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 -

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www.simba4x4.com

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.

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Ollie

www.jollyfollies.com

Land's End to Sydney 2009

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.

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Kiwi, 7 years around Africa. Overlanding channel:https://www.youtube.com/c/roamingyak

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.

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www.simba4x4.com

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

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Current : 2007 Mowag Bucher Duro 6x6 Motorhome , 2006 Sedici 4x4, 2007 Range Rover supercharged

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

just to clarify I mean original manufacture equipment (OME). not Old Man Emu.!

Gren

You mean OEM, Original Equipment Manufacturer.

Sorry to sound like a smarty pants!

Cheers,
Matt

just had a Jordans Frusli bar, very nice

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www.mattsavage.com
VIAIR - 12 & 24 volt compressors and systems. Tyre levers, Land Rover parts, Sand Tracks, Allisport Intercoolers, Overland Prep, and much more...

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.

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www.simba4x4.com