Thread: Road-Handling and Ride Quality

Garry,
From experience all of the facors you mentioned will effect the ride quality.
Balance - obvious
Alignment-only the toe in/out is adjustable. Get this right as it makes a huge difference. I would set them at zero and see how it feels.
Tyres-again good ones of the correct size make a huge difference. Don't go wide, it just makes the steering heavier (if thats possible). Stick to 235/85 AT's or close to that if you can.
Springs-they are all available new in normal or parabolic. I went parabolic and found them to be much softer.
Shocks-the best you can afford!
Steering-the most important of all-make sure the steering box and servo have oil in them and are not tight, adjust the steering box free play if it has any(you said it feels loose), check all ball joints for free play. If they have any replace them. You can also check your hubs for free play in the main Railco bush and bearing, adjust if necessary.
You should obviously do all of this before adjusting the alignment.
Regards,

Originally Posted by garrywlh

Yesterday, I drove a Series 2 Land Rover on the road for the first time in my life.

Yes, Lettie (aka, Lettice Curtis) is now registered, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience - an iconic, open-top motor trundling along scenic back roads on a beautiful morning.

Garry

Hello Garry,

Congratulations on getting Lettie registered !!! I hope it is one of many enjoyable drives you have together.

I am still waiting to drive my Series III on the road, not just around the paddock. One day!

Kind Regards
Lionel

Thanks so much, Phil. You have given me a few things to digest and work on.

One question straight up. Tyre sizes are a complete mystery to me. How do 235/85 AT tyres compare to 7.50x16 LT which is what I currently have?

Thanks,

Garry

235/85x16 is the same circumference as 750x16, but a bit wider.

I only ever had 750x16s on my LWB Series III. At speed and off road, I never felt the steering was unusually heavy, but it felt pretty heavy when parking. I'm not sure I would have wanted a wider tyre and heavier steering.

The springs will always work and feel better with weight on them. Utes are typically a bit worse when unloaded. I always found a truck tyre in the back of my Holden ute made a big improvement. If you have something that can sit in the back that weighs 150Kg or so will make a difference, but everything Phil mentioned is worth doing first as this may get it to a point you're happy with without having to cart a load around all the time.

Gary,
As vnx205 said they are basically the same. Possibly 235/85's are easier to get hold of. An added advantage about going to 235/85/R16 is that they give you slightly longer legs and I've found that the engine seems happier with the slightly lower revs. I have used BFG 235/85/16 AT's and found them to be very good but that's personal preference. I like the tread pattern.
Not cheap but they will probably outlast the vehicle.
Good luck.

Originally Posted by garrywlh

Yesterday, I drove a Series 2 Land Rover on the road for the first time in my life.

Yes, Lettie (aka, Lettice Curtis) is now registered, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience - an iconic, open-top motor trundling along scenic back roads on a beautiful morning.

But, it raised a few questions for me as a newby to the classic Land Rover experience: Given that she is a utility vehicle from 1959, what can be done to maximise ride quality and road-handling?

1. wheels - balanced and aligned (will have to investigate this. I know there are specifications somewhere on this forum for toe-in/out, etc. for steering)

Balance, of course, toe in 1.2-2.4mm Nothing else is adjustable, but check for loose or bent components.

2. tyres - type, condition, inflation (I'm getting 2 new front tyres today)

Original tyres were 6.00x16, and it will drive best on this width and diameter. 7.50x16 was optional, but if these or similar diameter are fitted, it should have 5.5" width rims (marked on wheel) and a lwb speedo. You should not go wider than 7.50 unless you are prepared to put up with very heavy parking steering. Road tread tyres will drive better than mud, but if you need a Landrover, you probably need something with a better grip than road tyres! (except sand)

3. suspension - Lettie's leaf springs are pretty 'flat'. Can anything be done to reshape/refurbish them?
Springs are fairly flat under load anyway, but can be reset or replaced (either with standard or parabolic ones). With standard springs shockers are not critical, but if parabolics are fitted you need shockers designed for them. Standard springs will benefit from disassembling, cleaning, painting and lubricating.
4. steering - feels 'loose'. How can it be made more precise and sure?

Steering should have very little free play. Get someone to rock the wheel while you see where the free play is. Look for free play in tie rod ends, splines onto the steering box and top and bottom of relay, steering box or relay loose. Check for steering arms loose on swivel housing. Jack up each front wheel and rock the wheel to check for free play in wheel bearings or swivels, loose wheels.

Check U-bolts front and back for tightness and signs of axle moving. Check all spring bushes - note that all movement must take place by flexing of the rubber.

Check tyre pressures. Over the years of Series production, recommended pressures varies, but for radials, 30-35 all round unloaded will give good steering, although ride will be a bit harsh.

Anything else I should be looking at?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Garry

It is a good idea to consider fitting headlight relays, as this will greatly improve lighting.

John

Cary
I've got a Series 3 88 It tends to wander abit.Its on Bridgestone radials,when I put the 750's back on it tends to wander less.I think being so short doesn't help you do get used to it after a while.
Cheers Will