Spring rating for rear of Expedition 90

[Sirocco]

Hi guys,

Been bashing my brains out trying to find info on springs here in the UK and I think I have it sorted.

Going by OME standards does anyone run their 90 with 762s or 763s on the rear? I would like to hear your opinion.

Basically I have a set of Terrafirma (TF) springs, medium duty (300-340lb/in), that are rated the same as the 762s but my rig is heavy and Im soon to be towing a converted Sankey so I was thinking of the TF heavy duties or the OME 763s both have the same spec at 360lb/in. The question is, will I notice the extra 20lbs rating?

Im not bothered by the 2-3" lift. I just want a spring that will cope. The mediums on at present are ok, but they are on their way out and im looking to replace. Sometimes they feel a little soft.

The 90 is running an ARB winch bumper, Wolf Wheels, roll cage, ARB rack, Swingaway carrier, extra TD5 fuel tank, tree sliders, tank guards and a host of internal gubbins (Engel fridge, recovery gear, spares etc) it is loaded like this all the time and mainly used for back country trips and overland trips Its not a daily driver.

Thanks for your time.

G

 

[czenkov]

I have OME's Mediums in the rear and heavies in the front. Hardcore shocks up front and the mildest in the rear. I also have a spacer in the rear. Sorry I do not have the numbers in front of me. It was brutal riding with the original setup (the way I purchased). I would take the spacers out - simply don't like them but as I made changes one step at a time I found what rides well loaded (typical 5-7 day remote camping gear so 10 gallons each water and petrol) and unloaded so don't want to mess with it now. That being said I saw at the 2011 Overland Expo a 1995 Defender that was set up heavy and when I talked to the guy he said he was running 110 springs with bilstein (IIRC) shocks. RTT and fuel/water up top with the rear load space full to just above the window level.
I have a picture somewhere...Hope that helps a little. If I get time I will track down the part numbers i am running.

 

[Sirocco]

Thanks Czenkov,

my 90 is more or less like that but with addition of a roll cage! see here: www.siroccoverland.350.com

He cannot be running 110 rears as they are bigger diameter. hmmm...

with my load being constant I think the mediums might be a step back (762). hmmm...

G

 

[DividingCreek]

I have run OME 764's as fronts on my 90,110, and now 130. This is a great spring for the front of a defender thats got a winch bumper, winch,lights, steering protector plate, etc up front. Gives approximately 2.5-3.0 inches of lift over stock. I forget the rear spring number i was running on the 90. the 110 was 755 and the 130 I'm running a 2 in spacer because of the cool stock inner/outer spring rear suspension.

 

[Sirocco]

I will likely go with 766 up front. Its recommended for the 90 as being ExHD.

764s were designed as a medium rear, but I guess both of these will be similar in set-up, just give different lifts.

G

 

[Sirocco]

Bump

anyone?

 

[Nonimouse]

 

[taoseno]

I am running the Rovertym 3" HD spring w/ Fox shocks and I really like them. I have a ST and everyone said go MD which I did the first time but I felt they were too light when the rig was fully loaded. The MD's would probabgy be OK if the rig was empty but who goes wheeling empty?

 

[kevb]

As you are in the UK talk to Gwyn Lewis, he knows his stuff. I have his challenge kit fitted although my 90 is set up for long range camping trips.

My front springs are OME 764 which give a good ride quality and flex,
the rear springs are OME763. I have Gwyn Lewis shock mounts and OME N73GL +5.5 shocks all round. The advantage of this is you only need to carry one spare shock. Articulation is outstanding and on road/fast dirt road ride is good.

We use it as a daily driver, for my commute to a job I was doing in France ( from Glasgow) and shipped it to the US for a 5500 mile trip round Utah, California, Colorado & Arizona. It has a P&P roll hoop/front NAS cage, winch, engel, spares, camping gear etc so quite heavy. it sits a wee bit high when empty but lovely when loaded.

if you want less than a 2 inch lift you could fit OME751 on front and
OME762 on rear
this would give just under a 1 inch lift if your bumper is heavy

Last pic shows Green 90 with 285/33" and suspension as above (empty) Grey 90 has standard yellow/white springs and 265/31" tyres.

Hope this helps,

Kev