New Springs and Shocks - Puma D90

[Mouette]

Greetings All,

I have done a search on this but didn't really find the answers I was looking for. Basically, I want to replace the springs in my D90 with new heavy duty versions and also replace the shocks at the same time. The 90 has just hit the 100,000 km mark and we are going to Birdsville and across the Simpson in September, hence the new shocks.

Everything at the moment is standard and with a the bull bar etc plus a full payload of camping gear, it sags, especially at the rear.

Where can I get springs in Sydney? Can I just go to ARB or Pedders or somewhere similar or do I go to a Land Rover specialist? Pedder's quoted me approx $1800 for springs and shocks at the recent Caravan and Camping show - can they do the job?

Also, what sort of shocks should I get installed - I do mainly city/highway driving with a couple of offroad and 4wd trips are year.

I am extremely time poor at the moment, so just want to drive my 90 into the shop, get the stuff installed and drive out again. Don't really want to try installing it myself.

thanks in advance

cheers

Andrew

[DiscoMick]

A standard Defender is more capable than almost anything else, so you dont need to sweat on mods much.
You could just order a set of LR HD front springs from a dealer or Justin Cooper in Sydney or Roverlord online or someone similar.
Then get airbags fitted in the rear. I have Airbag Man rear airbags.
Benefit of that approach would be to keep the suspension relatively soft, as you don't want it too hard on Outback roads, including the Simpson, and can adjust the rear airbags as required.
There is no need to lift a Defender - as standard they have plenty of clearance. They also don't like lifting the angle on the propshaft, which can cause vibrations.
As for shocks, you could just order a new set of the originals, as they last well. Or plenty of other choices.

[Marty90]

A standard Defender is more capable than almost anything else, so you dont need to sweat on mods much.
You could just order a set of LR HD front springs from a dealer or Justin Cooper in Sydney or Roverlord online or someone similar.
Then get airbags fitted in the rear. I have Airbag Man rear airbags.
Benefit of that approach would be to keep the suspension relatively soft, as you don't want it too hard on Outback roads, including the Simpson, and can adjust the rear airbags as required.
There is no need to lift a Defender - as standard they have plenty of clearance. They also don't like lifting the angle on the propshaft, which can cause vibrations.
As for shocks, you could just order a new set of the originals, as they last well. Or plenty of other choices.

My 90 sagged a fair bit with the bar and winch. Went to Ultimate Suspension in Minto. Fitted raised height standard duty Lovells springs and Bilsteins. Raised the front @ 30mm from standard and the rear @35mm. Handles really well and comfortable. Sits nice. Haven't really loaded up the back enough to make a difference but if needed will fit airbags.

[DiscoMick]

I found 15psi in the rear airbags levelled the vehicle and controlled the body roll, but allowed the absorbent ride, which is important on rough roads. So far I haven't seen any need for HD front springs, even with a bullbar and winch.
So first thing I would do as the OP would be to fit rear airbags and then assess the improvement before deciding if any more spending in necessary. For $350 plus fitting it could actually save money.
Defenders aren't sports cars, they're designed to give a comfortable ride on badvroads for long distances.

[MLD]

i used air bag in the rear of my 130 on the Simpson trip and found that set up to be very comfortable and adjustable to suit the conditions. On the graded roads i ran about 18 psi and on the sand i dropped it a few psi to accommodate the chopped up nature of the dunes. When you get there in Sept it will be pretty brutal on you and car. In July we found the dunes cut up from people getting bogged or bouncing their way over the dune leaving divots the shape of a wheel. The dunes deteriorate as the season progresses.

enjoy the trip, i'm head back there for a second time in 3 years it is that special.

[weeds]

i used air bag in the rear of my 130 on the Simpson trip and found that set up to be very comfortable and adjustable to suit the conditions. On the graded roads i ran about 18 psi and on the sand i dropped it a few psi to accommodate the chopped up nature of the dunes. When you get there in Sept it will be pretty brutal on you and car. In July we found the dunes cut up from people getting bogged or bouncing their way over the dune leaving divots the shape of a wheel. The dunes deteriorate as the season progresses.

enjoy the trip, i'm head back there for a second time in 3 years it is that special.

Yep experienced the same on my Simpson crossing, lowered air bag pressures for QAA and the start French than put air back on for Knolls and rig