Suspension Budget

[patclan]

I am looking for some advice regarding the suspensionon my 2009 110.

I am finalising plans for my trip in September were I will be going outback and over the Simpson Desert, and apart from all the other stuff I seem to be spending a small fortune on I need to look at my suspension.

I salary sacrifice my car through work and as I have not had to pay servicing cost for the last 2.5 yrs on the corporate scheme, I have a few k saved up in my operating account.

I am thinking some HD springs on the front as I have around 50mm between the back end of the bump stops on the front due to the bulllbar & winch and it is feeling a bit wishy washy, I want to get new shocks but looking at the Koni's they could easily cost over 2k for the raids, would some Bilstien or terramirma be comparable?

Should I be getting some half decent shocks and spending the money on upgrading some of the more vulnerable parts on the underside?

I will probably have it loaded up more often than not, I have a roof rack on and roof top tent to go on and all the usual stuff.

So the question is if you had a 2009 defender with 90k on the clock and up to 4k to spend on the suspension and stuff for trip preparation what would you do.

I will probably only get one shot at this so I want to spend it wisely.

thanks

Patrick.

[weeds]

Buy top notch shocks, springs are cheap as chips really and plenty of options.

Not sure what else is vulnerable underneath.

[Allan]

I've got terramirma shocks on both my Defenders and I am very happy with them. I also fitted airbags to the rear of the 110 as it is usualy full to the roof and beyond with gear and the boat in tow.

Allan

[Drover]

Hi Pat,

I went across the Simpson in '09. I had bar, winch, roof rack and gear need for the trip, including 2 spares.

I had a set of 50mm front spring, stock shock front and rear. Didn't have any problems, but the rear shock suffered, got very soft and lots of bouncing.

The front topped out all the time, very annoying and could well have have caused issues, but it didn't.

I have sinced installed poly bags on th rear with TerraFirma Expidition shocks. 50mm TerraFirma ProSport now take care of the front.

With this set up it a very comfortable ride, lots of available articulation and soaks up the bumps.

Poly Bags $320
TF fronts and rears about $450
Front springs $160

Since this trip I also installed Asshcroft half shafts, drive flanges and CV's. Imported direct about $2400aud's.(and other stuff but these are the big bits)

Cheers

[Bundalene]

We travel very rough tracks a lot with our 2006 TD5 Defender, about to head off again. We have a 2 inch spring lift and some good shocks from Ultimate Suspension with poly airs in the rear. All up cost around the numbers Drover is talking.

I have a mate who swears by his Konis though as you say, these are hell expensive for what gain?

We tow a boat with about 80kgs on the tow bar and the poly airs allow us to level the rear of the vehicle - but don't go much over 20psi.

We also have maxi flanges front and rear, installed at 10,000kms with original axles which are still tight at 100,000kms



Erich

[Brid]

I have a 2007 Puma with 183,000kms on it now. I put my Konis on from the Td5 I had before. The Konis had done 250,000kms, when one of the rears packed it in, so I replaced the rears with Bilsteins (I thought they would be just as good...but maybe not, from what people are saying??). The front Konis have now done 280,000kms, and are still fine. I guess they worked out pretty cheap shocks for me! I looked at having them rebuilt, but was told that they were the cheaper Koni, and would cost only a little less than new ones. The dearer Koni option, I'm told would have been a better option to rebuild.

I have 130 springs on front, as the originals used to bottom out very easily. That was at about 15,000kms from memory & still happy with the 130 springs. The rears got a bit saggy loaded, but were nice and comfy, so I put in Poly Air bags, which were good, but I recently replaced the springs with Kings Standard...which they tell me are about 25% higher rated. They are a bit less comfy empty, but good loaded and more stable on corners, etc.

Good luck with it all! I can't wait to get back into the Simpson again...love it!

[justinc]

One shot at it??? New Factory springs (130 spec front and rear) and koni Raid 90 shocks.
Beadell Tours - Vehicle Suspension (http://www.beadelltours.com.au/shock_absorbers.html#2011)

This link is a repost, but worth seeing again.

JC

[Doaky13]

I have bilstiens under my defender and they have been up the task of towing my 16ft van and are still comfy round town and off road.

[landrover dave]

Try Dobinsons Springs, they are based in Rockhampton and have a warehouse in sydney. I have used Their springs in a few customers cars, with good results. Whem mine need replacing thats what I'm putting in.

[Summiitt]

I had 130 front springs in my 110 puma and they worked a treat, also, for bugger all money, buy a good front diff guard, mine has taken a few good hits that probably saved the front diff housing.

[ugu80]

Try Dobinsons Springs, they are based in Rockhampton and have a warehouse in sydney. I have used Their springs in a few customers cars, with good results. Whem mine need replacing thats what I'm putting in.

I know people here go on about the quality and performance of Land Rover springs, but I replaced my 130 springs and dampers with Dobinsons springs and dampers and have not looked back. They somehow manage to be better when loaded and still less harsh in operation than the LR stuff without breaking the bank.

[Yorkshire_Jon]

Not much to add to what's already been said really. However, suggest you spend as much as you can on shocks Koni 80 or 90 series perhaps (depending on weight) and less on underbody protection - sand in the Simpson (or anywhere come to think of it) isn't that hard so protection shouldn't be at the top of the list, whereas if you skimp on shocks, you will kill them on the corrugations and be left needing.

From memory you should have 100mm between axle ad bottom of bump stop on rear axle and 75mm on front.

Don't overlook steering damper also.

Double check all steering and suspension bushes have no play in them before you go and that you regularly check the air filter for clogging when your traveling and you should be right.

Most of all, preparation beforehand is the key to a successful trip. Have fun & enjoy the sand and vast skies:)

J

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[patclan]

Thanks guys for all your advice, time digest and do some shopping.

will post some photos of any new stuff I get of course.

I am still waiting on my BFG KM2 they were on back order but should be arriving this week at the local tyre place, then I can finally get my new wheels on.

On another note, any idea what size of fridge is a 'good size' I will probably have a slider, drop down or not I am not sure yet. it needs to be able to slide out the back door and still leave usable room I think, but not be to small, I need to have some cold drinks and food for 2, I probably wont be taking food for a month with me and will shop in places when i can, they are just such an expense again you dont want to get it wrong and either end up with something to small and useless or too big and an obstacle.

thanks again for your advice.

[Yorkshire_Jon]

Engel 40L. steel one, not plastic.

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[Allan]

Engel 40L. steel one, not plastic.

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x2. Top fridge.

Allan

[strangy]

x2. Top fridge.

Allan

X 3

Make sure you have a long bit of fencing wire or similar to get under the truck to pull out bits of spinifex grass etc. When you stop. There is lots of vegetation out that way after all the rain and it will help prevent a fire.

Cheers

[Natt]

X 3



X 4 :D

Yes go the Engel, top fridge

Cheers
Natt

[ugu80]

x5 on the Engel and you will need to check for grass build up. Just got back from a trip out west and its not a desert anymore, its a prairie.

[Drover]

X 6 on the 40L Engle. Get the top basket and 6 pack drink holders, makes it easy to organise the bottom 2/3rd's for food.

Anything larger than the 40L will take up to much of the available door space.

Speak to your butcher about cyrovacing you meat in meal sized portions. Cyrovaced meat will last for 4-6 weeks at below 5c.

[clubagreenie]

I want to get new shocks but looking at the Koni's they could easily cost over 2k for the raids,

Seems excessive. I was quoted $800- for a set of custom built konis valved however I liked, even to the point that I'm able to go back and have them changed if they do turn out to be too soft/hard.

[justinc]

Seems excessive. I was quoted $800- for a set of custom built konis valved however I liked, even to the point that I'm able to go back and have them changed if they do turn out to be too soft/hard.

They won't be raid 90's for 800 smackers....


JC

[clubagreenie]

:whistling::whistling::whistling::whistling::whist ling::whistling::whistling:

Shhhhhh.......

[justinc]

:whistling::whistling::whistling::whistling::whist ling::whistling::whistling:

Shhhhhh.......

:o:eek::twisted:


JC

[Blknight.aus]

One shot at it??? New Factory springs (130 spec front and rear) and koni Raid 90 shocks.
Beadell Tours - Vehicle Suspension (http://www.beadelltours.com.au/shock_absorbers.html#2011)

This link is a repost, but worth seeing again.

JC

that and with the change MD flanges and axles from MR (just maybe in the budget.) you can get the equivelent springs from suspension stuff cheaper if that helps out.

[newhue]

I have an ARB 47 lt fridge, it copes with enough cold food for 2 adults and 2 kids for 2 weeks. Same money as Engel but has a bigger internal space. Use it several times a month for the past 3 years and going strong.

I have just put Les Richmond springs and koni's in mine. Verry happy with the outcome.

[chook73]

X 6 on the 40L Engle. Get the top basket and 6 pack drink holders, makes it easy to organise the bottom 2/3rd's for food.

Anything larger than the 40L will take up to much of the available door space.

Speak to your butcher about cyrovacing you meat in meal sized portions. Cyrovaced meat will last for 4-6 weeks at below 5c.

Just to be different I have a 60lt waeco it takes up the same horizontal room as a 40ly engil but is a bit taller. Works well at keeping things cold, never stopped.

The fridge came with a vacuum packing machine and I haven't looked back, I do a lot of slow cooked meals, freeze them then vacuum pack them. I also vacuum pack meal size portions of vegetables with a dab of butter and salt and pepper, throw both packs in boiling water for a few minutes (don't even take them out of the bags) and you have a great meal and hot water for washing up with!

In the 60lt fridge I can fit meals for 2 weeks for two with a few cans of burbon,milk, eggs etc. I tend to get meat locally in towns as its always readily available but tasty meals for variation are difficult to prepare so I make 2 weeks of slow cooked meals last for 3 - 4 weeks :)


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[patclan]

Thanks all for your advice, I just ordered 4 Koni Raids, Dobinson springs and the a pair of coil-rite airbags for the rear, all from suspension stuff.

I have 4 springs coming but will only fit the front for now and try the airbags in the rear, I might fit the rear springs before my trip in Sept. but will see.

The springs are +2 but they reckoned that would just bring me level at the front due to the weight load I have, if not then I guess I will need to get a DC prop shaft.

Does anyone know if the coil springs in the rear of a 7 seater 2009 defender are different from a non 7 seater? I took the seats out and weighed them, I think there was about 30kg in each seat and frame so I reckon this negates the weight of the drawers I built and put in.

thanks
Pat.

[clubagreenie]

I'm running +2" lovells, with a winch in a steel cradle behind the plastic bar it was + 80mm above bump stops. When I built a tube bar for the front it went down about 5mm, the bar used the original crush cans and deformable structure (steel backing of plastic) of the original bar.

I'm about to get an xRox bar so am interested in seeing how much more it goes down as it's not that heavy but moves the winch forward.



:o:eek::twisted:


JC

Now I just have to reclaim some of the budget I overspent pn other goodies...