Terra Firma 2" lift Kit fitted to Disco 300TDi

[filthy]

I bought one of these 2" Terra Firma lift kits from our local Bournemouth main agent last week. "Fernside", who are a really good supplier of generally good parts.

Fitted to my Disco 300TDi

The Terra Firma kit is a product from FROGS ISLAND 4x4, possibly a rebranded product, with grey/silver springs & shocks.

The set I bought was rated as HEAVY DUTY.

The fronts are really good & stiff, the rear is as saggy as a pudding, sitting noticeably lower than the front. Now looks like a tired range rover classic with a saggy rear.

The front springs allow you to only bounce the front approx an inch, the rears will bounce about 5 inches & then the shocks will allow 3 full upward movements before the vehicle settles . . . . so it's debatable whether it would pass an MOT on dodgey shocks.

AND

I wound up with oil shocks on the front, & gas on the rear

AND

my trip home is over gently undulating road. . . . the original springs/shocks gear coped with this easilly & it was a nice ride, the new Terra Firma gear bounces & the rear wheels actually take off & leave the road, some times bottoming out the shocks.

The front end is great, the rear is sh*te.

Cornering is no delight, as if, as I did today, have to swerve to avoid some one pulling out on me, the lean of the vehicle & the fact that the rear of my Disco sinks in the turn . . . causing a front wheel to lift off the tarmac.

I saw this on a 1970's MK 1 Cortina, where it would lift a front wheel. . . .

The main agent says the springs are fine, but after £250 spent + £100 labour to fit + getting soaked for a day helping fit them - - - - - I'm not happy.

The vehicle should sit level or slightly rear high & spring pressure at each corner should keep all 4 wheels on the ground with very similar ground pressure in the turn.

The natural undulations on the motorway cause the rear end to bob so much that my headlights dazzle every poor bugger coming towards me on the opposite carriageway. Now it's a vomit inducing drive.

What would I expect from a Britpart Lift Kit. ?

Fernside told me "I need LIGHT duty springs on the rear & this will stiffen the ride on the rear" . . . .

In fairness they were told this by FROGS ISLAND's expert.

The explaination sounds contradictory to the facts. . . . .

I'm not sure that I've been sold a mixed lift set & I'm now being spun a yarn ? ? ? ? ?

Opinions ?

Any one heard of or used Terra Firma lift kits ?

mixed gas & oil shocks ?

shocks bottoming out on a normal road ?

Are these kits really as rotton as they seam or am I unlucky?

Opinions guys ?

[Hybrid_From_Hell]

Britpart

I wouldn't fit Britpart water to my washer bottle

Nige

[Pete Attryde]

Are you 100% sure that the springs on the front are ment to be on the front (i.e there not the rears are they) swapping them from front to rear may solve part of your problem.

Pete.

[freeagent]

I reckon you might have the springs the wrong way around...

and don't ever view Britpart as an improvement for anything....

[Orgasmic Farmer]

Does sound like they are back to front

[nicks90]

does sound like you have springs the wrong way round.

I have read some very good reviews on terra firma shocks, no idea who makes them though.

[wallnutter]

I have fitted Terra Firma Springs and Shocks to my 300tdi and I couldn't be happier. The rear springs are the progressive ones e.g. tighter coils at one end. The front springs should are a constant width coil. The rears are also longer than the fronts when they are stood side by side. Not sure why you have a mixture of gas and oil shocks? If you need advice I can recommend speaking to JJ (John Jennings) at Frog Island 4x4, JJ is also a 300 disco owner and obviously has Terra Firma kit fitted.

I hope this helps.

Chris

[k9unit]

i run the terra firma kit have had no problems at all nearly 2 yrs good stuff

paul

[Milemarker Type S]

I would have thought that a kit would have oil filled shocks or gas shocks all round not a mixture- sounds like your 'kit' may have been a bit of an allsorts affair- I would contact frogs island and confirm what should be in the kit and then head back to your supplier...

[phil200tdi]

Another vote for terrafirma, had mine done by Frogs Island 4x4 a year ago good ride and sits perfectly level.. No problems

Phil

[filthy]

Another vote for terrafirma, had mine done by Frogs Island 4x4 a year ago good ride and sits perfectly level.. No problems

Phil

Looks like I got a set that's got the wrong parts in for the rear.

Odd to have the rear end lower/sinking than the front.

The correct bits were fitted to the correct end, but I think I got the wrong parts in the kit.

I had one box for the rear end & another for the front. There is no question of the wrong parts at the wrong end.

The supplier have been a little alarmed that the kit is mis-matched with gas shocks at one end & oil filled at the other, even more so that the rear shocks were standard length & standard duty & were not +2" heavy duty, to match the rest of the set, let alone the wrong rear springs.

New parts are on the way.

Thanks for your input.

Filthy

[filthy]

Looks like I got a set that's got the wrong parts in for the rear.

Odd to have the rear end lower/sinking than the front.

The correct bits were fitted to the correct end, but I think I got the wrong parts in the kit.

I had one box for the rear end & another for the front. There is no question of the wrong parts at the wrong end.

The supplier have been a little alarmed that the kit is mis-matched with gas shocks at one end & oil filled at the other, even more so that the rear shocks were standard length & standard duty & were not +2" heavy duty, to match the rest of the set, let alone the wrong rear springs.

New parts are on the way.

Thanks for your input.

Filthy

I just unpacked a replacement set of rear shocks & springs . . . . . & the daft buggers have sent me a standard height set of shocks. . . . . to go with my sagging replacement +2" set of rear springs.

That's it . . . the whole bloody lot comes off tomorrow & goes back for refund.

This shoddy crud set of springs & shocks, has nearly killed me once due to awful road handling, 70 miles of wasted mileage returning bits for the replacement parts + £120 of hired labour to fit this junk & still I get the wrong shocks.

TERRA FIRMA / FROGS ISLAND - - - - - SHAME ON YOU

I wonder if I'd even get a murmer/grunt of an appology, let alone my wasted diesel mileage - 70 miles & £100 of hired labour to fit this junk.

Very angry filthy.

[drkwack]

I just unpacked a replacement set of rear shocks & springs . . . . . & the daft buggers have sent me a standard height set of shocks. . . . . to go with my sagging replacement +2" set of rear springs.

That's it . . . the whole bloody lot comes off tomorrow & goes back for refund.

This shoddy crud set of springs & shocks, has nearly killed me once due to awful road handling, 70 miles of wasted mileage returning bits for the replacement parts + £120 of hired labour to fit this junk & still I get the wrong shocks.

TERRA FIRMA / FROGS ISLAND - - - - - SHAME ON YOU

I wonder if I'd even get a murmer/grunt of an appology, let alone my wasted diesel mileage - 70 miles & £100 of hired labour to fit this junk.

Very angry filthy.

Hi. before you go off the deep end you have the sale of goods act on your side "goods not fit for the purpose they were sold for" go back to your supplier and ask if they will sort it out properly,then, or before get in touch with Frogs Island and quiz them on the service you have recieved from supplier, again quoting sale of goods act,look it up on the web for more detail. all the best.

[Milemarker Type S]

TERRA FIRMA / FROGS ISLAND - - - - - SHAME ON YOU

Is this not a problem of your local supplier as opposed to the Terra Firma/Frogs island?- Sounds like you have been given the wrong parts to do the job with as opposed to the individual parts being poor?

I would contact Terra Firma/ Frogs island direct and explain the problems you are having with the local supplier who is giving them a bad name it would seem...

[bow]

Hi mate, just a bit of info for you reguarding the terrafirma lift kit, here is what you should have,

shock absorber : FRONT TF116

REAR TF117

all shocks are twin tube design oil/nitrogen filled, come as standard length ,the kit is a 2" lift kit, not a +2" articulation kit,

springs : FRONT -- TF014 light duty

TF018 medium duty

TF015 heavy duty

REAR -- TF015 light duty

TF023 medium

TF027 heavy duty

if you have a problem contact your supply, the kits are made in australia, they are supplied by any of the allmakes frachise group, not just frogs, although if you do contact them thier advice and knoledge is second to none, i have used the same kit for 2 years and never had a problem, and frogs island service was top class, unlike some i have come across, i use the same kit on my defender 90, and that is also very good, all my trucks are used on and off road, and thier road manners have never made me feel unsafe, sounds as though you have a miss matched kit,

hope this helps one way or another, even if it is only so as you can identify what parts you have, all part no's are printed on each piece of kit you have, or should be if genuine,

ATB,

BOW..

[filthy]

Is this not a problem of your local supplier as opposed to the Terra Firma/Frogs island?- Sounds like you have been given the wrong parts to do the job with as opposed to the individual parts being poor?

I would contact Terra Firma/ Frogs island direct and explain the problems you are having with the local supplier who is giving them a bad name it would seem...

I contacted Frogs Island & they weren't interested & told me to go back to my supplier . . . . oh joy.

In fairness, the supplier - Fernside are unimpressed with these items & the problems.

Point of interest. . . . . .

The +2" rear shocks sent were actually 1.7 inches shorter than my standard length Britpart shocks, so the long reach shocks are almost 4" too short. how in hell does this work.

I found out thru another member that this is what Frogs Island send - there is no option.

The saggy rear springs are the only option - saggy or really saggy. . . . so I have to risk my life every time I corner on their cruddy springs, or put up with it.

I'm sick of being ripped off.

Every one I meet with a landrover is going to hear about this.

Frogs Island sell this rubbish - every one should be aware. . . .

We all work hard for the over taxed money we earn - these toe rags cannot be allowed to get away with taking it & giving rubbish in return.

[freeagent]

I looked at the Terra Firma stuff being sold by Frogs Island at Old Sodbury last year, but was put off by the fact that the salesmen (full time Frogs employees) couldn't answer simple questions about the kits (like what country are they made in) so I walked away...

I've no idea if its any good or not, but I'm not giving my money to a so called specialist if they can't be bothered to listen to, and answer my questions.

[bow]

please , dont be too hasty, try frogs once more and ask for EDDY, he is the M D, and he does know his kit, being a landy man himself, and if that brings you no joy then let me know what part no's are on your springs and i'l try to help you as much as poss, as i explained on my last post, all dampers are standard length, having the part no's i can then tell you what the spring rates, poundage, and length should be, and as for the sales staff that others have delt with, shame on them for not knowing a company product,

ATB,

BOW..

[filthy]

please , dont be too hasty, try frogs once more and ask for EDDY, he is the M D, and he does know his kit, being a landy man himself, and if that brings you no joy then let me know what part no's are on your springs and i'l try to help you as much as poss, as i explained on my last post, all dampers are standard length, having the part no's i can then tell you what the spring rates, poundage, and length should be, and as for the sales staff that others have delt with, shame on them for not knowing a company product,

ATB,

BOW..

Hi Bow,

Fernside, the main agents who sold my this kit asked for the vehicle to be brought in for a few days, giving me a courtesy car & want to get to the bottom of this. . . . . this is good service.

One of their mechanics helped me fit this kit, so they know it was fitted properly & the right bits at the rght end.

The agents are very concerned that the shocks being 4" too short will snap off.

Any way, should get results early next week some time.

Re Frog Island's expert....... i can't get past the secretary & the only expert there is out until the end of the month. . . how impressive.

Really, I want this junk removed & i'll settle for a cheap Britpart kit - at least there's even movement front & rear & all 4 shocks are the correct lenght & you get 4 the same, not a mix & match.

So far, this crappy kit of bit has cost me over £200 of time over and above the purchase cost.

I can buy a lot for £200, instead I'm miserable & have junk bolted to my Disco.

Filthy

[stuntman]

Hello filthy. I've heard of one or two people say the same as you mate about frogs. would try one last time to talk to Eddy, if you get no joy I would then look to open a small claims dispute with the company, if you can't speak to him, write an email and make sure you detail EVERYTHING, all costs involved etc and make sure this figure does not include a figure for the stress or the time wasted that this has incurred.

At least if you do this you will have tried to resolve the issue properly, remember losing your rag and shouting will NOT get you anywhere, calm clear arguments and the ability to put your point across will do more good.

Andi

[filthy]

Hello filthy. I've heard of one or two people say the same as you mate about frogs. would try one last time to talk to Eddy, if you get no joy I would then look to open a small claims dispute with the company, if you can't speak to him, write an email and make sure you detail EVERYTHING, all costs involved etc and make sure this figure does not include a figure for the stress or the time wasted that this has incurred.

At least if you do this you will have tried to resolve the issue properly, remember losing your rag and shouting will NOT get you anywhere, calm clear arguments and the ability to put your point across will do more good.

Andi

Hi Andy, No don't worry, I'm smart enough to go in gently & list things point by point.

Fortunately, the main agent I bought the kit from is curious about this kit & very concerned that what they've sold is potentially dangerous

& they are batting my corner for me. . . . . . luckily.

I've got a curtessy car from them for the weekend & my Disco will stay there until they are happy with it & the ride, suspension travel & shockers are all good.

My guess is that the Terra F' kit will come off, as Frogs just simply don't have a kit that works - it appears !

Filthy

[clbarclay]

Really, I want this junk removed & i'll settle for a cheap Britpart kit - at least there's even movement front & rear & all 4 shocks are the correct lenght

Word of warning, some bripart/bearmach and procomp lift kits come with standard length dampers, even though they are advertised as "lift kits"

[filthy]

Word of warning, some bripart/bearmach and procomp lift kits come with standard length dampers, even though they are advertised as "lift kits"

oo eer, thanks for that, I'll ask the right questions.

Cheers

Filthy

[Josh]

Word of warning, some bripart/bearmach and procomp lift kits come with standard length dampers, even though they are advertised as "lift kits"

I can second that. I bought a 2" lift kit from mm4x4 online. Bearmach springs and pro comp shocks. Fit them and then realised that the shocks were standard length......not plus 2".

MM4x4 wouldnt take them back so i literally kicked myself.

Josh

[discojmz]

how is it that they even do this when plus 2 shocks at least in the pro comp range cost no more than std length?!