Thread: Defender new suspension

I don't knoe how much of a lift I have but the suspension is great. Old man emu shocks with resevoir's and some domn big springs. almost no body roll but then this is the first landy I've owned so I didn't know what to expect.

Springs do not wear out. They may sag, but usually only if you overload or have fitted tonnes of extras like steel bullbars winches lR tanks etc.
So if you don't have extra gear, the standard springs seem fine, a bit too stiff perhaps. Measure their free length and if to spec they are OK.
But if you have tonnes of gear then go to harder springs, but your unloaded ride will suffer.

Factory shocks are the best for ride and are good quality. Made by Boge who supply Merc, BMW and most other European cars. Nearly every other shock will have worse ride. Not like jap crap.
Avoid poly bushes at all costs, as they feed all the shocks through to the body.

There I have now defied all of the conventional wisdom. Funny how factory engineers must be the dumbest ones on Earth.

Regards Philip A

Yeah poly bushes are the most overrated, ane least understood, things on the planet.

Stick with rubber ones.

King springs (standard height which is supposed to be about 1 inch taller anyway) and Boge shocks are what I'm running. I'm very happy with the setup. I've also got Poly air bags in the rear coils for when it's really loaded up.

Cheers
Andre

Originally posted by LRCounty
I've also got Poly air bags in the rear coils for when it's really loaded up.Cheers
Andre

Andre,

Have you have had any problems with the poly air bags? I was going to get them but my brother said that they are not durable enough as he had been through 3 sets - they kept on splitting and abrading. He had them on an 80 series Cruiser that did a lot of off road work and was not happy with them at all - he also said that some split and he also had abrasion issues when dirt got into the springs and rubbed and abraded the airbag material.

Any thoughts or comments from your experiences? Anyone else?

Cheers
Garry

I presume you've read this:

http://www.aulro.com/modules.php?name=Revi...howcontent&id=1

I had the poly air bags in the old rangie, never had a problem with them, I'd recomend their use!

Cheers

Frenchie the first thing is to really identify what you want out of your suspension. I have been down a few dead ends here that have cost a few bob along the way. At first I had Kings springs with a 2" lift fitted. Sure raised the vehicle but the cost was a reduction in articulation. You see a 2" King spring is actually about the same height as standard factoy coils but get their lift out of a bigger diameter and greater strength. Great if you are going to be regularly carrying heavy loads but in fact harden the ride and do not articulate as well (after all they are much stiffer)

I have ended up with a County 2" lift coil from Rangie Spares that are actually 2" higher than standard but about the same diameter coil as original. A bit light for loads so I have inserted 130 inner coils. The result is a compliant coil with good articulation and ride, but dont sag with a full load on board.

Best thing is to talk to someone who is interesed in addressing what you want, not someone who just wants to sell you something.

Best of luck.
Barry