Guest Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 Well after a two year break I'm back... The defender has sat in a dry warm storage unit during this break amongst some very special cars and only seeing the light of day every few weeks for a quick run around to splash some oil around. It is lovely to have her back but as with anything mechanical especially a green oval product there are some bits to sort out. First on the list are the springs and dampers which have gone shall we say soggy over the break, currently fitted is a set of +2 terafirma HD springs and shocks, I have been happy with them and as my truck is like me being on the heavy side (ARB bullbar winch etc) the HD units feel about right and she sits at the correct height when fully kitted. I also have a pair of airlift bags fitted in the rear springs for when she is off on her travels and fully kitted. So the question is do I just swap them like for like having not really had any issues with them or is there something better on the market now in the past couple of years? Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 They shouldn't have deteriorated in the way that they have. An upgrade to better quality stuff like old man emu would be my choice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerous doug Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 Second vote for OME. I had some fitted on my old truck after fitting scorpion ones (which sagged in no time atall) the OME were just better. My dads D2 weighs more than the moon and tows a horse box/ caravan a lot and his OME are still good after about 6 years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 I'd go down the route of OME. I wouldn't have expected the springs to sag after being sat like that! Other option which is worth a look is the DevoTech springs from Devon 4x4. They're made to their spec by Eibach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulcan bomber Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 Koni Heavy Trak Dampers and Either genuine land rover springs or Iron Man Springs for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cackshifter Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 The Flatdog springs are UK made in Sheffield I think by Coil Springs Ltd); I got a pair for my 90 and they seem fine (didn't want Chinese). They do standard and raised or will do specials. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 Sorry I missed a bit of info from my original post they were fitted and abused for 5 years prior to the storage so I'm not disappointed with them as they have worked hard given the trailer and climates it has been. Whilst I understand the quantity of the OME ones would they really last four times as long, which would justify the price. Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 Ralph would be a good one to ask.... not sure how long he has had his OME on for? But I think his recovery kit which lives in the back is about 500KG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sirocco Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 I would go with TF springs again, I found them great. Only now running OME because I got them cheap. I wouldn't run TF shocks again though, go OME. Good to have you back Jason G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanger Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 I've gone for bilstein b6 and one +40mm to take the extra weight of accessories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 Ralph would be a good one to ask.... not sure how long he has had his OME on for? But I think his recovery kit which lives in the back is about 500KG. OME springs & dampers on on my 110 since mid 1996 IIRC, springs are still doing the job, dampers have been replaced by more OME, only due to wear & rusted casings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 I would go with TF springs again, I found them great. Only now running OME because I got them cheap. I wouldn't run TF shocks again though, go OME. Good to have you back Jason G Thanks Griff OME springs & dampers on on my 110 since mid 1996 IIRC, springs are still doing the job, dampers have been replaced by more OME, only due to wear & rusted casings. Thanks Ralph, that was my worry that things would rust out before I got my monies worth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 my rear springs are the 754's http://www.red90.ca/rovers/springinfo.html#OME the run with 400kgs of recovery kit onboard nearly all the time, not sagged or broken yet, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 But think of the amount of miles that Ralph's 110 covers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanuki Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 Bilstein gas dampers [the yellow ones, with an outline of the Nurburgring on them!] are truly the Mutt's Nuts as far as stability is concerned: having fitted a set to my 90TD5 I'm regularly cruising a good 10MPH faster than before even when towing our big Bateson 3.5-ton flatbed, without fear of tail-wagging-the-dog issues when the trailer follows the HGV ruts on motorways. I really don't like suspension-lifts; if you're carrying extra weight fit stronger springs [or spring-assisters/load-levellers - there are really good reasons why LR fitted Boge Nivomats, and then went on to develop air suspension for Range-Rovers/Discoveries] but aim to retain the design ride-height (or maybe an inch or so less) in the name of overall centre-of-gravity stability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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