DIY Suspension Fitout

[Lightweight]

In light of 5teve's recent post on the King springs and Terrairmas, I have decided to take the plunge and do something similar.

I really need to upgrade the springs and shocks in my defender, it has 115K on the clock and the suspension is getting a little tired. The goal of the project is to be able to order all of the parts online (Locally and from OS) and with the help of a mechanic be able to have them installed myself.

I have a 2006 TD5 and the following is my current and intended use.

I am mainly after a touring setup, with a good comfortable ride, i tow a camper, and can load up the back when i travel (two kids….) I travel about 100K's a day on country roads.

Lift is not my main concern, but a mild 25-40mm would not be an issue, i currently do not have a bulbar, but intend on fitting one soon.

I am after the part and/or model numbers to make ordering easy if they are available.

I have read a bit about the Koni's but not sure which ones to go for or which ones would suit the purpose best. I also like the Bilsteins. As far as shocks go it is down to these too, i just need part numbers.

Springs are another story, i really do not know where to start, or the part numbers.

The last thing is any other suspension mods i should do while i have the springs out and up on a hoist.

Any help appreciated.

[86mud]

Hi ya...

I have just installed new suspension in my 1998 130 (took me 5 hours today). I ordered 2" lift Dobinson springs matching Bistein shocks and a Bilstein steering damper from www.suspensionstuff.com.au (http://www.suspensionstuff.com.au). Shane offers free delivery to most areas in Aus. I also ordered some poly air bags for the rear, but did not install those today. I will install these at a later date. These will help with heavy loads and towing any weight.

I had this combination in my previous truck (it was 3") and I really liked the ride.

I also installed some terrafirma bits, like heavy duty front shock turrets and a few other bits. These where ordered from British Off Road.

Cheers
Andrew

[weeds]

you should be able to search for the billy part numbers on this site

upfront i believe mine are land rover heavy duty, from a 130 i think, i have a bar and pto winch with steel cable

down back, standard with poly air's....well until one failed due to old age

i have bilsteins allround

i have put 130k on them since i brought the rig and yes they all need replacing

this setup has worked fine as mine is a tourer, pretty sure i will stick to this setup, although not sure if poly air will go back in, might consider 130 helper springs

[5teve]

Where are you lightweight?

I got the shocks from Rovacraft... talk to Stu and mention the aulro price... you never know they may still honour it..

the springs i got from ape suspension in perth, very cheap but only good if you are in perth... postage is a killer...

Thanks

Steve

[Blknight.aus]

I recomend the suspension stuff stuff too.

Ive done 5 installs of his gear and know of a few other people running it as well.

[Lightweight]

Hi 5teve,

I am in NSW.

What are the opinions on the Dobinsons over the King Springs? Or are the OEM HD's the better option?

[86mud]

I have always used Dobinsons springs. I had 3" Flexi coils in my Rangie and now I have 2" Heavy Duty in my 130.

The ride now in my 130 is very nice now. In my opinion the combination of the Dobinson springs and Bilstein shocks are a great match.

My 130 previously had EFS suspension and it was rough, and poor quality. One rear spring was 25mm shorter than the other.

So glad to get rid of it.

Cheers
Andrew

[Gav110]

Has anyone tried the Les Richmond Automotive springs listed here: land rover spring specifications (http://www.members.shaw.ca/jbarge/springinfo.html) ??

I had front sag as soon as I put on the Tigerz11 12,000lb winch and Rovacraft bar + dual battery, but it's not as heavy as the ARB bar. I fitted the 130/110HD (225lbs) springs to compensate, but as their rate is a lot higher than the original dual rate springs (155/215lbs) I am finding it a bit harsh up front esp. with the lighter bar.

At the rear I have the standard rear springs (180lbs) and was considering fitting the 110HD springs (330lbs) to compensate for the rear wheel carrier, extra fuel tank and compressor, plus steel rack- but am worried this will make it worse.

The Les Richmond springs appear to come in some more granular spring rates - am considering the XXHeavy for front (180 lbs) and XXHeavy rear (270lbs) or possibly even the 220lbs option - both of which seem to be less aggressive rate wise.

I only carry kids and luggage in the rear, not drawers or fridge. I will be lugging a camping trailer soon too, hence thinking the 270lb springs.

Has anyone fitted these or have any anecdotal experience of the Les Richmond springs? Any guidance?

Also, am finding the Bilsteins very controlled but also a bit firm - am considering Tough Dog Adjustables which I had on my old 110 - seemed great and are fully rate adjustable. Any comments on this too?

[rick130]

I run the LRA 'purple' springs on the front of the 130, (17" free length, 220lb/in) I needed a little lift as the standard 130 springs were providing a little too small a bump stop clearance with a bar and winch up front, I was constantly crashing into the bump stops.

Talk to Andrew at LRA, he will advise exactly what you need based on your preferences and setup.

I knew exactly what rate and free length I needed for what i wanted but the average person doesn't know how to calculate loaded heights, etc and LRA have done all the hard work, they know what combinations to use.
Interestingly they use the 220lb/in springs in their racer too, and FWIW my bump stop pads are polished just from running on road, so the 220lb springs don't limit articulation at all for an average vehicle but yes, they are stiffer than your original variable rate springs.

Does you 110 have a front anti-roll bar ?
If fitted, that will increase the wheel rate (the spring rate that the wheel actually sees) in single wheel bump. ie. it feels like a heavier spring is fitted in a one wheel hitting a bump situation.

Re dampers (shock absorbers), everything is a compromise, you can have control or you can have nice ride characteristics but generally those two things are mutually exclusive, one has to be compromised to achieve the other.

Your Bilsteins can be re-valved to reduce the low speed bump valving. (they are generally fairly stiff standard)
This will increase ride comfort while allowing a little more initial roll, although it reduces the control of the unsprung weight (diff/axle/wheels) a little but in all honesty you'd probably need to be hammering pretty hard and be a race/rally driver to pick it.

Koni Heavy Track's are generally a little softer in bump and it doesn't seem to be a problem, although a lot of this is probably due to how quickly the forces are generated by the two different designs too.

[Lightweight]

All the work was completed on Friday. I had the weekend to test it out and make sure I am happy with the result.

Unbelievable was my first thought.

The car has been transformed (prob due to the poor state of the previous suspension). But i am almost going to say it is as comfortable as my previous D2.

I ended up with the Bilstein/Dobinson combo, i changed to the rubberised spring mounts and changed all of the bushes. This in combination of two brand new prop shafts and the difference is fantastic. The road handling is greatly improved with less body roll (I have no rear sway bar due to long range tank), and the rebound from large potholes or bumps in the road shows much improvement. The dirt road handling has been improved from good to great. I am yet to take it seriously offroad with the new setup, but will report on that when I do, or i remember. I loaded up the camper to check and it sits nice and level now as well.

I mistakenly ordered 4 x Rubberised spring mounts, unaware that the rear was not changeable, so i could only do this mod to the front unless someone knows how to do it?

I also changed the steering damper while it was on the hoist, i just have to go and get a balance and a wheel alignment now to complete the task.

:D

[Gav110]

Bruce Davis in Sydney (and am sure others) can make you up a custom set of mounts to straddle the long range tanks so you can fit the rear sway bar if needed.