Mud-club
Vehicle & Technical => Defender => Topic started by: madman lawrence on April 24, 2007, 12:03:38
-
hello,im after sum advice on the follwing plz
id like to retain my standard ride height but get more suspension travel out of my 90.i were contenplating on the pro comp +2inch shocks as there cheap at £130for4 but were wondering if these would limit the wheel travel up into the arch.if so,would a 2inch lift and 30mil spacers retain stability?
iv also seen sum +5inch shock kit which includes turrets and dislocating cones for £350 from llama4x4
any advice would be greatly appreciated,lawrence
-
Well if you put the +2 inch dampeners on, your wheels will still only go to your bump stops but they will drop off on full articulation so you will need dislocation cones and spring retainer’s front and back or you will be fishing your springs out of the mud every time.
If you are thinking of putting a +2 inch lift on they do give a nice soft ride (depending on which springs your have) But you might want to look at getting the Caster Correction arms and Rear arms as these Stop your bushes getting nailed, and I found without the caster correction arms on the 90’s steering felt awful.
My bro has a RRC without the arms and he has no problems it just comes to personal preference I think.
Only Problem is that my lift kit cost me £650 from Paddocks.
-
If you just want more downward travel the cheapest answer is to keep the standard shocks and just fit drop brackets, lowering the top mount by a couple of inches. Still need dislocation cones for the rear, but that's about it. On road ride wil be per standard too.
Personally I went for the Britpart/ProComp +2 lift, cranked rear arms and dislocation cones, but I was also keen to run bigger tyres and also get my bodywork up away from rocks, etc. (and I'm a big tart and I like lifted trucks :oops: ).
-
There's a backgrounder on Defender lift/suspension upgrades here that you might find useful..
http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showtopic=12063
The Llama kits are very good with the hardware made by Gwyn Lewis. If you go for this don't forget to extend brake lines too.
As you'll see from link to get max use out of +5" shocks from Llama you will need to do other things, but given the good value of the kit it makes sense go for something like this and then look at upgarding other components as you go.
Cheers
Steve
-
I can't vouch for the Defender but on the RRC you can fit plus 2" shocks and still reach the bump stops without bottoming the shocks (which is bad for them) but the shocka are plus 2" in the rod and the body, so plus 4" extra droop or thereabaouts, so better than dropping the top mount by 2" and my car handles better, though I will admit a slightly crashier ride (roads here are awful).
People like Srorpion do weekender kits that have the dampers and cranker rear arms to stop the top bush binding as described above but stay with standard height springs.
If you got for shocks rather than new mounts you keep the option of a lift later on.
-
Hello all
Yeah David's stuff (thats llama 4x4) looks good and is building a good reputation. He has supply problems with his shocks (ie it takes ages!), i'm still waiting for my front set. I'm pretty sure he said he makes his own stuff, although it is very similar to gwyn lewis's stuff. As i understand they know each other quite well. The front kit also represent excellent value for money.
Usually when companys sell extended length shocks they are talking about the length of travel (ie difference between extended and compressed) therefore in theory +2 inch shocks for a 90 should travel a total of 8 inches (as i think standards is around 6"). +2 inch shocks will easily go on a 90 and not reduce bump travel, they are also no more expensive than lowered shock mounts or drop brackets (which to my mind are counter productive).
Had 11" travel shocks on the back of my 90 with standard mounts and standard bumpstops and never had any problems (and not for want of trying). Those same shocks are now on the back of RRC (although i've had to raise the rear offside shock mount). Needed bent trialing links to benefit and dislocations cones, it also causes alittle bit of prop binding (which was eating uj's).
Fitting 2" lift probably won't have much affect on your cornering stability as most lift kits are 25% stiffer than standard. Has more effect on stability offroad though. In fact you will often find that lifted springs actually reduce the articulation of your vehicle (depending on spring stiffness).
How serious do you want to get though and whats your aim as people can get a little carried away with suspension (me included)
Cheers
Nick
200tdi 90
3.5 V8 rrc
ps steveG nice post, good that someone has summed up what is available.
-
thanks for the replies,very much appreciated.
i already have front and rear dislocating cones,front and rear spring retaining plates and 4inch extneded brakelines as i were guna go for a lift kit but iv no interest in doing so any longer.so as the cheaper solution im guna go for the +2inch procomps for now seeing as my concerns about them bottoming out at standard ride height have been set right.it were either them or the llama shocks but im not the most patient of ppl and i guess most of the above wouldnt have been required,hence a waste of cash.no doubt il end up getting the llama 11inch kit at sum point tho,wen i can afford to get the other bits and bobs to get full use out of the beasts!
thanks again,lawrence