landrover defender radius arms for bj40

Tin Tin · 03-05-13, 05:55 PM

HI all,

Would landrover defender radius arms work for a 40?
are they strong?

Front has radius arms, the rear has some kind of link..

Im not to familiar with 3 and 4 lin suspensions,
but can they be used to do a coil over for higher speed driving.
Im planning on a simular setup as a 70 series on coils, with good schoks to do some higher speeds on bad roads.

Tigerstripe40 · 03-05-13, 06:57 PM

From what I gather, Defenders are significantly lighter than a 40 series and Rover stuff is rather under sized for the application they are used in. In short, I would NOT use a Rover part under a 40 unless you've swapped in aluminum motor, transmission and body, and have not lifted it at all. I think a 70 series or 80 series control arm would be much better.

What do you mean by 'higher speed driving' ? How fast do you want to go?
I have a 76 FJ40 that has not been caster corrected. I can drive it 70mph (112kph) and it tracks smoothly, however, I have installed power steering, and I am REALLY working the motor (a 2F) to get it going that fast 60-65mph (95kph - 105 kph) is much more comfortable.

A 40 is a short wheelbase truck and as such, I wouldn't drive it much faster than 70mph.

Douglas S · 03-05-13, 07:01 PM

A Defender is heavier than a 40. The front suspension arms are as strong, or stronger, than the ones on my 80.

I'm not qualified enough to comment on their suitability for a custom suspension on a 40.

Mace · 03-05-13, 07:11 PM

Even LR guys replace them with three links. If you are going to swap out your suspension, do it once and do it right.

Mace · 03-05-13, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Douglas S

A Defender is heavier than a 40. The front suspension arms are as strong, or stronger, than the ones on my 80.

I'm not qualified enough to comment on their suitability for a custom suspension on a 40.

According to the Land rover Faq the weights are similar
3880 lbs for the US spec D90
3470 for a hard top cruiser.

The arms are plenty strong. It's just that radius arms suck..

Douglas S · 03-05-13, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mace

According to the Land rover Faq the weights are similar
3880 lbs for the US spec D90
3470 for a hard top cruiser.

The arms are plenty strong. It's just that radius arms suck..

They put the same radius arms on Defender 130's...4599lbs.

But I agree, radius arms are probably a waste of time.

Tigerstripe40 · 03-05-13, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mace

According to the Land rover Faq the weights are similar
3880 lbs for the US spec D90
3470 for a hard top cruiser.

The arms are plenty strong. It's just that radius arms suck..

Isn't the body, engine block and transmission housing of a D90 all made from aluminum? That REALLY surprises me that they are heavier than a 40.

Douglas S · 03-05-13, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tigerstripe40

Isn't the body, engine block and transmission housing of a D90 all made from aluminum? That REALLY surprises me that they are heavier than a 40.

Most Defenders sold had/have diesel engines...as usual the good stuff didn't make it to North America.

Body is a steel subframe with aluminum skins. Frame is heavy duty...as strong (potentially stronger) than the frame in my 80.

Mace · 03-05-13, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Douglas S

Body is a steel subframe with aluminum skins. Frame is heavy duty...as strong (potentially stronger) than the frame in my 80.

Till they rust to death. Unfortunately, they are still made with British steel..

Douglas S · 03-05-13, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mace

Till they rust to death. Unfortunately, they are still made with British steel..

In my experience the frames aren't rust prone (though I'm sure galvanized replacement frames are available for a reason). Issues really arose where aluminum contacted steel in the body (with no insulation).

cult45 · 03-06-13, 11:52 PM

It's a damn shame tepa's photo hosting site is down cause there's plenty of good pics here showing a HJ45 with Defender radius arms and 80 series coil buckets. Hopefully someone can track him down and get the pics back.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/fj45-owners-...l-springs.html

I second the idea that Defender gear is strong enough. Rover has been using it since the Defender entered service in 1983.

cult45 · 03-06-13, 11:57 PM

Edit: Coil springs in the LR90 and LR110 in '83, then renamed Defender in 1990.

Tin Tin · 03-07-13, 11:11 AM

The reason for the landrover parts is simple,
I can get them for free.

Why do radius arm suck?
Please keep in mind that I do comparable offroading as done in the rainforest challange in malaysia.
Im in Suriname and wheel the jungle, no rocks or such.

As in fast I mean going trough pot holes at 80 km per hour,
which is not too comfortable now, I run a new leaf suspension,
but is deseigned for heavy loads which I dont carry alot.
resulting in a harsh ride.

I would like a suspension comparable to a new hilux pickup or such.

What can be done with links, can they be made so the car can handle well on very bumpy potholed roads, be stable and not lifted over 3 to 4 inch?