Defender 90: Best spring/shock combination for a comfier ride?

Despite renewing tired old springs and shocks about 18 months ago, my 90 isn't riding anywhere near as well as it could/should be. I've tried lowering tyre pressures and it's had a recent re-bush, yet it's crashing and jarring over the rough stuff and really uncomfortable.

The current set up is OE standard height coils with gas dampers and I've been advised that using red/yellow RR Classic springs with Tuffback shocks may well be a good alternative.

Your advice/opinions would be welcomed because there's so much choice out there, I want to retain as close to standard height as possible and my back is ****in' killing me!

Cheers

Which gas shocks?
My Koni HeavyTrack are adjustable so perhaps you have them on a firm setting.

Normally fitting a set of gas shocks is a surefire way of stiffening up a tired ride so maybe yours are just too firm, have you tried OE oil-filled shocks instead? I remember fitting (non-adjustable) DeCarbon gas shocks to my 90 and they made a whole lot of difference but perhaps not the sort of difference that you want.

If you can find them...
Police spec RR springs These are progressive rated loved these on the 88 coiler. Used with oem oil filled shocks.

What bushes?

Tbh the stock shocks and springs give a pretty good ride. About as good as you are likely to get without big compromise.

What body configuration are you running and do you tow or haul? Red/white springs may not be the best suited if you do.

BOOMER said:

Despite renewing tired old springs and shocks about 18 months ago, my 90 isn't riding anywhere near as well as it could/should be. I've tried lowering tyre pressures and it's had a recent re-bush, yet it's crashing and jarring over the rough stuff and really uncomfortable.

The current set up is OE standard height coils with gas dampers and I've been advised that using red/yellow RR Classic springs with Tuffback shocks may well be a good alternative.

Your advice/opinions would be welcomed because there's so much choice out there, I want to retain as close to standard height as possible and my back is ****in' killing me!

Cheers

Click to expand...

Your back issues are probably caused by the seats and driving position as much as the suspension.

How about a Disco 2 with air suspension and proper seats?
Automatic is much easier on the body as you get older as well.

Thanks for the replies
The bushes are poly after replacing the (absolutely shot) OEM bushes, they made a big difference.
And there's absolutely no way I'm having another Discovery, I actually find the Defender seats and driving position really comfortable.
As for the springs and shocks, it's actually three years since I replaced them and the hard use has probably taken it's toll.
So I think I've reached a decision, I'm going for RR Classic springs of a slightly lower ft/lbs rating (about 30 ft/lbs less on each corner) but with an additional coil or two and about 1.5" longer.
They'll probably settle in and be marginally taller than standard springs, going for police spec rears which should cater for my tools in the back and the towing.
Just got to settle on some shocks now, anyone had experience with Tuffback?

Tiff back aren’t ones I’m familiar with. I can recommend Flatdog for the springs however.

Stock rubber bushes might be more compliant than poly too. Depends what poly ones you went for. Some are a lot harder (most of them and all of the cheap ones). But some are designed to be softer.