parabolics on ex-MOD 109

I am looking into a suspension upgrade for my 109 it is a military model though it is a Santana and came to me (from Spain) with the U.S. 1st Cavalry emblem on it, which seems odd. Anyway when talking to the folks at Rocky Mountain Products about their parabolic springs they mentioned it was essential that the military extended bump stops be used and that the added height would add to body roll.
Anyone have a setup like this? Any input on whether it has been worth it? I am skeptical about doing anything that might make my sometime top heavy Landy more unruly.

Are Santana springs parabolics anyway (or have I dreamt it?)

I believe sir, that you may have been dreaming.

Having a Santana just complicates things. The truck was clearly military use, but i don'tthink it was the actual military model. is the a "Vin" decoder or something to give me the skiny? e59705803

wrickm said:

I believe sir, that you may have been dreaming.

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Must have, no wirries

I have RM HD on my 109. No body roll, takes a load of 3/4 ton without fuss. they are wonderful.
The bushes are crap though.

Can you elaborate on the bushes? do you have the military (bigger) shackles or regular?

Hi, i have a ffr 109 and have looked into this, the short answer is visit EMLRA they have a lot of people with mod specific knowledge.
Long answer is that it can be done.
IF you still have a H/D chassis then it will have 2 settings on the the front dumb irons and on the rear crossmembers, dont know where the term "military shackles" come from as on the HD chassis they are incorporated into the chassis so not sure what that means
But on the lower setting the vehicle will sit ALOT taller than a standard 109 and by fitting parabolics you will be raising it again, not by alot but it might foul the prop and flexi hoses.
There should be a cut out on the centre crossmember the prop passes through to allow the prob to move down without fouling the chassis but IIRC this isnt standard on all HD chassis.
You could put the springs on the top settings and it will sit inbetween the full height and the standard height.
Shocks may be a problem due to the HD's you should currently have fitted have alot more internal friction so they dont fade when loaded up and travelling off road.

At the end of the day it can be done but my personal advice would be to get a highlift jack, jack the rear crossmember up on one side, just past the bumperettes and hit the springs with a lump hammer to free them up and then use lots of grease.
This will give them a bit more movement but remember these were fitted so they could load 3/4 ton in the back and tow a sankey over rough ground and as such wont move unless loaded.

But i could be wrong

wrickm said:

Having a Santana just complicates things. The truck was clearly military use, but i don'tthink it was the actual military model. is the a "Vin" decoder or something to give me the skiny? e59705803

Click to expand...

Can't help you much on the Vin decoding other than to tell you the E is for Spain. Espana. I can offer some assistance as I am here in Spain and have access to the local junkyards if you need me to look at something. I can say that the Santana's I have seen post Series 3 have parabolics on them. I have a 109 Series 3 Land Rover Santana that I will be bringing back stateside with me and it still uses Land Rover parts, it does have a Spanish overdrive though. Let me know if you need pics or anything and I will make a run to a junkyard.

I think I will take MigGames advice and just do what i can to loosen up the existing springs. Replacing the springs seems like more effort than i should spend on improving something that works when i still have a lot of other more pressing issues to attack. (sound deadening, rear seat locks, seat belts etc)

CSA thanks for the info. I really haven't noticed any difference between my santana and any other Military Landy (LHD that is) I wish i had been able to get my hands onto a Santana 3a Militar. Those are crazy looking.

On a side note anyone else get warm fuzzies fron doing even the littlest improvement. Like i just got/installed a shifter knob, and vertical window seals on the front windows. Damn i love my truck.

wrickm said:

I think I will take MigGames advice and just do what i can to loosen up the existing springs. Replacing the springs seems like more effort than i should spend on improving something that works when i still have a lot of other more pressing issues to attack. (sound deadening, rear seat locks, seat belts etc)

CSA thanks for the info. I really haven't noticed any difference between my santana and any other Military Landy (LHD that is) I wish i had been able to get my hands onto a Santana 3a Militar. Those are crazy looking.

On a side note anyone else get warm fuzzies fron doing even the littlest improvement. Like i just got/installed a shifter knob, and vertical window seals on the front windows. Damn i love my truck.

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Ohhh yes its a great feeling.