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EdF



Member Since: 22 Jun 2009
Location: 15m west Inverness
Posts: 24

Scotland 2002 Defender 90 Td5 HT Zambezi Silver
A More Comfortable Ride in a 90 - Just Impossible?
I've had many 90's over the years, V8's, TDi's and TD5's and I've made many attempts to make the ride more comfortable, for SWMBO, but I'm again under pressure to get rid of my present 90, a 2002 TD5 County Hardtop for a Disco 2... I've got Bilstein black shocks all round, which made a big difference, and new Rangey 1 springs on the front, standard springs on the rear (as softer ones were too soggy with any sort of load on board). I feel the main problem is in the springs as they are pretty unforgiving and give a jarring ride, and although MUCH better than standard, we still get chucked about. I don't go offroad at all and the 90 has anti-roll bars as standard. I don't mind lowering the suspension if it would help.
Has anyone on this forum had custom-made springs made for (comfortable) road use only? Scorpion will make any length and strength of spring to my spec., but what to specify? Make the most of this life, you may not have skis or a Landy in the next.
Post #14830 31st Aug 2009 10:36am
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fekete



Member Since: 24 Dec 2008
Location: Here on the other end of the computer
Posts: 3626

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Bonatti Grey
I'v Got the bilsteins on mine with H/D Bearmach blue springs 80 percent tow the ride has totally transformed, no more roll and a lot better handling i recommend this setup, it gives you a 1in lift though Thumbs Up NEVER TAKE LIFE SERIOUSLY. NOBODY GETS OUT ALIVE ANYWAY
Post #14831 31st Aug 2009 11:14am
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EdF



Member Since: 22 Jun 2009
Location: 15m west Inverness
Posts: 24

Scotland 2002 Defender 90 Td5 HT Zambezi Silver
... blue springs 80 percent tow the ride has totally transformed.......

Not quite with you there fekete... I don't want to stiffen the suspension with heavy duty springs, but soften it, I suppose. Did you know that standard springs on a 90 are heavy duty items for a Disco2? And a Disco2 weighs 400Kg more..! I might phone Scorpion and see what they say.. and report back. Thanks for replying.. Make the most of this life, you may not have skis or a Landy in the next.
Post #14832 31st Aug 2009 11:24am
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AndrewS



Member Since: 10 Apr 2007
Location: Hereford
Posts: 3707

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 130 Puma 2.2 SW Rimini Red
I thought Scorpion had gone bust Shocked
Post #14845 31st Aug 2009 1:48pm
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fekete



Member Since: 24 Dec 2008
Location: Here on the other end of the computer
Posts: 3626

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Bonatti Grey
Hi EDF,
Even though the springs are H/D and yes it is a stiffer set up, its a lot more of a pleasurable ride on tarmac
than the standard set up, With the standard set up i used to feel every hole, bump, role, now it eliminates most of that. as i said before a lot smoother ride and definately better on tarmac Thumbs Up NEVER TAKE LIFE SERIOUSLY. NOBODY GETS OUT ALIVE ANYWAY
Post #14846 31st Aug 2009 1:48pm
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EdF



Member Since: 22 Jun 2009
Location: 15m west Inverness
Posts: 24

Scotland 2002 Defender 90 Td5 HT Zambezi Silver
Ah-ha, THAT's why I couldn't get Scorpions' website up.... I won't bother trying their phone, then..

Okay, fekete, I can go with that. I think the standard springs and shocks are about the cheapest it's possible to get, so I suppose a cheap pair (£9.60) of springs from Paddocks, even of a lower spring rate, wouldn't be much better. If we keep the old girl, I'll try them.., however, SWMBO is hoping for a Disco3.. Make the most of this life, you may not have skis or a Landy in the next.
Post #14847 31st Aug 2009 1:53pm
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Nidge



Member Since: 27 Jan 2008
Location: Kildare Ireland
Posts: 818

Ireland 2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 HCPU Cairns Blue
On my old 90 I had progressive land rover csw 110 springs ( Part No. NRC. 8044 ) on the front and OME 751 on the rear. Ran TBR shox all round. Gave a nice ride for a 90 , not too stiff and didn't roll much either. Lifts it a small amount .
Also get some 265 - 285 tyres and don't pump them up too hard, helps.

Have tried lots of other set-ups and found this the best for me , mostly road work and towing a small fishin boat.

N.
Post #14853 31st Aug 2009 5:31pm
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MK



Member Since: 28 Aug 2008
Location: Santiago
Posts: 2415

Chile 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Chawton White
I´m convinced that whole thing on quality ride depends mainly on the shoxs. I fitted OME springs a, bit stiffer tham OE ones, but I also upgraded to adjustable Rancho shoxs. Much more confy Puma 110" SW

.............................................................
Earth first. Other planets later
Post #14857 31st Aug 2009 10:00pm
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Landy nut



Member Since: 22 Dec 2007
Location: In hiding
Posts: 154

United Kingdom 2006 Defender 90 Td5 PU Epsom Green
MK - you are spot on. Springs just mainly control the height of the vehicle in relation to the axel and also contribute towards roll. The main part of what people perceive as the "ride" is in fact the shocks. That is why the ride on a standard LR is pretty bad. Keep the springs and just change the shocks and you are in for a real treat.
Personally, I always change the springs for genuine HD all round (LR make excellent springs) and then get a set of quality aftermarket shocks. De Carbon are excellent and represent very good value. Had a set of +2" ones on my offroader and beat them as hard as I could. Run them on the road and that was years ago. They are still great. My mate now owns the truck and uses it offroad now. Old Man Emu are excellent, but I know of a few people that have had quality issues with both the shock and the bushes they use recently. Some people can also find the ride a little too firm if you are not carrying any load or if there are not any accessories on the vehicle to add extra weight.
By changing the springs to HD, you will notice an even greater ride as the roll will be reduced. If you dont carry much load in the rear, I would recommend just changing the front to HD first.
If you look at all the overland trucks, they always change to HD - for very good reason.
Post #14905 1st Sep 2009 6:45pm
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ibexman



Member Since: 13 Dec 2008
Location: Essex
Posts: 2945

United Kingdom 
Why dont you try an air sprung setup ????
Post #15148 6th Sep 2009 10:23am
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