Springs and shocks advice

[Defender007]

G'day

Looks like I am due to replace the springs and shocks on my 2006 110 Wagon. The front springs have sagged due to the load from the bull bar and winch. The shocks feel like the need replacing too. I feel every bump and my rear passengers bounce around making for an unpleasant journey.

I am after the smoothest possible ride. I recently drove a land cruiser ute and the difference was remarkable. The land cruiser glided over the bumps whilst my wagon was bouncing all over the place - same dirt track.

I'm keen to hear opinions on best and most comfortable shocks and springs. I hear that OME, Bilsteins and Fulcrum are very good shocks. King springs are also up there. I use my wagon mainly for green laning and touring. I don't mind the occasional technical track either.

Thanks

[Baytown]

Im following with interest.
Im probably going with OME medium duty set up. I have a steel ARB bull bar, intensitiy led lights and 10000 Warn steel cable winch, but also want a level of comfort on road.
I would like to fit the new ARB shocks with remote reservoir.
ARB is the easy choice, but Im more than open to suggestions for other quality set ups.
Thanks.
Ken

[Black 110]

G'day

Looks like I am due to replace the springs and shocks on my 2006 110 Wagon. The front springs have sagged due to the load from the bull bar and winch. The shocks feel like the need replacing too. I feel every bump and my rear passengers bounce around making for an unpleasant journey.

I am after the smoothest possible ride. I recently drove a land cruiser ute and the difference was remarkable. The land cruiser glided over the bumps whilst my wagon was bouncing all over the place - same dirt track.

I'm keen to hear opinions on best and most comfortable shocks and springs. I hear that OME, Bilsteins and Fulcrum are very good shocks. King springs are also up there. I use my wagon mainly for green laning and touring. I don't mind the occasional technical track either.

Thanks

Hi Defender007,

Best setup in my opinion is genuine LR HD springs on the front and Koni Raid Shocks on every corner.
Bilstein shocks are a good alternative too, there are plenty of Defenders running both of these setups.
The Bilsteins are a fair bit cheaper than the Koni Raids, but if you do a search on here you should come across a few threads where this is discussed.
I haven't tried any other springs besides the heavy duty LR springs so I can't comment.

[Plutei]

A very timely thread for me. Front springs have sagged over their 23 year lifetime, shocks are on the way out, and with a bullbar in the pipeline the lot will need replacing.

[steane]

I'd avoid Medium or Heavy Duty and look at getting springs with the lowest spring rate possible for your setup to work. The reason some Defenders (and other 4WDs) ride like old trucks is because people drop in 'Heavy Duty' springs (I'm referring to aftermarket here not the genuine LR springs).

I tried lovells and Kings in HD and MD and both were terrible.

I ended up with Les Richmond Automotive Springs, 180lb front and 320lb rear. The advantage with LRA stuff is you can try a set of springs and swap them for a different set if you aren't happy (within a time frame). They are also made with Defenders/Discos etc in mind so there is a range to choose from. You can even go custom spring rates for not a lot more $s.

Best shocks for standard height suspension IME are Koni Raids but they cost a lot and the exchange rate isn't helping the cause. That's only my experience and I haven't tried the many other shock options available.

Other's have found Ultimate shocks and springs to be quite acceptable as well.

Defenders should ride nice on the road and very nice off-road.

[Witchdoctor]

Im running GSA Suspension's Oztec black range of shocks all around with Kings springs.

Spent a load of time with GSA working out the correct combination for my 90 with all the gear on board. This information is now listed in their catalogue for others to take advantage of.

Very impressed with this setup, but they have just released their outback range of shock(bigger rod & canister), will be updating to them before next trip.

GSA is a local (Brisbane) company that wholesale suspension into the automotive industry.

Cheers

[MLD]

Sounds like your shocks have seen better days.

I second the comments of Black 110 that LR HD is a good option if you are carrying the weight of a bar and winch. The HD is 225 lbs/in while LR110 are 185lbs/in. The LR HD are the factory issue in the 130 so if you test drive one you should get an idea how they will feel. You wouldn't want to be firmer than 225lbs/in otherwise it could be harsh ride.

I second the comments of Steane to avoid any aftermarket brands that market MD or HD without knowing the rating and coil specs. If the manufacturer won't tell you the specs walk away (it's not rocket science where the specs could start WW3) You will likely end up with coils that don't suit your needs. I learned the hard way.

While there is no arguing against the merits of Koni if you are just greenlaning and not tackling the Canning loaded to the hilt then factory replacement will serve you adequately. they are valved to factory coils so you know what your are getting. If you have the budget and inclination by all means splash out. Just offering an alternative opinion that you might not need the Rolls Royce of shocks.

MLD

[Longtimer]

This thread is an amazing thing for timing....

I am looking at my 90, and wanting to give it a 40 - 50mm lift.
I do have a ARB bar on the front, and will fit a 9000lb winch soon enough. So there is even more weight....
Plus my belly tanks at another 20kg of steel and 80Kg of fuel. But that weight is more amidships.

But I really like the std spring rate. So I was thinking I would like springs with the same rate, but an extra 60mm of coil. So I go from say, 15 coils to 16.2. That would give me the lift but the same spring rate.

Generally I am not that loaded up with gear. For a day trip there's maybe 100kg, plus people. Allow 250Kg for people......
For longer trips, I have a trailer to stick the gear in. And that can put 150kg on the rear when wood cutting.....

So I don't feel I need much higher spring rates. Maybe an extra 20Kg/


Your thoughts Gents?

[steane]

This thread is an amazing thing for timing....

I am looking at my 90, and wanting to give it a 40 - 50mm lift.
I do have a ARB bar on the front, and will fit a 9000lb winch soon enough. So there is even more weight....
Plus my belly tanks at another 20kg of steel and 80Kg of fuel. But that weight is more amidships.

But I really like the std spring rate. So I was thinking I would like springs with the same rate, but an extra 60mm of coil. So I go from say, 15 coils to 16.2. That would give me the lift but the same spring rate.

Generally I am not that loaded up with gear. For a day trip there's maybe 100kg, plus people. Allow 250Kg for people......
For longer trips, I have a trailer to stick the gear in. And that can put 150kg on the rear when wood cutting.....

So I don't feel I need much higher spring rates. Maybe an extra 20Kg/


Your thoughts Gents?

Check out what Les Richmond Automotive have available. I have an ARB steel bar, a 13500lb winch (its big) and still run 180lb springs on the front but they have a longer free length than standard. LRA have a number of rates/lengths available for the front and probably the rear as well in a 90.

[Baytown]

Thanks for the info fellas.
Les Richmond seems to be the go, so I'll give them a call next time Im down at Canungra.
That way, they can see my vehicle set up, discuss driving needs and I can then go with their recommendations.
Was only considering ARB due to ease of purchase, fitment and them being in Cairns and Innisfail.
Best wishes all, and thanks again.
Ken