TerraFirma suspension on a CSW

[Rokkitt]

Hi,

Does anyone have first hand experience with the Terra Firma suspension, coils, springs etc...
I am planning an upgrade to get more flex out of the old girl and before parting with my hard earnwed I was hoping to get some opinions - I have checked other forums and the prognosis looks generally good but there are very few people using this gear in Aus.

Thanks in advance once again
Rokkitt

[C H T]

British Offroad in Qld have a Disco that they have just fitted with the full Terra-Firma suspension kit - I saw it action on Saturday past - very impressive articulation etc

BOR 07 5445 1094

C H T

[isuzurover]

Terra Firma 2" lift Kit fitted to Disco 300TDi - LR4x4 - The Land Rover Forum (http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php'showtopic=34102)


View PostCoyc, on Feb 21 2008, 06:29 PM, said:
It is shock-absorbers Terrafirma recoloured Dobinson.
On the shock-absorber or on its packing we have found part number corresponding shock-absorber Dobinson:)
Springs Terrafirma considerably harder than OME at at identical length.
Springs are made of thicker wire and edges are not processed as at the OEM, and is simple cut.


Frogs Island will confirm this if you ask them - they're kits are rebranded Dobinsons. I guess the reason they do it is that in the UK they've got a much stroger brand than Dobinsons.

They're quality is very nice and the pricing is very good. As far as spring rates go I couldn't comment although there are a few options. However, I've got a set of Terraferma dampers on the 110 and they're superb.
Terrafirma and Old Man Emu Suspension - LR4x4 - The Land Rover Forum (http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php'showtopic=23147)

Sounds like that are rebranded dobinsons products.
If that is the case you may as well buy the original item from the source:
Dobinsons Spring & Suspension (http://www.dobinsonsprings.com/site/index.php)

I wonder if terrafirma stuff sold in AU are shipped AU-GB-AU :D

[Rokkitt]

Thanks for the response,

I picked up on the link to Dobinson however when I was discussing this on the phone with the guys at "Rovacraft" they mentioned the springs were rebranded "King Springs"; this isn't for sure by any means but they let slip during the convo - just called Dobinson and theRE springs are a lot dearer!!.
The shocks are a +5" and as far as I can tell Dobinsons don't do a shocker of this length for the CSW.

From what I have read so far the TerraFirma kit is extremely well priced and I know this sounds silly but it does concern me - get what ya pay for and all that.

Rokkitt

[isuzurover]

The shocks are a +5" and as far as I can tell Dobinsons don't do a shocker of this length for the CSW.

Are they really +5"??? The text on the site is unclear:

The main difference is that the Terrafirma Extreme LT shock is 3" (75mm) longer and a massive 5" (125mm) longer than standard.

If they really are 5" longer than standard, you would want to make sure they won't bottom out on compression, as the text says that they fit standard (front) mounts.

[Benny_IIA]

Are they really +5"??? The text on the site is unclear:


If they really are 5" longer than standard, you would want to make sure they won't bottom out on compression, as the text says that they fit standard (front) mounts.


"Fit" not work :D

[Allan]

I fitted Terra furma 2inch extension shocks to the rear of my Puma (std springs) replacing the OME shocks. The OME's only had standard travel . Have found the ride much improved. I fitted dislocation cones to the rear at the same time. Sway bars gone. The traction control rarely kicks in anymore. They also do a modified shock mount for the 5 inch if size is your thing.:angel:

Allan

[dullbird]

Are they really +5"??? The text on the site is unclear:


If they really are 5" longer than standard, you would want to make sure they won't bottom out on compression, as the text says that they fit standard (front) mounts.


yes they do do a +5 shock......as I was offered some for my disco at a very good price but turned them down due to, to much modification needed to fit them.

and I think they may derive from allmakes.....which if this is the case then I reckon they must be picking up there game to compete more with britpart who have also really picked up there game in the last couple of years IMHO...


To the original poster I have a full set of big bore expeiditon shocks to try out I'm just waiting on some front springs before I fit them, then I will do a report on using them in different conditions...then I plan on doing a follow up report on them in probably 10,000k time which shouldn't take me long with the miles i do daily.

[Rokkitt]

What are expedition shocks?

OME - Maybe I am biting off my nose to spite my face but had issues with ARB in the past and won't go back again so unless they have another supplier I just refuse to go there, not puttin down there products - just personal preference.

I am lookin at a few mods to get it all workin and it doesn't work out much more than a set of king springs and Koni shocks! again I know how good Koni's are but they cost sooo much. Lookin at a full kit and may have to do more to get it workin but stickin to the essentials for now - just hoping someone has a similar setup like Allan and can advise if it works off road without a total loss of on-road manners.

[Allan]

What are expedition shocks?

OME - Maybe I am biting off my nose to spite my face but had issues with ARB in the past and won't go back again so unless they have another supplier I just refuse to go there, not puttin down there products - just personal preference.

I am lookin at a few mods to get it all workin and it doesn't work out much more than a set of king springs and Koni shocks! again I know how good Koni's are but they cost sooo much. Lookin at a full kit and may have to do more to get it workin but stickin to the essentials for now - just hoping someone has a similar setup like Allan and can advise if it works off road without a total loss of on-road manners.

Just been down the ARB track. My old Disco pump would not accept the late model air line from my Puma, had to dismantle fitting to get the female fitting to work after trying. Two days ago I tried to buy a tire guage to fit my late hose fitting only to be told by ARB boss in Osbourne Park that ARB have made the fitting to only suit ARB gear. Lots of good in the back of nowhere. By the way my suspension set up has gone through all the problems of trans noise, vibration, no expence spared. I would never lift a Puma above standard hight, The only springs I have had no trouble with after droop when fitting bar and winch are 130 fronts, ARB rear shocks have limited travel if you remove rear 2 seats. Sway bars chew disk pads/rotters off road and anything other than winch bars made by ARB these days seem to rust in 6 months. I love my Puma, Its cost me lots of money to build, but ARB is not what it used to be in my opinion, for what its worth

Allan

[dullbird]

What are expedition shocks?OME - Maybe I am biting off my nose to spite my face but had issues with ARB in the past and won't go back again so unless they have another supplier I just refuse to go there, not puttin down there products - just personal preference.

I am lookin at a few mods to get it all workin and it doesn't work out much more than a set of king springs and Koni shocks! again I know how good Koni's are but they cost sooo much. Lookin at a full kit and may have to do more to get it workin but stickin to the essentials for now - just hoping someone has a similar setup like Allan and can advise if it works off road without a total loss of on-road manners.

expedition shocks are a big bore shock that apparently is more suited to carrying the heavier loads and pulling trailers which is generally what happens when travelling expedition style :)

these shocks are more beefier than their standard and lifted shocks....

I do have a price list somewhere so if you or anyone wants to know PM me and i will pass it on.

[lambrover]

my mate has a 130 and we lifted it 2 inch the shock lenghts for arb are only give 20 mm of down travel, so they are crap, we found a set from tjm gold edition long travel shock they had two different lengths and he went for the longer ones just waiting for them to turn up. but not many shock providers in Australia do a genuine lifted shock for the defender in the rear. A good option is to use a pin to eye adaptor in the bottom then you will have more options.

[Allan]

my mate has a 130 and we lifted it 2 inch the shock lenghts for arb are only give 20 mm of down travel, so they are crap, we found a set from tjm gold edition long travel shock they had two different lengths and he went for the longer ones just waiting for them to turn up. but not many shock providers in Australia do a genuine lifted shock for the defender in the rear. A good option is to use a pin to eye adaptor in the bottom then you will have more options.


Thats why I changed mine. After removing the rear seats in miet it would run out of down travell on a speed bump. The traction control would cick in at Morley Shops.

Allan