Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > 4 wheels > Equipping the Overland Vehicle
Equipping the Overland Vehicle Vehicle accessories - Making your home away from home comfortable, safe and reliable.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Overlanders Handbook - everything you need to know, available NOW!

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 20 Oct 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 222
ideas on springs?

I'm mid-dilema on getting a set of springs for my truck and wavering to and fro between OME and genuine standard ones to get the motor ready for a UK-South Africa trip in a few months.

I'm preparing an old Range Rover ambulance , which means there isn't much standard data (or any!) out there by way of what works well etc - so any thoughts or experience appreciated to help me reach a decision..

The Rangie is on a stretched 110" chassis and has 110 rear springs with inner helper springs as per a 130. At the moment it has a new Scorpian racing suspension kit - very smooth over bumps but waaay to soft and sproingy. I would prefer to be on the soft side, but this is a bit too much and feels dangerous on the motorway.
They seem to be at standard height - a little more lift would be good.
I guess theres a little more weight in this Rangie than a 110, though not had it on a weighbridge yet.

The helper springs are very old and need to be replaced.
I'd also like to use twin rear shocks - I've seen them in use on a piste and was very impressed at how they control the bounce.


So I was almost convinced to rush out and 'spring' for a set of OME's (keeping my current DeCarbon shocks which are almost new), but are they going to give me anything over an above a set of genuine springs, given that I have rear helpers and with twin rear shocks?
The OMEs should give a little more lift, but if I use HD 110 rear springs I guess I will get a bit of lift anyway.
i've no problem with chucking the money at OME's if they are actually of any benefit, but I'm not sure I have read enough to convince me that the 100% difference in price is actually worth it?

I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who has used the OME's or genuine in anger and has any feedback either way?

cheers -
__________________
www.simba4x4.com
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 20 Oct 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Southampton
Posts: 671
Springs within springs

We have driven 15k miles to India (so far) with the helper springs. We reckon a 1/3 of this has been off road in Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan etc and have not had a single problem with our suspension, on our 1992 110 200tdi. We weigh in at 3 tonnes too, including two push bikes. We have the anti roll bars too. The work was carried out by Foleys, who suggested it as a cheaper, but rugged, alternative to throwing money at expensive OME etc.

Details of the most recent service can been seen on our website

Jenny and Ollie's Big Trip

We find the car comfortable on motorway or corrigations (well as comfortable as you can be!!!!!).

We aren't very good mechanics, so decided to take Foleys word as bible, and that judgement worked well for us.
__________________
Ollie

www.jollyfollies.com

Land's End to Sydney 2009
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 22 Oct 2009
roamingyak's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Portugal
Posts: 1,134
I've used helper springs in my 110 for 8 years - over 100,000km in Africa and they still work fine.

A bit hard when unloaded, but nice and wallowing when loaded.
__________________
Kiwi, 7 years around Africa. Overlanding channel:https://www.youtube.com/c/roamingyak
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 26 Oct 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 222
thanks for the info - still a bit undecided as I could do with a bit of lift, so OME's would come in useful there, but I also need to reduce some of the roll (dont have anti roll bars, my old rangie never had them and there are no attachment points) - so the stiffness of genuine springs could help in this area. I think I'll try some genuine LR springs first as they're comparatively cheap and see how they stack up, can always change them before we go if they aint the ticket.
__________________
www.simba4x4.com
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10 Nov 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: J10 M40 UK
Posts: 362
I would suggest that you get a loaded weight before you go buying any springs . Then go to a good spring manufacturer who should be able to advise you on rates and probably go progressive so that as the load goes onto the spring the spring pushes harder . It should not be very difficulkt to mount a anti roll bar , well worth the effort . Twin shocks also good idea , as they work very hard on coil susp compared with leafs .
I put a set of OME on my 110 in Oz when they first came out , they were absolutely awful (not enough damping) , thankfully they got their act together it seems , I took mine back and got full refund . I then went to bilstein, but had two fail (rear) pulled the tops off . I then went to KOni , magic and they are adjustable so was able to match really well to my susp.
My suspension is very soft , lot of body roll but travels really well on corrugations , dirt road cruise 60 70 mph . I run king springs , at vehicle max load + a little bit if fully fuelled 175lts and water 80lts. But the weight drops quite quick (V8) HTSH
__________________
Current : 2007 Mowag Bucher Duro 6x6 Motorhome , 2006 Sedici 4x4, 2007 Range Rover supercharged
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 30 Nov 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Bridgend, South wales
Posts: 108
If it is any use to you I have a list of LR original springs, colour codes & spring rates, along with the free length, i used it to find suitable OME springs for my 90 build.

pm me your addy and i'll forward it on.

regards

Gren
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 30 Nov 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Bridgend, South wales
Posts: 108
just to clarify I mean original manufacture equipment (OME). not Old Man Emu.!

Gren
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 30 Nov 2009
HU Sponsor
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Derbyshire, UK
Posts: 161
You mean OEM, Original Equipment Manufacturer.

Sorry to sound like a smarty pants!

Cheers,
Matt

just had a Jordans Frusli bar, very nice
__________________
www.mattsavage.com
VIAIR - 12 & 24 volt compressors and systems. Tyre levers, Land Rover parts, Sand Tracks, Allisport Intercoolers, Overland Prep, and much more...
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 30 Nov 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 222
well just to finish off the thread neatly, I now have my shiney new springs on
After lots of calculations and slowly getting aclimatised to the idea of parting with huge chunks of cash, I went with Old Man Emu. I nearly vomitted at the cost, but at least I'm happy I've paid the cash for a calculated need rather than a badge engineered finish, and to be fair they are very good now they're on - a much improved ride and I'm confident they will give me the performance I need. Sh*t - I sound like a razor advert : )
terrafirma where the next choice and cheaper, but not many are running them and they are unproven. I have had a set of thier shocks which weren't too hot though, and I think they put more effort into sales than they do into making the right sale, so for now I'll give em a miss.

I was close to using genuine as well, but it turns out my rear springs are the smaller diameter 90/disco/rangie springs rather than the 110's size I thought they were, and there aren't any hefty enough to lift the ambulances big arse up when loaded.

glad thats all done, I can get back to more serious business now, like trying to wedge massive speakers and a revolving mini bar in.
__________________
www.simba4x4.com
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Hello from Colorado Springs, CO USA adventureHQ Welcome to HU 6 15 Apr 2009 16:02
AT fork springs kevinhancock750 Honda Tech 6 11 Mar 2008 06:20
What's in a name? Paranormal Springs... ManxScamp Equipping the Overland Vehicle 18 13 Nov 2006 16:59
HD back springs for an 80 Chris Scott Equipping the Overland Vehicle 5 9 May 2006 22:18
HD Springs on 110 CSW ivisonm Equipping the Overland Vehicle 6 16 Aug 2004 02:34

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:44.