Disco 1 Suspension Perplexion
- Thread starter LaOutbackTrail
- Start date
Viggen
Just here...
Haha, I told him he would have no problems if he even hinted at selling the front out of it. I personally wouldnt do it and would run wider tires and ditch those 255s (which I hate) for a better feeling. Something like 285/75 would be MILES better. I know the 255s are "expo approved" but I hated them. Too tall and narrow for a rig like a D1. 285s were the next step for me. The extra width will make a good difference. Also, did you air down? I never did. Aired down 255s scare me. It is SO much side wall. Its almost 34" tall and just 10" wide. I aired them down once, hated life, aired them back to operating pressure and was much happier.
whatroad
Observer
Let's not get on the pizza cutter debate:sombrero:
Actually, I would fly in and remove the front end and reinstall a stock set up for him for free. I want the 3 link and shocks...:elkgrin:
Agreed, 285's work very well. However, I guess I'm not*expo* friendly because my SSR's never saw more then 22lbs in them, and they were used on my daily driver. Off road, 8-10lbs works very well.
Actually, I would fly in and remove the front end and reinstall a stock set up for him for free. I want the 3 link and shocks...:elkgrin:
Agreed, 285's work very well. However, I guess I'm not*expo* friendly because my SSR's never saw more then 22lbs in them, and they were used on my daily driver. Off road, 8-10lbs works very well.
Viggen
Just here...
I wasnt very expo friendly either. The truck was my daily driver for a year. Day in and day out and saw more terrain and obstacles than most trucks. I never liked the 255s. They look the Rover part but didnt serve me too well. SSRs are nasty tires. Designed to be run at lower pressures. E rated tall and skinny ones, not so much. Read up about the Trxus 34x9.50s folding over. The 255/85 is very, very similar in dimensions. The truck served double duty for me. It was a killer trail rig and camping truck. It yawned at most stuff that I threw at it.
We aired down to 18psi for the terrain we were tackling. The truck handled surprisingly well and is super capable! .... but felt a bit dangerous.
When we had the truck flexed out the 255s were rubbing. Wouldn't the 285s be more prone to rubbing? I hadn't considered the idea of just keeping that size, really. Jarrod, did you do a 'camel cut' to the truck? From what I saw, it'll need some help like that.
Just trying to help think of things for Ryan, and appreciate the feed back.
When we had the truck flexed out the 255s were rubbing. Wouldn't the 285s be more prone to rubbing? I hadn't considered the idea of just keeping that size, really. Jarrod, did you do a 'camel cut' to the truck? From what I saw, it'll need some help like that.
Just trying to help think of things for Ryan, and appreciate the feed back.
whatroad
Observer
I think the best thing that would help is to sell the front end set up.:costumed-smiley-007
Seriously though, if it's going to be more of an expedition type vehicle, I might consider lowering the C.O.G. and get down on 2" springs, all joking aside.
It really depends on driver preference and driving style. I drove my truck with 3" springs,locked, no sways and some *custom* touches and it was my daily driver. I didn't give the keys to my wife though. The truck had a learning curve.
I think the best advice would be to sit down and evaluate what you plan to do with the truck, what type of trails etc. Because a D1 with a OME lift, 235/85/16's, sliders and diff guards, and maybe some quick disconnect sway bar links, and that truck will go alot of places with the right driver. That set up allows great on road manners, if you're easy on the skinny pedal, minimal breakage etc. Just my input though.
Seriously though, if it's going to be more of an expedition type vehicle, I might consider lowering the C.O.G. and get down on 2" springs, all joking aside.
It really depends on driver preference and driving style. I drove my truck with 3" springs,locked, no sways and some *custom* touches and it was my daily driver. I didn't give the keys to my wife though. The truck had a learning curve.
I think the best advice would be to sit down and evaluate what you plan to do with the truck, what type of trails etc. Because a D1 with a OME lift, 235/85/16's, sliders and diff guards, and maybe some quick disconnect sway bar links, and that truck will go alot of places with the right driver. That set up allows great on road manners, if you're easy on the skinny pedal, minimal breakage etc. Just my input though.
silvElise
Adventurer
After thinking all this through and talking with jarrod through email I think my current plan is to pass up on the rtt.. Since I have plans to do some longer trips I thnk it will only add to gas mileage.
Also at the moment all I plan on doing in is to sway the rear with quick disconnects and as the tires need to be replaced i will go 285/75 then it should be perfect.
Also at the moment all I plan on doing in is to sway the rear with quick disconnects and as the tires need to be replaced i will go 285/75 then it should be perfect.
Viggen
Just here...
One thing to keep in mind is that 285s are actually a smaller tire. The 255 has a huge sidewall and measure out to almost 34". I didnt like them and my next step was the 285s. The truck does have a learning curve though, that is a good way to put it. There is a little getting used to but like Ive told Ryan and WhatRoad has mentioned, its time to sit down and figure out what exactly the truck will be used for. For me, the 3 link was the ticket but it might not be for you all down in Texas. I have not cut any sheetmetal on the truck at all. It might be worth considering that. If you look at a DII vs. the DI, youll notice larger openings for the tires. The front is big enough but the rear opening is pretty small. Im not too sure what the "Camel cut" is but I have heard of it before so it might be something to think about.
It might be that it is too tall and if that is the case, you could pull 1" from total height very easily by removing the spacers. With the SG set up, running a sway bar in the front is impossible leaving only a rear as an option. I was looking at upgrading to 285s (smaller in overall diameter and wider by an inch) and make up a set of check straps that are slightly shorter than the available droop, front and rear. I had an old recovery strap that was not safe (due to age) for recovery but could give its life to make check straps. Something like this:
They would keep the truck from rolling through its complete travel, slightly like a sway bar.
Again, its up to what the trucks use will be. You wont need to completely replace all the suspension, like springs, as 3" is a nice number to have in total height, if you decide to pull the 1" RTE spacers. The other thing to remember is that the front set up needs 3" of lift minimum. Anything lower than that and you are going to need to swap out to another, more stock 4 link style system and sell the set up to WhatRoad. Here is some good reading on the system:
http://www.d-90.com/tech/3link.html
Note that you have a better, upgraded center link with massive heims on both ends. The stock SG center link was no where near as strong. Try pulling the spacers and see how the suspension reacts then. It is definitely not an "expo approved" system but it is definitely well built and would easily offer more trail capability than cranked front links can. I bet pulling those 1" spacers would switch its attitude.
Viggen
Just here...
The only thing that is giving "massive flex" is the 3 link and that is easily reversible. The rear has nothing custom about it. Regular lift springs, spacers, Rovertracks arms, dislocation cones and monotube shocks and that is something anyone would do to a D1. The Rovertracks arms are the ones that are kinked for more clearance. They arent anything special. The front is a 3 link, true, but you all act like its welded on there. 8 bolts and its off. Not really all that tough. As far as the truck, the 3 link is really the only thing that seems to be frowned upon here. The rest of the truck can "go out and explore" as it is built that way. If he wants the front end off, hint at it and as WhatRoad so aptly demonstrated, people will line up to buy it off of him. Then, take that money, call Justin at Lucky 8 and get some cranked front arms and its back to a stock set up. Really, not that hard. Doomsday scenarios everywhere it seems.
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Antichrist
Expedition Leader
Looks like Ryan has a rear sway bar and quick disconnects on the way. Since I'll likely be installing it ( :sombrero: ) I think I read that I'll need to fabricate some extension brackets to match the lift height?
Dang it... I forgot the other question I had...
Dang it... I forgot the other question I had...
whatroad
Observer
I know what your question was... you needed my address to ship the 3 link... I'll PM you the details, thanks!:ylsmoke: