Freelander 1 Suspension Spring Specs

Hey all!

I've been looking ALOT for some better suspension upgrades for off-road for the my '00 Freelander 1 1.8 but honestly I can find NOTHING, other than MM Lift kit which I already have and the stock suspension. I realise for the MacPherson strut it can be quite hard to find, however I would like a longer spring as it provides more travel through the suspension over a lift kit , which provides the same travel just at a higher height range.

I don't suppose anyone knows if you can fit a custom made (not DIY) spring to the same strut and if so what the stock spring measurements would be and what the max lift you could put on the strut would be?

Alternatively if replacing the entire strut is needed, anyone know of any that work? I am not against body work provided I can get it done properly! (By body work I mean the mounting to the top of the strut to the car) Ideally they'd be bolt on, but I figure if those existed I would've found them by now...

Just a thought, Lift kits works but I would like the extra travel!


EDIT: I am going to use this to keep track of stock measurements where I can find them. I shouldn't imagine anyone will want custom springs though! (These are ranges I can find from aftermarket spring and are not exact specifications)

1.8 1998 - 2000

Front Axle;

Length: 369mm From VIN YA999999 - NO AC
Outer Diameter: 169mm
Load: ~3,150KG
Number Of Coils: 5 - 5.5

Rear Axle;

Length: 347mm From - VIN YA to 5A
Outer Diameter: 150 - 152 - From VIN YA to 5A
Load: ~3,000KG - ~ 3,500KG- From VIN YA to 5A
Number of Coils: 6 - Applicable to all modes up to 2006 (maybe)

Thank you!

I think @htr used springs from this outfit...


On their site, they quote a 30mm lift (more travel?) but I'm sure @htr said he got 20mm.

GrumpyGel said:

I think @htr used springs from this outfit...

Home Page

Experts in Springs & Suspension (est.1953), find all your suspension and 4x4 accessory gear in one place, Dobinsons Spring & Suspension.

dobinsons.com

On their site, they quote a 30mm lift (more travel?) but I'm sure @htr said he got 20mm.

Click to expand...

Ah yes! I saw these a while ago, but it looks like they stopped developing them and only have the fronts left in stock, I will shoot them an email to see if they are available upon request

I have found: https://www.mlperformance.co.uk/pro...ing-for-land-rover-freelander-i-off-road-l314 Which seem to provide a 40mm lift to the springs

Never heard of Monroe though!

xDParis64 said:

Hey all!

I've been looking ALOT for some better suspension upgrades for off-road for the my '00 Freelander 1 1.8 but honestly I can find NOTHING, other than MM Lift kit which I already have and the stock suspension. I realise for the MacPherson strut it can be quite hard to find, however I would like a longer spring as it provides more travel through the suspension over a lift kit , which provides the same travel just at a higher height range.

Click to expand...

I have found very little in the way of suspension or off road upgrades for the Freelander.

Are you really sure a longer spring will give more travel? I'd have thought it was the strut that would determine how much droop there is. A longer spring would just stay more compressed.

CV joint angle is likely the biggest limiting factor, you'd need to check this for excessive binding before going for more travel.

300bhp/ton said:

CV joint angle is likely the biggest limiting factor

Click to expand...

+1

For more height and spring rate, the springs from an AC equipped TD4.

300bhp/ton said:

I have found very little in the way of suspension or off road upgrades for the Freelander.

Are you really sure a longer spring will give more travel? I'd have thought it was the strut that would determine how much droop there is. A longer spring would just stay more compressed.

CV joint angle is likely the biggest limiting factor, you'd need to check this for excessive binding before going for more travel.

Click to expand...

When looking around, I noted that the shocks are in length between (on my model) between 401mm (Fully compressed) and 600mm (Fully unloaded)

It would require some testing with spring rates to find something that would mimic a 20mm - 30 mm lift maybe even (kind of defeats the purpose) like limit straps to avoid damage to the shock. Maybe I should get a shock and actually test the travel?

300bhp/ton said:

Are you really sure a longer spring will give more travel? I'd have thought it was the strut that would determine how much droop there is. A longer spring would just stay more compressed.

Click to expand...

Yes. While you are right, you can only go as long as the strut will allow, adding bump stops and limit straps where necessary, a longer spring (Which would require a higher spring rate) would alleviate effort from the strut which is why a 40mm longer spring does not result in 40mm lift BUT it does provide 40mm more travel providing you don't run out of shock

I only really bring this up as the MOT pointed out some play with the top mounts on the suspension and a couple springs front and rear are corroded. (This isn't about a viable cost effective replacement just a thought) but yes the Driveshafts are something to keep in mind, but I should imagine this is the same as spacers as the angle for the will result in the same in extreme cases > premature wear will be something to keep in mind.

I guess all in all, it takes someone to try before anyone knows for sure?