Suspension downgrade for TD5

[benji]

My cousin recently bought a late TD5 Defender; but... the POs somehow decided to put 2inch lifted heavy duty king springs underneath. The rears are 490lb!!!!!!!!
Apparently it's got really good shockers on there (can't make out the sticker, it's not Terra Firma, but it's got a 2 word name...)

He runs literally empty 95% of the time; but tows a camper trailer with a 65kg ball weight, with the fridge, chairs, etc in the car (might be 250kg max)

He's after something with better ride and articulation, but says he wants to keep the 2 inch lift.

Has anyone got any preferences on springs?
We're just a bit confused as he was told today the ONLY way to get decent springs for Defenders is to weld a bracket into the spring hanger too allow it to take Disco / Rangie springs - which seems a little odd to me.

Thanks for any input.

[uninformed]

AFAIK the stock LR springs are 330 lb/in. Its a tough one to get a perfect spring rate for empty and then carrying gear.

Im going to call BS on the info you were given regarding the welding and disco/rangie spring.

[Rick Fischer]

The best spring for doing normal stuff day to day and normal towing is the original set of springs. Remember these things are set up to tow a double horse float off the show room floor. 2" lift, unless one is doing really dramatic stuff, whatever for? (......and I've done some dramatic stuff with stock, airbags, and a full load!)

My experience which includes loading D2 up for 3 months away across the continent each year for over 10 years is stock springs with aftermarket air bag levelers.

Cheers

RF

[Dopey]

The rear spring hanger on 110's is for a larger diameter spring than what fits 90's, Discovery 1's and Range Rover classics.
To fits 90, disco 1, and Range Rover classic springs, both the spring hanger (chassis end) and the spring pad (axle end) need to be changed or modified to fit the smaller diameter ones.
Mike.

[rick130]

It'd be interesting to see spring pad clearances and guard heights for the King springs vs stock rate springs, I'm guessing there wont be much in it.

As for the other comment regarding having to weld perches in for RRC/Disco springs, bloody hell....... :rolleyes:

[benji]

Thanks Uninformed. BS is what I thought too - I think the guy was a sham who wanted to sell him something. Everyone knows there's plenty of spring manafacturers (terra-firma, dobinson) etc.

The car definately sits higher than a standard Defender, with the bottom line of sills sitting just above the top of the rim. I completely agree he doens't need the lift. A standard height Defender has more than enough clearance, especially as he doesn't do serious off roading...yet:D.

330lb is admittantly quite high, though I know they'll take a fair load. He has talked about putting the airbags in (which would allow him to run a much lower rate). Rover seemed to tighten up the suspension from the TD5 onwards, but I think the spring rates of the County's / 300tdi seem to be really nice, and is what he's after.

Is there any recomendations of springs that are on the soft side? He was looking at the Terra-Firma 'light load' ones.

Thanks for all your input.

[uninformed]

As King Springs is literally just up the road, I just go to them and get my own specs made. There is a good recent thread in here ( I think it was about shocks for a disco, so maybe Technical chatter?) Where Bush65 put some very good info on spring rates and how to get some base lines etc.

Im down to 250 lb/in in the rear of my 110 ute and even that is too much for it unladen. I have had 200kg on the tray and it felt nice, but I will have to do some more research to see where that 250 lb/in rate is ideal (i.e. what load on tray)

There are all the variables that set a spring rate to work well, then IMO you fine tune that last bit by feel for yourself and your own needs.

I would try and find some stock springs, should be able to get them cheapish from someone that has upgraded?? Use them as your base line and go from there.

[Slunnie]

Rover seemed to tighten up the suspension from the TD5 onwards, but I think the spring rates of the County's / 300tdi seem to be really nice, and is what he's after.

Is there any recomendations of springs that are on the soft side? He was looking at the Terra-Firma 'light load' ones.

Thanks for all your input.

Why not just grab some County/tdi springs?

[benji]

Thanks uninformed.

Slunnie, he's hell bent on keeping this extra 2 inches, but thats the way I'd be going.

A tall 250lb on the rear and a 200lb on the front sounds the bill. Thanks guys.

[flagg]

Give lrautomotive.com.au a call. They will roll some springs for you if they don't have what you need in stock. They may cost you $20-30 more but you will get if right first go.

FWIW I run 225 front and rear on my county. It is a tad soft if you load it up but perfect for what I need (I travel light).