How can i improve the ride on my 110

[dunny1]

I'm trying to keep the wife happy, how can i improve the ride of my 110. Its a 2012 model.

Any help would be great....

[BilboBoggles]

It really depends on what you want. For me, I don't care about being able to slalom race it, I prefer nice soft suspension that just glides over bumps or corrugations. I started in old range rovers, and I loved the suspension in those.

I've got an older TD5 model which was pretty rough on dirt roads. I never loaded it, so for me the spring rates were too hard. I had lower rate - but longer length springs put in. I ended up with a little more height - perhaps +1" from factory. But the ride now is brilliant. The other slight change was to reduce the pressure in the tyres to about 32 in the front and 42 psi in the back. That's made corrugations dissapear. The TD5 now drives like an old range rover, and is a true pleasure to drive on dirt roads.


I've not touched my new model PUMA, as it's still under warranty, and I don't want to risk warranty issues on the drive train if the springs change the ride height and end up chewing out the transfer case front output shaft. But when it's out of warranty - I'll get a double Cardon joint prop shaft and much longer softer springs.

[frantic]

Bilbo pretty much summed it up, 2 in lift on medium-light springs, longer more comfortable shockies that wont fade, as your in a puma a double card. prop. and some larger tyres with slightly lower pressures, maybe 255/85 r16 BFG muddies(about 33.2 in);) as the bighorns are very good but get noisy when about 50% worn. As a compromise for when you do load up put some airbags in the softer rear springs to stop the sagging.
Another idea is try lining underneath the puma to deaden some of the sound, as this sometimes helps. Personally, i just turn the stereo up.

[Loubrey]

I'm trying to keep the wife happy, how can i improve the ride of my 110. Its a 2012 model.

Any help would be great....

The quickest immediate fix is the tyre pressures. The recommended pressures in all Defenders is completely over the top IMO.

This will most probably be very controversial as 99% of people in Australia prefer rock hard tyres and on mine sites its actually specified. I have a different opinion and in all honesty, I'm still to be proved wrong...

On daily road driving there is no need for the "Cross Country Safari" governed pressures and I drive my 90 with 2.0 bar (29psi) in the front and 2.2 bar (32psi) in the rear. My ride is a lot more comfortable and my tyre wear is better than most of my friend's Defenders.

Your fronts should be similar, but I'd go just a bit higher on the 110's rears.

Cheers,

Lou

[goingbush]

I'm with Lou on this, I run 28 front and 30 rear on my 110, except when towing and loaded, they go up to 35 & 45

[BreakingBad]

I thought the only way to keep them happy was . . .

"would you like some wine dear?" :D

[Summiitt]

Def tyre pressures will help a lot, but remember these are working vehicles, the 110s are rated to carry about a ton, so if you have no weight in it, it will be a firm ride, load it up and you will love the ride! Just depends on what you plan to do with the vehicle. My 110 puma was most comfortable loaded for a 3 week desert trip..all on standard suspension with 4 blokes and all the crap to go with it.

[dunny1]

Thanks guys, I have dropped the tyer pressure but not as far as you have suggested. I will start there and check out other springs.

If I need to go down the path of changing springs, what should I get and from who?

[dunny1]

I thought the only way to keep them happy was . . .

"would you like some wine dear?" :D

Tried that no good...

[Sue]

I'm trying to keep the wife happy, how can i improve the ride of my 110. Its a 2012 model.

Any help would be great....

Change it for a Disco.. :p

[Loubrey]

Thanks guys, I have dropped the tyer pressure but not as far as you have suggested. I will start there and check out other springs.

If I need to go down the path of changing springs, what should I get and from who?

If you do alter the springs on the Puma, just make sure you don't end up raising the vehicle. As BilboBoggles said, you would need to change your front prop shaft and LRA won't like that much...

Cheers,

Lou

[strangy]

Tried that no good...

Because it is actually "here is your wine Dear"

[c.h.i.e.f]

My 2010 110 suspension felt perfect and I loved it but there was a noticeable change over time to the stage it was worse than a leaf sprung vehicle :eek: the front sagged and I'm presuming the shocks were past there used by date...

[chook73]

I have found the 4 PSI rule works really well for getting your tyre pressures right and it helped the ride quality amazingly in an empty puma.

4psi Rule (http://www.aawen4x4.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1:4psi-rule&catid=2:current&Itemid=7)

[TimNZ]

My 2010 110 suspension felt perfect and I loved it but there was a noticeable change over time to the stage it was worse than a leaf sprung vehicle :eek: the front sagged and I'm presuming the shocks were past there used by date...

Hi c.h.i.e.f, out of curiosity are you still running the original General Grabbers?

Thanks,

Tim

[steane]

The quickest immediate fix is the tyre pressures. The recommended pressures in all Defenders is completely over the top IMO.

This will most probably be very controversial as 99% of people in Australia prefer rock hard tyres and on mine sites its actually specified. I have a different opinion and in all honesty, I'm still to be proved wrong...

On daily road driving there is no need for the "Cross Country Safari" governed pressures and I drive my 90 with 2.0 bar (29psi) in the front and 2.2 bar (32psi) in the rear. My ride is a lot more comfortable and my tyre wear is better than most of my friend's Defenders.

Your fronts should be similar, but I'd go just a bit higher on the 110's rears.

Cheers,

Lou

I run 30 all round and up it a fraction for highway type trips. No issues with tyre wear and much better ride. High tyre pressures are in my experience a bit better for economy on trips but I'd rather be comfortable and not shake the bus to bits.

[c.h.i.e.f]

Hi c.h.i.e.f, out of curiosity are you still running the original General Grabbers?

Thanks,

Tim

Hey TimNZ...I removed the generals on day 1 and used 235/85r16 BFG all terrains as I cannot fault them and use bfg on every vehicle...I love the ride a defender provides compared to any other 4wd however mine did cop a fair work out in terrible conditions and squeezing 90,000k's into under 2 years I can't really complain...