Help with suspension decision!!

Hey there, i am performing a rebuild on a 1992 Defender 90 and i am in need of some help. The Landy is in need of a new suspension system and although i will be using it more on road than off, i feel i should upgrade it! SO what do people think about suspension - standard or 2+" ? Also can anyone recommend a decent full suspension kit and also a quick guide on fitting? Thank you, Miles

Stick with standard height mate. Upgrade to HD springs if you are doing mild offroad on occasion and heavier loads. People raise their suspension to mainly fit bigger wheels. You can fit huge on a defender without the lift

Bearmach Blue HD springs are a very good choice. Then you can go for some terrafirma or procomp shocks. Standard height HD kit can be had for around £200

As for fitting, your only down the road... What tools do you have?

I was thinking standard, okay thank you for the help! yeah, but i'm just starting this project so not many at the moment! ha Got all the basics for general Landy upgrades, may need to get some specialized equipment soon though!

Trolley jack, axle stands, socket set and a set of spanners will see you through the suspension upgrade mate.

check out my 90 rebuild thread im goin through at the moment

Ah well i got all that..ha alright sure

Mail Order 4x4 Defender 90 Packages

Here you go pal... from standard lift up to +3" full kits... Bearmach is a bit pricier than most the stuff you get, but theyre fantastic quality

Thank You! That is a great help, i will soon get onto buying parts and posting threads on my progress

Here's some detail on the Bearmach products, we would be happy to quote you on anything you need and as sponsors of this forum would hope you'll give us a try
Contains:
2 Pairs of Heavy Duty Blue Springs
2 Pairs of Shock Absorbers
Suspension Kit +50mm
Part No BA 3750 Defender 90
Part No BA 3752 Defender 110
Brand Bearmach
Bearmach Blue Heavy Duty Road Springs (Front)
Height
Increase Rate Wire Height
Part No BA 2101 +45mm 255lbs 17mm 380mm Defender 90/110
Part No BA 2104 +30mm 195lbs 16mm 394mm Defender 90
Part No BA 2106 +30mm 196lbs 16mm 368mm Defender 90
Part No BA 2251 +50mm* 175lbs Defender
Bearmach Blue Heavy Duty Road Springs (Rear)
Height
Increase
Rate
(Lbs)
Wire Height
Part No BA 2100 +40mm 510 22mm 410mm Defender 110/130
Part No BA 2100B +40mm 420 21mm 420mm Defender 110
Part No BA 2102 +40mm 295 18mm 445mm Defender 90
Part No BA 2103 +20mm 240 17mm 413mm Defender 90
Part No BA 2106 +30mm 196 16mm 368mm Defender 90
Part No BA 2107 +30mm 195.5 16mm 413mm Defender 90
Part No BA 2252 +50mm* 225lbs
Part No BA 2253 +50mm* 330lbs

As well as the Bearmach stuff we are Terafirma distributors too

I just ordered a complete suspention kit from gwyn Lewis.
Mr Lewis was very helpful . And the parts look really good.

Gwyn Lewis 4x4 specialises in the design and fitting of off road equipment and preparation

I got mine from Mailorder 4x4, very nice folk to deal with (sorry Defender Bits, never got around to trying you...)

As far as what to go for, I'd recommend against HD springs unless you're going to be adding a frickin' heavy bumper, winch, external roll cage and be carrying heavy loads all the time. I regularly have 1+ ton on the back of Scratchy and have got HD springs all round - wish I'd gone HD on the back and standard on the front. Get's a bit hard on the front end when I haven't got a load on. And it restricts the articulashion when you're doing off-roaderising.

And mailorder 4x4 have got some good offers on Bearmach kits at the mo...

My 200Tdi 90 has got a 2" lift using Bearmach Blue HD springs and Pro-comp 2000 shocks. Great on road and pretty good off it considering the reduced articulation capabilities of HD's.

I would stay with standard springs and upgraded shocks. I also fitted some air bags to the rear, this makes a great difference when loaded up. Then deflate slightly when unloaded. Added front and rear swaybars drives great!

hi all,
my 1987 90 that I have owned for a couple of months doesn't look to sit level .I have parked on level smooth tarmac and the front nearside sits about an inch and a half lower than the right offside.

could it be shocks or springs, or both, if so would it be good to renew on all four corners.

They were built that way to compensate for the driver's weight and the fuel on the offside. Your suspension might be sagging a bit due to age, but if it ain't broke!

bluedog333 said:

They were built that way to compensate for the driver's weight and the fuel on the offside. Your suspension might be sagging a bit due to age, but if it ain't broke!

Click to expand...

funny you should say that, ive had my son follow me, and he says it looks dead level. THE DEFENDER, THAT IS.

although I tend to wander to one side a bit
thanks for your reply.

He's got wonky legs! They all lean, but the older ones definitely show it more!