 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > 90 - front springs fitted on the back |
 
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| Orangesofa Member Since: 10 Oct 2014 Location: Somerset Posts: 214   
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I have a 90 with what I suspect is HD springs as it had a factory tow bar which I have gleaned means the springs are probably rated as more than the standard 225lb (not sure what exactly though...). As everyone else observes, this results in a very 'crashy' ride when unladen (99.9% of the time) and I read that even the standard 225lb springs are hard enough to make the ride a bit firm to say the least.
It seams that a popular idea is to put a pair of standard front springs (175lb) on the back which has got me thinking. These are cheap as chips as they are often found as 'take off' parts from tuning houses and quite a lot cheaper than getting some custom progressive ones made by a suspension specialist. Does anyone have first hand experience of fitting 175lb 'front' springs to the rear of a 90 and if so - what is it like? The front springs (9446 and 9447) are different lengths, yet the standard rears are equal in length which makes me think I should match the lengths with whatever I replace them with. So - by my calculations, I would need two front passenger (9447) springs for the back to match the height of the outgoing springs or do I go for the longer driver's spring (9446) to allow for sag as they are softer? Phil |
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14th Jan 2016 4:40pm |
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| Anderzander Member Since: 08 Feb 2011 Location: Lancashire Posts: 1000
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I think 175's would be a bit soft ..... The later 110 fronts that are dual rate are a better option I think.
Some discussion on it here: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic42776-15.html |
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14th Jan 2016 5:32pm |
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| TDCi Guy Member Since: 17 Aug 2014 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 286 
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Hmm I've got some front springs lying around and have been thinking about needing a less crashy ride. I might give this a go, might not get round to it for a week or two though. Tom
@tditomprice 100” Defender Hybrid 2010 Alaska White 90 HT |
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14th Jan 2016 6:50pm |
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| Retroanaconda Member Since: 04 Jan 2012 Location: Scotland Posts: 2640 
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I did it to mine, it made a good difference but with a bit of weight in the car or a decent-sized trailer on it kept bottoming out on bumps. Went back to standard in the end. The springs were 20+ years old though, so perhaps new ones would be better.
I suppose if you never load it up or tow anything it could be worth a try. But then one would have to ask why you have a Land Rover in the first place  |
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14th Jan 2016 7:40pm |
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| Orangesofa Member Since: 10 Oct 2014 Location: Somerset Posts: 214
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Depends on what you consider 'loading it up' I suppose.... If a hamper, a few bottles of fizz and a blanket counts then perhaps I do!
As for filling it with  - not in a million years!
No need to tow anything as we have a horse lorry for delivering the horse places. I bought it as it is the best 4x4 by far  Phil |
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14th Jan 2016 7:45pm |
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| I Like Old Skool Member Since: 23 Feb 2015 Location: Manchester Posts: 808 
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2 minute job to swap rear springs  |
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14th Jan 2016 8:06pm |
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| Alex1976 Member Since: 23 Jan 2013 Location: Buckingham Posts: 596 
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I did this to my Defender a couple of years ago on the advice of a guy who works at LR Gaydon ( so knows what he is talking about ) and I have never looked back.
It rides super smooth now and I don't find that I have lost any load carrying ability - well the most I load it up is about 10 bags of logs on a regular basis and this doesn't cause a problem. I am running Terrafirma dampers - so nothing special. I feel like I have a great suspension set up and it didn't cost anything like the figures quoted for some of the kits you can buy. I would never go back to standard rear springs unless I needed to do some serious load carrying, and then I would look at getting progressive springs. For the cost of some take off springs and half an hour to fit them, you haven't lost much if you decide you don't like it. |
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14th Jan 2016 10:02pm |
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| EWS Member Since: 29 Nov 2011 Location: Bristol Posts: 156 
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Hi.
Some info here http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic40556.html http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic32826.html I have fitted NRC 2119 @150 to the front NRC 4304 @170 to the rear ( Range Rover Classic springs) |
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14th Jan 2016 10:32pm |
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| TDCi Guy Member Since: 17 Aug 2014 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 286
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OK, had a bit of time at lunch and swapped the rear springs for some take off fronts I had (red green orange, newer models come with red green orange springs on both sides at the front), I also put on some rubber isolators top and bottom of each spring.
All I can say is WOW! The ride is completely transformed! The back end feels like a normal car. My only minor niggle is that the rear sits lower than the front even with the isolators. I will run it with these springs for a week or two and maybe consider swapping the fronts for something a bit softer. Tom @tditomprice 100” Defender Hybrid 2010 Alaska White 90 HT |
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15th Jan 2016 3:30pm |
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| Orangesofa Member Since: 10 Oct 2014 Location: Somerset Posts: 214
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Thanks for the thoughts and opinions.
I have just ordered some standard front springs and will take the plunge. As said by others, a relatively cheap and simple mod which can be easily reversed if it doesn't work for me! Phil |
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15th Jan 2016 3:38pm |
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| TDCi Guy Member Since: 17 Aug 2014 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 286
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Quick photo of the difference front and rear unloaded.
 Click image to enlarge Tom @tditomprice 100” Defender Hybrid 2010 Alaska White 90 HT |
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15th Jan 2016 3:44pm |
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| Orangesofa Member Since: 10 Oct 2014 Location: Somerset Posts: 214
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Thanks Tom. Mine is a little higher on the back as I suspect I have HD springs fitted at the mo' but don't have the weight of the tow bar or the spare wheel to bring it level. This supported my thoughts that the 175lb springs would be fine as I have less rear weight without the spare.
Phil |
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15th Jan 2016 3:47pm |
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| Anderzander Member Since: 08 Feb 2011 Location: Lancashire Posts: 1000
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Tom you could probably fit a pair of those Spring isolators on the top of the back springs and gain the extra 10mm to bring the back level ?
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15th Jan 2016 4:02pm |
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| TDCi Guy Member Since: 17 Aug 2014 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 286
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That's with isolators top and bottom on each spring. I might have a look at fitting the 150lb springs that EWS mentioned on the front to see if that brings things level again and takes the harshness out of the front end too. Tom
@tditomprice 100” Defender Hybrid 2010 Alaska White 90 HT |
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15th Jan 2016 4:29pm |
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