 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > Lowered but not a harsher ride? |
 
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| Mike_B Member Since: 23 Jan 2011 Location: Moray Posts: 550   
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What about air suspension? Not cheap but infinitely adjustable and offer a comfortable ride. You can drop it to fit into the garage, but raise it for off roading...
You can even raise or lower each corner for levelling if you sleep in it.. http://www.marantdesign.co.uk/ |
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1st Sep 2015 2:59pm |
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| Go Beyond Member Since: 30 Jan 2012 Location: Headcorn, Kent Posts: 6678
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Have a chat with JE.
I've just had one of their kits fitted to my V8 and the ride has become far more comfortable, less choppy and the height has decreased by approx. an inch |
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1st Sep 2015 3:18pm |
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| mk1collector Member Since: 17 Sep 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 6769  
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Ring extreme 4x4 as they can make springs to what spring rate you want. I managed to get mine second hand that had only done about a hundred miles and they're great with a lot less roll through corners. Ray
My build thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic17615.html |
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1st Sep 2015 3:41pm |
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| Likeomg Member Since: 29 Jun 2012 Location: Lake District / Newcastle Posts: 2640 
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Alive are developing some comfort springs which lower the car about 1"/1.5" and make it sit level, coupled with the uprated arb it was a fantastic drive...
i have the sport springs, there exactly that, sport. these comfort ones however are rather good. |
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1st Sep 2015 4:32pm |
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| gazman Member Since: 17 Aug 2015 Location: Liverpool Posts: 652 
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Mine is lowered and quite hard over big bumps. But I think this is the bump stops.
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1st Sep 2015 4:47pm |
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| Mr Fox Member Since: 10 Sep 2011 Location: green & pleasant land Posts: 1037 
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Mike, I'd guess that air suspension is going to be pretty pricey. Also, the chances of me using the Defender in conditions that require me to raise it up are slim. Appreciate the suggestion but I think traditional components make the most sense.  |
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1st Sep 2015 5:40pm |
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| Mr Fox Member Since: 10 Sep 2011 Location: green & pleasant land Posts: 1037
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Matt, Ray and OMG, thanks, I'll look into those.
Alive were on my list but the 'sports' suspension element put me off; therefore, it is good to know that they're developing a comfort pack. |
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1st Sep 2015 5:42pm |
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| Barney12 Member Since: 09 Jun 2015 Location: South West Posts: 744 
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Oh the joys of this ridiculous obsession that is tinkering with Defenders.
You raise a really interesting point because what is; harsh, bumpy, firm, choppy? Its all rather open to individual interpretation! Not to mention the added aspects of wheels, tyres, seats, modifications, sound deadening. Yes I really mean that last one, its all part of the "senses" which will dictate your feelings on ride comfort. So of course the answer is "try before you buy" but try what? Yes, many of the names mentioned (All perfectly reputable companies) have solutions but what else will they have on their demonstrator(s)? Will it exactly match your vehicle. Of course not, or at least highly unlikely. Having now put a few more miles on my 90 I've got to say I'm delighted with my Alive suspension package and with a price tag which is much more reasonable than many out there. Is it though that one thing which makes me happy with the ride now? I don't think so, its a combination of many factors. Oh and one of those factors is just the pure aspect of driving it more because you get used to it! So there you go that ranks as just about the most unhelpful forum reply of 2015! 
I'll get me coat! |
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1st Sep 2015 7:06pm |
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| Mr Fox Member Since: 10 Sep 2011 Location: green & pleasant land Posts: 1037
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Barney,
Not unhelpful at all - you're right, it does boil down to individual opinion of ride quality and what constitutes firm. Without drilling down into every car I've owned in the past, I would say I've owned a reasonable amount of performance cars in the past and many had unforgiving and firm suspension. Firm suspension doesn't phase me - in fact my currently daily driver is quite firm - however, what I don't like is jarring. Negating this harshness over imperfection on-road will, imho, always be limited by the ladder frame chassis and the suspension design of the Defender. We can upgrade the components but this won't solve every niggle. My goal is to decrease the firmness and introduce more compliance. If I can achieve this, and gain an improvement in cornering (rear anti roll bar will help), I'll consider it a 'win'. She'll never waft but if I can get her to waltz over rough roads, I'll be happy. |
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1st Sep 2015 7:23pm |
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| Barney12 Member Since: 09 Jun 2015 Location: South West Posts: 744
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"compliance" is a very good word and thats definitely a very significant improvement with the Alive set up.
I don't mind Derek being a dog as long as he only rolls over on my command. |
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1st Sep 2015 8:10pm |
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| Pickles Member Since: 26 May 2013 Location: Melbourne Posts: 3784  
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A lowered vehicle is not necessarily going to give you a rougher ride, if it is done properly, and in line with the type of driving that you design your new suspension for.
The Defender suspension is predominantly, as designed, an off road suspension, with a lot of height and a lot of travel, some of which would not be needed in a "road" suspension. So, IMHO, a sensible drop, say 1.5" together with a set of Bilsteins, and good ARBs would be the way to go. I suppose that the replacement springs may need of be of a slightly higher rate, but suppliers in your location would know more than me. Alive seem to know what they're doing in this regard,, as they sell a "kit", but obviously there are others. Anyway, whilst I've never lowered a Defender, I believe that done properly, lowering will not give you a harsher ride, and that done properly, you could even end up with an improved ride. Pickles. |
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1st Sep 2015 10:23pm |
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| Macpaul Member Since: 25 Mar 2013 Location: SW Surrey Posts: 439 
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I second that. I got some slightly lower springs from them with a softer rate and the ride is much better on my USW. I went to them and they fitted several pairs for me to try out before I bought. Couldn't ask more. Don't get their own brand dampers though, they're much too harsh for on road. 2003 Td5 110 Hardtop Now a 2013 110 USW too. |
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2nd Sep 2015 6:01am |
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| LR90XS2011 Member Since: 05 Apr 2011 Location: bickenhill Posts: 3641 
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Lower and softer is an option, we need to remember the factory springs were designed with the max payload of the vehicle in mind, if you never approach that payload then soft springs are an option DEFENDER 90 TDCI XS,
I hope everyone is well and your land rovers make you happy |
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2nd Sep 2015 6:11am |
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| MartinK Member Since: 02 Mar 2011 Location: Silverdale (Lancashire/Cumbria Border) Posts: 2665 
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Hmm - watching this thread with interest. Been looking to lower the rear (only) of my USW for a couple of years (since I changed to CSW springs which softened the ride but also raise the back a cm or two).
I did chat to a few Defender suspension specialists, but got differing views. One even wanted to sell me a new prop shaft because the rear would sit lower!!! Minus 1" or minus 1.5" and slightly softer would (consensus of suppliers I spoke to) almost certainly need an uprated ARB to stop wallowing in corners induced by softer sprints (seems reasonable). Please keep posting on here, and I'm now also "following" the thread Defender "Puma" 2.4 110 County Utility (possibly the last of the 2.4's) |
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2nd Sep 2015 7:28am |
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