springs and shocks which ones

[clairedave]

wot to do ?  my defender 90 needs new springs and shocks do i buy britpart yellow or scorpion racing . which are best only want standard springs need shocks as well, have had blue spings in past but did not like ride :roll:

[Xtremeteam]

IMO i wouldnt even consider scrapiron suspension,

Old man emu is much better

[zulublue]

Mike you have just caused me a dilemma, I have OME +3" springs and OME shocks, not sure on the travel as they were fitted when I purchased the 90, I find the ride very hard compared to my RRC with a +2" lift.

when going over speed humps in the RRC she used to bounce over no issue, I know the 90 is lighter, but go at the same speed, (not telling that bit) you get a hard landing so to speak, thus I wondered if the springs were too strong, also when I am off roading this could effect the articulation on the LR

So I know everyone has a go at Scorpion and yes they do seem more expensive that others, but are they worth it. Can you tell me why OME is much better?

Mark.

[paul_humphreys]

OME will not sag after a few months. But the ride will depend on what rateing the springs are.

Paul

[zulublue]

Thanks Paul, I think these are off a Hummer :shock:

[Xtremeteam]

Mike you have just caused me a dilemma, I have OME +3" springs and OME shocks, not sure on the travel as they were fitted when I purchased the 90, I find the ride very hard compared to my RRC with a +2" lift.

when going over speed humps in the RRC she used to bounce over no issue, I know the 90 is lighter, but go at the same speed, (not telling that bit) you get a hard landing so to speak, thus I wondered if the springs were too strong, also when I am off roading this could effect the articulation on the LR

So I know everyone has a go at Scorpion and yes they do seem more expensive that others, but are they worth it. Can you tell me why OME is much better?

Mark.

sounds like you have the wrong springs for the job
 TBH i would say that the springs arent OME due to AFAIK they only do a 2inch lift not a 3,

what coulour are the springs?

i would consider red/white rangie springs on a 90 as they are supple & give good flex offroad & are also stable onroad,
 ive fitted lovells +2 springs which are flexy enogh offroad but stiff enough to allow me to throw it about on road,

fitting scrapiron racing kit IMO indicates a lack of knowledge in what you are tryin to achieve backed with 2 much money,

main question is what are you trying to achieve with your truck?

[zulublue]

Hi Mike,

well the springs did have a OME sticker on them 366 or 663 somthing like that, they are well errrm  golden brown rusti colour mostly, but from memory blue sticks in my mind, there is alot of wax oil under there.

So what am I trying to achieve, good question. Something like what you and Dan Blue Silverything, Porny have got.

First I was going to drop to a +2" to save some UJ's, I have got some corrected trailing arms to go on, I have looked at the Llama set up and I like the QT weekender, you I would love the 3 link system but way out of my league financialy.

I want lower dislocation cones for sure, so that may prevent the Llama kit, but I like the look of the Extreme kit and was going to try to use it in conjunction with the QT front WE kit, but I do not know if it possible.  :?:

[clairedave]

want good good road handling as landy very quick, tow big caravan only do light off road green laning

[Hangover]

OME is good stuff but you'll be spending 500 notes,get as set of Britpart springs and monroe gas shockers,no need to get carried away.

[V8MoneyPit]

I've heard nothing but bad news about certain yellow springs and the blue ones are not much better in most peoples opinion. Seems to be a life issue mostly. I am told they sag fairly quickly.

I've had OME on the 110 for 5 years and they are superb for towing and on road use. They were a bit harsh to start with, but seemed to improve with time. Maybe that was the dampers (also OME). As you can see in the avatar, they also provide perfectly acceptable articulation.

Yes, they are not cheap. But I guess you get what you pay for. So, either you buy cheap springs and replace them more frequently or you pay more to start with and leave them well alone for years.

Just for a test, I have bought Frogs Island Terrafirma springs for the 90. Like OME they offer different rates and free lengths for different applications. I am combining them with Rough Counrty dampers from Llama. I'll see how they perform next year when it's finished!

[SteveG]

want good good road handling as landy very quick, tow big caravan only do light off road green laning

Go for DeCarbon shocks as they are very well damped for on road handling . Given above, don't go for Procomp or Rough Country as they have softer damping.

As for Springs, if you want less roll you'll need to go for a stiffer spring and if you want standard height that limits your choice. Have you got anti roll bars fitted? If not and you don't go off-road that often, have them fitted.

Britpart have an ok reputation, they always seem to be slagged off on forums but when you dig deeper it's mostly all hearsay. Scorpion ones do have a reputation for sagging, but I also know people that have had no problems.

Britpart do a standard height heavy duty set that should fit your requirements.

Not sure that you will find an Old Man Emu set that are standard height, so no good for you.

If you want good handling off road you will want a spring that has a rating of at least 225lbs/inch

Cheers

Steve

[Xtremeteam]

Hi Mike,

well the springs did have a OME sticker on them 366 or 663 somthing like that, they are well errrm  golden brown rusti colour mostly, but from memory blue sticks in my mind, there is alot of wax oil under there.

So what am I trying to achieve, good question. Something like what you and Dan Blue Silverything, Porny have got.

First I was going to drop to a +2" to save some UJ's, I have got some corrected trailing arms to go on, I have looked at the Llama set up and I like the QT weekender, you I would love the 3 link system but way out of my league financialy.

I want lower dislocation cones for sure, so that may prevent the Llama kit, but I like the look of the Extreme kit and was going to try to use it in conjunction with the QT front WE kit, but I do not know if it possible.  :?:

Breaking it all down as i did in the other post,
+2 pro comps on front - £70
Lovells springs +2 £150
LLama4x4 / Gwyn lewis rear shocks & mounts £125



think thats it total £345 for 37" of verticle lift on one wheel & an RTi of 1160

which IIRC aint a kick in the baws off the scrapiron kit  :!:

[extreme90]

yella britpart springs are semi ok, nice ride ect ect, but they do sag megger quick
i will be getting some OME spings next time around as im fed up of changing springs  
but ive got the travel of the scraprion kit on my landy, but at a 1/4 of the cost
but IIRC this thread was about a lift kit not travel
so i say OME springs and shock's
its pricey, but well worth it IMO
give devon 4x4 a ring and im sure tim,jake or simon will discuss your needs and supply you with the correct spring rate to suit your needs  
dan

[L90OOK]

I have had OME setup on my 110 (spec'd by Devon 4x4) for 6 years now & it it still sits level.
I'd give Simon at Devon 4x4 a call & ask him his advise.  

 8)

[Lumbering Jack]

My only experience of scorpion racing was when a mate of mine had some of their springs and shocks fitted at a landrover garage one friday and by the saturday afternoon both back shocks had sheared off at the bottom. One, I could understand as a bad one but both within a few minutes is quite worrying.

A few of us are currently running the yellow britpart springs and they don't seem bad value for money. They are very stiff to begin with and if you use the lift ones then they will usually lift it by far more than its meant to at first but as the others have said they will settle quite quickly.  Not noticed any pronounced sagging as yet though.

[clbarclay]

Just for a test, I have bought Frogs Island Terrafirma springs for the 90. Like OME they offer different rates and free lengths for different applications.

Most makes I've come accross including yellow and blue come in a range of rates and lengths to suit different applications. The one thing that puts me of OME springs is they all seem to be relativerly HD spec so I preffere nice and supple red/whites and green/pink LR spec springs for off roading on the V8, but made by britpart. For the money I have no complaints about the britpart springs on both RRC.


As for dampers, I find Rough Contry better value than procomp (its the little differances), only negative I've found with them is that although valved like standard LR, when used with Gwyn Lweis rear mounts the angle is changed so effectively are under damped. I have considered and would like OME, but who sells 12" travel versions in this country? most are places only seem to sell 9" OME dampers

[Devon-Rover]

I would be inclined to go with mike. Red and whites and a gas damper, monroe or DeCarbon for example.

Going too soft will make you sea sick. My friend has Blue and whites with procomps on an 88 hybrid, and that is stupidly softly sprung.

[zulublue]

Great info all round here, so now to add part 2 of the question,

I have a HD winch bumper with an 8274 with extended barrel, I will probably sell the bumper and extended barell as I want a tubular with ~A frame, but the question is, This is obviously going to add about 50 - 60Kg to the front, will the Red/Whites take this or is it back to HD +2/3" springs?

[zulublue]

Anyone?????

[redhand]

I'm gonna commit heresy here. But here goes. When I had my 110 I fitted standard springs on the front HD springs on the back and standard armstrong shockers all round cheapest option on the market and worked absolutely fine and the ride and handling was more than adequate. All from paddocks and IIRC less than £80 for the lot.