DI vs Defender

V

varova87

Well-known member
Mar 21, 2006
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Texas
What are the biggest differences in the suspension setups between the two? I've narrowed my search down to a handful of DI's, Defenders, and Land Cruisers in Kampala, all diesel. The 75 series LC I drive now is teeth-shattering on village roads, it leafs front and rear.

We're almost registered as an NGO which relieves us of VAT taxes on vehicle purchases and import taxes into Uganda. I'd like to buy the suspension/armor from the US and have it brought over in a friend's 20ft container this fall.

Not familiar with the Defender aftermarket, which platform is going to be a better bet for washboard roads filled with potholes?
 
mgreenspan

mgreenspan

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Feb 28, 2005
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Briggs's Back Yard
I personally think longer wheel base will be better. The longer the better on bumpy roads. I find the 90 incredibly bouncy compared to 100 and 110. This opinion is based on my personal preference and experience and no science whatsoever.
 
Disco Dog

Disco Dog

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Apr 8, 2009
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Costa Rica C.A.
Old Man Emu makes (in my opinion) the best selection and performance setups for a defender, on washboard type roads. 3 levels to choose from for the most comfotable ride on such roads. Before ordering consider weight as well, these are fine tuned for ride , not just lift.
However if I were to build a D1 for same I might also consider rovertyme springs ( if there still around) with bilstein 5150 shocks.
 
p m

p m

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Apr 19, 2004
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Disco Dog said:
Old Man Emu makes (in my opinion) the best selection and performance setups for a defender, on washboard type roads. 3 levels to choose from for the most comfotable ride on such roads. Before ordering consider weight as well, these are fine tuned for ride , not just lift.
However if I were to build a D1 for same I might also consider rovertyme springs ( if there still around) with bilstein 5150 shocks.
Click to expand...

FWIW - I universally found 5150 generic shocks way too soft. And, unlike 7100 series, you can't rebuild them or change the valving.
Have a pair hanging off a hook in my garage that I tried to make work with the Disco. Fat-ass Terrafirma shocks do the job now, and a lot better than both OEM-replacement or 5150 Bilsteins.
 
Tugela

Tugela

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May 21, 2007
4,761
563
Seattle
It doesn't matter whether your wheelbase is 90", 100", or 110" if you don't fit comfortably in the driver's compartment. You won't notice the suspension if your knees are jammed into the dash and you have to keep the window open all the time so you can stick your elbow out. If you are short and compact then you will fit much better into a Defender than if you are tall. If the fit compatibility is not an issue then go with the longer wheelbase. You can cart more stuff around in a 110 anyway, the layout is good for cargo and people.

Figure out how much payload you'll be carrying most of the time (including aftermarket bolt-on crap) and choose springs & shocks based on that. I haven't used the Terrafirma big bore shocks but the idea seems like it's a good match for the conditions you'll be driving in. And having logged lots of miles on rural South African & Kenyan roads in a leaf-spring Cruiser, I would also prefer coils.
 
Mike_Rupp

Mike_Rupp

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Mar 26, 2004
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Mercer Island, WA
chris snell said:
What I want to know is what's up with D1s and breaking OMEs?

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Without knowing the specifics, the first thing I'd try to find out is if the shocks are bottoming out or topping out.

I spent a long time trying to get mine setup right. I've got OME 762s with a 1.5" block, standard OME shocks, retainers, and 2" dropped shock mounts. At full stuff the spring is fully compressed before it bottoms and at full drop the spring is stretched out before the shock tops out. I've got about 60-70k with that setup and the shocks are still going strong. I hope I didn't just jinx myself.
 
ptschram

ptschram

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Sep 27, 2004
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First question-what are you going to use the truck for? Passengers, cargo?

Will the cargo (be it people or materiel) be willing to put up with the rougher ride of a shorter wheelbase truck?

All other things being similar, the disco will ride better due to the longer wheelbase-unless you get a 110-which will carry more cargo and more passengers.
 
Blue

Blue

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Mar 26, 2004
10,055
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AZ
D90 with 90" wheelbase or D1 with 100" wheelbase....which do you think will be more comfortable on washboards and potholed roads?
 
Tugela

Tugela

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May 21, 2007
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Seattle
Blue said:
D90 with 90" wheelbase or D1 with 100" wheelbase....which do you think will be more comfortable on washboards and potholed roads?
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Technically I think it's 92.9" on the D90, but close enough. How about a Defender 130 (which is actually 127")? Then you can carry peeps and cargo and have to make a 3-point turn to get around any corner.
 
V

varova87

Well-known member
Mar 21, 2006
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Texas
The defenders are all 110's. Call me an idiot, but I didn't make the connection that longer wheel base equals a more comfortable ride. So, I gained that much.

Payload will be people, and the occasional material load. You can hire a pickup here for $15/day, so no need to turn this into a hauler. People will be the frequent cargo.

There won't be any gaudy aftermarket boltons. Sand tracks and jerry cans, even in Africa, are for cross-country travelers and posers. I can drive in the villages all day on half a tank of gas in a diesel with a light foot. I'll have a good front bumper, a winch, and a roof rack. Because we actually use them here.

I'll start poking around for some spring/shock setups for a 110. I'll snap a few pictures of the candidates next time I'm in the capital. Thanks for the input.
 
jhmover

jhmover

Well-known member
Apr 23, 2004
5,571
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California
ptschram said:
While you're over there, can you go to Kampala and kick a guy in the teeth for me?

He sent me a check written on a tiny little church in Oklahoma. Bastard-telling me he was a good missionary writing bad checks on churches in OK.

Uganda has really pretty postage stamps!
Click to expand...

Hey I'm in Zimbabwe. I have found a $1,000,000,000 dollar bill. Please send me $85,000 for handling costs and I'll send you the bill. You will be rich. :rofl:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7515823.stm
 
GYM

GYM

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Oct 17, 2006
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0
West Coast
Tugela said:
It doesn't matter whether your wheelbase is 90", 100", or 110" if you don't fit comfortably in the driver's compartment. You won't notice the suspension if your knees are jammed into the dash and you have to keep the window open all the time so you can stick your elbow out. If you are short and compact then you will fit much better into a Defender than if you are tall.
Click to expand...

So true. NAS soft top Defenders with sliding door windows have a little bit more elbow room than their roll-up window station wagon siblings...
 
Roving Beetle

Roving Beetle

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Nov 11, 2007
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Mount Desert Island, Maine
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A disco will be cheaper, ride better, seal up better, have far more comfortable seats and a better air con/heat system..... The list goes on and on. The advantage to a Defender is he repair ability of body panels one by one and simpler systems. A manual shift Disco with roll up windows is the "same" as most defenders in that regard so to me the comfort as that's what you're saying is top is going to win with the Disco for sure.
 
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