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PoormansXS

Member Since: 21 Oct 2023
Location: Lincolnshire
Posts: 49

2002 Defender 90 Td5 CSW Buckingham Blue

SHOCKing ideas FOX or Terrafirma?

Bored with 2 weeks off work so planning to visit alive and get some goodies. I’m going for their comfort springs, but I’m unsure wether to go for the fox shocks or the terrafirma 4 stage shocks.

Anyone got experience with either? I’m basically after as ‘comfortable’ a ride as I can get 🤣 terrafirma is tempted with the adjustability and being half the price! But if the fox is worth it maybe I’ll get them.

Any advice appreciated

20th Feb 2024 10:17pm

LJMARSDEN

Member Since: 08 Jun 2021
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 335

I have fox 2.0 & Alive Tunings comfort springs on my own Defender 90. Its a much better ride and an easy solution instead of cobbling different setups together, Just a bit pricey.

I use the car for mainly road use and found it to be more than good enough but theres not much getting around the fact of its shorter wheelbase...

I'd recommend them.

(2k Miles so far, ish) 4.0 V8 Defender 90

My Instagram

21st Feb 2024 7:47am

TexasRover

Member Since: 24 Nov 2022
Location: Paris
Posts: 1051

2002 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Chawton White

I would just fit standard OEM Boge or Bilstein with the LR partner so they are designed for the car.

They are cheap and work well with the mass and standard springs. They are cheap enough to change them out more frequently. Dampers (shock is technically not the correct word) loose damping with use.

21st Feb 2024 7:57am

bankz5152

Member Since: 02 Feb 2017
Location: South London/North Kent
Posts: 2166

Terrafirma youre throwing money away.

Fox, Koni, OME, Bilstein Instagram @defender_ventures
Empire Tuning - Agent

21st Feb 2024 7:58am

johnlad

Member Since: 18 Dec 2023
Location: Blackpool
Posts: 54

I’d fit Britpart before using Terrafirma.
Had experience of there shocks snapping pins, rusting, seizing so no rebound.

21st Feb 2024 8:01am

kenzle8a

Member Since: 12 Feb 2020
Location: None
Posts: 1074

Couldn't pay me to fit Terrafirma to a Defender.

I had B6's before on my 110 and they were pretty decent. I like the look of the Alive Custom Bilsteins or the Bilstein Advance Dampers (the black ones) a few places stock now.

21st Feb 2024 8:03am

PoormansXS

Member Since: 21 Oct 2023
Location: Lincolnshire
Posts: 49

Thanks all,
I guess it’s true what they say if it looks too good to be true then it probably is. I think I’ll go with the fox. Father in law has Bilstein on his and it handles great, I just think the ride could be a lot smoother.

21st Feb 2024 8:09am

Screbble

Member Since: 26 Apr 2015
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 2102

2004 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Zambezi Silver

Funnily enough, and mindful that I do little mileage and mainly on road, I’ve had Terrafirma shocks fitted to the rear for years without any issues. They’ve even held up aesthetically. My steering damper is also Terrafirma. Fronts are OEM. I am very aware of the significant number of issues reported regarding that brand which I do take a serious note of.

Now…what will I do when the time comes to replace?

I’ll either go Fox or standard/OEM.

21st Feb 2024 8:32am

BaronDefenders

Member Since: 28 Jun 2019
Location: London/Cotswolds
Posts: 896

2004 Defender 90 Td5 CSW Santorini Black

I haven’t heard much that is positive about Terrafirma shocks. On the other hand, I’ve only see positive reviews about Fox and Koni.

Personally, I use OME. I have them on three vehicles and find them quite suitable for my needs. Charlie

1949 Series 1 80 (SOLD)
2002 Td5 90 (SOLD)
2008 Freelander 2 (SOLD)

1958 Series 2 88 Pastel Green (2019 LR Legends Best Restored)
1983 V8 110 Limestone (Previously owned by Tom Sheppard MBE)
2004 Td5 90 Santorini Black (Td5INSIDE Powered & Rebuilt by CSK)
2012 Puma 110 Zermatt Silver (Overlanding Build)

Instagram: @BaronDefenders

21st Feb 2024 9:15am

balmybaldwin

Member Since: 17 Apr 2021
Location: Surrey
Posts: 192

LJMARSDEN wrote:
I have fox 2.0 & Alive Tunings comfort springs on my own Defender 90. Its a much better ride and an easy solution instead of cobbling different setups together, Just a bit pricey.

I use the car for mainly road use and found it to be more than good enough but theres not much getting around the fact of its shorter wheelbase...

I'd recommend them.

(2k Miles so far, ish)

Have you done any offroad with them presumably they are same as standard height? How do the springs behave? (I'm not into axle twisters, but don't want to find it too limiting as I do like to do the odd pay and play sometimes)

22nd Feb 2024 11:36pm

Welshsurferdude

Member Since: 23 Feb 2012
Location: Newport
Posts: 2406

Another vote for fox

used em on 2 previous defenders

and on my MTB's for years 2008 Santorini Black 110 XS USW (Sold)

2015 Discovery 4.5 Black pack Firenze red XS

2008 Corris Grey 110 XS USW (sold)

2011 Santorini Black 110 XS USW (Sold)

22nd Feb 2024 11:59pm

LJMARSDEN

Member Since: 08 Jun 2021
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 335

balmybaldwin wrote:
LJMARSDEN wrote:
I have fox 2.0 & Alive Tunings comfort springs on my own Defender 90. Its a much better ride and an easy solution instead of cobbling different setups together, Just a bit pricey.

I use the car for mainly road use and found it to be more than good enough but theres not much getting around the fact of its shorter wheelbase...

I'd recommend them.

(2k Miles so far, ish)

Have you done any offroad with them presumably they are same as standard height? How do the springs behave? (I'm not into axle twisters, but don't want to find it too limiting as I do like to do the odd pay and play sometimes)

I've done some light lanes and its supple, I'm in the same boat as you for not doing much of the tougher stuff just yet. Although, I imagine it would take some serious articulation to suffer from any chance of springs falling out of seats at the rear. I was really happy with them and glad I did spend the money on the whole kit.

The springs are Alives Comfort road spec, that'll be a bit lower roughly 1"-1.5" from what I remember. Note that these springs "level" the defender so the front arch will be sitting higher than the rear, they are not standard height. Again, I don't do anything extreme enough to require a lift...

This link is to a post of a couple of photos with the car "done"

https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic89722.html

This link is to a short clip of a lane in Leicestershire I stumbled across, not the harshest but hope it helps you.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bzX--Q89MLE 4.0 V8 Defender 90

My Instagram

23rd Feb 2024 8:28am

Biscuits

Member Since: 27 Mar 2023
Location: Kent
Posts: 52

I'm going Fox 2.0 with remote resevoirs on my TD5, being installed in a couple of weeks. (going to Juice Motors again)

Wanted Eibach comfort springs, but they don't do any with a 2" lift. So likely going to have to use OME, or keep the Britpart ones currently on it. 2001 90 TD5 SW - Juice Motors Resto Mod - Epsom Green
2024 90 D300 HSE X-Dyn HT - Santorini Black

23rd Feb 2024 9:25am

Chicken Drumstick

Member Since: 17 Aug 2020
Location: Near MK
Posts: 727

Do you need the lift?

Flatdog offer standard rate springs in +2" length, so long springs, but give more like a 1" lift due to retaining the standard spring rate.

Remote res would normally only be needed for high speed off road or high speed rough terrain.

23rd Feb 2024 10:33am

Biscuits

Member Since: 27 Mar 2023
Location: Kent
Posts: 52

I'm running 35" BFG's, so the lift is needed. Seems OME and FD are the two main offerings.

Doing SCRAM AFRICA end of April, which is a LOT of high speed off road, so need as much damper volume as possible. 2001 90 TD5 SW - Juice Motors Resto Mod - Epsom Green
2024 90 D300 HSE X-Dyn HT - Santorini Black

23rd Feb 2024 10:36am

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