suspension

Post by **big AL** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 6:02 am

hi
I am looking at replacing my suspension and wondered what peoples thoughts are on a 2" lift using Old Man Emu springs and dampers, fitted to a range rover classic.
Is there a better option?

Post by **james feeney** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 7:17 am

Al, Old Man Emu are a good option.

Lovells are another good option and are cheaper than OME.

check out www.maddison4x4.com

or email patrick@maddison4x4.com for prices quoting this thread

We have been trying these springs for six months now on extremely tough events and are finding we prefer them to the OME. Our OME tended to sag before long whereas the Lovells are still fine.

Just my opinion

JF

Post by **Micka** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 8:02 am

Lovells are HEAPS better than Old Man Emu - which is a rebranded budget product here in Oz.

Dobinson springs and shocks are also far superior to OME and cheaper.

I have Lovells springs and Dobinson shocks in my Fender and could not be happier with it.

Micka

Post by **GRIMACE** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 9:01 am

I can vouch for lovells too,

Post by **big AL** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 9:06 am

over in england people rave about old man emu as being very good, i had almost made my mind up to buy a set.

can any body expand on th ecoments made already please, as i need to replace the shocks asap. I dont like wasting my money, but like to get the best i can afford (within reason).

Post by **GRIMACE** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 9:31 am

big AL wrote:over in england people rave about old man emu as being very good, i had almost made my mind up to buy a set.

can any body expand on th ecoments made already please, as i need to replace the shocks asap. I dont like wasting my money, but like to get the best i can afford (within reason).

best you can afford - look at Koni & Bilstein.... if you can afford them shocks... they are the best.

Post by **Suspension Stuff** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 11:00 pm

It is no good for me to recommend a shock to you if it going to be expensive over in England. Are you able to name some shock brands starting from the cheapest to the dearest.

Over here, I like Dobinsons because they are cheap, they last a long time, they are more robust than any other shock and they are valved quite stiff to keep the Rangie under control.

Bilstein are great but twice the price, Koni are good.

Other shocks that do alright are Procomp and EFS and a bunch of other shocks I don't know much about.

As for springs, as long as you use coils that are made using quality steel and made by reputable manufacturer then it depends on the ride characteristics you want, the price you want to pay and how easy it is to get your hands on a set.

If you like something out of the ordinary then OME are probably not going to be much chop.

So what brands are readily available in England?
Shane

Post by **james feeney** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 5:19 am

OME readily available and all the big guns rave about them, except us

De Carbon, half decent budget shocks but from a crap retailer Scrapiron

ProComp, probably the cheapest after market shock but not what they used to be, They used to have a lifetime Guarantee but no more.

Lovells. The new kid on the block (over here). We've thoroughly tested them at all the latest extreme events and are amazed at their performance. We replaced the OME which had done three events and were sagging. The Lovells have already done six events and are as good as new! You could say I am biased, and I am, to the best product in my opinion after some hard testing.
Also cheaper than OME.

JF

Post by **Micka** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 6:30 am

james feeney wrote:OME readily available and all the big guns rave about them, except us

De Carbon, half decent budget shocks but from a crap retailer Scrapiron

ProComp, probably the cheapest after market shock but not what they used to be, They used to have a lifetime Guarantee but no more.

Lovells. The new kid on the block (over here). We've thoroughly tested them at all the latest extreme events and are amazed at their performance. We replaced the OME which had done three events and were sagging. The Lovells have already done six events and are as good as new! You could say I am biased, and I am, to the best product in my opinion after some hard testing.
Also cheaper than OME.

JF

OME are like Scorpion.

Promise everything and deliver shite.

Lovells are where its at.

Post by **ISUZUROVER** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 6:18 pm

I have Bilstein shocks on my 110, and am 100% happy with them (they are available in the UK - but are $$$ sompared to other shocks).

I have OME Range Rover rear shocks on my IIA, which I only bought because I got them very cheap. One started leaking a few months after I fitted them, and overall I have been very underwhelmed, and wouldn't fit them again even if they were the same price. The did improve handling, but only because they damp in both directions, whereas my old Monroe (the company that makes OME) oil-shocks didn't.

Post by **Reddo** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 8:13 pm

We have Dobinsons springs and shocks on the old Disco 3 door with Bilstine steering damper and they work fine. No leaks of sags yet and the spring/shock combo works very well with the 2+ inch lift and cuts down the body roll to an acceptable level.

Post by **Michele** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 9:17 pm

Koni shocks (not the new models) under my 90 with RR springs,not really happy,they're too stiff IMHO (even if adjusted to middle/soft) and the front tires loose contact on the ground when cornering fast on poor roads...

Website · Post by **Maggot4x4** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 9:20 pm

My procomps arrived today, will let you know

Post by **Suspension Stuff** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 9:35 pm

Lovells shocks are exactly the same shock as EFS shocks over here but Lovells want to charge a premium price on their shocks so everyone gets the EFS shocks and Lovells coils, however Dobinsons shocks are valved a bit stiffer than EFS and are quite a bit heavier due to the thicker steel used. Procomps are especially popular because of the lengths we can get for bigger lifts and more flex.

Michele I am surprised the Koni's are too stiff for you. I had soft coils so I needed stiff shocks. Are you coils soft or stiff?

Reddo I think your Dobinson shocks and Bilstein steering damper setup is definitely worth a mention. This setup is the best I reckon. It is worth spending the extra dollars for the Bilstein steering damper. The Ironman steering damper in my opinion the 2nd best and quite a lot better then EFS or Dobinsons steering dampers. Procomp are not too bad.

Maggot good to here your shocks arrived, sorry about the delay. I am interested to hear how they stack up.

Shane

Post by **Michele** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 9:49 pm

Hi Shane,
that's my feeling,I may be wrong...!

Springs are HD RR,I love them,not ridiculously long and soft.
The truck wanders a bit more on the road but it's fine to me,
I don't usually go fast and I try to keep more safety distance from the car before

The springs I have fitted them 1 year ago IIRC and they did not sag,
although I expected them to do due to the custom bumper and 8274 fitted.
I also kept the wire rope instead of the lighter Dyneema in a try to make the front sitting squatter and alleviate the vibes but they didn't give a mm.

With these springs and Disco bumpstops the dwarf 32" 'pedes happily scratch the wheelboxes now...

When Ben came to visit me we had the chance to do the truck articulate a bit

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modul ... p?id=21433

I just wish to get longer dampers to suit and I'm in touch with Sam for a those bushings we know...

I'm quickly running out of money!

(OUCH)

Post by **ISUZUROVER** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 10:58 pm

Michele - I think it is the springs and bushes that are limiting your flex, not the shocks.

Post by **Michele** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 11:14 pm

Front axle I'd say yes.
Rear,if I had longer shocks I presume the springs would dislocate...?
This doesn't happen,the Koni are as long as the OEM ones.

Retained springs when the day will come and I have a couple of Jez's cranked rear arms yet to fit...less strain on the bushings...

Or not?

Hey,are you going to come in Switzerland on Sat the 25th?
Wanna meet?
I'm supposed to do the conversion in the morning,
I'll ask the guy this afternoon to check his availability.
We'll probably be all alone as the boss is rebuilding another Rangie...

Post by **ISUZUROVER** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 11:32 pm

Sent you an email.

And to answer your post. Your springs seemed a little bit on the stiff side all round. It is not length, it is the spring rate (wire thickness) that is important. Do you know what rate your springs are?

It might just have been because I haven't ridden in many 90s though.

Post by **Michele** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 11:46 pm

Sure,here it is:

Part # NRC4304
Axle Rear
Length 17.71 inches
Rate 170 lb/inch
Coils 7
Colour Code red/white

I went with these because
-they're cheap

-they give a real 2" lift (or slighly more it seems!) and
the truck keeps almost the same rate at the front while staying levelled,even with the Warn & bumper combo
-did I already say they're cheap?

Post by **Michele** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 12:17 am

This looks like a nice flex without going too far:

Those are supposed to be the Bils I told you about and the springs seem not to dislocate...?

I may ask the owner about the setup details.

Post by **TLCOR** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 1:31 am

Ben, what kind of Bilsteins do you have? What are you not happy with?

Post by **ISUZUROVER** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 3:21 am

TLCOR wrote:Ben, what kind of Bilsteins do you have? What are you not happy with?

Are you talking to me? I am 100% happy with my bilsteins. It is my OME shocks I am not very impressed with.

Post by **TLCOR** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 2:54 am

ISUZUROVER wrote:
TLCOR wrote:Ben, what kind of Bilsteins do you have? What are you not happy with?
Are you talking to me? I am 100% happy with my bilsteins. It is my OME shocks I am not very impressed with.

Yeah, sorry, I misread.

But what series Bilsteins do you have? Valving?

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