chappers606 Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Hi folks. I've been a member of the forum for some time, I've just never posted before! As such, I'll try and remember a few manners before diving in with some questions. I'm from Lincs and drive a '98 300 Tdi Disco XS, and its used for commuting to work (a whole 2-3 miles each way), greenlaning, camping trips, chucking the dogs in, and occasional pay & play days, and I've had it for about 3 years and done several upgrades - mantec snorkel, steering & diff protectors, rock/tree sliders and roof-rack etc. Unfortunately, all these little "extras" seem to have added a little to it's weight - that combined with a fat bloke driving it has lead me to decide that for my next project I want to upgrade the springs. I'm not after anything extreme, I am thing of a HD 1" lift approx. I have seen the following Bearmach springs - Front: 195lb, height 394mm (raised 30mm) Rear: 295lb, height 445mm (raised 40mm), but am a little concerned incase the rears might be a bit too heavy duty. Most laning trips have the missus and at least 2 Labradors in the back (okay, I let the missus sit in the front sometimes) as well as recovery kit etc - and then the kids are along as well on times (both approaching teenagers). So, in a long winded way, I am asking for advice about possible springs. I don't want to spend too much (I'm quite tight with money), but it could do with the 1" lift to raise the sills up again - and I don't want normal rate because I know that it will roll too much in the bends (a mate has a 1" on Britpart and it rolls like a pig). Will the Bearmach still give me some articulation off-road? Any (sensible?) advice more than welcome Thanks in advance Chappers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxtherotti Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 dont take bearmachs lift specs as gospel(was told that by there staff at billing last year) i had the same spring set up on my rrc and the back was stiff to be fair (and was nose down so never really happy with it looking that way) i have bearmach hd standard height springs on my disco (196lb front 195lb rears) and they work well but i dont do any major off roading (heavy caravan and dog tho) rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trr777 Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Try Lama 4x4 you get what you pay for!. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mahon257 Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 I carry alot of weight in my Disco (300Tdi 1996). My car now weighs 2.9 tonnes ( a few extras have been added). I've experimented with a few types of suspension setups of the last couple of years. My use is mainly on-road, with the odd African expedition thrown in (lot's off road / piste driving). I've found the following to be perfecto: 1. Police Spec Range Rover Heavy Duty Rear springs (from memory, about £60 for a pair) 2. Air Helper Kit - £105 3. Koni Adjustable Shocks - £350 The front of my car is not really worth mentioning - as I have Bearmach springs designed to handle a winch+bumper - so it wouldn't suit your situation... As for the rear... The RR springs gave me about a 1" lift. The Air "helper" kit, in addition to providing addition lift if desired, also provides great adapatibility for different loads/conidtions. The koni shocks are a bit of over-kill - but after I fitted a winch/bumper I found I had a scary amount of body roll in the bends. The Koni's have virtually elimiated body roll (on the highest setting - which I only use on-road). They work by resisting Stretching as well as compression - so the side not under load on cornering also helps reduce body roll. Not sure how good they would be off-road... I've attached a few "before/after" photos showing the effect the Air Lift kit and springs had for me... Hope that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chappers606 Posted January 14, 2010 Author Share Posted January 14, 2010 Many thanks for the replies so far. What started out as a simple thought about upgrading the suspension has turned out to be far from simple! Mahon, that certainly seems to be a well kitted out Disco! I fitted a set of "police spec" springs on the rear just over 12 months ago. (Got them for £10 ), and I also fitted DeCarbon dampers all round. However, since then it has had several other additions which add to the weight. I have started adding the extra weight up, and permanent extras add up to approximately 80-90kgs. I am also trying to take into account that we never seem to be able to travel anywhere "lightly", whether that is a days laning, or camping for a few days. There are usually the two dogs (60kgs between them), as well as various bits "n" bobs. I found the police spec springs were a great improvement initially, however, they aren't up to the job now it has gained all the extra weight. I want to avaoid fitting air helpers if I can, mainly because I'm lazy and want to get some springs fitted and forget about them. The two main spring rates I can find for the rear (it needs an approx 1" lift to clear the extra depth of the rock sliders) are 220lbs which I feel are going to be too soft and make it roll in bends, or 295lbs which I fear may be a bit too stiff when "off-road". I'm not bothered about a harsher ride, I'm just concerned in case I lose too much articulation. It doesn't help that I'm a technical baffoon, but why can these things never be easy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gripper Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 i got a 2" lift terrafirma kit from stratton4x4 in horncastle for £207 springs and shocks and i believe you can state light, medium or heavy duty depending on your needs for the same price, terrafirma site looks like you can get different from and rear spring rates if that is better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adz1664 Posted January 17, 2010 Share Posted January 17, 2010 i've had bearmach +3 hd springs on mine for 6 months and they are drooping on one corner allready not imprest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chappers606 Posted January 20, 2010 Author Share Posted January 20, 2010 Okay, I've bitten the bullet and gone for the Bearmach HD springs. Hopefully I'll get them fitted tomorrow and be able to report back on how they are (I'm off laning in the Peaks on Sunday). I suppose I'll soon find out if they are going to be too stiff on the rear end! I might end up changing it to an "overlander" just to add weight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chappers606 Posted January 22, 2010 Author Share Posted January 22, 2010 Well, I've got the Bearmach springs fitted. They are quite a bit firmer on the road - but if I'm honest thats not a bad thing. Only problem is that they seem to have lifted the rear a little more than the quoted 40mm. Anyone got any suggestions about bigger tyres? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxtherotti Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 i did say dont belive there lift specs as there out that said throw a set of 265 75 16,s on it and will look lots better the rangie in the pic below had the same rear springs then i put the 265,s on in 2nd pic for a idea rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxtherotti Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 sorry wrong first pic there try this one instead rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chappers606 Posted January 23, 2010 Author Share Posted January 23, 2010 You did warn me - I didn't think that they would be "that" far out though! I'm going to give them a while to see if they "settle in" a bit. Might add a bit of ballast to the boot for a bit as well to see if it helps. If not I might have to rethink the back end again. I'm thinking that a set of 245/75 16's might be a reasonable compromise. Shouldn't need a very big trim on the rear arches either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxtherotti Posted January 24, 2010 Share Posted January 24, 2010 my 265,s had no trimming on the rrc and my mate has 255 65 16 on a stock disco so i would go for the 265,s so it looks the part from the off as for settling in they dont drop much at all chap but then the rrc does have the boge shock on the ball joint so they might a little on a disco rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.