Defender 90 - Suspension Advice
Discussion
I've had Defenders for many years - currently an '08 90 CHT (2.4 TCi).
Now, these latest Defenders are so usable that it is piling up the road miles, so I'm moving on to a new 90 XS station wagon.
To improve the road refinement and handling further, I'm investigating an upgraded suspension kit.
This one from JE Engineering looks pretty good
http://www.jeengineering.co.uk/defender/chassis-a-...
Anyone any experience of this or any other recommended alternatives?
Now, these latest Defenders are so usable that it is piling up the road miles, so I'm moving on to a new 90 XS station wagon.
To improve the road refinement and handling further, I'm investigating an upgraded suspension kit.
This one from JE Engineering looks pretty good
http://www.jeengineering.co.uk/defender/chassis-a-...
Anyone any experience of this or any other recommended alternatives?
Afraid I've not been in one with that kit on, but I simply bulk at the idea of forking out £1640!!!! just for 4 shocks, 4 springs and 2 bent bits of metal.
Seems like they are after 800% profit and flogging the customer for all they are worth.
That said, I'm sure the mods are along the right lines to improve road manners (at the cost of off road ability).
Not that I've dealt with them much but I think Scorpion Racing offer a -2" suspension kit and most other places (Famous Four, Paddock Spares, etc.) usually offer some form of on road upgraded suspension.
I'd have though poly bushes would be a worth while upgrade too, and maybe some Disco II 17 or 18" rims if handling and road holding are what you are after, although ride and refinement might be a tad worse.
I've also read somewhere about someone offering a higher speed steering box (might be JE) suspect this is also worth a look at.
If you are feeling experimental, how about retro fitting a Disco II ACE air suspension onto a Defender?
Seems like they are after 800% profit and flogging the customer for all they are worth.
That said, I'm sure the mods are along the right lines to improve road manners (at the cost of off road ability).
Not that I've dealt with them much but I think Scorpion Racing offer a -2" suspension kit and most other places (Famous Four, Paddock Spares, etc.) usually offer some form of on road upgraded suspension.
I'd have though poly bushes would be a worth while upgrade too, and maybe some Disco II 17 or 18" rims if handling and road holding are what you are after, although ride and refinement might be a tad worse.
I've also read somewhere about someone offering a higher speed steering box (might be JE) suspect this is also worth a look at.
If you are feeling experimental, how about retro fitting a Disco II ACE air suspension onto a Defender?
Do it, transforms the vehicle. I never got round to it but test drove their demo. Don't just lower the springs.........you really need to improve the dampers and bushes for best results. The stiffer anti-roll bars also make a huge differnce to body roll.
I would also advice fitting slightly wider tyres.......mine was incredible these fitted.
I would also advice fitting slightly wider tyres.......mine was incredible these fitted.
Prolinx sell a Defender-specific set of Fox dampers, the proprietor revalved the dampers on my 100" Bowler to cure it's tendency to oversteer - he did. The effect was as though the front and rear ends of the car were strapped to the road (we did three re-valving runs - first to identify basic traits and what needed to be done to cure them, second with revalved rear dampers and third with the revalved fronts). The car was some 10 to 15 mph faster through the corners on my return journey along the A44; if I had spent the same amount at a rolling road I might have got more power but the suspension benefits make more real-world difference.
If you want to know more, PM me.
If you want to know more, PM me.
Mike, thanks.
What brand of tyre? I'm overseas so need to get exact advice and then see what I can find here. It looks great in the pictures!
Did you lower the vehicle? I inch lowering?
I am getting so much different advice on suspension, from upwards of 2,000 STD to 400! Terrafirma, Koni, Fox, OME... change bushes or not, anti-roll bar...
My 90 is presently raised, I think 3 inches. The terramirma catalogue says raised suspension helps road ride, but I thought opposite! I need to lower it to fit into some car parks here, and while at it, I want to improve the road handling, its almost 100% road usage. And advice to achieve what you have on your black defender pictured would be very helpful
Thanks!
Kevin
What brand of tyre? I'm overseas so need to get exact advice and then see what I can find here. It looks great in the pictures!
Did you lower the vehicle? I inch lowering?
I am getting so much different advice on suspension, from upwards of 2,000 STD to 400! Terrafirma, Koni, Fox, OME... change bushes or not, anti-roll bar...
My 90 is presently raised, I think 3 inches. The terramirma catalogue says raised suspension helps road ride, but I thought opposite! I need to lower it to fit into some car parks here, and while at it, I want to improve the road handling, its almost 100% road usage. And advice to achieve what you have on your black defender pictured would be very helpful
Thanks!
Kevin
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