JSG Posted September 2, 2010 Share Posted September 2, 2010 Hi all, My Defender 90 Tombraider currently has a +2 lift with leaky shocks. I want to go back to a standard set up as a starting point as most of the time it is on the road and laning etc doesn't require a lift as the dif is still going to be the limiting factor. One specialist I talked to recommended standard height heavy duty springs all round due to the weight of the roof rack / support system (pretend cage) with gas shocks. Would heavy duty springs give me a lift anyway? Props / UJs / radius arms etc are standard currently and I'm happy with standard ride height. Tyres are 265/75 16 on standard alloys. Most of the time it runs with no load but gets loaded up when camping etc. Currently has a winch fitted but that is coming off as it isn't needed for the use it gets and the front approach angle is pants with it on. So, should I look at standard or HD springs? Would HD give a firmer ride with minimal lift which would be fine or am I better going for standard duty. Cheers, John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibexman Posted September 2, 2010 Share Posted September 2, 2010 Why not go standard with air bags in rear springs for when you have a bit more weight on board :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderzander Posted September 2, 2010 Share Posted September 2, 2010 I tried HD springs in my 90 and didn't get on with them at all. So I put it back to the standard springs. The HD ones did give a small lift - with the springs being stiffer they require a greater load to compress them in comparison to the softer standard set up. Mine is very soft though - but I can drive around that and it suits the long travel set up I have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Litch Posted September 2, 2010 Share Posted September 2, 2010 I had genuine HD springs on my ex-MOD 90 and it rode very well, the ride was quite firm but it went around corners like it was on rails. When I was giving it a rebuild I decided to change the springs & shocks (the bushes were already new) and I went for Scorpion standard height HD with DC gas-shocks. At first I was most disappointed as the ride was much softer than I expected although it did maintain its ride height, that said when I took it around the corners the body roll was slightly greater than with the original HD springs but still very reasonable. In the end I discovered that while Scorpion HD springs were rated at 15% over standard, the original HD ones were about 30% hence the difference. Five years later I am completely at home with the ride and appreciate that the slightly softer springs were probably a better bet and on an even more positive note they have maintained the ride-height and the gas-shocks keep everything level(ish) in the corners. Last weekend I replaced the OE spec bushes for Bearmach polyurethene ones and one thing that was instantly noticable is that they are a lot firmer than the OE ones, I am not just comparing worn OE to new polyurethene but have noticed that the ride is significantly firmer. It handles like a racing car (well, sort of) but the ride quality is just not there any more. It took me years to decide to go to polyurethene (I have studded it in great detail over the years) and perhaps I should have gone for comfort Polybushes but I am begining to wonder on the wisdom of going away from OE which have served me well for many years? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aragorn Posted September 3, 2010 Share Posted September 3, 2010 For the fronts, i'd fit the D110 fronts (which are the same as Disco rears) as they're progressive springs, so should provide a decent ride, but will firm up when loaded/cornering etc. The stock 90 rear springs are already pretty heavy duty things. I'd be tempted to use them, but if you decide that you want it stiffer, then the next option is Landrover D90 HD springs, which as above are progressive so will give a better ride than a rock hard spring from some of the aftermarkets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSG Posted September 3, 2010 Author Share Posted September 3, 2010 Thanks for the replies - I like the sound of the progressive springs, will get some options priced up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L19MUD Posted September 3, 2010 Share Posted September 3, 2010 Just to add to this, I went from standard 90 springs on my 200tdi a few years ago to the HD (genuine) ones all round. I also changed to polybush red bushes. I do a lot of heavy towing so wanted to stiffen everything up. I would say the HD springs are brilliant, they reduce a lot of body roll but are not too hard a ride IMHO. They improved things massivley with a 3.5 ton trailer on the back. As for the polybushes . . They do make things a bit "crashy" and limit axle articulation. If you dont do a lot of heavy towing then i reckon you would be better sticking to genuine LR bushes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnseedee Posted September 3, 2010 Share Posted September 3, 2010 For the fronts, i'd fit the D110 fronts (which are the same as Disco rears) as they're progressive springs, so should provide a decent ride, but will firm up when loaded/cornering etc. The stock 90 rear springs are already pretty heavy duty things. I'd be tempted to use them, but if you decide that you want it stiffer, then the next option is Landrover D90 HD springs, which as above are progressive so will give a better ride than a rock hard spring from some of the aftermarkets. I second the D110 fronts and D90 HD rears. I fitted these a couple of yeas ago and am very pleased with the balance of firm ride on-road with plenty of flexibility off-raod. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djwillis Posted September 5, 2010 Share Posted September 5, 2010 I second the D110 fronts and D90 HD rears. I fitted these a couple of yeas ago and am very pleased with the balance of firm ride on-road with plenty of flexibility off-raod. Has anyone got part no's for the exact springs mentioned? OE versions that is, all I seem to turn up is 'like OE' aftermarket tat from the places I would trust . The idea of 110 fronts and HD 90 rears sounds ideal, esp. with a roof rack and a bit of loading. I guess progressive spring's have to be a compromise somewhere but if your just towing, loading up or down lanes it's going to be a lot better than 90 stock springs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnseedee Posted September 5, 2010 Share Posted September 5, 2010 Has anyone got part no's for the exact springs mentioned? OE versions that is, all I seem to turn up is 'like OE' aftermarket tat from the places I would trust . The idea of 110 fronts and HD 90 rears sounds ideal, esp. with a roof rack and a bit of loading. I guess progressive spring's have to be a compromise somewhere but if your just towing, loading up or down lanes it's going to be a lot better than 90 stock springs. 110 fronts are NRC8044 and NRC8045. HD 90 rears are NRC9462 and NRC9463. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat_J Posted September 5, 2010 Share Posted September 5, 2010 I'm quite interested in this thread as I'm replacing my suspension too. So there are the ones for the front? http://www.lrseries.com/shop/product/listing/9012/NRC9449-COIL-SPRING-FRONT-LH.html?search=nrc9449&page=1 http://www.lrseries.com/shop/product/listing/9011/NRC9448-COIL-SPRING-FRONT.html?search=nrc9448&page=1 I can't seem to find the part numbers for the 90 standard rear springs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnseedee Posted September 6, 2010 Share Posted September 6, 2010 I'm quite interested in this thread as I'm replacing my suspension too. So there are the ones for the front? http://www.lrseries.com/shop/product/listing/9012/NRC9449-COIL-SPRING-FRONT-LH.html?search=nrc9449&page=1 http://www.lrseries.com/shop/product/listing/9011/NRC9448-COIL-SPRING-FRONT.html?search=nrc9448&page=1 I can't seem to find the part numbers for the 90 standard rear springs NRC9448/9 are 110 HD front, 130 standard front AND 90 standard rear. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francois Posted September 6, 2010 Share Posted September 6, 2010 A handy bit of data compliments of Phil Please see attachment oops, attachment got lost. See the "Left and Right springs" thread in defender forum. My link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat_J Posted September 13, 2010 Share Posted September 13, 2010 Sorry to bring up an older topic again, just got back from holiday. I want to order my suspension today as I'm not far away from that stage now. I plan on putting a winch on the front so that'll be some extra weight. I'm thinking standard 90 rears and 110 fronts so that'll be two sets or NRC9448/NRC9449 then? Or am I better off with NRC8045 for the fronts, the standard 110 springs? I'm not lifting and will be using OE shocks but with the winch and bumper this should leave it level(ish)? Unless anyone has anything major against OE shocks and a winch of course... Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diablo Posted September 13, 2010 Share Posted September 13, 2010 As an aside, who makes OE shocks? Is it still Armstrong? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.