Transform your Defender for £250

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I was just looking to improve my Defender for mainly road use.
l'm going to try a set on the missus's 90 TD5 SW to see what improvement it makes to that.

I suppose softer shocks with ARB's would make a difference ... I run mostly off road so took the ARB's off!

Different ways to use a Landy I guess .. :)
 
I wish they did adjustable dampers for series with original leaf springs, mine feels like there is no suspension at all.

Col

They do, it's called a Defender, or spring conversion ... ;)

Only thing that helped mine were new springs, well greased. I never got to try parabolics which are also said to vastly improve the ride.
 
When I first bought Compo, I seriously considered fitting new springs but having read several reports of what a b,stard of a job it could be, I took him to a 4x4 specialist for a spring change quote. After sucking air through his teeth in that way plumbers do when you ask them a tricky question, he gave me enough reason to forget the plan. I have now learnt to brace myself for every pothole and speed hump.

Col
 
This thread has died....

I'm really surprised, as there have been numerous "how can l make my Defender ride better" over the years.

So l find a way to do it cheaply, and a/nobody suggests that they might try it b/the thread dies with almost no questions
I bought them after reading your post...being fitted as we speak...along with some new springs
 
You would think someone would come up with soft springs and a separate unit to take the weight when needed. I am sure this would be ideal.:D;)
 
I don't see the point tbf.

I cant see how on a works vehicle or play having adjustable shock will make much of a difference. Id say quality shocks are better. I personally dont think to much of tf kits. Id rather select correctly rated spring for my needs, and get THE best quality damper I could afford, like bilstein or sommat.

Id also say in regards to getting worked up about threads dying that experimenting with springs/shocks is the about the number one thing everyone does who wants to improve upon standard suspension, non of which really needs many questions asked....
 
Be great to know what you think. Are the new springs standard or uprated
New ones are HD terrafirma in sandard height. I didn't want a lift so as not to raise the centre of gravity. Hopefully the shocks will be an improvement. I find the BFG AT tyres I have quite 'hard' when compared to Hankook Dynapros that are on my brother's Navara
 
Coz soft dampera better off road

Hard dampers better on road

Yes I understand the theory behind it, but in relation to standard(ish) spec fenders I still think a top make like bilstein would be better, and give longer durability than an attempt by the likes of TF to give there take on an adjustable shock.

Don't get me wrong, I've helped mates spanner on road rally cars and then, when you are severely pushing the damping credentials are a must have, just not on a landy that takes you to the shops and dpea the odd lane or two
 
I also think getting the right rated spring for the intended use is far more important than and adjustable shock, especially with slow, specific motions that you get greenlaning or offroad
 
Yes I understand the theory behind it, but in relation to standard(ish) spec fenders I still think a top make like bilstein would be better, and give longer durability than an attempt by the likes of TF to give there take on an adjustable shock.

Don't get me wrong, I've helped mates spanner on road rally cars and then, when you are severely pushing the damping credentials are a must have, just not on a landy that takes you to the shops and dpea the odd lane or two


Fair point.

Ive found the TF gear to be much better than LRs stuff and far better than Britpart.

Not tried Bilstein or any of the top end brands though.

I was considering either Bilstein or Fox remote res next, when cash allows.

I have TF big bores now and I must say for the price they are very good on the road, little hard on bumps (hence wanting adjustable ones..) also good off road but not great if hitting rough terrain at anything above 20
 
The harder springs might
I also think getting the right rated spring for the intended use is far more important than and adjustable shock, especially with slow, specific motions that you get greenlaning or offroad

l tried that but could not get any softer rear springs, without affecting the ride height.
lt's a good improvement on the 110 and takes less than a minute to alter all 4 dampers for a firmer setting if needed.

This afternoon l have fitted a set to the missus's 90 TD5 so let's see if it makes an improvement to a 90.
I'll report back.
l only told her l was replacing the front drive members so any comments she makes about how it drives with the new dampers should be genuine.
 
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The missus reports that her 90 TD5 SW feels "smoother" after the new dampers were fitted.
lt's a standard spec 2003 CSW with boost alloys and ARB's.
l did not tell her what l had done, in order that her opinion would not be subject to the "it must be better" or "placebo" effect.

I've driven it and it it does feel a bit smoother over rough roads, although not as much of an improvement as l experienced in my 110 though.

I've not yet inflated the tyres to the recommended pressures, so l will do that tonight.
 
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I've had the new suspension setup for about two weeks now (adjustable dampers and new springs)...and what can I say? Absolutely brilliant! Second best upgrade I have done (after a remap) and the car drives beautifully. Its much less noisier and the car is much more comfortable over bumps. Thanks for the recommendation!
 
They do, it's called a Defender, or spring conversion ... ;)

Only thing that helped mine were new springs, well greased. I never got to try parabolics which are also said to vastly improve the ride.

Been there. Well greased standard leaf springs are better, well greased parrots bollocks are better again, but still nothing like coil springs. A few bags of cement in the back will also help.
 
Been there. Well greased standard leaf springs are better, well greased parrots bollocks are better again, but still nothing like coil springs. A few bags of cement in the back will also help.
I went to get some sand cement and a few flags the other day and my 90 felt better that I had ever know it.
Are there any reasonably priced shocks which are a bit softer, without adjusters or any other fancy bits, I heard the Britpart gas filled ones are good but does that mean they give a better ride or they are rock solid.
 
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