TD5 with County front-end

[reeksyofoz]

When I bought my TD5 I was told it has been fitted with a County front end suspension...

LR novice question coming up ;)

Why would someone do this?

Which components are likely to be different to what I should have in the manual?

[rar110]

The suspension bushes/radius arms on the axle will be narrower, and the drive flange and hub are different. They might have changed if the County diff had a locker. Alternatively the old one failed and was cheaper/easier for DIY mechanic to fit a new axle rather than fix the diff center.

[dobbo]

A lot of the County components are a lot more heavy duty than the Defender.


Just a matter of mixing and matching all the good stuff

[Offender90]

When I bought my TD5 I was told it has been fitted with a County front end suspension...

LR novice question coming up ;)

Why would someone do this?

Which components are likely to be different to what I should have in the manual?

It would depend on what exactly was changed -

Best guess - if you have a winch up front, or a second battery installed under the bonnet (or other accessories likely to add weight at the front), the previous owner may have used isuzu county front springs as they are heavier duty - the Isuzu engine is significantly heavier than a TD5, so higher spring rates were used.

Other than that, who knows? County CV's are stronger, but it's usually not an upgrade someone does unless fitted with a front locker... besides which, CV's are not exactly a 'suspension component'.

[reeksyofoz]

Thanks fellas.

As usual, I would have saved time if i'd mentioned everything.

Dual batteries under the seat, but winch and bar up front, ARB air lockers front and rear, compressor and ecoshot under the bonnet, too. I guess it all adds up to a bit more weight.

In truth I was just told 'front-end' ... so it was probably the whole lot.

Wheel bearings have been converted to oil lubrication too (easier to trace a damaged seal than with a grease bearing I'm told).

None of the work has been DIY'ed - all done by MTE in Morwell.

[Offender90]

In that context, county front end would probably also refer to the front axle, which would have stronger CV's, but weaker 10 spline half shafts.

It is possible (perhaps likely?) that, given they went through the trouble of upgrading the 'front end' (presumably CVs), they also fitted a 24 spline diff centre with heavy duty aftermarket (Maxi-drive or similar) half shafts.

Best to check with the previous owner, if you've still got his contact details.

Cheers

Bojan

[reeksyofoz]

It is possible (perhaps likely?) that, given they went through the trouble of upgrading the 'front end' (presumably CVs), they also fitted a 24 spline diff centre with heavy duty aftermarket (Maxi-drive or similar) half shafts.


Yep - definitely got the Maxi-drive flanges and shafts according to owner and receipts.

It's not that I don't trust the PO of course, but it's helpful to hear other opinions as to the reasons for mods. Thanks.

[DeeJay]

If it has ARB air lockers, it might have only County CV,s. & 10 spline inner axles. If its a Maxi diff lock up front I'm pretty sure they insisted on upgrading the inner axle to a 24 spline.
I gave my 10 spline axles heaps & never managed to bust one, stretched but not busted:angel:.

[rovercare]

None of the work has been DIY'ed - all done by MTE in Morwell.

Give Ian a ring, he's a friendly fellow and very meticulous in his work, he'd likely remember the vehicle;)

[reeksyofoz]

Give Ian a ring, he's a friendly fellow and very meticulous in his work, he'd likely remember the vehicle;)

Oh - too right, Ian and Paul know the vehicle extremely well. Ian's done all the work on it for the past few years. Top blokes, they've been really helpful. If I was living in Vic i'd certainly be happy for them to look after the vehicle for me, but I'm heading off for 6 months and just want to get my head around stuff ... better ask questions now than try and figure them out at the side of the road, I just wondered if it was a fairly normal kind of mod. ;)

CVs at the front were replaced this year after breakage :D According to MTE the truck is putting out some serious grunt.

Thanks all.

[rovercare]

They'll likely be just County CV's and heavy duty axles, but without seeing them can't confirm

I've met Ian on a couple of occasions, have seen his work, VERY thorough, His labour rates are cheap and he insists on doing the job to his standards only:)

[lardy]

off the back of that i wanna move to Victoria, as most of the land rover specialist in Perth wear cow boy hats and have fat wallets

[Offender90]

off the back of that i wanna move to Victoria, as most of the land rover specialist in Perth wear cow boy hats and have fat wallets

My sentiments exactly, based on previous experience with a local 'specialist' who shall remain nameless.

[reeksyofoz]

They'll likely be just County CV's and heavy duty axles, but without seeing them can't confirm

I've met Ian on a couple of occasions, have seen his work, VERY thorough, His labour rates are cheap and he insists on doing the job to his standards only:)

Front end - High Tuff axles and flanges, County diff, 'heavy duty' front springs
Rear - Maxi drive rear axles and flanges.
:)