Thread: TD5 with County front-end

The suspension bushes/radius arms on the axle will be narrower, and the drive flange and hub are different. They might have changed if the County diff had a locker. Alternatively the old one failed and was cheaper/easier for DIY mechanic to fit a new axle rather than fix the diff center.

A lot of the County components are a lot more heavy duty than the Defender.


Just a matter of mixing and matching all the good stuff

Originally Posted by reeksyofoz

When I bought my TD5 I was told it has been fitted with a County front end suspension...

LR novice question coming up

Why would someone do this?

Which components are likely to be different to what I should have in the manual?

It would depend on what exactly was changed -

Best guess - if you have a winch up front, or a second battery installed under the bonnet (or other accessories likely to add weight at the front), the previous owner may have used isuzu county front springs as they are heavier duty - the Isuzu engine is significantly heavier than a TD5, so higher spring rates were used.

Other than that, who knows? County CV's are stronger, but it's usually not an upgrade someone does unless fitted with a front locker... besides which, CV's are not exactly a 'suspension component'.

Thanks fellas.

As usual, I would have saved time if i'd mentioned everything.

Dual batteries under the seat, but winch and bar up front, ARB air lockers front and rear, compressor and ecoshot under the bonnet, too. I guess it all adds up to a bit more weight.

In truth I was just told 'front-end' ... so it was probably the whole lot.

Wheel bearings have been converted to oil lubrication too (easier to trace a damaged seal than with a grease bearing I'm told).

None of the work has been DIY'ed - all done by MTE in Morwell.

In that context, county front end would probably also refer to the front axle, which would have stronger CV's, but weaker 10 spline half shafts.

It is possible (perhaps likely?) that, given they went through the trouble of upgrading the 'front end' (presumably CVs), they also fitted a 24 spline diff centre with heavy duty aftermarket (Maxi-drive or similar) half shafts.

Best to check with the previous owner, if you've still got his contact details.

Cheers

Bojan

Originally Posted by Offender90

It is possible (perhaps likely?) that, given they went through the trouble of upgrading the 'front end' (presumably CVs), they also fitted a 24 spline diff centre with heavy duty aftermarket (Maxi-drive or similar) half shafts.

Yep - definitely got the Maxi-drive flanges and shafts according to owner and receipts.

It's not that I don't trust the PO of course, but it's helpful to hear other opinions as to the reasons for mods. Thanks.

If it has ARB air lockers, it might have only County CV,s. & 10 spline inner axles. If its a Maxi diff lock up front I'm pretty sure they insisted on upgrading the inner axle to a 24 spline.
I gave my 10 spline axles heaps & never managed to bust one, stretched but not busted.

Originally Posted by reeksyofoz

None of the work has been DIY'ed - all done by MTE in Morwell.

Give Ian a ring, he's a friendly fellow and very meticulous in his work, he'd likely remember the vehicle