Thread: EFS Springs for a Defender 110 Wgn - Anyone with experience?

Guys,

Time has come for some new suspension under my Defender Tdi300
This is the specs that was quoted to me

• FRONT Coil - (Code: LAN112E) - Spring Rate:230lbs - 425mm(LHS) / 435mm(RHS)
• FRONT Shocks - (Code: 36-5592) - Shock Open: 550mm / Closed:325mm (75mm height)
• REAR Coil - (Code: LAN102E) - Spring Rate: 470lbs - 410mm(LHS & RHS)
• REAR Shocks (Option.1) - (Code: 36-5593) - Shock Open: 555mm / Closed:335mm (50mm Height)
• REAR Shocks (Option.2) - (Code: 36-5591) - Shock Open: 635mm / Closed:382mm (50mm Height)

Upon measuring my old existing REAR Coils, they were 400mm in Free Length and the OLD Shocks were pretty much the same open length as the NEW ones quoted, so I assuming there will be no increase in Downwards Wheel Travel then?
I removed the old shocky and jacked up the back corner to see how far the wheel would drop before the Coil dislocated and then I took a measurement of the required shock length to determine what shock would make the most out of a 410mm coil. The figure I worked out was 580mm safely or MAX of 600mm and no more b4 the coil would dislocate.

The deal I got from EFS was very good and definitely within my price range but I'm a little concerned whether I'd be happy with the Wheel Travel and the quality of the ride. The 470lb REAR spring & 230lb FRONT spring sounds like it would give a very harsh ride, considering that majority of the time my Defender will be running around with little extra weight in the back
(note: I've currently only got a Steel B/bar & Rear Tyre Carrier, but planning on the following: winch, LR Tank, and home made drawers in the rear; roof rack, steel Sliders)

I'm very much a novice when it comes to this but I'd like to get the following:

• a reasonable on/off road ride comfort but still be able to take the family on a weekend camping trip & the springs to handle the extra load.
• Reasonable Wheel Travel

I've also looked on the Les Richmond Website and came across the following coil option:

• REAR - White Tiger Orange/Yellow 270lbs/16.8"/427mm
• FRONT - 2 choices here: (1) Orange 180lbs/17"/432mm or (2) Purple/Orange 220lbs/18"/457mm (Would Option.2 make the front higher than the rear?)

The more I read, the more I'm getting myself confused..... Any sensible advice would be greatly appreciated.... Anyone know or have experience with EFS Suspension Kits?

BTW: Vehicle usage: Weekend trips in the bush exploring/4wdriving (nothing hardcore but still would like to try some reasonable harder tracks if the opportunity arose); Fraser Island Trips with the Family possibly towing a 7x4 box trailer; and "maybe" over time possibly do a longer outback trip, but this is way down the track.....

cheers...
rob

PM sent....

U got me wondering if the 270lbs will be too light in the rear now, especially when I do eventually get around building a drawer system for the rear, LR Tank, side steps, plus any recovery gear that I permanently leave in the car.

Originally Posted by steane

I'm running the LRA 180lb front coils, with bull bar and winch, and rear 320lb springs (tried the 270lb which was better ride but they sat too low). Sits around level with a drawer unit and tools etc in the back. I hate weight so I always pack as light as possible and this setup works well. When fully packed sits a little down in the rear but not enough to be an issue.

I wouldn't touch heavier springs...I've got a full set of kings and Lovell's springs in the shed that were 'heavy duty' and the ride was appalling.

Current setup is great on-road and seriously brilliant off-road with some psi knocked out of the tyres.

Service from LRA was great and I believe they still allow you to swap springs within a two week period or something like that.

I would seriously consider standard LR springs which are cheap and offer a great ride as well. I think the rears are 330lb from memory. Can use 130 front springs if running bull bar/winch. LR knew what they were doing.