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michaelwl



Member Since: 19 Nov 2014
Location: Durban
Posts: 65
South Africa 2002 Defender 110 Td5 SW Alpine White
Which Springs.
I am thinking of upgrading my currently standard LR suspension on my 2002 110 TD5 S/ W. I mainly use this vehicle off- road for expedition trips, it has a warn winch and bull bar on front, and I usually carry 90litres of water 40 liters of extra diesel in in an expansion fuel tank, 60 liters of extra fuel in jerry cans, plus all camping equipment, so it's quite loaded Smile.

I have just returned from a 7500 km trip around Northern Namibia and the suspension seemed a bit tired now with a lot of bottoming out on the heavily rutted tracks.

I am thinking of going with Koni heavy track shocks, my questions are:

1. Which springs would you recommend front and rear?
2. If I fit springs with extra lift do I need to fit longer brake hoses?

All recommendations appreciated.

Mike 2002 110 TD5 White
1981 S3 R6 Matt Green - Now used as game viewer
2013 Discovery 4 XS
Post #429016 6th Jun 2015 3:18pm
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MartinK



Member Since: 02 Mar 2011
Location: Silverdale (Lancashire/Cumbria Border)
Posts: 2665
United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Orkney Grey
Mike - what have you hot now? Some 110's had "Helper" springs - have you got those? Defender "Puma" 2.4 110 County Utility (possibly the last of the 2.4's)
Post #429415 8th Jun 2015 8:15am
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mikeh501



Member Since: 07 Jan 2013
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 1142
United Kingdom 
To do the job properly you really need to work out how much supplemental weight your carrying beyond a standard vehicle. You can then work out what length springs you need and what rate they should be.

So for example. If your spring is something like 15" long when off the vehicle and it is 10" long when on the vehicle; and that spring is 225 lbs/in in rate you can do some back of fag packet calculations what would happen when you either get a longer spring or a higher poundage. You can find out the standard free length and poundage from a quick google.

In terms of an air helper spring then these are useful when the vehicle doesnt carry all the extra weight all the time, as you can inflate it when carrying a heavy load which then in turn supports the spring. These are only available for the rear, so if you have a heavy winch and bumper attached you might think about replacing those front springs even if you go for a air helper.
Post #429518 8th Jun 2015 2:46pm
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michaelwl



Member Since: 19 Nov 2014
Location: Durban
Posts: 65
South Africa 2002 Defender 110 Td5 SW Alpine White
@martink - currently both the front springs are L/R yellow / yellow which I fine strange looking at the parts catalogue I have.
The rear springs don't appear to be color coded and definitely no helper springs. So is it possible to upgrade to heavy duty suspension easily with the helper springs? Where can I get specs for these springs?


@ mikeh501 thanks for the info I will probably give it a go and workout the load and therefore the required springs.

Mike 2002 110 TD5 White
1981 S3 R6 Matt Green - Now used as game viewer
2013 Discovery 4 XS
Post #429758 9th Jun 2015 3:28pm
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mikeh501



Member Since: 07 Jan 2013
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 1142
United Kingdom 
If your not wanting to increase the ride height beyond standard then all you need to do is fit higher poundage springs. Its about 1 hour work for a mechanic. Its likely you will want to uprate your dampers at the same time too which will add to the cost.

Air helpers work in conjunction with your springs. This video will explain it better.
http://www.air-lift.co.uk/product.php?unique_id=1415
Post #429783 9th Jun 2015 5:39pm
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michaelwl



Member Since: 19 Nov 2014
Location: Durban
Posts: 65
South Africa 2002 Defender 110 Td5 SW Alpine White
Thanks for the info mikeh501.

Interesting idea those air helpers. 2002 110 TD5 White
1981 S3 R6 Matt Green - Now used as game viewer
2013 Discovery 4 XS
Post #430007 10th Jun 2015 3:52pm
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redline



Member Since: 28 Jun 2015
Location: Mountains and Lakes
Posts: 221
Switzerland 
On my 110 I'm using the Koni Raids with King +30mm Standard rate springs, which are a bit stiffer than OEM, but are not the HD springs.
Its an excellent combination for my particular usage and terrain.
I've used OME, Terraflex and Fox previously on a variety of vehicles, and I have to say this setup is the best I've had.
Have the same combination on a LC that does mostly road duty + occasional offroad, and am very happy there too.
Post #434309 28th Jun 2015 4:40pm
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