HD springs?

Hi guys. I've been putting together my hydraulic winch. It's very nearly there, just making a couple of missing bits up on the lathe at work in between jobs. I'm hoping to have it fitted to the front of the truck by this weekend, although probably not working by then as I'll be getting hydraulic hoses made up. Im wanting it on for the Farming Yesteryear show at Scone Palace on September 10th (free plug haha, its a good show if anybody is in the area) I show my s3 there every year.

Anyway. I have seen it recommended while Ive been looking for info about it, that heavy duty front springs should be fitted due to the weight. I already have tired old petrol springs on the front of my diesel SWB, so there is not much travel already. I'll be staying standard but wondered if anyone had any experience, specifically of the Land Rover hydraulic winch and springs.


cheers in advance, Gill

11 leaf "diesel" front springs have an extra 70lbs spring rate compared to 9 leaf petrol versions. so these springs are fitted to 88" diesel and all 109s.

on top of that, the same 11 leaf springs are specced right the way through to extra heavy duty (assume MOD) on the spring chart in the green bible

10 leaf for petrol? Anyway never read anywhere that you should upgrade the springs cos you have a winch. Winch is used when the vehicle is not moving so suspension isn't an issue.

it's 9 leaves I have on the front at the moment, Should be 11 as it's diesel. As to the winch, its a big heavy lump of 1960's engineering. Thats just the winch, there is also a fairly hefty PTO hydraulic pump and a huge oil tank.

I'm guessing the winch etc is fairly heavy and as such I would go for 11 leaf fronts. GB springs are as good as anyone, don't use Britpart........they are s**t

So HD springs are just bog standard 11 leaf springs then? That's what my truck had originally but they were worn paper thin and I got a good set of petrol ones for about twenty quid i think from a brilliant local scrappy that unfortunately is no longer with us. They have been on for years now but are a bit on the flat side now, there's only about 4 inches of travel at the front, if even that