Softest Springs for a Defender 110.

Guys what is the softest springs I can use for a Def 110. I presently have the OME 2751 (front ) & OME 2752(Rear) still I am not getting a comfortable ride. My Landy is a stock 110. Just a small bullbar & tyre on the bonnet.

No heavy towing or loads at all. I want a stock suspension springs that come with a new Defender 110.

You need to say if you have ARBs or not.

No I do not have ARBs but will plan on putting them later, not now.

Prith said:

Guys what is the softest springs I can use for a Def 110. I presently have the OME 2751 (front ) & OME 2752(Rear) still I am not getting a comfortable ride. My Landy is a stock 110. Just a small bullbar & tyre on the bonnet.

No heavy towing or loads at all. I want a stock suspension springs that come with a new Defender 110.

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ride quality is determined by a lot more than just springs.

Bushes, shocks, condition of parts. ARB's or not. Tyre tyre, tread and pressure.

And at the end of the day, a Defender has very poor NVH and refinement levels.

Maybe you could also clarify exactly what you mean by 'ride'. As it could be about damping, roll, noise, response.

My 110 bounces me round like a pea in a drum,seems really stiff suspension,how can I tell if it has standard springs on or not? Sorry if it's a daft question but I'm fairly new to defenders

steven walker said:

My 110 bounces me round like a pea in a drum,seems really stiff suspension,how can I tell if it has standard springs on or not? Sorry if it's a daft question but I'm fairly new to defenders

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Any colour bands on the springs? Genuine coil springs are identified by colour bands, you can look em up on the spring chart.

I will have a look at the springs for colour bands ,thanks for that

As mine has the Old Man Emu 2751 front and 2752 rear there are no colour bands. I meant my ride is very stiff and not soft. I would just like to replace the OMEs with the stock standard (normal duty only) springs that come on a standard Defender 110 station wagan.

Prith said:

As mine has the Old Man Emu 2751 front and 2752 rear there are no colour bands. I meant my ride is very stiff and not soft. I would just like to replace the OMEs with the stock standard (normal duty only) springs that come on a standard Defender 110 station wagan.

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OK, so get a set of standard Defender 110 springs. Job done!

I second that.

I have a 110 TD5 on standard springs/dampers and while it's no Range Rover the ride is pretty good.

It also has ARB's front and rear. I fitted them to stop it rolling on corners.

As per the parts catalogue:

Front:


Rear


I do not want to waste money again by buying HD springs. Paddocks says that 6389/6904 are not HD and are ok for the 110. Cant I replace my OME2752 springs for the NRC 6388 & 7000 standard springs even though I do not have a levelled suspension?

Prith said:

As per the parts catalogue:

Front:
View attachment 104869

Rear
View attachment 104868

I do not want to waste money again by buying HD springs. Paddocks says that 6389/6904 are not HD and are ok for the 110. Cant I replace my OME2752 springs for the NRC 6388 & 7000 standard springs even though I do not have a levelled suspension?

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Why? Just use the springs specified in the chart for your vehicle.

But 6389 ^ 6904 are heavy duty for non levelled suspension. I do not want Heavy Duty springs. My question is can I go ahead and use 6388 & 7000 which are STD springs but for levelled suspensions.

Can't see why not. I've got the opposite issue to you, I've got original springs on a self-levelling ( although no longer does this ) OneTen and they're too soft. I don't mind that, but when I load up the Landy or I'm towing a heavy load the rear does sink right down. I'm going to put the HD springs mentioned above on instead.

Prith said:

But 6389 ^ 6904 are heavy duty for non levelled suspension. I do not want Heavy Duty springs. My question is can I go ahead and use 6388 & 7000 which are STD springs but for levelled suspensions.

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The 'levelled suspension' springs are pretty soft, and give a nice ride. The drawback is that when loaded up the rear will sag as above - the load leveller is supposed to counteract this and 'pump up' the back end to its proper ride height. Many however have failed and I've never heard of anyone rebuilding one successfully. Not sure if they're still available new.

The 'non-levelled suspension' springs are harder, so don't sag as much when loaded, but give a much harsher ride when not loaded.

The best option for general use is the functioning self-levelling setup, nice ride but able to be loaded. My plan is to replace the function of the load leveller with a set of air bags which I can pump up when loaded to increase the effective spring rate on the rear and avoid sagging. Your best option may vary, if you carry 300kgs of kit all the time then the non-levelled springs may do for you.

There is no simple 'cake and eat it' solution - the progressive springs as fitted to later 110 SWs (when they stopped with the leveller) are good, but it's still not as good a ride as the original levelled setup.

Which Defenders were fitted with the levelling device on the rear springs? I've never heard of it.

lightning said:

Which Defenders were fitted with the levelling device on the rear springs? I've never heard of it.

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Pre-Defender Land Rovers had it, definitely OneTens, not sure about Nineties. Working Boge ( the part manufacturer ) units are like rocking horse sh*t, if you can find a new one you'll need a healthy bank balance!

110 Station Wagons basically. Not sure what the end date was, I think around the end of 300Tdi era.

Some Range Rover Classics also had them.

As I never carry any heavy load I will go in for the 6388 & 7000 even though I do not have a self levelling device.