Description
Our Explorer Suspension Kit is designed for those looking to improve the suspension performance of their Defenders which are used on road and off road.
When we say +2 inch / +3 inch, what we are talking about is your shock length, not the suspension lift.
On the front, our Explorer kit uses shocks that are 2 inches longer when fully open compared to standard Land Rover Shocks, on the rear we are using shocks that are 3 inches longer when fully open.
Springs determine your ride height, shocks travel and length determine your axle travel (articulation off road), longer shocks mean more axle movement.
This is a bolt on kit using original mounting points, no modification is needed to your Defenders chassis.
The Explorer kit can only be fitted to Defender 90, 110, and 130.
This kit is an intermediate between a common 2” lift kit with +2” shocks and our more extreme Challenge Kit which uses +5” Shocks. It is aimed at those wanting improved axle articulation better than common +2” kits but not as extreme as our full long travel Challenge Kit.
We are using Old Man Emu +2” length shocks on the Front and Old Man Emu +3” length shocks on the rear. The rear shocks are converted from a standard Eye/Pin fitting to a Pin/Pin fitting. The reason for this design as of the known problem for the upper Eye fitting on standard fitment rear shocks to break off due to lack of sideways movement. A Pin fixing allows more movement in all directions without breaking off as has been well proven over the years by my +5inch Challenge Pin/Pin Rear Shock mount. If you need much improved reliability then the PIN/PIN fitting shock is the one for you.
This kit can be run from standard ride height up to a 3” lift, we would recommend lifting to 2” maximum for anything that wants to be used on road. A 2 inch lift or higher sometimes require Caster Correction to improve the steering response and stability when driven on the road, by fitting caster correction arms to the front to bring the axle back in align it can cause propshaft vibrations and a Double Cardan propshaft will be required to help hide the vibrations.
By using +2” shocks on the front you are still able to use a Front Anti Roll Bar which gives more stability and improves road handling however you will require a spacer kit to lower the Anti Roll Bar to prevent the propshaft from touching the anti-roll bar on axle drop. Part Number – GL1248, 30mm Front Anti Roll Bar Spacer Kit. You are not able to use anti roll bars on the Rear whilst using +3” shock.
Our Old Man Emu Sport Shocks will give a much-improved ride and handling quality over other shock absorbers due to their multi-stacked rebound and compression valving, once the shock is compressed it is hard to pull out, this is what gives a much better handling as it stops body roll and bounce, but still giving a comfortable ride on and off road.
For the rear there is a choice of two Pin/Pin +3” shocks GL2007, these shocks give a Medium Sport Ride, recommended for Defender 90 Rear (light to medium weight Land Rovers). GL2006, these shocks have a firmer valve, better suited for use on the Rear of 110/130s and 90s that are heavily loaded. (Land Rovers that are regularly carrying extra weight or towing).
If your Defender 90 is very light on the rear and you do not carry any extra weight and you would like more comfort, you could use our GL2001 front shock absorbers on the rear as these are much softer valved.
With our Explorer Kit, +2” OME GL2001 Sport Shocks for the front which will be fitted with Heavy Duty Front Turrets GL1056, which have spring relocators built in, to secure with Heavy Duty Turret Securing Rings GL1053. To secure your front springs to your axle you will need our front spring retainers GL1054.
Moving to the rear you will change your standard Eye/Pin shocks for our +3” Pin/Pin OME GL2007/GL2009 Sport Shocks fitted with the Explorer Pin/Pin Shock mounts GL1171. With +3” rear shocks your rear springs will dislocate away from your chassis when articulating, you will need spring relocators GL1064 for a 90 or GL1065 for a 110/130. Rear Spring Retainers will be needed to secure your rear springs to your axle, for a 90 GL1070, for a 110/130 GL1182. For your Rear Arms, you will need our Heavy Duty Cranked Arms GL1074 (BLUE) or GL1175 (BLACK).
Extended Bump Stops GL1057Y-4 / GL1057B-4 will be required if you are fitting a Lift Spring. Extended Brake hoses will be required when using longer travel shock.
