in 1 place with springs) and the few rolling bumps I have to drive over are handled much better.

If you can justify the expense (and if its just air bags then its not mega money) then definitely do it. I'm glad I went back to air and didn't prat about with HD, lifted, springs.

Haven't put the 90kg of tent on yet or tried with trailer full of logs, that's for next weekend!
 
02Disco2 said:
Well I'll start by saying that the air to spring conversion was fairly shoddy, the previous owner hadn't set the ecu back to spring and I'm willing to bet he used the cheapest kit going.
I had a local land rover /4x4 specialist convert it back for me - both because I didn't have the time/skills myself or a nanocom to plug in. Luckily he happened to have a 2nd hand compressor which saved me £300 as mine was ceased and probably the reason it was converted to spring in the first place.

Ride seems much improved, slow bumps on the rear seem much more stable and on a quick drive round the woods its noticeably better. No grounding on the tow bar (I did cut off 2" from the bottom with the disc cutter but it still grounded in 1 place with springs) and the few rolling bumps I have to drive over are handled much better.

If you can justify the expense (and if its just air bags then its not mega money) then definitely do it. I'm glad I went back to air and didn't prat about with HD, lifted, springs.

Haven't put the 90kg of tent on yet or tried with trailer full of logs, that's for next weekend!
Click to expand...

Just wondering, im having really bad ride quality and noisy creaks inside right now. My last disco was on air but this one was already converted to springs.. badly by the looks. I'm fairly certain both shocks and springs are worn cause I've had it hit the bumpstops from uneven roads and bad potholes. Buuut my main concern right now, is every pothole etc causes mass creaking of plastic trim etc inside the cabin... did you have any experience of this before you converted to air? Notice any change in noise quality? Im ready to do mine, I have a compressor for it, just need a new pipe cluster as they cut it up, thats about 100 quids worth plus bags and sensors... but worth it to me.
 
Jamiegreen said:
Just wondering, im having really bad ride quality and noisy creaks inside right now. My last disco was on air but this one was already converted to springs.. badly by the looks. I'm fairly certain both shocks and springs are worn cause I've had it hit the bumpstops from uneven roads and bad potholes. Buuut my main concern right now, is every pothole etc causes mass creaking of plastic trim etc inside the cabin... did you have any experience of this before you converted to air? Notice any change in noise quality? Im ready to do mine, I have a compressor for it, just need a new pipe cluster as they cut it up, thats about 100 quids worth plus bags and sensors... but worth it to me.
Click to expand...

The only creaks and knocks were from shot ARB links and bushes, no trim creaks to speak of. But I replace the front shocks as soon as I bought it as they were knackered.
Have never hit the bump stops, even while on springs and it only really gets driven off road in my woods so no long road drives.

The pipework is a bugger, can't think why anyone would cut that up but sounds like you could do with going back to air!
Mine's been noticeably smoother and quieter in terms of suspension feel and sound
 
02Disco2 said:
The only creaks and knocks were from shot ARB links and bushes, no trim creaks to speak of. But I replace the front shocks as soon as I bought it as they were knackered.
Have never hit the bump stops, even while on springs and it only really gets driven off road in my woods so no long road drives.

The pipework is a bugger, can't think why anyone would cut that up but sounds like you could do with going back to air!
Mine's been noticeably smoother and quieter in terms of suspension feel and sound
Click to expand...
Good to hear, appreciate the experience.
Its literally driven me to nearly selling the thing with the damn noise, but I'll replace all shocks and front springs and rear bags and see how it goes..
Also planning on removing all trim an carpets and backing it with soundproofing, just to give it that nice touch.
 
Jamiegreen said:
Good to hear, appreciate the experience.
Its literally driven me to nearly selling the thing with the damn noise, but I'll replace all shocks and front springs and rear bags and see how it goes..
Also planning on removing all trim an carpets and backing it with soundproofing, just to give it that nice touch.
Click to expand...
Good luck!!
Worth checking the "rubbing" points between back seats and trim and applying that universal magic spray (WD40) on the contact points and that saved me constant swearing when driving as the back 2/3 seat rubbed against the plastic trim!!
 
02Disco2 said:
Good luck!!
Worth checking the "rubbing" points between back seats and trim and applying that universal magic spray (WD40) on the contact points and that saved me constant swearing when driving as the back 2/3 seat rubbed against the plastic trim!!
Click to expand...
I removed the 3rd row seats as I don't use them... I do wonder how the second row passed safety tests as there must be 2-3cm of play in them back and fourth... bloody land rovers :rolleyes:
might have to take a look at it rubbing though
 
Jamiegreen said:
I removed the 3rd row seats as I don't use them... I do wonder how the second row passed safety tests as there must be 2-3cm of play in them back and fourth... bloody land rovers :rolleyes:
might have to take a look at it rubbing though
Click to expand...
Removing the 3rd row is next on my list, need more space in the back for camping kit!
 
Can't say I've ever had issues with either the 3rd or 2nd row seats... Oh wait, I removed them all not long after I bought it.
Along with that silly step on the back :)
 
Jamiegreen said:
You really didn't have to tell me that... really... couldn't you just let me think its normal :p
Click to expand...

Oh Sorry........ let me rephrase that ...

sucks thru teeth, kicks the tyres, and says " nah, not a problem mate, they all do that....Honest guv", in my best 2nd hand car dealer voice.

Cheers
 
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