Thread: defender replacement: the benchmark (IMHO)

Originally Posted by jakeslouw

Guys, don't confuse the spring rating with load carrying capability.

Coils (whether linear or progressive) eventually bind when compressed too far (ask anybody who has found it necessary to fit airbags helper kits to the coil vehicles).

Leaf springs can take a huge amount of punishment compared to coils before they over-extend and collapse. I have personally loaded a one-ton leaf-spring ute with more than a ton and had no issues. You can't do that with coils.

Leaf springs also spread the load across two points on the chassis: having a single point of force can cause a chassis to break at that pivot point.

But again this is a very emotional subject.

Coil suspension should hit the bump stops before the coils bind - otherwise the suspension has been incorrectly designed. Just as leaf springs should hit the bump stops before the spring inverts too far.

I too have loaded both leaf-sprung and coil-spring landies beyond the GVM - but I am not sure what your point there is?

The only (relevant) argument here about load carrying ability is that Leaves distribute the load over 2 points and coils 1 point. However that isn't a major issue that cannot be overcome by a properly designed chassis.

The harshness of many leaf-spring suspensions probably induces a lot of stress on the chassis.

I have owned both, and used both for load carrying, and I will take coil or air springs and a properly designed chassis over leaves.

Like I said, this is a very 50/50 subject. Personally I like leafs. And I've also load both up beyond GVM ratings.

Originally Posted by jakeslouw

Like I said, this is a very 50/50 subject. Personally I like leafs. And I've also load both up beyond GVM ratings.

Exactly. It is more personal preference than a solid argument either way.

Most heavy vehicles seem to have switched (or are switching) from leafs to air-springs.

OK, I unconditionally retract my previous statement......leafs are not necessarily better.

Maybe what you mean is "Leaf Sprung Landies are more FUN".

Not sure if this has been posted elsehwere but here's the likely Defender replacement, a new Defender in 2015!

Pictures can be found here:

Revealed: New Defender | Land Rover

I think the front end needs a bit more work...

Originally Posted by tempestv8

.....

I think the front end needs a bit more work...

Who cares about looks? This tells us nothing about the important things - chassis design, mechanicals, hose out floors, body types, that sort of thing. One thing for sure - that particular version will not sell many to Defender owners - how many 90s get sold? And the windscreen is raked too far and is not flat - can you imagine how hot it will be after being parked in the sun for a while?

John

i hope that landrover read these threads, cos this is where the truth is going to come from, sorry boys, your not even close to the mark with this one, all i can say is my defenders just shot up in value and so has everyother defender in the world.
looks like a face lifted freelander, and i'm not sure you could ''DEFEND'' a country with one of these.
''rubbish'' thats my thought on it

muddys1