Alive Tuning Comfort springs
- Thread starter wicks
- Start date
erover82
Well-known member
IMO shocks, suspension geometry, and bushings make a larger difference. Many aftermarket shocks are stiffer for increased load handling. Any lift will steepen control arm angles and transfer more vibration into the cabin. Many polyurethane bushings are stiffer than rubber and will do the same. That said, the formula of the Defender's design was to prioritize utility, capability, and simplicity over all else, including comfort.
erover82
Well-known member
Understood. What tires are you running? Makes a big difference in such light small trucks. If you're set on MTs, Pirelli makes a C rated MT that could save you around 7 lbs unsprung weight per tire. Switching to alloy wheels could save more. There are also many P rated ATs in 265/75R16 that would save weight and provide an even more compliant ride.
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erover82
Well-known member
If you're looking to ignore all the factors that actually make the largest difference, then by all means: http://red90.ca/rovers/springinfo.html
Look at the spring rate for your 90, then pick some springs with less rate. In my experience a softer coil of equal ride height results in a slightly less NVH but relatively more flex and body roll.
KW1985def110
Well-known member
There are a couple companies that make air ride suspension systems for Defenders. Quick google search will get you options
Mirrajumper
Well-known member
With standard springs and revalved shocks, it’s a game changer. Replace your worn out bushings/ get rid of any poly bushings and keep it simple. What shocks do you want to run with the Alive springs, what tires are you running and their date codes? Rock hard older tires and worn bushings are true misery on these trucks. Have fun and post up what you end up doing! Enjoy.
I know you don’t want to hear this, but replacing all of the suspension bushings, steering links, and shocks are going to make more of a difference than any springs will.
wicks
Active member
6 bags of horse feed is the best advice yet. 
haha. The bushings are all original and perfect (garage queen 20k mile truck), the tires are new BFGs, the shocks are new OE. The main difference with the Alive springs is they are progressive. Guess they haven't sold much stateside yet, but people are using them a lot RoW. I will be fitting them and will report back...
haha. The bushings are all original and perfect (garage queen 20k mile truck), the tires are new BFGs, the shocks are new OE. The main difference with the Alive springs is they are progressive. Guess they haven't sold much stateside yet, but people are using them a lot RoW. I will be fitting them and will report back...Mirrajumper
Well-known member
Just to be clear, these are rebranded eibach brand springs that “ lower your suspension by 1.0-1.5 inches”. That’s the most ridiculous thing you can do to these trucks. Your springs give you baseline ride height, your SHOCKS control the compression and rebound qualities.
How am I going to take my defender to the beach, on the farm or on the road with the truck lowered! You will need bigger sway bars to control body roll and the list goes on. Your so called progressive springs will coil bind and make a tat tat noise over bumps. And you will be banging on your bump stops.
**By all means, install what you want.** With all
New factory rubber bushings, bilstein or ohlins or fox shocks and standard 7.5 x 16 XZL a defender can do most things better and more comfortable than most trucks.
How am I going to take my defender to the beach, on the farm or on the road with the truck lowered! You will need bigger sway bars to control body roll and the list goes on. Your so called progressive springs will coil bind and make a tat tat noise over bumps. And you will be banging on your bump stops.
**By all means, install what you want.** With all
New factory rubber bushings, bilstein or ohlins or fox shocks and standard 7.5 x 16 XZL a defender can do most things better and more comfortable than most trucks.
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