Thread: Chucking on a front sway bar only on a 110?

Originally Posted by Plutei

Steve, considered getting a front sway bar?

And with the helper bags I've read somewhere that they make unladen travelling with minimal pressure a bit awkward over bumps an the like. Have you found that to be the case at all? What pressure do you run it at?

No, never really thought about fitting a front bar.
The helper airbags weren't fitted for the body roll, mainly to keep off the bump stops when at max load/fuel/water on trips. I only noticed the improvement to roll after fitting them.

I'm running heavy springs anyway, so usually just run a minimum 8psi or so, and 15psi max so probably using them a bit differently to others.
Don't notice any ride issues but it's never really "empty" anyway, with 60L fridge, storage unit, basic camping gear for overnighters, water and the rooftop tent fitted permanently.
Running 255/85's at mid 30's improves the ride too

Steve

Originally Posted by justinc

I have both now on the county. I have all late defender suspension and brakes, and it handles beautifully into turns and on rough dirt. Very happy with both sway bars.

Jc

It's interesting you found this result also because people didn't believe me when I posted the same thing.The TDCi is much more competent on outback dirt roads than the previous models. Pat

Another thing defender owners should do is try different pressures front to back,I found the handling improved by running 36 on the font and 32 on the rear unloaded,loaded 36 front 42 rear.Sounds like BS but I try this type of thing on Tracey's TDCi without telling her and if she asked if I've changed anything I know it made a difference. Pat

Originally Posted by PAT303

It's interesting you found this result also because people didn't believe me when I posted the same thing.The TDCi is much more competent on outback dirt roads than the previous models. Pat

The tdci has gas shocks factory. I think they are a vast improvement. Mine has DeCarbon shocks all round, std def rear coils and factory heavy duty/ 130 front springs. With a steel bar and winch with rope and the 4bd1 it is sprung beautifully in my opinion. With the addition of a full rijidij rear bar and carrier/ jerry carrier however I'm going to have to fit 130 inner springs if i go towing as the van drawbar weight is 205kg.

Jc

Spring and damper tuning is an art, and IMO Tdi/TD5 era factory dampers/shockies aren't compliant enough for our roads.
Miles too much low speed bump damping helps reduce body roll but makes compliance harsh, too much mid/high speed bump for the relatively stiff rear spring rates makes the car harsh over bumps.

The earlier 110 coilers with RRC soft springs and the load leveller were a revelation for compliance and ride quality, but the body roll terrified most.

If you could push past that fear, let the car take a set as you rolled into the corner and just drive they are impressively quick, jut a little ponderous on quick changes of direction
.

Haven't taken a ride/drive in a Tdci yet to see what they are like.

Interesting observation re tyre pressures Pat.

Generally in most cars you run more air in the more heavily loaded end, so it makes sense to adjust as your load changes.
It's something I always did, and as we've discussed in the past, different brands (constructions) demand different pressures to what the tyre placard recommends too.

FWIW I brought the old front ant-roll bar with me when I moved, just never got around to fitting it.

One thing to watch out for if you've increased your droop/articulation in the front end (10"+ travel shockies) is that the front prop will now crash into the anti-roll bar in droop.

You can do a lot with shock tuning to reduce felt roll, but the car won't be as nice in ride on really rough dirt, but you won't compromise articulation as an anti-roll bar will.
Or, (re)fit an anti-roll bar/s for town and touring, and remove for the really rough stuff.
Everything's a compromise.

I have the g force active suspension still from my rrc... that negates ANY body roll 😈


Jc

The thing I like to feel when I drive is good positive steering,the thing I absolutely hate to feel is the mushing front end Japanese vehicles have.I had a brand new Triton for 3 days,how they can make a vehicle feel like none of the controls inside the cab are connected to parts outside of it is beyond me. Pat

Pat this is the goods mate. I could take corners at any speed i liked only dictate was the ability of the tyres to grip...😮. Retained the soft compliant classic rr ride too😊 win all round!

G-Force Suspension System by the Auto Edge

Jc