97 300TDI Pick-Up Suspension refresh/renew

My recently bought Defender 'Peggy' has had odd shocks replaced for previous MOT's.

The annoying thing is they have replaced the front left one year, and the rear O/S last. So she moves diagonally more easily one way than the other.
Also all her old springs are super rusty as are her turrets and spring hardware.
She's a farm truck who's been there and done it all!
I'm looking at just replacing the lot with this kit on eBay


It looks fine and standard, I want standard, no lifts or posh stuff, just factory.
But I'm not Shure of the quality of the shocks, are they anywhere close to OEM ?
Anybody used these, and are they ok?
I will add an anti roll bar at the rear, but it doesn't need to do a lot, so standard is the best for my on road, and mild off road in my woods with a load of logs in the back; or towing my 1 ton caravan.
Any suggestions welcome thanks

No idea on that kit, it doesn't state who makes any of the parts. I'm sure it is ok, but isn't what I'd personally buy.

The Britpart Celluar Dynamic shocks are very good for very modest money.


The should make it handle better on road and be better if you are hauling anything in the bed or towing.

Spring wise. I really like the Flatdog Springs:

For the turrets, I'd go for these, standard dimensions, but the open design makes them easier to fit or remove in the future and they don't trap all the dirt and mud.

Turret rings, any HD galv ones will be fine. Would only worry about replacing the spring seats if yours are no good. Most are normally fine unless the vehicle has lived by the sea or been used to launch boats.

I'd agree with standard but wouldn't buy unbranded. I use https://www.shop4autoparts.net/ for everything - they're enormously helpful with recommending what is good value or top spec.

300bhp/ton said:

No idea on that kit, it doesn't state who makes any of the parts. I'm sure it is ok, but isn't what I'd personally buy.

The Britpart Celluar Dynamic shocks are very good for very modest money.

Britpart Cellular Dynamic Front Shock Absorber

Cellular Dynamic Dampers DC6000 Britpart Cellular Dynamic Front Shock Absorber

www.paddockspares.com

Britpart Cellular Dynamic Rear Shock Absorber

Cellular Dynamic Dampers DC6001 Britpart Cellular Dynamic Rear Shock Absorber

www.paddockspares.com

The should make it handle better on road and be better if you are hauling anything in the bed or towing.

Spring wise. I really like the Flatdog Springs:

Def 90 Std Height / Std from www.flatdoguk.com

www.flatdoguk.com

For the turrets, I'd go for these, standard dimensions, but the open design makes them easier to fit or remove in the future and they don't trap all the dirt and mud.

Front STD Height HD Turrets, GL1144 – GwynLewis4x4.co.uk

gwynlewis4x4.co.uk

Turret rings, any HD galv ones will be fine. Would only worry about replacing the spring seats if yours are no good. Most are normally fine unless the vehicle has lived by the sea or been used to launch boats.

Click to expand...

I am going to second the above regarding the turret. make sure they are galvaised and the open design has many advantages. there are other options out there but I certainly wouldnt go back to the closed standard ones.

I have also had very good experiences with britpart shocks and I just had the standard ones which are even cheaper (link). These quite happily saw me across the desert in Morocco twice and did many thousands of road miles with no issue.

As for springs I like OEM, when I last replaced mine you could still get new take offs which I assume is not the case anymore so i am not up to speed with suppliers and prices but flat dog recommended above is a very reputable brand if you cannot get hold of OEM. But make sure you get the correct ones as there are different ratings and different colours needed for each corner.

300bhp/ton said:

No idea on that kit, it doesn't state who makes any of the parts. I'm sure it is ok, but isn't what I'd personally buy.

The Britpart Celluar Dynamic shocks are very good for very modest money.

Britpart Cellular Dynamic Front Shock Absorber

Cellular Dynamic Dampers DC6000 Britpart Cellular Dynamic Front Shock Absorber

www.paddockspares.com

Britpart Cellular Dynamic Rear Shock Absorber

Cellular Dynamic Dampers DC6001 Britpart Cellular Dynamic Rear Shock Absorber

www.paddockspares.com

The should make it handle better on road and be better if you are hauling anything in the bed or towing.

Spring wise. I really like the Flatdog Springs:

Def 90 Std Height / Std from www.flatdoguk.com

www.flatdoguk.com

For the turrets, I'd go for these, standard dimensions, but the open design makes them easier to fit or remove in the future and they don't trap all the dirt and mud.

Front STD Height HD Turrets, GL1144 – GwynLewis4x4.co.uk

gwynlewis4x4.co.uk

Turret rings, any HD galv ones will be fine. Would only worry about replacing the spring seats if yours are no good. Most are normally fine unless the vehicle has lived by the sea or been used to launch boats.

Click to expand...

Thanks, these look great, thanks for lots of info. These look a more solid bet

Hi there. I’ve just replaced my shocks n’ springs all round with the standard Britpart kit. It’s all fine and like you I want bog standard my old 90 is a workhorse on a farm and has to earn its corn. The Britpart kit has been fine for me. No failures. I used the same kit as you have in the photo. Hope it works out for you

Springs and dampers [shocks] should always be replaced as a pair. Who ever is doing your fix work is a Numpty.

tottot said:

Springs and dampers [shocks] should always be replaced as a pair. Who ever is doing your fix work is a Numpty.

Click to expand...

That would have been the previous owners Land Rover specialist who changed one for it's MOT.
I agree shocks should always be replaced as a pair across the axle, for consistent handling.
Here is a photo of the receipt so you know who done it...

Using my air powered needle descaler, I have found more pressing concerns with poor chassis leg plates which have caused creeping rust.
It's almost completely at the N/S rear, and will be a rusty repair thread on it's own, if it ever stops blowing a gale and raining near Aberdoon!
They also renewed fuse for horn + rear fog light. Had they looked they would have seen this was because a bunch of wires had no insulation left N/S/R, back of tub. But time is money I suppose!
I have a new loom from Sparks to fit once the welding is done, and it's now got extra corrugated plastic around it to help last.

No point messing aboot with wires that have more than 4 extra joins and have gone brittle.

Been pretty wet and blustery here on west Wales coast too.
A lot more places for rust to hide on a coiler chassis than a series.
I would not bother with an anti roll bar for your use, fit a new set of standard springs all round.
Do not be tempted by so called heavy duty springs if you value your back, guess how I know this?
[ they were on just a fortnight]

tottot said:

Been pretty wet and blustery here on west Wales coast too.
A lot more places for rust to hide on a coiler chassis than a series.
I would not bother with an anti roll bar for your use, fit a new set of standard springs all round.
Do not be tempted by so called heavy duty springs if you value your back, guess how I know this?
[ they were on just a fortnight]

Click to expand...

Comfy is good for me, not an expedition truck with an extra to of toys. Pickups are light and quite nippy too

300bhp/ton said:

No idea on that kit, it doesn't state who makes any of the parts. I'm sure it is ok, but isn't what I'd personally buy.

The Britpart Celluar Dynamic shocks are very good for very modest money.

Britpart Cellular Dynamic Front Shock Absorber

Cellular Dynamic Dampers DC6000 Britpart Cellular Dynamic Front Shock Absorber

www.paddockspares.com

Britpart Cellular Dynamic Rear Shock Absorber

Cellular Dynamic Dampers DC6001 Britpart Cellular Dynamic Rear Shock Absorber

www.paddockspares.com

The should make it handle better on road and be better if you are hauling anything in the bed or towing.

Spring wise. I really like the Flatdog Springs:

Def 90 Std Height / Std from www.flatdoguk.com

www.flatdoguk.com

For the turrets, I'd go for these, standard dimensions, but the open design makes them easier to fit or remove in the future and they don't trap all the dirt and mud.

Front STD Height HD Turrets, GL1144 – GwynLewis4x4.co.uk

gwynlewis4x4.co.uk

Turret rings, any HD galv ones will be fine. Would only worry about replacing the spring seats if yours are no good. Most are normally fine unless the vehicle has lived by the sea or been used to launch boats.

Click to expand...

I've ordered a set of these today.
Removed a rear spring to replace the bump stop and weld on the bump stop mount, and my 27 yr springs are a bit pitted with rust. Only hope I can figure which ones go to the right corners, as they're seemingly weighted to account for the transfer box's uneven weight. Also ordered the
'SUSPENSION > BRACKETS & MOUNTS LOWER COIL SPRING SEAT / MOUNT 491-FD' which are galvanized.
I love that they are made in the UK not China too, Thanks