Thread: Isuzu Defender Shocks & Springs

If its always heavy like that, then I'd be looking at Extra HD springs all round and most definitely mono tube shocks like Bilstein with poly bushes, not rubber.

The EHD because you always have the weight and it removes a failure point with the airbags. It will be a very heavy vehicle all round.

The weight of you vehicle which also has a high unsprung mass on dirt will fade any twin shell or low pressure shock design. The monotube shocks like Bilstein should take it.

The rubber bushes will get destroyed by the offroad grit fairly quickly, poly lasts much better.

Originally Posted by mike_ie

My Defender has been long overdue new shocks and rear springs, it spending most of its time feeling like a bouncy castle when offroad. And now that I'm dropping the Isuzu engine in it, at 150kg heavier than what I'm taking out, the front springs will need to be changed as well.

I know it's a topic that's been done to death, and yes I have searched, but there seems to be very different answers at different times, so I'm going to ask for a recommendation again.

Front of the Defender carries bullbar, winch, and obviously, and Isuzu engine. Rear is usually laden with camping gear, etc, rooftop tent up top, and one of Murray's dual wheel carriers at the back. I foresee it being full more often tan it is empty.

I've been in touch with eShocks, who seem to have excellent prices, and they reckon that they can get shocks to me here in 3-4 days(??), but springs I'll be looking for locally. I'm also looking to add a 2" to 3" lift, so take that into consideration.

So I'm open to suggestions on both springs and shocks, and to suggestions on how I should set them up. Lighter springs in the rear with helper bags, or heavy duty all round? Etc. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I have some brand new suspension stuff pro comp shocks for 2" here, they were incorrectly sent, they owe me a $200 core deposit, you can have them for the same

Originally Posted by rovercare

I have some brand new suspension stuff pro comp shocks for 2" here, they were incorrectly sent, they owe me a $200 core deposit, you can have them for the same

If they suit the Defender laden as it is, I'll certainly take a look

I'm currently on NRC9448/9449 front springs , Def heavy duty OE. They are perfect with my 4BD1, Steel ARB bar and winch with rope.

JC

Originally Posted by justinc

I'm currently on NRC9448/9449 front springs , Def heavy duty OE. They are perfect with my 4BD1, Steel ARB bar and winch with rope.

JC

They're rear springs form a 90, if I'm not mistaken???

i think so mike, i remember reading that at some point...they are red/blue and yellow/ white.

JC

Jc, I think you've convinced him on those shocks, all comes down to $$$$$$.
Heck, I think you've convinced me as well

Mine current setup is:

Dobinsons springs Front: C51-015 Rear: C51-019
+2" DeCarbon shocks (thanks to JC for the recommendation).
Bright orange poly extended bumpstops from Paddocks - mainly to stop the front springs binding on compression: ANR41889PE | Extended bump stop - polyurethane
I've just measured and they are only 20mm longer than the standard ones.
Firestone coil-rite helper bags in the rear. (had 20psi in them when you drove it last week as I'd been towing the van. Usually run around 12-15psi)

Rear sway bar removed (to fit LR tank )

Bump stop clearances to the extended stops are 90mm front and rear (so around 110mm from standard stops).

Weighed it a couple of weeks ago and it was 2860Kg. (1320/1540 F/R split)

I'm very happy with the front - rides nicely and never feels like its bottoming out, but the bump stops definitely have witness marks on them so are doing their job.

Rear could be a fraction stiffer I think, but not a big enough issue at present for me to go changing things. Definitely too soft without the coil-rites and no sway bar.

Castor is around -1.5deg so its a bit twitchy on the road. Getting some slotted swivels to sort that out.

I also had to fit a double cardan front shaft as I was having uni binding issues at full droop. Part of that issue for me is the Stage1 LT95 I'm running as it has a longer front output housing so increases the uni angle. Not sure if it would be an problem with standard 110 LT95 or LT230.

Steve