 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > Suspension Upgrade - 110 Hard Top... help please... |
 
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| billewizz Member Since: 16 Sep 2011 Location: north lincs Posts: 66  
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I have progressively done all you mention poly bushes etc but the biggest improvement was the fitting of 30mm sumo bars to the steering with the straight steering arm better accuracy and it has lost all the bad feedback over a staggered rail crossing.
Definitely one for your no doubt long list. |
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29th Apr 2018 8:20pm |
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| Cupboard Member Since: 21 Mar 2014 Location: Suffolk Posts: 2971  
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What are you trying to change by upgrading the suspension?
My hardtop's ride has been improved (although not massively) by fitting the lighter duty station wagon springs and is hugely helped by carrying a decent load of at least 1/4t. |
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30th Apr 2018 12:42pm |
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| LandymanStefan Member Since: 30 Aug 2017 Location: Surrey Posts: 881 
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Ive also looked into what your doing as I felt that by getting the twisted kit I'd get something extra out of the same components. However due to feedback on here I have been talked out of it.
My suspension upgrade is currently on hold as I'm potentially buying a property however the route I will be going down in this order will be. Buy 4x fox shocks (non remote reservoir) £500 paddocks Reason being a lot of people say the build quality is better than the bilsteins, you can buy all the spare parts and rebuild and revalve them relatively easily yourself. Buy softer rear springs, being a 90 station wagon it has HD rear springs on that I will be changing for some new take off standard duty ones (225lbs). If i still think its too firm I'll put 110 fronts (disco rears 155-210lbs) on with the addition of the castle rubber spring isolators (approx £100-200) As a result of the softer springs upgrade the rear anti roll bar to an alive one but only if required. I'm not after a defender that goes round corners like it's on rails, just a bit more comfort and stability. As for bushes from what I've read about poly bushes I will be sticking with genuine LR rubber as some people report that the poly bushes increase vibration and harshness and they don't wear gradually like rubber ones, they just seem to go after a set amount of time. Obviously I've not done any of the above yet but I will report back to here when I do. I'm hoping I'll have it done by the end of the year though. |
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30th Apr 2018 12:55pm |
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| Grenadier Member Since: 23 Jul 2014 Location: The foot of Mont Blanc... Posts: 5829  
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I am doing mine in Summer, full Alive kit (for a 110 DCPU) and DIY fit. I think general consensus from those who've had it done, or looked extensively into doing it, that JE/Bowler/Twisted charge a lot more money for not many more (any?) benefits over self-sourced items? Given you can buy the entire kit from Alive for about a grand, do you think the extra 1200 offers enough benefit to warrant the extra cost. Baring in mind you're sticking it on to a steel chassis for a high centre of gravity vehicle that weighs 2000kgs, plus in most cases has mixed use tyres that don't grip like slick Pirellis, the answer is probably no. If you want more comfort, lower ride height and some better general handling, Alive's kit (Bilstein and Eibach, recognised names in their fields) should surely do the job. Plus, if you don't ever feel the need to return the 110 to OEM spec for re-sale (as some do on here, either to recoup money on bling parts that they wouldn't if included in the Def's sale, or to move on to another vehicle) then the sale of your OEM shocks and springs may cover a garage's day-labour rate (again, probably not Twisted) to get the four corners done. Finally, check threads through the search tool on Polybushes. It's 50/50 responses. It made me also look on line, so I am now of the opinion the apparent benefits are outweighed by the negatives and I'll be sticking with OEM bushes. Good luck, it's a popular and well appreciated upgrade on the forum.  Monsieur Le Grenadier
I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list..... 2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey |
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30th Apr 2018 1:53pm |
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| meeerrrk Member Since: 12 Feb 2017 Location: Surrey Posts: 548 
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if it's any help I've just had bilstein shocks fitted to my truck and it has made a huge difference to the comfort and ride quality; something I've always found pretty terrible in my 90. My 90 Project : http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic52774.html
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30th Apr 2018 2:29pm |
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| Imax Member Since: 09 Apr 2018 Location: South West England Posts: 28
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Thanks for all the replies... I knew others would have done lots of research into this mine field!!!
I am looking to improve on road manners (as much as that is possible with a defender). I like the sound of the different spring rates for the rear, which could be an idea along with a new set of dampers all road. I don't carry heavy stuff so changing to some thing less firm might help - Any options you could recommend? Was interested to hear about the Fox set... I know JE fit these and might have another chat with them to get some guidance. |
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30th Apr 2018 5:45pm |
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| LandymanStefan Member Since: 30 Aug 2017 Location: Surrey Posts: 881
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Yeah good idea, keep us posted on what je say as like I said earlier I was going to go with the lighter Land Rover springs and fox shocks
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30th Apr 2018 7:11pm |
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| Imax Member Since: 09 Apr 2018 Location: South West England Posts: 28
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Had a chat with JE and it looks like I will need to do springs and dampers to get what I want. As I have lots of life left in my existing parts I think this will be a job for the future and I will get out and enjoy my Defender during the summer.
In the interim I might change the steering damper as this looks simple to do - I am looking to get the B6 Bilstein Steering Damper from Devon 4x4. Has anyone just changed this and was it worth doing? Cheers |
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4th May 2018 3:26pm |
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| NickMc Member Since: 01 Oct 2014 Location: Norn Iron Posts: 1628  
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Give Devon a ring about your suspension they’re very helpful
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4th May 2018 4:15pm |
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| Grenadier Member Since: 23 Jul 2014 Location: The foot of Mont Blanc... Posts: 5829
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Whilst a full kit is £1000 plus labour or personal time, if one were to tackle it bit by bit, which order would it be done in? Shocks first or springs and ARB first. I appreciate that both together are best, but which offers the most obvious improvement if done independently of each other ? Monsieur Le Grenadier I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list..... 2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey |
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4th May 2018 6:53pm |
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| Harry.O Member Since: 25 Jul 2014 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 716 
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Recently fitted a Bilstein steering damper to my 110 and very happy with it
Paddocks was the cheapest a couple place of weeks back. 2005 Td5 110 Hardtop
1989 300Tdi 90 Soft top 1992 200Tdi 90 Truck cab with Land Cruiser axles |
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5th May 2018 11:02am |
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