Thread: Suspension Budget

Buy top notch shocks, springs are cheap as chips really and plenty of options.

Not sure what else is vulnerable underneath.

I've got terramirma shocks on both my Defenders and I am very happy with them. I also fitted airbags to the rear of the 110 as it is usualy full to the roof and beyond with gear and the boat in tow.

Allan

Hi Pat,

I went across the Simpson in '09. I had bar, winch, roof rack and gear need for the trip, including 2 spares.

I had a set of 50mm front spring, stock shock front and rear. Didn't have any problems, but the rear shock suffered, got very soft and lots of bouncing.

The front topped out all the time, very annoying and could well have have caused issues, but it didn't.

I have sinced installed poly bags on th rear with TerraFirma Expidition shocks. 50mm TerraFirma ProSport now take care of the front.

With this set up it a very comfortable ride, lots of available articulation and soaks up the bumps.

Poly Bags $320
TF fronts and rears about $450
Front springs $160

Since this trip I also installed Asshcroft half shafts, drive flanges and CV's. Imported direct about $2400aud's.(and other stuff but these are the big bits)

Cheers

We travel very rough tracks a lot with our 2006 TD5 Defender, about to head off again. We have a 2 inch spring lift and some good shocks from Ultimate Suspension with poly airs in the rear. All up cost around the numbers Drover is talking.

I have a mate who swears by his Konis though as you say, these are hell expensive for what gain?

We tow a boat with about 80kgs on the tow bar and the poly airs allow us to level the rear of the vehicle - but don't go much over 20psi.

We also have maxi flanges front and rear, installed at 10,000kms with original axles which are still tight at 100,000kms



Erich

I have a 2007 Puma with 183,000kms on it now. I put my Konis on from the Td5 I had before. The Konis had done 250,000kms, when one of the rears packed it in, so I replaced the rears with Bilsteins (I thought they would be just as good...but maybe not, from what people are saying??). The front Konis have now done 280,000kms, and are still fine. I guess they worked out pretty cheap shocks for me! I looked at having them rebuilt, but was told that they were the cheaper Koni, and would cost only a little less than new ones. The dearer Koni option, I'm told would have been a better option to rebuild.

I have 130 springs on front, as the originals used to bottom out very easily. That was at about 15,000kms from memory & still happy with the 130 springs. The rears got a bit saggy loaded, but were nice and comfy, so I put in Poly Air bags, which were good, but I recently replaced the springs with Kings Standard...which they tell me are about 25% higher rated. They are a bit less comfy empty, but good loaded and more stable on corners, etc.

Good luck with it all! I can't wait to get back into the Simpson again...love it!

One shot at it??? New Factory springs (130 spec front and rear) and koni Raid 90 shocks.
Beadell Tours - Vehicle Suspension

This link is a repost, but worth seeing again.

JC

I have bilstiens under my defender and they have been up the task of towing my 16ft van and are still comfy round town and off road.

Try Dobinsons Springs, they are based in Rockhampton and have a warehouse in sydney. I have used Their springs in a few customers cars, with good results. Whem mine need replacing thats what I'm putting in.