suspension kits

[pushkin]

Hi guys,
time has come for me to replace the suspension/suspension bushes/steering damper on my 110 SW but the question is - what brand do I go for ?
I've had a few people swear by Old Man Emu gear, have also seen nice kits from Iron Man, Terrafirma and Tough Dog. How do Land Rover genuine parts stack up against the rest ? Will be doing a bit of touring so exepct to be carrying a good bit of weight, not really concerned about a 'rough' ride. What experiences have you had with various brands and what should I definitely NOT go for...
Any advice/tips would be great
Thanks!

[isuzurover]

Suspension bushes - SuperPro are the only bushes I will fit to my 110 now, learnt the hard way...

As for springs and shocks, I have King coils front, Firestone air springs rear, and bilstein shocks all round.

Personally I wouldn't touch OME or Tough Dog products. I have OME 110 rear shocks on the rear of my IIA, one of them started weeping almost from day one. Overall they are poor quality. Bilstein, Koni and DeCarbon are the only shock brands I would use.

[flagg]

+1 to what Isuzurover said.

[Marty110]

I had Ironman springs and shocks - the big bore foam cells - on my 96 Defender 110 for about 200,000k and never had sagging springs or a blown shock. I carry heavy loads in the rear (long range fuel tank, 80l water tank, 50l fridge, drawers full of tools and recovery gear, rear biased roof rack, etc) and tow a drill rig on a 6x4 trailer and most of the time off road, mainly in heavy sand with diff lock on doing surveys. The only issue was that the vehicle sat down a bit at the rear when I fitted them so I made up a 30mm spring spacer and the rest was history, never a problem. Also fitted longer brake lines to the rear to account for flex. I have only used rubber bushes due to the nolathane ones being very harsh - the age old argument about rubber vs nolathane!

[isuzurover]

I have only used rubber bushes due to the nolathane ones being very harsh - the age old argument about rubber vs nolathane!

There is no such thing as nolothane (as a material). Nolothane is a brand name for a particular brand of polyurethane bushes.

Many who knock polyurethane have never even seen a SuperPro bush. Superpro are extremely supple, unlike most other polyurethane bushes. IME they are very well designed, ride better, flex the same or better and will outlast rubber.

It is very hard to get good quality rubber bushes these days - even from OEM suppliers.

[pushkin]

Cheers for the pointers guys.

So when I do finally settle on a make should I be buying 'self leveling' or 'non self leveling' and what's the story with 'foam cell' ? I kind of prefer to spend a few extra dollars getting quality but are they worth it ? When you have changed/upgraded your suspension do you automatically change all the components ie dislocation cones, turrets etc ?

[PAT303]

I wouldn't use anything but genuine LR springs and bushes and a set of Koni shocks.I've done enough outback travelling to know LR have the suspension right from the factory,forget anything aftermarket,the springs you'll buy from ARB/TJM do nothing but bugger the ride and handling. Pat

[isuzurover]

Cheers for the pointers guys.

So when I do finally settle on a make should I be buying 'self leveling' or 'non self leveling' and what's the story with 'foam cell' ? I kind of prefer to spend a few extra dollars getting quality but are they worth it ? When you have changed/upgraded your suspension do you automatically change all the components ie dislocation cones, turrets etc ?

Ignore all the hype from ARB/TJM. Their products are IME mediocre and heavily marked up versions of products manufactured by others. Foam cell shocks are a gimmick IMHO.

I disagree with PAT about sticking with OE parts though. OE will cost a packet and will likely be inferior to the makes I have mentioned above.

I have not changed the shock turrets or shock mounts. My vehicle is set up for touring and the OE turrets/mounts are fine. It is worth laminating the rear trailing arms as they are weak.

[isuzutoo-eh]

You won't have self-levelling suspension, that's a Rangie and 80's One Ten thing.
You would end up with a very soft rear set up that won't carry weight.

[madoffroader]

I'm also looking at upgrading the suspension in my 95 single cab 130. Been looking at a terrafima 2inch lift, and replacing most of the bushes front an rear? Do I need to change radius arms, an trailing arms to suit? Anything else recomended when lifting a 130? Any help????