landyboots · Mar 16, 2020

Hi all. I think the time has come to renew the springs, shocks and bushes on my F-plate classic fitted with the Mazda SLT3500 and I'm not too sure which springs and which load rating I need because of the heavier Mazda lump. I would like to lift it by 1 inch to allow for some slightly larger tyres. Would any of you good people have any experience or advice to help point me in the right direction?

Thanks all....

Mark Piercy · Mar 16, 2020

Wow, thats going to be an interesting learning curve.
How about HD spring rates and HD shocks?
The aussies are into mix hybrids and have a good market for these things but there are limitations in Europe, sorry err... England, Scotland, North Island and europe.

Fulcrum suspension in aussie are a big name as is old man ému. Some homework on the net could help in your mission

Mark Piercy · Mar 16, 2020

Brit part, dare I say it do hd spring and lift kits and their shocks are built to suit.
I did a 92 2 door classic start of last year for a client who wanted HD everything. It looked well at the end and is as solid as a rock on the road.

Very interested in how you get on.

pwood999 · Mar 17, 2020

I fitted a set from Paddock Spares to my old 1988 classic. Cant remember the details, but I'm they were specified as "designed for towing, etc.".

Only problem I had was the car always leaned slightly to the right, even after swapping the springs L-R. I assumed swapping L-R should change the problem side, but never found the reason for the lean ??

Sadly the car wen to the graveyard when values were scrap metal only. Got £220 for it

300bhp/ton · Mar 17, 2020

HD springs and shocks are usually the WORST thing to fit to almost any car, unless you are using it for hauling heavy loads. They will generally ruin the ride. AVOID! Especially if you don't know the spring rate or length.

These are very good springs and you can buy different lengths and spring rates.

https://www.flatdoguk.com/FD-Springs-Land-Rover.asp

Basically any RR, Defender, Disco spring will work (not 110 rears). And there is no reason you can't use a rear spring at the front if it is more suitable.

A longer spring of the same spring rate will give the potential for more wheel travel (may need other supporting mods) and will lift a vehicle slightly, but without the harsh ride.

Do you know what your engine weighs? If it is similar to a Tdi, then the springs used on a Tdi RR or Disco1 would probably work.

Maybe something like this:
https://www.flatdoguk.com/disco-1-+2/hd1~454

classic kev · Mar 17, 2020

I don't know much about diesel Range Rovers but my 3.9 has HD springs which comprise standard rear springs on the front then slightly stiffer (red and white "police spec") on the rear. The HD springs give a small raise, about 1 inch but the ride is not noticeably compromised.However, it should be noted that RRC's were fitted with anti-roll bars from the '91 model year which does make a difference.

According to my workshop manual for 1990/91 models, HD suspension would have NRC8477 springs on the front and NRC2119 on the rear. The front springs have a rating of 178.2lb/in or 3182.1kg/m with a free length of 461.67mm (18.176ins) with 8.75 working coils. The rears (green stripe) have a rating of 150lb/in or 2678.7kg/m, free length 409.7mm (16.3 ins) with 7.63 working coils. The other thing that might also be relevant is whether or not yours has the self-levelling unit which would be another important consideration.

Not sure if that helps but if it does, you're welcome.

Henry_b · Mar 17, 2020

The diesel RRC has slightly stronger front springs IIRC to account for the weight of the motor

tomcat59alan · Mar 17, 2020

Mark Piercy said:
Brit part, dare I say it do hd spring and lift kits and their shocks are built to suit.
I did a 92 2 door classic start of last year for a client who wanted HD everything. It looked well at the end and is as solid as a rock on the road.
Very interested in how you get on.
View attachment 203096

Is he still in traction?

norseman · Mar 17, 2020

pwood999 said:
I fitted a set from Paddock Spares to my old 1988 classic. Cant remember the details, but I'm they were specified as "designed for towing, etc.".
Only problem I had was the car always leaned slightly to the right, even after swapping the springs L-R. I assumed swapping L-R should change the problem side, but never found the reason for the lean ??

Steel sprung LR's (coil/leaf) are famous, or should that be infamous, for leaning to one side. I had a complete set of genuine coils & dampers fitted to my '87 RRC a few years ago & it leaned slightly to the driver's side! A pair of 10mm rubber spring seat insulators from Paddocks (not sure if they are still available) helped the situation but now everything has settled the car now leans slightly to the passenger side!
Leaves me with two choices >
Fit the remaining pair to the N/S (bought as set of four) OR remove the two already fitted to the O/S.

Life gets tedious don't it

landyboots · Mar 19, 2020

300bhp/ton said:
HD springs and shocks are usually the WORST thing to fit to almost any car, unless you are using it for hauling heavy loads. They will generally ruin the ride. AVOID! Especially if you don't know the spring rate or length.

These are very good springs and you can buy different lengths and spring rates.

https://www.flatdoguk.com/FD-Springs-Land-Rover.asp

Basically any RR, Defender, Disco spring will work (not 110 rears). And there is no reason you can't use a rear spring at the front if it is more suitable.

A longer spring of the same spring rate will give the potential for more wheel travel (may need other supporting mods) and will lift a vehicle slightly, but without the harsh ride.

Do you know what your engine weighs? If it is similar to a Tdi, then the springs used on a Tdi RR or Disco1 would probably work.

Maybe something like this:
https://www.flatdoguk.com/disco-1-+2/hd1~454

Thanks for that.....Apparently the Mazda 35 SLTI weighs 295 KG as compared with a 300 Tdi which weighs approximately 240 KG....

landyboots · Mar 19, 2020

classic kev said:
I don't know much about diesel Range Rovers but my 3.9 has HD springs which comprise standard rear springs on the front then slightly stiffer (red and white "police spec") on the rear. The HD springs give a small raise, about 1 inch but the ride is not noticeably compromised.However, it should be noted that RRC's were fitted with anti-roll bars from the '91 model year which does make a difference.

According to my workshop manual for 1990/91 models, HD suspension would have NRC8477 springs on the front and NRC2119 on the rear. The front springs have a rating of 178.2lb/in or 3182.1kg/m with a free length of 461.67mm (18.176ins) with 8.75 working coils. The rears (green stripe) have a rating of 150lb/in or 2678.7kg/m, free length 409.7mm (16.3 ins) with 7.63 working coils. The other thing that might also be relevant is whether or not yours has the self-levelling unit which would be another important consideration.

Not sure if that helps but if it does, you're welcome.

I must say that I am a bit confused by all these load ratings when trying to choose springs. Thanks for your input.

landyboots

Active Member

Mark Piercy

Well fumbled member....

Mark Piercy

Well fumbled member....

pwood999

Well-Known Member

300bhp/ton

Well-Known Member

classic kev

Well-Known Member

Henry_b

Think outside, no box required.

tomcat59alan

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norseman

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landyboots

Active Member

landyboots

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