2" Suspension Lift, Spring Conversion & Headers - Parts & Recommendations?? *PICS*

[Jigsaw89]

Thanks again, guys! I'm not 100% positive about anything that I've posted due to the fact that my info is based on internet findings, a conversation with Vinny at RoverSpecialist.com and Steve at Rovertym.com as well as a few discussions with forum members via email. Everyone has been extremely helpful, but it's not first hand knowledge since I'm relying on the info of others. I'm better versed in turbo charged sports cars and single engine boats, so this 4x4 stuff is new to me. That's why I've turned to you guys for your help.

I'm in search of the best option that will help me to attain my goals... genuine 2" lift with good road manners without sacrificing a relatively comfortable ride. I don't mind a more truck-like feel when it comes to reaching my goal, I just don't want my Rover to jar me to death or feel like it does when it's driven on bump stops (one time when an airbag went kaput on my '98 P38A).

At this time, I like the looks of an uncluttered Classic Rover with Rovertym rock sliders with nerf bar option. Maybe some day I'll add a heavy duty steel front bumper with winch, skid plates and diff guards, attend an enthusiast expedition event, etc. but for now those options are way overkill due to my 85% street driven use & very mild offroad application. I'll likely be installing LT245/75/R16 tires on stock rims (as opposed to 265/75R16's mentioned in my first post) to fill the wheel well gap after installation of the 2" suspension lift. The larger the tire = a slower 3.9L and unfortunately it's slow enough as it is.

Ian & Paul, I'll check with Rovers North regarding springs offered by Land Rover as your suggestion makes perfect sense. Thanks!

[Jigsaw89]

According to Mike at RoversNorth.com, the Land Rover spring kit #RNK5105 is one step better than stock airbags and includes everything except new shocks (recommends Bilstein HD front & rear or OEM Land Rover shocks… not Old Man EMU b/c they require shock relocation brackets). He said the Land Rover kit will afix the truck between the standard & offroad EAS settings and that 245/75/R16 tires on stock rims are a tight fit and only rub when parallel parking or turning the steering wheel to it's extreme left or right. Mike advised that this Land Rover spring kit maxes out when the truck is loaded with a heavy front bumper & winch as well as 300 lbs of gear in the hatch. Alternatively, he said they offer a Land Rover heavy duty kit that contains the same rear springs as #RNK5105, but a beafier front spring to support the added weight of a heavy bumper & winch and another heavy duty kit with comparable front & rear springs for heavy expedition use. The point was stressed that any of the Land Rover springs will not increase the Classic's ride height to that of the offroad EAS setting or beyond. He recommended Old Man Emu heavy duty springs as the next step beyond Land Rover's spring offering.

Man o'man... the more I find out about this stuff the more I'm leary of buying something that either is less than a true 2" lift or too stiff for my application.

Given that aftermarket springs are solely designed to carry different weight payloads, should I adjust my thinking that going with Land Rover springs is the wiser move & add a 1" spacer if needed to achieve the amount of lift I want??

Ok guys, help to push me in the right direction...
Thanks!
Dan

[Funrover]

Relocation brakets????? for the OME? Mine went right into place. not bracket needed!

As far as ride.. I had a 2" OME kit with OME shocks.. It was a great ride, I tow often and 4-wheel often, but most of the driving is on road(I do about 17 - 19,000 a year)!! I was very pleased with the ride

That being said I just wnet to a 3" RTE spring and bilsteins. The ride is a bit stiffer but I corner a lot better and washboard isn't quite as rough! I havn't yet towed with this set up!

And the OME dampener is awsome.. But I did a relocate kit to move mine!

[p76rangie]

You can easily get a 2 inch lift from Landrover springs. The better part is that they are actually longer rather than just stiffer. Here is a list of most their range.

http://www.4x4store-exeter.co.uk/cat...ry/SPRINGS.HTM

[Jigsaw89]

Funrover, is the Rover pictured in your avatar the one that was equipped with the 2" OME kit with OME shocks? What OME kit was it (heavy or medium duty) and tire and rim sizes as pictured? Thanks!

Thank you for the chart, Ian.

Best regards,
Dan

[Paul Grant]

Funrover, remember that he is converting EAS to coil. It's a little different that on older RRC's as the shock doesn't fit through the spring the way it does on your truck.

[roverandom]

Is your EAS broken? The way I see it, if all you want is a nice ride on pavement 85% of the time and the ability to tow and do 'mild' off roading then your EAS should fit the bill perfectly. Remember that your EAS equiped Range Rover is one of the world finest 4x4s right out of the box.
No need to lift a vehicle unless you want to fit (big) oversized tires. If you don't like your EAS for whatever reason then just replace with "stock" springs, most aftermarket dealers have them. For what you say you want to use your RRC for I just don't see the need for a lift, perhaps I missed something?

[Jigsaw89]

Hello roverandom,
My EAS works 100% and has been flawless since I replaced the air pump a couple years ago. It has performed well onroad, offroad & towing thus far. I'm not in a rush to rip out the old system (as it's proven quite capable) & replace with new shocks, springs, dampner and 245 to 265 series tires, but it is inevitable. I posted this thread with the intent of doing my homework now so that when one part of the EAS fails and disables my vehicle I'll be able to pull the trigger on the right package to make my '95 Classic more reliable and attain the lifted look that I feel the truck sorely needs. I'm the guy that's always hitting the offroad height button when cruising < 35mph b/c I like to sit higher when driving my truck. I also have a 'juiced up' 2004 Audi A6 2.7T and 1989 Mitsubishi Starion ESIR that more than fuel my low profile need for speed.
Dan

[p76rangie]

Originally Posted by Jigsaw89

Hello roverandom,
My EAS works 100% and has been flawless since I replaced the air pump a couple years ago. It has performed well onroad, offroad & towing thus far. I'm not in a rush to rip out the old system (as it's proven quite capable) & replace with new shocks, springs, dampner and 245 to 265 series tires, but it is inevitable. I posted this thread with the intent of doing my homework now so that when one part of the EAS fails and disables my vehicle I'll be able to pull the trigger on the right package to make my '95 Classic more reliable and attain the lifted look that I feel the truck sorely needs. I'm the guy that's always hitting the offroad height button when cruising < 35mph b/c I like to sit higher when driving my truck. I also have a 'juiced up' 2004 Audi A6 2.7T and 1989 Mitsubishi Starion ESIR that more than fuel my low profile need for speed.
Dan

You can fit aftermarket airbags that are stronger and lift the vehicle.

It surprises me a little that where the rest of the world is moving more toward airbag suspension, you guys are pulling them out.

[John C]

Originally Posted by p76rangie

You can fit aftermarket airbags that are stronger and lift the vehicle.

It surprises me a little that where the rest of the world is moving more toward airbag suspension, you guys are pulling them out.

You know us gringos, you hear one bad story of an airbag breaking and everyone thinks all airbags are the same... just lke everyone thinks all poly bushes are the same.

Anyway, there is a guy in the US making offroad airsprings for Rovers. He was at MAR last year with a very well setup P38 on airsprings.

[Jigsaw89]

Ian,
I can appreciate your point of view with keeping and upgrading the EAS. However, I'm the type of person that tends to overbuild things when they fail and lets face it, the EAS is going to eventually fail. I wish it wasn't so, but that's what happens when you rely on electronics, air pressure, plastic hoses, rubber bladders, etc to control the suspension. My 1995 Rover Classic is a SWB model approaching 14 years of reliable service with 109k miles. In the interest of maintaining this aging Classic with a limited budget while keeping it reliable I have no sensible choice, but to go the route of shocks & traditional coils. I'm not interested in debating anything as I'm sure it's all been done before. I am interested in finding the best possible parts to meet my goals & keep me a happy Rover owner for many years to come.

Thanks again everyone for sharing your experiences and recommendations.
Dan

Originally Posted by p76rangie

You can fit aftermarket airbags that are stronger and lift the vehicle.

It surprises me a little that where the rest of the world is moving more toward airbag suspension, you guys are pulling them out.

[User]

My suggestion is go with Rovertym 2" springs.

I currently ride the OME HD springs on my LWB and I think they are too stiff for the truck. For the rear it's not that bad (because of the 3-link suspension) but the front flex is way limited (2-link suspension); I don't have any HD bumber/winch. Also, the springs aren't a real 2" lift, mostly a 1,5- 1,75". That is why I will switch soon for RTE springs: softer and around 2,5" lift.

As for the tires, I have 245's wich are "E" load tires. I don't know about yours but the roads here in Montreal are like shit: potholes everywhere. I will switch to 265 "D" load tires while I change my springs; my ass will probably appreciate ! I suggest you to get 6 or 8-ply tires wich you won't find in the 245's (I am talking here about an agressive AT/MT) .

I hope it helps you !

Bill

BTW, I didn't have to modify anyting to fit the OME HD shocks.

[Jigsaw89]

Thank you for sharing your experience, Bill. I was leaning toward Rovertym springs & you confirmed it with your OME HD experience. Without a heavy duty bumper/winch installed, are you recommending the #RR2 @ 189 lbs/inch linear or #RR4 @ 225 lbs/inch linear springs for the front? According to the internet, OME HD #751 rear springs are rated @ 230 lbs/inch linear.

Rovertym RR3 @ 285-325 lbs/inch progressive sounds like a wise choice for the rear.

My setup will be:
Rovertym 2" springs front & rear
Bilstein shocks front & rear
Bilstein steering dampner
265/75/R16 tires on stock rims
Rovertym Rock Sliders w/Nerf Bars
Hedman Headers
Custom Y-Pipe mated to my existing NRP stainless catback exhaust

Thanks!
Dan