Suspension - Which to buy

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Funonthefarm

Funonthefarm

Active Member
Posts
180
Location
Scotland
Hi All,

Next on the rebuild, I'm going to replace the suspension, the landy won't be doing anything to extreme, so don't want to spend a fortune, was looking at the britpart kit... any thoughts or recommendations.

any thoughts about lowering it to improve the handling?

thanks.
 
Britpart shocks are fine tbh, I have had some one for 6 years and they are still fine.

Lowering for handling? If you want a car that’s good for handling don’t buy a Land Rover lol
 
That's good timing as I've recently started fitting my new suspension all round...though I'm sure the replies will come in quite varied. Like yours, mine is to be used mainly for road use with the odd off road detour and generally no serious off-roading. I thought long as to the final spec' and was helped with some great advice from our LZ forum friends. I also wanted to 'toughen up' the front end without the need for anti-roll bars as wanted to keep the original 'feel' of the 90. My final spec' is as follows with std ride height:

Standard Springs Front & Rear
TerraFirma Std Dampers
New std code G bushes all round [I chose std as did not want to increase any NVH]
Gwyn Lewis HD Drop Arm Conversion Kit & Track Rod Bar https://gwynlewis4x4.co.uk/product/defender-drop-arm-conversion-kit-track-rod-bar-hd-steel/
Std Panhard Rod but with PolyBushes [panhard rods really benefit from +Ve location]
OME front steering damper [after much reading and taking ref' this was the obvious choice]

and for added surety I've used the following Gwyn Lewis mounting hardware
https://gwynlewis4x4.co.uk/product/four-galvanised-spring-seats-defender-90-disco1-rrc/
https://gwynlewis4x4.co.uk/product/heavy-duty-front-turret-securing-rings/
https://gwynlewis4x4.co.uk/product/std-height-hd-front-turrets-inc-re-locator/
 
I have found the BP std springs to be perfectly acceptable.
I run Koni Heavy Track shocks but the springs are BP (and have been for several years) with no evidence of sagging or gong soft. Even the paint is still perfect with the colour coding visible!
 
v8250 said:
That's good timing as I've recently started fitting my new suspension all round...though I'm sure the replies will come in quite varied. Like yours, mine is to be used mainly for road use with the odd off road detour and generally no serious off-roading. I thought long as to the final spec' and was helped with some great advice from our LZ forum friends. I also wanted to 'toughen up' the front end without the need for anti-roll bars as wanted to keep the original 'feel' of the 90. My final spec' is as follows with std ride height:

Standard Springs Front & Rear
TerraFirma Std Dampers
New std code G bushes all round [I chose std as did not want to increase any NVH]
Gwyn Lewis HD Drop Arm Conversion Kit & Track Rod Bar https://gwynlewis4x4.co.uk/product/defender-drop-arm-conversion-kit-track-rod-bar-hd-steel/
Std Panhard Rod but with PolyBushes [panhard rods really benefit from +Ve location]
OME front steering damper [after much reading and taking ref' this was the obvious choice]

and for added surety I've used the following Gwyn Lewis mounting hardware
https://gwynlewis4x4.co.uk/product/four-galvanised-spring-seats-defender-90-disco1-rrc/
https://gwynlewis4x4.co.uk/product/heavy-duty-front-turret-securing-rings/
https://gwynlewis4x4.co.uk/product/std-height-hd-front-turrets-inc-re-locator/
Click to expand...
Very useful, thanks. Can I ask what t his means?
New std code G bushes all round [I chose std as did not want to increase any NVH

And also:
[panhard rods really benefit from +Ve location]
 
Litch said:
I have found the BP std springs to be perfectly acceptable.
I run Koni Heavy Track shocks but the springs are BP (and have been for several years) with no evidence of sagging or gong soft. Even the paint is still perfect with the colour coding visible!
Click to expand...
Good to know, thanks
 
Funonthefarm said:
Very useful, thanks. Can I ask what t his means?
New std code G bushes all round [I chose std as did not want to increase any NVH

And also:
[panhard rods really benefit from +Ve location]
Click to expand...
Standard Genuine bushes
Negative vehicle handling?
Positive location.
 
NVH is more usually noise, vibration and harshness rather than general handling, however the bushes will affect both.

For your purposes you’d be hard pressed to beat the standard Land Rover bushes, shocks and springs. Cheap, effective and last for years.
 
I am in the same field as Retroanaconda on this one, and bet you will find the handling a whole better just by replacing the worn out stuff you have.
 
My own oppinion but I would not go for any heavy duty suspension springs or shocks, My 90 shakes the fillings out of your teeth on most roads, but put some flagstones and a couple of bags of cement in the back and its almost comfortable. I am looking to put some softer springs in there.
 
Funonthefarm said:
What nvh can occur? Is this with poly bushes?

In regards positive location, in relation to what?
Click to expand...
It's vital that the panhard rod is positively located basically with no free play. It stops the whole front axle moving side to side which you definitely don't want. Free play here, even slightly, does alter the handling, any more free play than slight can quickly turn the vehicle into an almost uncontrollable death trap. Been there done that don't want to go there again!
 
Flossie said:
It's vital that the panhard rod is positively located basically with no free play. It stops the whole front axle moving side to side which you definitely don't want. Free play here, even slightly, does alter the handling, any more free play than slight can quickly turn the vehicle into an almost uncontrollable death trap. Been there done that don't want to go there again!
Click to expand...
Yep. Dodgey panhard bushes and death wobble go together like peas and carrots.
 
Here’s my recommendation which improves the ride quality significantly.

Puma SW springs (buy new “take off” from Twisted Automotive at just over £100 a set)

Terrafirma standard length 4-way adjustable dampers set to the softest setting

Discovery front spring isolators

Total cost around £450
Ride height same as standard Defender. Ride quality better “like having a mattress between you and the pot holes” according to my missus after l fitted the kit to our 90 TD5.

For faster road use or when fully loaded you can alter the damper settings to a firmer setting which produces better cornering (within the limits of the type of vehicle it is)
The trade off is a harder ride quality.
 
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