Build Thread: The Ultimate Overland Land Rover Defender

[Gipper]

OME aren't the be all and end all, they certainly have had some QC issues over the years, the PO fitted them on our Disco 2 and for me they have been fine with light off roading and lots of washboard/corrugated tracks we have in the Rocky mountains. But in 2003/04 we travelled with Malcolm and Rona in a well prepared D110, (not overloaded, not driving too fast) in West Africa and both their rear OME HD shocks blew out, watching them pogoing along the pistes was not good after they spent a fair chunk of cash on the "best" shocks. I was running OE HD springs and shocks on the 90, we drove a lot further on rougher pistes with no issues whatsoever.

I do agree with Moggy re reducing the amount of weight on the vehicle, fitting very HD springs does put extra shock loading into the chassis - especially on corrugated pistes, heavy loading means the engine/cooling/drivetrain/brakes are working much harder and the vehicles off road performance is reduced.

If and when I get round to overhauling the 90, I will either stick with OE or fit Bilstein shocks if Im feeling spendy

Enjoying this build thread, as you guys are replacing the brakes, if you haven't already, consider fitting stainless steel brake pistons and using Silicone brake fluid - non hygroscopic, so no more corroded or seized pistons - great if you have to store the vehicle for any length of time, especially in a maritime climate.