 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > Defender Steering Box - Drop Arm Conversion - Yes/No |
 
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| Grenadier Member Since: 23 Jul 2014 Location: The foot of Mont Blanc... Posts: 5804   
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Morning all,
Just wondering who's done the Defender steering box Drop Arm conversion by Gwyn Lewis, and if you have what your reasoning was behind the conversion and thoughts. And for those who've upgraded to Sumo bars, but HAVEN'T done the conversion, why you chose not to and whether you now wish you had, or are happy with the decision. Going to place an order soon and can't decide whether it's worth the conversion (faff rather than bucks) or not. Ta  Monsieur Le Grenadier
I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list..... 2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey |
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21st Feb 2024 9:48am |
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| rustandoil Member Since: 08 Sep 2012 Location: Cotswolds Posts: 738  
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I upgraded just because I was replacing with Sumo bars
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21st Feb 2024 10:00am |
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| hank Member Since: 12 Sep 2016 Location: South Wales Posts: 2296  
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It's a nice solution and I would definitely do it if I didn't have a steering damper.
I've replaced the drop arm ball joint twice during my ownership and it's a real pain. The conversion makes it so simple with a standard screw in/out track rod end. Personally though I really dislike the steering damper bracket and u-bolt arrangement. It looks a bit DIY. If Gwyn Lewis developed a steering rod with a welded bracket it would be a no brainer for me > 110 XS Double Cab |
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21st Feb 2024 10:19am |
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| jst Member Since: 14 Jan 2008 Location: Taunton Posts: 8021  
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i have done this on mine.
previously i fitted sumo bars with the std drop arm conversion. then the ball joint needed changing a while later - what a pain. Since then on the next 4 defenders i have just replaced drop arm with a discovery 1 one that takes the TRE when fitting Sumo bars. bought the kit from Gwyn each time. Why. TRE are easier to change. Sumo bars are less likely to bend off road. future maint is easy. if someone comes to us for vehicle prep i advise them to fit the TRE drop arm if they are upgrading the arms. Cheers James 110 2012 XS Utility 130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper 90 2010 Hardtop 90 M57 1988 Hardtop |
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21st Feb 2024 10:20am |
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| Grenadier Member Since: 23 Jul 2014 Location: The foot of Mont Blanc... Posts: 5804
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Thank you all. Four for four. Seems like it's a positive and worthy upgrade. Sold. Will let you know how I get on.
Monsieur Le Grenadier
I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list..... 2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey |
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21st Feb 2024 10:29am |
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| 34064 Member Since: 12 Dec 2023 Location: South Central Posts: 171  
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Its something im looking at for my 110 as it makes complete sense and the old sumo bars on my Discovery made a massive difference in the steering feel over the stock rods 110 Td5 Ex Utilities slowly converting into a pop top camper one day
Build thread:https://www.defender2.net/forum/post1024784.html#1024784 |
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21st Feb 2024 12:07pm |
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| Timo K Member Since: 23 Aug 2012 Location: Helsinki Posts: 171 
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Why do you dislike it so much? I mean yeah it's not super elegant, but in a way I think it's simplicity is commendable. |
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21st Feb 2024 12:13pm |
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| rustandoil Member Since: 08 Sep 2012 Location: Cotswolds Posts: 738
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Picture, just for the hell of it
 Click image to enlarge |
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21st Feb 2024 12:20pm |
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| Retroanaconda Member Since: 04 Jan 2012 Location: Scotland Posts: 2640 
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For balance, I have the sumo bars with the standard drop arm and ball joint. No issues.
Have changed a few ball joints and not found it a big problem with the proper tool. No doubt a TRE is easier though for sure. |
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21st Feb 2024 12:30pm |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17363
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A welded bracket would not be compatible with a drag link with conventional ball-joints due to the need to be able to rotate the drag link to alter its length. I've been very happy with my Sumobars and drop-arm conversion, I would certainly do it again. I find that the stiffer bar has a small but positive beneficial effect on the feel of the steering, and the ease with which ball-joints can be replaced, and the ease with which length adjustments can be made, are also beneficial. |
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21st Feb 2024 1:11pm |
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| Scotm Member Since: 28 Feb 2014 Location: Aberdeenshire Posts: 666 
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Ditto - I changed mine after watching a garage struggle to adjust the tracking using the original bars. I wasn't happy with the state of them afterwards. |
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21st Feb 2024 3:19pm |
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| julian Member Since: 17 Feb 2017 Location: Devon Posts: 100 
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I made the mistake of replacing the track rod with a cheapo one. One kerb, and it was a banana.
I bought the gynn lewis kit as i didnt feel that i could trust any of the other parts. I did the drop arm at the same time as its just way more sensible from a maintenance point of view. None of it was for "offroad" or "bling" - it was just for a reliable repair vs unknown blue (or otherwise) box components. |
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21st Feb 2024 5:03pm |
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| Screbble Member Since: 26 Apr 2015 Location: Lancashire Posts: 2089 
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I’m another convert. Very happy for all of those reasons stated above. Sumo all round with the greasable TREs and poly boots.
Looks and performs like it should have done from the factory. Can I be so bold to suggest that anything that anything that comes from the GL stable is really rather good indeed |
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21st Feb 2024 6:15pm |
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| julian Member Since: 17 Feb 2017 Location: Devon Posts: 100
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If you speak to Gwynn (spelling?) on the phone, it's clear he is an engineer, rather than a retailer.
I'd also add that he sold me some "seconds" at a reduced price because he said they were scratched (I did comment that I was amazed that anyone would care!) When they arrived I honestly could not see where the said scratches were... I got the greaseable joints. They come unpainted so I did them in epoxy and whatever 2k top I had in the gun at the time. |
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21st Feb 2024 6:27pm |
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