A nice day for testing parabolics on my 109

Finally a nice day to test my new suspension set up. GB springs parabolics 4 leaf rear and 2 leaf front for a 109. With pro comp extra long shocks.

I think this is about as good as it gets without heavy modification to chassis and vital mounting points. The rear isn't far off the articulation of a standard defender 90. The front still isn't great but has improved.
The problem is I forgot to space the lower shock mount and so the extra long shocks actually limit suspension travel. For better results either space the lower mount or use standard size gas shocks.









The rear now sits a lot higher than before probably about 4 inches than the old worn springs.







Overall not too bad and pleased with the results. There are now areas of the field where I can keep traction where before the wheel would leave the ground. You can also feel how much the parabolics want to adapt to the ground and are much more willing to flex. On road handling is also improved and it corners a lot flatter, my old worn springs were softer over bumps but could barely support the land rovers weight. The extra height is also beneficial for seeing over hedges on the country lanes.

Can you explain what you mean by Space the lower shock mounting?
I have parabolics [9 year old Chris Perfect versions] on my swb with same shockers pretty sure they do not limit spring travel, will have to take a shocker off when the sunshines and check.

Well the front only being 2 leaf compared to 7 or 9 will make them thinner and as a result the lower shock mount on the front will be closer to the axle. As the extra long shocks have a longer compressed length compared to standard shocks the main body of the shock hits the top shock eye before full articulation can be achieved. If you were to space the bottom shock mount where it's held on by the u bolts you would be extending the shock more so there is more upward travel before the shock reaches its fully compressed state. If a standard length gas shock was used the compressed length would be shorter and so you would get more upward travel and as a result more downward travel as well. Most of the suspension lift occurs at the rear than at the front and I've probably gained an extra inch at the front but about 4 inches at the rear. Because of this the rear can make full use of the extra 2 inches whereas on mine at the front I've got about 3 inches of upward travel before the shock hits itself on upward articulation.

However in the pictures and even with the extra long shocks at the front limiting suspension travel my front brake flexis are just starting to get tight. So there's definitely an improvement over standard but further articulation would require longer flexis.

Some years ago before extra long shocks were available I moved the front ones onto the inside of the chassis and used Ford Transit shocks at the rear with lightweight landy rear springs to compete
in RTV trials. Compared my 88 the then new out 90 had less axle movement all round.

Cheers mate will have a look at mine.