Thread: Suspension upgrade Defender 110 Wagon MY14

Originally Posted by Vern

May be speak to someone like Davis Performance Landies perhaps.
I would be getting each corner of the vehicle weighed, and choose springs from there. Speak to Kings or Dobinson springs.
As for shocks, i prefer koni over bilsteins, i just find they ride nicer.

Hi Vern
I have a tdi 110 with a 2" lift and heavy duty springs. Not sure what the rate of the springs are but they are too hard for my liking.
I also want to go back to standard ride height and possibly standard load rate springs though I tend to agree with Disco Mick's comments on standard springs ( I also have bought a set of Konis raids that I will fit when I buy new Springs)
Could you please elaborate on your comment on weighing each corner of the vehicle to decide on what rate of spring to purchase, ie how to weigh each corner and how to use that information to decide on spring rate as my defer has a long ranger tank plus a 45 litre side tank and reasonably heavy rear draws that I always keep loaded with tools and recovery gear. I have an ARB bullbar on the front and intend to add a winch.
I'm looking for a comfortable ride but you have got me thinking I should at least go for springs a little bit harder than standard rate. I also intend to add air bags in the rear springs.
Looking forward to your comments
PS I hope this isn't high jacking the thread.
I'm not really sure about posting edicate.
Cheers.

I run stock standard springs with Koni Raids on my 110. Excellent ride. Anything firmer would be too much. I would consider HD fronts if I had a winch, but not necessary with just a bullbar IME .

Originally Posted by Zeros

I run stock standard springs with Koni Raids on my 110. Excellent ride. Anything firmer would be too much. I would consider HD fronts if I had a winch, but not necessary with just a bullbar IME .

Excellent ride. Thanks. That's what I'm looking for.
Cheers

Originally Posted by Zeros

In my opinion, if a Defender is sagging at the rear, it is too heavy. ...If you really need more rear support put airbags in the springs.

An interesting premise. I’m a great believer in travelling as lightly as possible and I agree with your comments, but loaded up for a trip I lose about 20-25mm height in the rear. With the bar and winch I’ve lost a similar amount at the front.

We travel two up and carry around 200kg in the rear and probably another 50kg on the roof. I’ve fitted a drawer and have a fridge. On the roof I’ve got a Rhino platform and an awning. We sleep in Bunkers but my back won’t let me sleep on the ground anymore so the old hiking tent and Thermarests have been retired. We don’t carry much else other than food, water and clothes. Whilst this setup is not the lightest I’ve travelled with, I don’t think its fair to say that is too heavy.

With this load the standard rear spring rate is about right, but it sits a little low.

On our last trip, we added another 100kg in extra fuel and water. I could have done with a little more stiffness in the rear as it was hitting the bump stops on a few occasions climbing the dunes. Getting the 20mm back would have been a big help with this. Also, at 70k the shocks are getting a little tired and are up for replacement.

The standard front spring rate is still good with the added weight. However the standard springs are progressive and once they are down 20mm they basically at the same rate as the heavy duty springs, which are linear.

So I’m in the process of adding a set of airbags to the rear and HD springs to the front, as well as replacing the shocks. My aim in doing this is to keep everything as it is now but get back up to standard ride height.

Cheers,
Jon

Originally Posted by jon3950

An interesting premise. I’m a great believer in travelling as lightly as possible and I agree with your comments, but loaded up for a trip I lose about 20-25mm height in the rear. With the bar and winch I’ve lost a similar amount at the front.

We travel two up and carry around 200kg in the rear and probably another 50kg on the roof. I’ve fitted a drawer and have a fridge. On the roof I’ve got a Rhino platform and an awning. We sleep in Bunkers but my back won’t let me sleep on the ground anymore so the old hiking tent and Thermarests have been retired. We don’t carry much else other than food, water and clothes. Whilst this setup is not the lightest I’ve travelled with, I don’t think its fair to say that is too heavy.

With this load the standard rear spring rate is about right, but it sits a little low.

On our last trip, we added another 100kg in extra fuel and water. I could have done with a little more stiffness in the rear as it was hitting the bump stops on a few occasions climbing the dunes. Getting the 20mm back would have been a big help with this. Also, at 70k the shocks are getting a little tired and are up for replacement.

The standard front spring rate is still good with the added weight. However the standard springs are progressive and once they are down 20mm they basically at the same rate as the heavy duty springs, which are linear.

So I’m in the process of adding a set of airbags to the rear and HD springs to the front, as well as replacing the shocks. My aim in doing this is to keep everything as it is now but get back up to standard ride height.

Cheers,
Jon

Thanks for your very detailed input.
What you have said in your post are just the kind of things I've been considering.

Lots of good advice on this forum hey vjvamp73 !

Originally Posted by disco 300

Lots of good advice on this forum hey vjvamp73 !

Definitely Disco 300! Really detailed and sensible info. Thanks all