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barbel jim



Member Since: 12 Dec 2012
Location: Northants
Posts: 1423
United Kingdom 2005 Defender 90 Td5 HT Tonga Green
Greenmachine Thumbs Up sounds like with have very similar set ups, and are both happy !!!! That's helped the op Laughing
Post #365029 16th Oct 2014 6:57pm
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redzob



Member Since: 16 Jul 2014
Location: St. Peter Port
Posts: 137
Guernsey 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Corris Grey
@barbel jim - I like the idea of doing this over time, rather than changing everything in one go. I also agree, having had adjustable suspension on various bikes, that I'm actually very unlikely to actually tweak once they're in place.

Thanks for all your advice everyone - much appreciated. Think I'm going to begin by ordering a set of Bilsteins. Defender Puma 2.2 XS 90
Vespa GTS 300
Way too many racing bikes.
Post #365041 16th Oct 2014 7:23pm
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Pickles



Member Since: 26 May 2013
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 3784
Australia 2013 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Keswick Green
redzob,...great forum this, isn't it? keep us posted as to where you but the Bilsteins, how you fit them, what you think etc etc,...I wanna know, because I'll probably be going down this track at some stage, & I'm also thinking about lowering springs from Alive tuning, which only drop the Defender by 1-1.5", but are so designed that they ensure that the defender sits level.
Pickles.
Post #365110 16th Oct 2014 10:18pm
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redzob



Member Since: 16 Jul 2014
Location: St. Peter Port
Posts: 137
Guernsey 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Corris Grey
PicKeep - very similar thoughts. I emailed Alive last night re the Bilsteins and will update my post once they're fitted.

And yes, this is a great forum. Thanks all!
Post #365128 17th Oct 2014 6:24am
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redzob



Member Since: 16 Jul 2014
Location: St. Peter Port
Posts: 137
Guernsey 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Corris Grey
PicKeep = Pickles. Bl**dy autocorrect! Confused
Post #365130 17th Oct 2014 6:26am
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redzob



Member Since: 16 Jul 2014
Location: St. Peter Port
Posts: 137
Guernsey 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Corris Grey
Update
I had the Bilsteins installed over the last couple of days whilst the truck was in for Waxoyling (thanks Ben!). Early days, but I can confirm that the ride is noticeably firmer with very little of the wallowing you get with standard dampers, and cornering is much improved. Also it doesn't feel 'crashy' over speed bumps or pot holes, so pretty pleased so far. The Bilsteins were the only suspension mod I decided to do, so the landy still has standard springs and bushes (possibly the next mod?). Wheels and tyres are standard 235/16" boosts, apart from the wheel spacers.

Various owners have said that it takes a couple of weeks for the shocks to bed in, so I'll provide a further update then.

Cheers all. Defender Puma 2.2 XS 90
Vespa GTS 300
Way too many racing bikes.
Post #370041 7th Nov 2014 7:51am
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mick



Member Since: 08 Feb 2010
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 2109
England 2010 Defender 130 Puma 2.4 HCPU Rimini Red
Pretty sure I have seen Konis come with a lifetime warranty
Post #370205 7th Nov 2014 7:31pm
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Pickles



Member Since: 26 May 2013
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 3784
Australia 2013 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Keswick Green
Re: Update
redzob wrote:
I had the Bilsteins installed over the last couple of days whilst the truck was in for Waxoyling (thanks Ben!). Early days, but I can confirm that the ride is noticeably firmer with very little of the wallowing you get with standard dampers, and cornering is much improved. Also it doesn't feel 'crashy' over speed bumps or pot holes, so pretty pleased so far. The Bilsteins were the only suspension mod I decided to do, so the landy still has standard springs and bushes (possibly the next mod?). Wheels and tyres are standard 235/16" boosts, apart from the wheel spacers.

Various owners have said that it takes a couple of weeks for the shocks to bed in, so I'll provide a further update then.

Cheers all.

Thanks for the update, looking forward to further impressions.
Pickles.
Post #370214 7th Nov 2014 8:21pm
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Lambley



Member Since: 20 Apr 2013
Location: Mid Devon
Posts: 1435
United Kingdom 2006 Defender 90 Td5 HT Java Black
I have Koni Heavy Tracks with Pro Comp bushes all round, a B6 steering damper and an Extreme ARB (25.4mm) but kept the std springs as they were in perfect condition. I kept the height std too.
The std shocks I took off were pretty shot and had little resistance compared to the Koni's. The ride is noticeably better, seems smoother, less roll and just seems 'tighter' all round. I left them on the factory setting which I think is the softer of the two.
Don't expect to get in and it feel totally different on the first drive - it won't. It takes a while to get used to it, but overall I'm glad I did mine, it's more confidence inspiring.
I had recommendations of both the Bilstein B6's and Koni's but decided on the Koni's in the end. Anyone who has B6's will probably recommend them, and the same for anyone with Koni's, each to their own. At least the Koni's are adjustable if you want them to be stiffer.
Post #370231 7th Nov 2014 9:25pm
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bga86



Member Since: 17 Jan 2014
Location: Here and there
Posts: 205
2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Fuji White
Everyone with the Bilsteins fitted seems to be very happy with them Thumbs Up
Post #370360 8th Nov 2014 4:27pm
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bob neville



Member Since: 30 Apr 2009
Location: Marbella
Posts: 3248
Spain 2001 Defender 90 Td5 SW Epsom Green
I have Koni Heavy Traks on the TD5 and find them very good.

However, a little warning. It failed it's MOT last week due to both rear shock absorber bushes (ones that come with the shocks) being severely worn.
Garage replaced them with poly bushes and it sailed through the retest.

Bushes have lasted less than 5,000 miles. I know it is used mainly off road but I think that rate of wear is a little excessive.

Sure somebody has reported this before as well.

Bob 2015 Jaguar XE240 R Sport - goes like ....... !!
2013 Defender 90 CSW - sold
2009 Defender 110 Double Cab - sold
2001 TD5 90 CSW - offroad project - sold to a forum member
2011 Porsche Boxster - for the sunny days !
Post #371087 11th Nov 2014 6:42pm
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Pickles



Member Since: 26 May 2013
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 3784
Australia 2013 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Keswick Green
What type & grade were the bushes?....I believe there are three grades?..Soft to hard etc.
Pickles.
Post #371148 11th Nov 2014 9:06pm
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bob neville



Member Since: 30 Apr 2009
Location: Marbella
Posts: 3248
Spain 2001 Defender 90 Td5 SW Epsom Green
The ones that failed were those that came with the Koni's.

Garage replaced them with red poly bushes and the ride is fine.

Bob 2015 Jaguar XE240 R Sport - goes like ....... !!
2013 Defender 90 CSW - sold
2009 Defender 110 Double Cab - sold
2001 TD5 90 CSW - offroad project - sold to a forum member
2011 Porsche Boxster - for the sunny days !
Post #371153 11th Nov 2014 9:15pm
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gilarion



Member Since: 05 Dec 2013
Location: Wales
Posts: 5110
Wales 2007 Defender 90 Other CSW Trident Green
Bilstein B6's, I had a full set fitted six months ago and I could not believe the differnce, well worth doing in my opinion Very Happy
Post #371262 12th Nov 2014 1:22pm
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tookaphotoof



Member Since: 18 Mar 2013
Location: dordrecht
Posts: 1279
Netherlands 2013 Defender 130 Puma 2.2 HCPU Santorini Black
Did the B6 change the ride height of your car? Considering it, but I would love to keep the current height.
Post #371263 12th Nov 2014 1:35pm
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