S3 109 Parabolics & Ext Shackles

I have seen many posts on this subject of series suspension upgrades and
many different views.

I thought for reference I would let everybody know what parts I've fitted
and how well they perform.

I have a petrol S3 109 and have made the following suspension mods

Parabolics from Paddocks
ProComp 3000 Gas Shocks from Paddocks
1 ton extended shackles from Paddocks
2.5 degree axle correction wedges from Chris Parfect
Extra long braided brake hoses from Chris Parfect
Standard LR bushes all round

Total cost £500+

The total lift is very significant, I haven't taken any measurements but the
roof line is level with 90's with a 2" lift and much more difficult to climb
in and out of.

My previous springs were only 12 month old.

Ride quality is greatly improved but not up to coil standards. You get a
bounce over road bumps instead of a judder

If you jump up and down on the front bumper you get real suspension movement
and not just tyre wall flex.

Off road the axle articulation is excellent, not better than coilers but you
will not be embarrassed easily

There has been a slight increase in steering wander and I may try increased
axle correction wedges at some point but this may be down to the ext
shackles, but it's not enough to worry me

I haven't suffered with prop vibration that some people have commented on in
the passed.

I have done circa 500 road miles and 30 on lanes with no problems so far

If anybody is interested I will post an update in a couple of month's time.


--
Martin
1980 S3 109 Petrol

I dunno as I have not reason presently to uprate and until my springs are
totally knackered (if that will ever be) I don't suppose I will jump.

Coils are coils and leaves are leaves and neer the twain shall meet, I
suppose you have to replace all four at once else it is going to be a bit
odd otherwise.

I think one of the necessities of driving a series is having a cast iron
arse.


--
Larry
Series 3 rust and holes




"Martin" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have seen many posts on this subject of series suspension upgrades and
> many different views.
>
> I thought for reference I would let everybody know what parts I've fitted
> and how well they perform.
>
> I have a petrol S3 109 and have made the following suspension mods
>
> Parabolics from Paddocks
> ProComp 3000 Gas Shocks from Paddocks
> 1 ton extended shackles from Paddocks
> 2.5 degree axle correction wedges from Chris Parfect
> Extra long braided brake hoses from Chris Parfect
> Standard LR bushes all round
>
> Total cost £500+
>
> The total lift is very significant, I haven't taken any measurements but
the
> roof line is level with 90's with a 2" lift and much more difficult to
climb
> in and out of.
>
> My previous springs were only 12 month old.
>
> Ride quality is greatly improved but not up to coil standards. You get a
> bounce over road bumps instead of a judder
>
> If you jump up and down on the front bumper you get real suspension
movement
> and not just tyre wall flex.
>
> Off road the axle articulation is excellent, not better than coilers but
you
> will not be embarrassed easily
>
> There has been a slight increase in steering wander and I may try
increased
> axle correction wedges at some point but this may be down to the ext
> shackles, but it's not enough to worry me
>
> I haven't suffered with prop vibration that some people have commented on
in
> the passed.
>
> I have done circa 500 road miles and 30 on lanes with no problems so far
>
> If anybody is interested I will post an update in a couple of month's
time.
>
>
> --
> Martin
> 1980 S3 109 Petrol
>
>

On or around Thu, 24 Feb 2005 23:58:11 -0000, "Larry" <[email protected]>
enlightened us thusly:

>Coils are coils and leaves are leaves and neer the twain shall meet, I
>suppose you have to replace all four at once else it is going to be a bit
>odd otherwise.

there used to be plenty of cars with leaf rear and coil front.
--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.fsnet.co.uk my opinions are just that
"Pereant qui ante nos nostra dixerunt"
(confound the men who have made our remarks before us.)
Aelius Donatus (4th Cent.) [St. Jerome, Commentary on Ecclesiastes]

In message <[email protected]>
Austin Shackles <[email protected]> wrote:

> On or around Thu, 24 Feb 2005 23:58:11 -0000, "Larry" <[email protected]>
> enlightened us thusly:
>
> >Coils are coils and leaves are leaves and neer the twain shall meet, I
> >suppose you have to replace all four at once else it is going to be a bit
> >odd otherwise.
>
> there used to be plenty of cars with leaf rear and coil front.

Most inferior 4x4's still have that arrangement ;-)

Richard
--
www.beamends-lrspares.co.uk [email protected]
Running a business in a Microsoft free environment - it can be done
Powered by Risc-OS - you won't get a virus from us!!
Helping keep Land Rovers on and off the road to annoy the Lib Dems

beamendsltd wrote:

> In message <[email protected]>
> Austin Shackles <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> On or around Thu, 24 Feb 2005 23:58:11 -0000, "Larry"
>> <[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:
>>
>> >Coils are coils and leaves are leaves and neer the twain shall meet, I
>> >suppose you have to replace all four at once else it is going to be a
>> >bit odd otherwise.
>>
>> there used to be plenty of cars with leaf rear and coil front.
>
> Most inferior 4x4's still have that arrangement ;-)
>
> Richard
Interestingly the current Nissan Patrol gives you the option of coils or
leaf springs, although I think you have to have the same front and back.
JD