Thread: Defender rear suspension mods

Originally Posted by DRUT

Ok, I'm not mechanically minded so bear with my description.

I reently has 30mm blocks inserted under the rear springs of my 99 fender to level things out when loaded. This, together with TJM suspension gives the bus a good lift. The 'trailing arms' (I think thats what they are called) that run back to the diff from the mounting points on either chasis cross member just behind the cab (a single cab ute) (basically round tubes) were then at a more extreme angle which put pressure on the rubber boot they are mounted to at the chassis mount point. To combat this my local landie centre packed out the mounting bracket with washers so the mounting point was angled in line with the drop of the arms and took the pressure off the rubber boot. NOW- A mate recently saw a fender with a decent lift like mine with what looked like aftermarket trailing arms or what ever they are called fitted that were bent just before they enter the rubber boot and then went straight into the rubber boot at it's original angle, no packing washers needed, everything as original. The bend was reinforced with a bracing piece of angle iron or similar welded to the inside of the bend. So, my question is

1) is this a custom aftermarket setup?

2) if not, who stocks them and how much are they?

thanks

They are officially called "lower links" but I've never heard anyone call them that - usually called radius arms (which they aren't since they pivot at the axle).

1) Not necessarily
2) Probably anyone who does suspension lift kits for Landrovers - sorry, I can't be more specific.

Lower links, lower control arms or trailing arms.

Angling the chassis mounting bushes as you have done is one option, bent trailing arms is another, or Les Richmond Automotive sell chassis mounting bushes with the angle manufactured in the rubber section.

I don't know who stocks aftermarket trailing arms, the ones I have seen were custom made.

yup cranked rear trailing arms - becoming more popular as lifts get bigger.

I have some made up - solid 1" bar bent to give correct angle with a 3" spring lift, and thes use the original Disco (similar to Defender) ends that fit on the chassis and the diff.

DiscoWhite has also done a set.

they are a good idea - gives better flex and doesnt flog out the bushes, which I also upgraded to the latest generation of poly bushes (as soft as rubber but more resiliant) which are Noltec bushes.

HTH

LRH

They are common and available but I can't help with where or how much.

Yea there pretty pricey, at around 200 pound for a set. You can also get the front radius arms in a lighter cranked version for around the same price. As far as I know there only retailed out of the UK.
Try www.MM-4x4.com , I know there quite popular over there especially with the modded 90's

Cheers

should be able to get em made up locally for less than $300

LRH

If you do get some made, make sure they are made from heavy wall tube, these are much stronger than solid round bar. You can even get it in chrome moly at a reasonable price these days.

Depending on the lift they will need to be longer as well.

Have fun
Justin

Originally Posted by Larns

Yea there pretty pricey, at around 200 pound for a set. You can also get the front radius arms in a lighter cranked version for around the same price. As far as I know there only retailed out of the UK.
Try www.MM-4x4.com , I know there quite popular over there especially with the modded 90's

Cheers

thanks Larns, just ordered a set over the net. $126 pounds per pair plus postage from MM. not cheap but i doubt anybody could do them for that price here by the time originals were modifed etc.
cheers