Thread: Is it possible to make the ride smoother?

I fixed the problem on my 03 xtreme by fitting Tough Dog shocks and then adding a second set of shocks angling backwards - Rancho 9000 adjustable. The reason I did this is that the main reason for the harsh ride with the heavy coils is that, particularly when unladen, the harshness comes more from the spring rebound rate (that sharp kick in the bum when you go over a speed hump) than anything and I couldn't find a shock that adequately handled this without also having excessive compression damping. Its not perfect but very close and enables me to 'dial in' exceptional road manners off road with varying loads, and is nearly as good as my countys on the highway.

Why not just pre-load the springs with a 100KG load in the back? That will stop that harsh rebound due to there being no load.

Playing with the tyre pressures can make a big difference. My trayback 110 usually runs lower rear pressure no load than the haines book figure and it is much more comfortable. Tyre wear seems to be unchanged and not getting much heat buildup.

I think most of my issues are in the front, seems hard and unforgiving. The back could be better of course too. Are there already shocks in the front and back?
Is it just a matter of replacing them with something else?

I have 130 heavy duty springs in the front with Bilstiens , I have rubber top mounts from a D2 part number Land Rover Genuine Parts Rubberized Spring Isolator (ANR2938) and on top of the spring Land Rover Genuine Parts Rubberized Shock Tower Securing Ring (RBC100111)

I replaced all the orig rubber bushes with premium poly , and wish I never did .

In the rear I have Kings special order 330lbs ... with Bilstiens , with the OME 10mm Trim Packer (OME80PR10)

The amount of vibration and road noise was greatly reduced by the packers adn the rubberised mounts , the springs and shocks as a complete set up transformed the ride handling on and off road .

hth

Well fender22, opened a can of worms here didn't ya? Feeling thoroughly confused? I have four Disco 1 or 2 springs you can have if you want. You can try em out and if they're no good you can ditch them or recycle them (that'd be better), but I'm south of Sydney and it'd only be worth trying if you we can find someone on the site willing to take them from me to you if they're travelling up your way.
cheers Gerald
ps I remember asking one bloke what defenders were like before I got one and he said "they are what they are" and I guess he was right

I guess that tyres also play a huge part in ride comfort.

I remember driving home in an 84 hilux with standard skinny tyres with split rims & the ride was terrible.

I had planned to get different rims & tyres(31 x 10.5 desert duellers) & when I did they transformed the ride with far improved comfort & better grip.

Tyre pressures also contribute to poor ride.
On gravel roads I used to always air down a bit in my D2 & this helped greatly with both comfort & grip.

Regards

Chuck

This h s (sorry, the letter left of the "s" is not working suddenly) been gr8t help so f r. I hve been considering new springs (which ones???) nd set of Bilsteins. But... this ir springs suppession hs my interest. Smoother ride it seems with retained lod capbility, but wht re the drwbcks? Trvel?

Cheers

Originally Posted by isuzurover

No - as Rick mentioned I don't mean polyair type assist bags. They do not improve ride.

I mean these:


I suspect your mate is misinformed. There are people on here from VIC who have converted to air bags. I have spoken to RWC inspectors in WA and QLD and neither have had issues with the mod - so I can't see VIC being any different. Companies like airbagman sell kits in all states (including VIC) AFAIK.