Suspension for Stock 92 Classic - suggestions needed

[Dan K]

Following a extensive search on suspension upgrades on RRC vehicles in this forum , I have not really found what I am looking for. So Ill ask the question specifically. Apologies if it has already been dealt with.

My specific questions relate to the comfort factor of a suspension upgrade for 90 % road use. The current OEM setup is tired and sagging , so it is time to replace. Whilst it is sagging the ride is great on road but will be compromised off road with camping equipment etc. I have narrowed down to three suppliers who all tell me that i will maintain my current plush ride , with small sacrifice for carrying heavier loads off road.

The specs - 92 RRC stock standard ( no bars or other bolt on mods ) set of BFG AT 265/70

Supplier one - ARB pushing OME Medium fronts and heavy rears ( springs and matching shocks ) . I think this may be overkill for my application of touring the Southern Highlands.

Supplier 2 - Kings Springs ( Ritter ) and Bilstein schocks- Didnt get a lot of interest from them about what I should be doing here.

Supplier 3 - LRA - Purple springs ( ??? ) and Bilsteins all round , whith the flexibility to change if not happy with ride.

My preference is LRA as they really seem to be know and offer a type of Guarantee of satisfaction with the swap over system.

Can anyone attest to the others as to why I should not go for the LRA option ( they are all similar Money ). Any suggestions welcome .

[6.5 rangie]

Stick with LRA, if your not happy with there choice of spring then you can change them, plus they have a good range to choose from. You may want variable rate spings if you not loading it up with gear that much, you will get a more comfortable ride when unladen. And stick withy the Bilsteins, they are a very good shock

[justinC]

LRA are very good at spring and shock advice and are one of the leading 'developers' in this area because Andrew tries all of them before release etc. I have them on my RR and I try to sell only their springs because they are that good. My preference is for DeCarbon shocks, but Bilsteins are excellent and easier to get.

JC

[treebloke]

in 92 your rangie would have been purfect for both types of driving your doing butt after all these years its a bitt tired i would replace all bushes springs and shocks with new landrover parts and it should drive like it left the factory or fit rangerover police spec springs

[HSV Rangie]

as per

6.5 Rangie and Justin.

LRA have the best selection of springs around.

Michael.

[RRturboD]

Dan,
Before Easter my RR repairer recommended a set of LRA springs and shocks, (with rear coilrite inserts) after discussion with Andrew. I was looking for lift, but the recommendation was pretty much standard height. The combo was GREAT. Spent the last two weeks in Oxley Wild Rivers NP etc, rough country, steep, rutted, highway, good and bad forest roads. Heavy load with 4 people/food/camping gear etc etc. Since I have emptied the truck, it has regained its height, and is still soft enough for round town.
Recommend LRA to anybody now, they got mine right!
Michael T

[Philip A]

I have a 92 and have removed the sway bars.
I recommend LRA "green 160LB 16.1inch " for the front and "Orange 180Lb 17.2 " for the rear if you have an operating Hydromat.
I have Boge OEM type shocks and I am very pleased with the setup.
I have a long range tank, alloy bullbar and 100AH second battery.
This gives about 2inches lift and is equivalant to Range Rover factory HD suspension.

I think you may not be happy with the ride with Bilstiens. I have not had them but have had OME and they were harsh to me, partly because they have urethane bushes.
Regard sPhilip A

[justinC]

I agree with Phillip, the Bilsteins are a terrific shock, but I don't have them on my RR because I find them harsh on compression damping. However, they are in their element on long hot high speed corrugations, and will stand most hard driving well. We had a set on our RR during the 1992 oz safari, and even when the gaiters were dripping down the shock like mozzarella cheese off a pizza, they only just started to fade. And they never leaked either.
I would recommend Boge, (like Phillips), De Carbon,(like mine) or Koni(like I USED to have) and even KYB have made shocks to suit RR and Disco now. They make OEM for NIssan and some toyotas, and they LAST in those applications.

I guess If you want to retain soft ride etc, then try any of the above, Bilstein are just harsher for comfortable road use.

I think that you can order the bilsteins with different compression rates, ask Andrew about this.

'quality shocks maketh the Rangie'

JC

[6.5 rangie]

I thought Koni's were harder?
I've had both Koni and Bilstien and they are both great, but i couldn't tell you the difference as they were in totaly different setup Rangies.

[cloughy]

Koni's are adjustable