Best suspension setup for a D110?

[defender_verde]

My 1991 D110 is currently running on stock springs and shocks and rides extremely rough. I can feel the road as much as I can when I throw my BMW's suspension it's tightest, "Sport" setting. I'm thinking new shocks and springs should give me a more comfortable ride... I'm thinking about going with this Bilstein kit with the steering stabilizer http://www.roversnorth.com/ProductDesc.aspx?code=RNA243-5D&type=3&eq=&key=it and the OEM springs... New bushings too. Any other recommendations?

 

[tjfslaughter]

HD OEM Springs and Bilstiens. Message Zack at Rovers North. Also on holiday weekends they usually do free shipping....

 

[javelinadave]

I'm running hd LR springs and shocks and am happy with the ride.

 

[chris snell]

The HD springs are a good bet. I wanted a little more height so I went with OME 766s in the rear and OME 755s in front. For a light truck like a three-door ex-MOD, this will make for a really rough ride when the truck is unladen. When you load it up for a trip, however, it's perfect. If you go with the 755/766 combo, you will probably want cranked radius arms and possibly re-drilled swivels to return the steering to normal angles.

The new get-up by Chris, on Flickr

 

[BenLittle]

I'm running Genuine HD springs with Bilstein 7100's. I have zero off-road miles but my trips to the grocery store and liquor store has been very smooth riding.

 

[Uncle Douglas]

The HD springs are a good bet. I wanted a little more height so I went with OME 766s in the rear and OME 755s in front. For a light truck like a three-door ex-MOD, this will make for a really rough ride when the truck is unladen. When you load it up for a trip, however, it's perfect. If you go with the 755/766 combo, you will probably want cranked radius arms and possibly re-drilled swivels to return the steering to normal angles.

The new get-up by Chris, on Flickr

I think you have that reversed Chris.

I run 755's in the rear and 764's in the front. 755's wont fit under the front.

 

[chris snell]

I think you have that reversed Chris.

I run 755's in the rear and 764's in the front. 755's wont fit under the front.

You're right. 766 in the front and 755 in the rear.

I would only recommend this setup if you have a heavy winch bumper and plan on carrying heavy loads off road regularly.

 

[defender_verde]

You're right. 766 in the front and 755 in the rear.

I would only recommend this setup if you have a heavy winch bumper and plan on carrying heavy loads off road regularly.

I wish! For now the car is stock (minus a NAS spec SD cage that's going on) and no heavy loads. Also mostly used in the city, unfortunately.

 

[chris snell]

I wish! For now the car is stock (minus a NAS spec SD cage that's going on) and no heavy loads. Also mostly used in the city, unfortunately.

In that case, I'd look at a fresh set of stock springs and some OME Nitrocharger Sport shocks. Sounds like you don't need a lift, just a better ride. You'll love those shocks.

Don't waste your money on a steering stabilizer unless you are having steering issues.

 

[RBBailey]

I'm not going to read others' posts before I post so I can see if my opinion matches or not. I think the Rover HD springs are just fine. I'm pretty sure that's what I have on my truck, and as it sits next to my 88" with HD parabolics, it is 1.5 inches taller with same sized tires. Also, although these springs are old enough that I really should just dump them, and I don't know the history, the fact is, they ride really well, and in 9 months of road time, I never once saw them sag under load.

If I were to buy a new set, I'd get the Rover springs or OME as I've done with other trucks. Don't over think it.

 

[mgreenspan]

I run OME 751s front (heavy duty) and 755s (medium duty) and OME shocks on my 110 station wagon. It rides nicely on E range tires. I don't think your stock stuff should feel rough even if it's worn out. I would imagine it'd feel floppy with with roughness. What PSI are you running and tire size? And what's the condition of your suspension bushings etc?

 

[defender_verde]

I run OME 751s front (heavy duty) and 755s (medium duty) and OME shocks on my 110 station wagon. It rides nicely on E range tires. I don't think your stock stuff should feel rough even if it's worn out. I would imagine it'd feel floppy with with roughness. What PSI are you running and tire size? And what's the condition of your suspension bushings etc?

I'm running a brand new set of LT235/85R-16 BFGOODRICH ALL-TERRAIN T/A KO2 E at a little under the max PSI listed on the tires (I think... I had a shop change them out, but the ride was also rough on the old worn tires, but new tires helped out a lot). Maybe my bushings are worn? How can I tell?

 

[Uncle Douglas]

I'm running a brand new set of LT235/85R-16 BFGOODRICH ALL-TERRAIN T/A KO2 E at a little under the max PSI listed on the tires (I think... I had a shop change them out, but the ride was also rough on the old worn tires, but new tires helped out a lot). Maybe my bushings are worn? How can I tell?

The load range of the tires doesn't dictate tire pressure, the weight of the truck does. Most defenders ride best with around 32 psi in the front tires and 42 in the rears. Running too high a pressure will make the truck ride and drive like crap.

 

[mgreenspan]

Yeah. I'd give it a try with lower PSI. If you're a little below max at 65 then I'd venture to guess this may be why it feels so rough. Try the 32/42 Doug described.