Driveline Changes

[ajh]

I know there are all kinds of nuts out there, and I'm probably one of them but I've been wondering if there would be an noticeable advantage to swapping in the suspension bits between the radius arms and the axles for the front and rear of a UKspec 110 with those from a D2? I know vehicles like the Wildcat use a watts linkage in favour of the A-Arm, but what I'm not sure is how much of a difference going to the radial bushings etc would make.

Assuming the cost was negligible and the parts were available would it be worthwhile? and I guess more importantly does anyone know someone who's done it and has some real experience with the difference? This truck will be used for long distance travel, some over rough ground but not rock crawling at all so the idea is to keep it handling as well as possible with as much load as is reasonable.

 

[ajh]

Has nobody heard of someone putting a Watts linkage rear and D2 front suspension onto an older vehicle? Is it a crazy idea or just something people haven't seen as 'worth the effort'?

 

[Mongo]

because if your going to build a suspension, why not build something that will perform better...

 

[ajh]

Fair enough, though I've been looking at what Bowler did on the Wildcat and it's very similar.

What would you suggest? I'm looking at a set of Diamond or Rock Jock housings, probably Toy ends/3rd member/brakes, so it's more a matter of how to connect things up.

This is for distance driving so low unsprung mass is the idea, it won't see anything more than about a class 3 trail (intentionally), but I am very open to ideas.

 

[eric w siepmann]

www.expeditionportal.com.

I'd ask what the heavy hitters there what they are using for expo paltforms. Most haven't gone to such extremes - they build upon the strengths of the Defender and seek to remedy the weaknesses reasonably and as their needs arises.

 

[Mongo]

there are a lot of factors to designing and building a suspension that will work on road and off...4 links,3 links, leaf springs, coils, coilovers, air shocks, body dimensions, engine/transmission placement...I could go on, but I'm not saying this to be arrogant, but if you're asking this question, you should not consider a project along these lines...trust me on this, I'm on version 7 of my suspension

 

[Doug C]

110's drive different than 90's,disco's and rangie's. I have 5 here now that range from stock springs and woodhead shocks to 4 inch lift and mudders.
My suggestion would be to let the truck arrive, rebuild the engine and trans if that is still your intention and start putting some miles on the truck to see what you like or don't like. I have a 110 here that I imported for Eric @ Atlantic British and it has airbags inside the coil springs. The air bags are plumbed to an on board compressor with a ride firmness control right @ the drivers knee. @ 20 psi the truck handled like a sled. No lean in corners except for sidewall flex (bfg at's)
@ 5psi it drove like a norrmal 110. This setup is for stability when towing something heavy. The point being it is easier to change the way a 110 handles than changing the suspension design. Have you decided what tires and springs and shocks you want to run ?
What is a class 3 trail ?

 

[MUSKYMAN]

so is this project before or after the one where you take lap tops to needy children?

let me guess this is all going to happen before the pending modifications on your DII.

maybe just stop wasting good peoples time here rambling about crap that will never happen.

 

[ajh]

there are a lot of factors to designing and building a suspension that will work on road and off...4 links,3 links, leaf springs, coils, coilovers, air shocks, body dimensions, engine/transmission placement...I could go on, but I'm not saying this to be arrogant, but if you're asking this question, you should not consider a project along these lines...trust me on this, I'm on version 7 of my suspension

Yeah, I realize all the options and I know a number have issues and that sticking with stock is the path of least resistance for sure. It may even likely make the most sense overall to keep changes minimal and make incremental improvements. I'm just excited to have it finally coming and a workshop area to finally work in again I guess. I just don't want to go through what I did with the D2, listening to everyone who said getting a Defender was too much work/hassle and sinking a pile into something that wasn't exactly what I was after.