REQ: 110 Wagon front and rear suspension advice

[Ranga]

So, after replacing the front springs on the 110 wagon yesterday, and realising the shocks were stuffed, I've decided to replace both the front and rear shocks, and probably the rear springs as well. Let's not muck around I say!

I used the LR 130 springs from Karcraft for the front to counter-act the weight from the winch bar and soon-to-come winch. Should I use LR 130 springs also, or stick with 110 springs for the back?

I think I might try either the Terrafirma shocks, or OME shocks. Any suggestions on what type I should be looking for in either of these brands? No lift intended, just looking to replace the tired 15 year old suspension and give the ol' girl a bit of an upgrade.

[Snake2093]

Ranga, only personal opinion here, but i would stay away from OME products, just re-branded monroe. Have you looked at TJM brand of shocks. I hear they have a good name and awesome warranty to boot.
If you need advice on suspension setups. ZORDA of the 4wd action web site, he is a wealth of knowledge and can give good prices as well.

[Xtreme]

So, after replacing the front springs on the 110 wagon yesterday, and realising the shocks were stuffed, I've decided to replace both the front and rear shocks, and probably the rear springs as well. Let's not muck around I say!

I used the LR 130 springs from Karcraft for the front to counter-act the weight from the winch bar and soon-to-come winch. Should I use LR 130 springs also, or stick with 110 springs for the back?

I think I might try either the Terrafirma shocks, or OME shocks. Any suggestions on what type I should be looking for in either of these brands? No lift intended, just looking to replace the tired 15 year old suspension and give the ol' girl a bit of an upgrade.

Standard 110 rear springs work quite well with the 130 frony springs. The 130 rears will be too harsh. If you vary your load much, you could supplement the rears with polyairs.
I haven't had any experience with either brand of shock you are considering so I'll stay out of that discussion.

[5teve]

So, after replacing the front springs on the 110 wagon yesterday, and realising the shocks were stuffed, I've decided to replace both the front and rear shocks, and probably the rear springs as well. Let's not muck around I say!

I used the LR 130 springs from Karcraft for the front to counter-act the weight from the winch bar and soon-to-come winch. Should I use LR 130 springs also, or stick with 110 springs for the back?

I think I might try either the Terrafirma shocks, or OME shocks. Any suggestions on what type I should be looking for in either of these brands? No lift intended, just looking to replace the tired 15 year old suspension and give the ol' girl a bit of an upgrade.

cant help on the springs, but need some help on them... have to do some measurements first tho! its all new to me...

As for shocks.. i have some of the TF +2 big bore expedition shocks as reviewed by DB on the way... seem very good value... and DB seemed impressed.

might be worth a try!

Steve

[Ranga]

cant help on the springs, but need some help on them... have to do some measurements first tho! its all new to me...

As for shocks.. i have some of the TF +2 big bore expedition shocks as reviewed by DB on the way... seem very good value... and DB seemed impressed.

might be worth a try!

Steve

Do they give a 2" lift, and/or are they suitable with normal size springs? I'll call British Offroad tomorrow and see what they know.

[Tombie]

Ranga, only personal opinion here, but i would stay away from OME products, just re-branded monroe. Have you looked at TJM brand of shocks. I hear they have a good name and awesome warranty to boot.
If you need advice on suspension setups. ZORDA of the 4wd action web site, he is a wealth of knowledge and can give good prices as well.

Hahaha your kidding right!?

OME are built at Monroe yes, to OME spec and design. they are not Monroe rebadge.

Tjm shocks are Brazilian made rebadges!

I see the magic words above "I hear they.........." ;-)

[5teve]

Do they give a 2" lift, and/or are they suitable with normal size springs? I'll call British Offroad tomorrow and see what they know.

They can be used with normal height springs... call Stu at rovacraft and talk to him about them. Thats where im getting mine from.

Also have a look for Dullbirds report on them. i think it was in the verandah under the terrafirma thread by stuart.

edit... i did it for you! http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/102897-terrafirma-big-bore-expedition-shocks.html#post1227054

Thanks

Steve

[Ranga]

Well, it appears I can get Bilsteins from MR Auto for around the same money as the Terrafrima Big Bores from British Offroad.

Decisions, decisions...

[mark2]

The Bilsteins are nice shocks but check the open lengths - with the standard part # you wont get much droop with a 2" lift.

I'm currently trialing some +2" shocks from Shane @ Suspension Stuff - $240/pair delivered. They are made by Lovells. Happy with them so far, particularly the extra wheel travel.

[VladTepes]

Ranga as you know I have OME LTR's on mine - they seem good, but pricey.

[isuzu110]

The Bilsteins are nice shocks but check the open lengths - with the standard part # you wont get much droop with a 2" lift.

I'm currently trialing some +2" shocks from Shane @ Suspension Stuff - $240/pair delivered. They are made by Lovells. Happy with them so far, particularly the extra wheel travel.


Are they Shane's yellow or silver shocks ?

[mark2]

Are they Shane's yellow or silver shocks ?

The silver variety...

[Allan]

I used +2 inch Terrafirma's on both my Puma and the wife's ninety and find them very capable and at the price unbeatable. My first choice on the Puma were OME's but removed them due to a lack of downward travel. I used the Terrafirmas on both vehicles with standard / hd Land Rover springs and they have transformed both vehicles.

Allan

[ugu80]

Ranga, only personal opinion here, but i would stay away from OME products, just re-branded monroe. Have you looked at TJM brand of shocks. I hear they have a good name and awesome warranty to boot.
If you need advice on suspension setups. ZORDA of the 4wd action web site, he is a wealth of knowledge and can give good prices as well.

The Monroe slander again. If your shock is labelled 'Made in Australia', whatever the brand name, it has been made by Monroe. Monroe is the only mass manufacturer of shocks (dampers to be pedantic) in Australia. However, they will make said shock to whatever specification and quality the buyer (e.g. OME) is willing to pay for. Monroe are quite capable of making a high quality shock.

[Allan]

The Monroe slander again. If your shock is labelled 'Made in Australia', whatever the brand name, it has been made by Monroe. Monroe is the only mass manufacturer of shocks (dampers to be pedantic) in Australia. However, they will make said shock to whatever specification and quality the buyer (e.g. OME) is willing to pay for. Monroe are quite capable of making a high quality shock.

Regardless of labelling they don,t have any downward travel and if you do even a 2.5 cm lift you may as well have cart springs. You need to retain travel so why buy OME they don't have it off the rack .

Allan

[Tombie]

Regardless of labelling they don,t have any downward travel and if you do even a 2.5 cm lift you may as well have cart springs. You need to retain travel so why buy OME they don't have it off the rack .

Allan

Hmmm interesting comments here...

Unless you're getting incorrect shocks or ARB has made a mistake all OME shocks for D2, D1, Defender that I have measured are a good 50mm longer than stock shocks.

I'll go digging and find the spec book I have here somewhere.

[rick130]

[snip]
Should I use LR 130 springs also, or stick with 110 springs for the back?

[snip]



Standard 110 rear springs work quite well with the 130 frony springs. The 130 rears will be too harsh.
[snip]


I'll let you into a little fact, 110 and 130 rear springs are identical part # main coils, all Land Rover do is add an inner coil of 140lb/in in the 130 with a slip in retainer in the top spring perch. ;)

[Allan]

Hmmm interesting comments here...

Unless you're getting incorrect shocks or ARB has made a mistake all OME shocks for D2, D1, Defender that I have measured are a good 50mm longer than stock shocks.

I'll go digging and find the spec book I have here somewhere.

I originally used them on a two inch lift and had very little down travel. I have since reverted to standard LR rear coils and still found them to be lacking, a speed bump at the shopping centre found the limit of downward travel. I can find the part number if it would help but I am told they all have the same part number for 90/110 Defenders.

Regards
Alllan

[Ranga]

Well, after a bit of contemplation I'm actually now thinking of going with the Terrafirma Big Bore +2" shocks. Rovacraft have a good price for these, much cheaper than the Bilsteins. I can't knock the Bilsteins, it simply comes down to saving a few bucks and hopefully still ending up with good shocks fit for purpose.

I'm slightly concerned about the +2" shock with my new standard LR springs, but I'll chat to Stuart at Rovacraft tomorrow to see if they're going to be an issue and if so possible solutions.

I was tempted to grab these LANDROVER DEFENDER KONI SHOCKS - eBay 4x4 Accessories, Exterior, Car Parts, Accessories, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 09-Jun-10 13:15:06 AEST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180516908289&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:AU:1123) but I'm not sure where to find matching front shocks.

[rick130]

Hmmm interesting comments here...

Unless you're getting incorrect shocks or ARB has made a mistake all OME shocks for D2, D1, Defender that I have measured are a good 50mm longer than stock shocks.

I'll go digging and find the spec book I have here somewhere.


Mike, IIRC TLC and Patrol OME's are longer than stock but the numbers I have for Defender LTR's aren't anything flash.
Can you check to see if they've changed over the years ?

These are from quite a few years ago.

Fronts. 554/324mm
Rears. 560/340mm

[rick130]

[snip]
I was tempted to grab these LANDROVER DEFENDER KONI SHOCKS - eBay 4x4 Accessories, Exterior, Car Parts, Accessories, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 09-Jun-10 13:15:06 AEST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180516908289&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:AU:1123) but I'm not sure where to find matching front shocks.

They're mono-tube gas Koni's, not often used in Oz for 4x4's.
Open 560mm
closed 358mm

I'd rather go with Billies or deCarbon if going mono-tube, those Koni's while having adjustable re-bound can't be re-built or re-valved as Koni, in their infinite wisdom crimp the top cap in rather than use a circlip. :rolleyes: