Thread: Rear Suspension

1982 rangies didnt have air suspension, do you mean air helper springs in the rear?

Oops, sorry mixed up with later models. Meant the Boge-Hydramat self levelling suspension.

They still ran coil springs as well. I removed my self levelling device years ago and I haven't really missed it, although I now have poly air bags in the coils for when I have a heavy load on board.

The Boge is in the centre, mounted on the A arm. If there you will see a cylinder with a diameter of about 100MM, if not there will be a bottom mount attached to the A arm and a top mount on the rear crossmember, up where the A arm mounting bushes are.
IMHO they are useful in a non lifted car or moderately lifted as you can fit much softer springs for a better ride and articulation eg RRC springs about 160Lbs per inch and Disco 220lbs per inch.
Regards Philip A

Yep, totally agree with PhillipA: Like the Boge & think it's worthwhile.

If it's your first Rangie Classic, I think it's well worth going to stock (get real LR branded parts, not the amazingly cheap knock offs) and see how you like it. I bought mine with all OEM parts in the suspension but they were pretty clapped out. I've mucked about with various other shocks and springs but ultimately come back to stock and the off road performance is eye opening, moreso for an open diff'ed, non-traction control vehicle with standard sized wheels. Plus it's *really* comfortable in the rough. The Boge is a pivotal part of that performance.

Just a quick message to thank everyone for their opinions and advice. I have never had the pleasure of driving in or riding in a RR until I bought this one and I think I have heard all the bad stories about body roll etc.

But my ideas have been confirmed by your comments and I will work to restore the Boge system back to original. My attitude is that I have a 1982 vehicle (which in this case was at the pinnacle of technical brilliance in its day) and if you have an older car you should really be out to experience what it was like then (safety aside) in 1982. e.g. I wouldn't put a modern engine and trans in a Model A for example as I would want to have the Model A experience in total.

So thank you all again. I'm off to the wreckers/spare parts man with a new list. My wife will be so pleased!

Regards,

Mark

Yep, in a standard- height vehicle the original soft springs (for articulation) coupled with the central self-levelling unit (for load capacity) works extremely well. They get a bit of a bad wrap because their usefulness is nullified if raised suspension is fitted. There's been much discussion over the years about ways to retain the functionality of the original suspension design whilst having a raised vehicle for better ground clearance etc.