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| Lambley Member Since: 20 Apr 2013 Location: Mid Devon Posts: 1435   
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Is it standard height Crispy? Did you keep the original parts? If so I'd swap the springs for the original L/R ones, it'll be the HD springs that will be causing most of the harshness. I swapped my suspension for Koni shocks, swapped all the bushes for Super Pro, stiffer anti roll bar on the back, new steering damper but kept the original springs as they're not too bad as standard, that's if they're not old or worn out, mine were in good shape.
That's the easy option, you'd be able to get the springs swapped over easy enough. I'm not a suspension expert by any stretch of the imagination, but that would be the way I'd go. |
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14th Apr 2015 5:59pm |
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| chrispy Member Since: 13 Mar 2015 Location: Gwent Posts: 347  
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No mate. With the HD springs it sits a natural 2 - 4 inches high which we like. There's no lift kit, just the springs. I didn't keep any of the original parts sadly.
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14th Apr 2015 6:01pm |
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| Anderzander Member Since: 08 Feb 2011 Location: Lancashire Posts: 1000
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It's probably all of those Britpart components .... In particular the springs.
It's hard to beat standard items - and cheap springs are notorious for being of an inconsistent rate and often - rock hard. There are different variations of standard springs - some progressive some heavier duty. Their rate is identified by a colour code. New genuine springs are often not as expensive as you might imagine. Additionally - lots of people take them off to put lowered or raised ones in - so there must be a fair number of good condition / new take off ones out there. So - unequivocally my advise is go back to standard springs, and you could start by popping a wanted ad in here  |
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14th Apr 2015 6:35pm |
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| chrispy Member Since: 13 Mar 2015 Location: Gwent Posts: 347
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I don't mind paying Anderzander, I have no problem with that it's just the wife likes the 'natural' lift these springs have given it now so i'd need some that would give it the same ride height.
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14th Apr 2015 6:38pm |
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| Pam W Member Since: 25 Oct 2011 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 1169  
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I have Britpart +2 HD springs on my 90. They have done over 15k miles, a lot of that over harsh ground. No problems with them.
They are paired with Koni Heavy Track shocks, and the ride is pretty good. Not soft but not too harsh either. Our blog - http://landytravels.com/ Yorkshire Off Road Club - http://www.yorkshireoffroadclub.net |
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14th Apr 2015 6:46pm |
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| chrispy Member Since: 13 Mar 2015 Location: Gwent Posts: 347
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Hi Pam thanks for replying. I'm looking for more of a softer ride. The wife absolutely loves the way the 90 sits, it's big and it's perfect, it's just too hard a ride on my spine. I feel every single bump in the road and it's like an electric shock through my body.
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14th Apr 2015 6:50pm |
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| Anderzander Member Since: 08 Feb 2011 Location: Lancashire Posts: 1000
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Chrispy - that leaves two options in my opinion... I recognise that Pam's experience has been good, but that's a minority in my experience.
So - For me it's new aftermarket good quality springs or genuine springs that would give it a lift. There is a table online with the rates and lengths of all the genuine springs..... Just can't find it at the moment. To state the obvious - lift from a spring can be obtained in one of two ways. A higher rate - so it compresses less (static sag they call it) under the vehicle weight - or longer springs. For a softer ride than HD springs - but with the same lift you want longer standard rate springs. Have you got the chance to drive a standard truck so you can get an idea of what suppleness of ride you want ? |
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14th Apr 2015 7:01pm |
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| Anderzander Member Since: 08 Feb 2011 Location: Lancashire Posts: 1000
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Another option is standard springs with spacers by the way - these being a very good one : http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&...1183310701
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14th Apr 2015 7:02pm |
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| chrispy Member Since: 13 Mar 2015 Location: Gwent Posts: 347
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Thanks very much my friend, I'll certainly look into it. As long as I can keep the ride height and get some comfort I'll be happy
 Yes I have got access to a non modded one to get a feeling of how I want it. |
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14th Apr 2015 7:12pm |
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| Anderzander Member Since: 08 Feb 2011 Location: Lancashire Posts: 1000
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I've no connection - but that seller on eBay is a good guy - Gwyn Lewis.
You wouldn't get bad advice from ringing him and saying you've seen his lifting spacers and why your interested ... A very genuine and knowledgable bloke who understands Defender suspension very well. |
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14th Apr 2015 7:16pm |
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| Lambley Member Since: 20 Apr 2013 Location: Mid Devon Posts: 1435
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Ander's is right, but you need to find out what's fitted to yours at the moment, I bet they're Britpart Heavy Duty +2" - DA4202 front, DA4203 rear, the rears are rated to 300-340lbs, which is harsh, you'd be better of with medium or light load springs os say 220lbs - then get the fronts to match - like these -
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DEFENDER-90-2-RE...58a6acc97f |
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14th Apr 2015 7:17pm |
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| chrispy Member Since: 13 Mar 2015 Location: Gwent Posts: 347
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Excellent. I'll show all of this to my mechanic and he can work out what I need. I'm bloody hopeless myself. Thanks to all for your excellent advice and help. This is a superb community
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14th Apr 2015 7:21pm |
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| Pam W Member Since: 25 Oct 2011 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 1169
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If people read what I said above, I DO NOT find the britpart HD springs a harsh ride at all. Firm, but not harsh. You have to consider shocks as playing a huge part in the ride, not just the springs.
The Britpart springs are progressive, and matched with a good quality adjustable long travel shock like the koni Heavy track they are a comfortable ride. I have back problems too, but with this set up it doesn't hurt or cause me issues at all! We did loads of calculations to get the best heights and compressions for our purposes (general travel and also fully loaded expedition travel). We did the sums and bought the springs to match the purpose. Was not done on price. And by the way, not all Britpart stuff is crap. We also did a lot of searching for reviews and the Britpart HD springs actually have a good reputation! Our blog - http://landytravels.com/ Yorkshire Off Road Club - http://www.yorkshireoffroadclub.net |
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15th Apr 2015 7:26am |
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| chrispy Member Since: 13 Mar 2015 Location: Gwent Posts: 347
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I didn't interpret your post like that at all Pam and I thank you for your input. As a fellow back sufferer your words have been taken on board and will be presented to my mechanic who carries out the work. How high does your 90 sit if I may ask? This is my wifes in the picture below and if it dropped one little bit she'd have me for breakfast. I really don't want to change the ride height at all, just soften the experience when driving. It's been practically rebuilt from the ground up by the previous owner, I just wish he'd gone for a smoother ride.
 Click image to enlarge Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated  |
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15th Apr 2015 7:57am |
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