I recently bought my first coil sprung LR- a '89 RR. I'm now looking into suspension systems for it. Does anyone here have any experience with Equipe's various systems?

They are retailed int he US by Draken Offroad:
http://drakenoffroad.com/prodotto.php?MARCA=LAND&SEZ=KITS


Sorry if this has been covered before but I tried to search for info here to no avail...

Thanks!
Matt Nelson

you will have better luck answering this question over at www.discoweb.org
but I would suggest you call Steve or Seth at www.rovertym.com they are probably the most knowledgeable vendor I have dealt with. They are familiar with Classics like ours, among other things. Much faster at getting product out than anyone else.

I tried to search for info here to no avail...


Did you read this?

http://www.aloharovers.com/images/Search.jpg

I would suggest you call Steve or Seth at www.rovertym.com
x2

Did you read this?

http://www.aloharovers.com/images/Search.jpg

Yep- It said search is disabled for schleps like me- I guess I'll need to get a red star...

:)

FWIW I asked this is because I've seen the Equipe stuff first hand and in action but honestly don't have a baseline for comparison with Rovertym etc. Crertainly not enough to make an educated discussion of the merits of one versus another. I've been mired in Series Rovers for so long this coiler stuff is really rather new to me. All I know is I want to try to find the best suspension for the $ and I want to get rid of the damn Rover axles... I've had enough of the 10 spline swizzle sticks, time for a 14 bolt.

Sorry to be a waste of time- I shall go back to lurking and continue to learn from the sidelines.


Thanks!

Matt Nelson

Did you read this?

http://www.aloharovers.com/images/Search.jpg

The past few weeks this forum has been reasonably lively and interesting, but it isn't always a hive of activity, So I would like to ask the older members.
Do we really need to try discouraging new posters on this forum? I could never understand why older members get uppity when someone asks a question that may have been answered several times before. So What ? Nobody here is forced to read every thread.If it bores you skip it and move on to something else. If everyone used the search function there would be very few new threads on this and the other forums and eventually interest would die off. Just check out the General Tech forum. Most of the threads are rehashes of the same old, same old subjects. 98% of the information is there, available in the archives, yet people keep making new threads and others keep posting, and occasionally someone comes up with something new and interesting.That is what keeps the PBB alive and worth logging onto, for me at least, and yes I do read every post on the LandRover forum.
Bill.

The past few weeks this forum has been reasonably lively and interesting, but it isn't always a hive of activity, So I would like to ask the older members.
Do we really need to try discouraging new posters on this forum? I could never understand why older members get uppity when someone asks a question that may have been answered several times before. So What ? Nobody here is forced to read every thread.If it bores you skip it and move on to something else. If everyone used the search function there would be very few new threads on this and the other forums and eventually interest would die off. Just check out the General Tech forum. Most of the threads are rehashes of the same old, same old subjects. 98% of the information is there, available in the archives, yet people keep making new threads and others keep posting, and occasionally someone comes up with something new and interesting.That is what keeps the PBB alive and worth logging onto, for me at least, and yes I do read every post on the LandRover forum.
Bill.

good call. i agree to a point. some of the newb posts are retarded no matter what. like how much lift do i need for 35" tires. that gets irritating because this is a rock crawling board, not "show truck gheyness" board.:flipoff2:

Yep- It said search is disabled for schleps like me- I guess I'll need to get a red star...


Nope just cheat.

Go to google, do an advanced search and put pirate4x4.com into the site to be searched :D

Pete

Nope just cheat.

Go to google, do an advanced search and put pirate4x4.com into the site to be searched :D

Pete
Ahh.. sneaky! Well I did the Red Star thing- $20 is worth the contribution for the coiler info I've already gleaned from here. At least I've FINALLY found a place where people don't get pissed at you because you painted your galvanized cappings or dared consider non Rover based drivetrain components... :D

FWIW once I got the red star I did search for "Equipe" here and I guess they are just too new to the North American market? No one really seems to have used them here- I guess I'll have a go at some of their stuff and see how it does. The quality of the welding to me is a sight to behold and Draken's red D90 seems to work well enough for eastern crawling. Maybe we'll see more of Equipe 4X4's stuff here in the years to come.

Thanks everyone!

Matt Nelson

At least I've FINALLY found a place where people don't get pissed at you because you painted your galvanized cappings...

WHAT???? You painted your galvy-cappings???? WTF???

:flipoff2:

The coolest thing anyone can do here is contribute tech (or share carnage w/pics).

The chit-chat is tolerated because the Rover-geeks here have no where else to go.

As for Equipe, I didn't even know it was sold here. Go figure. Consider trying to scare of New-bies as a .40 micron filter here. :D

The Equipe stuff works well enough, (and the weld quality is indeed art) but like any system on a Rover that has some sort of dislocating rear spring and a somewhat restricted front travel, it is very unbalanced .....it does look cool when posing however.:shaking:

I've got equipe under my defender 110. Build-quality is good. Hasn't failed yet. Only spring detachment is a bit noisy. Don't know how it compares to other brands though.

I recently bought my first coil sprung LR- a '89 RR. I'm now looking into suspension systems for it. Does anyone here have any experience with Equipe's various systems?

They are retailed int he US by Draken Offroad:
http://drakenoffroad.com/prodotto.php?MARCA=LAND&SEZ=KITS


Sorry if this has been covered before but I tried to search for info here to no avail...

Thanks!
Matt Nelson

since you live in Oneonta right next to Draken....go see Rob and Jen... he'll let you drive his 90 like a maniac on the back roads...that's where the suspension really shines...it's a full blown rally set up, that won't even give you a clue to the amount of rear flex it has until he lets you drive it in his backyard... very good people. I am running other equipe hard parts, but not suspension.

If you want shiat loads of front flex you'll have to go SG 3-link or custom 4-link to get it. That's the only way to cure TJ front flex envy.

Lyman

might want to search on spring retainers too since you have your red star.

On a side note I think the people that have been here a long time don't really even post anymore and that why i usually suggest searching because the information is here. I specifically remember a thread from a couple weeks ago about equip stuff. They probably spelled it wrong so search for land rover suspension or something like that. You'll probably find it

there are also other ways of getting good front flex w/o a 3 link. Slotted bushes moving shock location long shocks flexy springs ect ect.

-ben

there are also other ways of getting good front flex w/o a 3 link. Slotted bushes moving shock location long shocks flexy springs ect ect.

-ben

Removing the shocks also does a great job. And its cheap.

That's the only way to cure TJ front flex envy.

Lyman

that's one way to do it. i chose to just buy a TJ :flipoff2: :flipoff2: :flipoff2:

http://www.speakeasy.org/~theFains/img/roverPics/newrover.gif

know what's funnier? to cure rover rear flex envy, i'm going to have to convert the heep's rear setup to a 3-link :laughing: :laughing:

that's one way to do it. i chose to just buy a TJ :flipoff2: :flipoff2: :flipoff2:

http://www.speakeasy.org/~theFains/img/roverPics/newrover.gif

know what's funnier? to cure rover rear flex envy, i'm going to have to convert the heep's rear setup to a 3-link :laughing: :laughing:

Not to be to politically correct but I believe that is a LJ you got there :flipoff2:

Not to be to politically correct but I believe that is a LJ you got there :flipoff2:

true ... but it's close enough :flipoff2: :flipoff2: :laughing:

since you live in Oneonta right next to Draken....go see Rob and Jen... he'll let you drive his 90 like a maniac on the back roads...that's where the suspension really shines...it's a full blown rally set up, that won't even give you a clue to the amount of rear flex it has until he lets you drive it in his backyard... very good people. I am running other equipe hard parts, but not suspension.

If you want shiat loads of front flex you'll have to go SG 3-link or custom 4-link to get it. That's the only way to cure TJ front flex envy.

Lyman

Thanks! Actually I bought/swapped for the the '89 RR from Rob! He'll be using one of my old Series IIa 88s for a new hybrid/coiler/custom rock crawler- he has caught the old American- Bigger is better bug.

I asked about it here because I really wanted to get an outsiders view of how Equipe's wares work, from people with an impartial view since I've been fed the Equipe party line so to speak. I hope this makes sense? To me this had to be the best place to ask even though it does sound like one of the annoying newbie questions- everywhere else I've looked I've come up with zero practical information.


BTW thanks for the tips on searching- it hadn't occured to me to search using alternate spellings of "Equipe" or spring retainer vs. spring dislocation etc...

I'll post more when the IIa hybrid build gets underway and I find a place to host pics. The IIa build should have some interesting tech involved that is worthy of posting here.


Thanks again guys!

Matt Nelson

Matt,

Personally, I think coils are :rainbow: but I will grant alternative lifestyle vehicles to those with such predilictions.

Equipe stuff was pretty big in the UK as pushed by Scrap Iron Racing, but seems to have had its day. You may also want to take a look at Nigels stuff at:

http://www.gon2far.co.uk/index.php?do=1_catalogue.html

I am not familiar with his coil stuff but he has always been concerned about a balanced approach to articulation and his 3 link front set up may be of interest in addition to whatever other solutions you are looking at.

Good luck.

Matt,

Personally, I think coils are :rainbow: but I will grant alternative lifestyle vehicles to those with such predilictions.

Equipe stuff was pretty big in the UK as pushed by Scrap Iron Racing, but seems to have had its day. You may also want to take a look at Nigels stuff at:

http://www.gon2far.co.uk/index.php?do=1_catalogue.html

I am not familiar with his coil stuff but he has always been concerned about a balanced approach to articulation and his 3 link front set up may be of interest in addition to whatever other solutions you are looking at.

Good luck.


I used to think coils were gay back when I was a dyed in the wool leafspring Rover nut. Now though I have to admit they work and I guess it is finally my turn to try them out.

Next year I'll get back to leafsprings and try to build a series that actually articulates-I'll have to dig through the archives here to see what the leafers here have tried out. I checked out Gon-2-far's leafers and your c303 portal build and it has given me a few ideas.

One thing is certain though I've built my last stock suspension leafspring Rover- and yes Rover purists I did paint the galvy cappings!! :flipoff2:


Cheers!

Matt Nelson

Next year I'll get back to leafsprings and try to build a series that actually articulates-

Think rear parabolic springs at all four corners
Add C303 mounted at both ends.
Source a CRD and 6spd from a wrecked Liberty
Top off with an Atlas and custom drive shafts.
mmmm yummy
:smokin:

<< Source a CRD and 6spd from a wrecked Liberty >>

the Liberty only comes with an automatic. i don't think the 6sp is up to task for a diesel. my 6sp in my rubicon has a weird thunk between shifts; i'm kind of wishing i had the old NV3550 5sp, truth be told.

there is a company making adapters for the NV3550 5sp to mate to the IH 2.8TGV. haven't heard if they're going to make them for the 6sp, but have been meaning to send in an inquiry.

Think rear parabolic springs at all four corners
Add C303 mounted at both ends.
Source a CRD and 6spd from a wrecked Liberty
Top off with an Atlas and custom drive shafts.
mmmm yummy
:smokin:

Damn it!!!! :mad3: now you have me thinking again, maybe I should do a mild build on the RR and give it to my wife and get on with a real leafer project. I was thinking a SIII w parabolics, completely different shocks, FJ40 axles(why? because I already have a set), Mil/1 ton spring hangers and shackles... Or how about revolver shackels? Maybe something strange like a 4.3 Olds since I have one sitting in the back yard and I know a guy who makes conversions for a 2.8 GM bolt pattern to 4 speed series box.

This is funny-I dropped out of the Rover community online and off because of people like the shithead at Greek Peak who gave me crap about painting my cappings. Now I've finally found people who are willing to think outside of the Rover name brand box... Aloha Rover when I tuned out you were still in HI and had a 2.25L look at you now! 6.2L... :smokin:

Equipe parts work very well, but you don't necessarily want to buy their packages, which are geared towards the ramp queen D90 crowd. For a D110 or RR I suggest you mix and match parts to arrive at a solution that fits you wheelbase.

i met him at an event he was very nice but only wanted to sell packages.

Coils are :rainbow: ? So are rigs with vanity plates Richard:flipoff2: ,just kidding.

<-- if you want a real rig try Lego. Although I hear lift blocks are not legal in some states:eek:

Its all about balance, thats what makes leafs so great (and easy). With coilers its so easy to make the rear axle drop out of sight yet the front axle is somewhat more of a pain in the ass. Question is do you want the thing to look cool on a ramp or work well in the woods? If you want good woods performance do to one end what you do to the other.

3 link front ( SG or it's clone, Gone 2 Far) w/ retained springs(Rovertym) and external shock mounts.

Heim jointed rear arms (Rovertraks) and retained springs (Rovertym).

Its balanced and even works well on the street.

Aloha Rover when I tuned out you were still in HI and had a 2.25L look at you now!

Yeah I guess I have turned into a ass as I've gotten older. Sorry 'bout that :D

Oh I keep meaning to ask, Yorker do you have a younger brother Jeff?

<< Source a CRD and 6spd from a wrecked Liberty >>

the Liberty only comes with an automatic. i don't think the 6sp is up to task for a diesel. my 6sp in my rubicon has a weird thunk between shifts; i'm kind of wishing i had the old NV3550 5sp, truth be told.

there is a company making adapters for the NV3550 5sp to mate to the IH 2.8TGV. haven't heard if they're going to make them for the 6sp, but have been meaning to send in an inquiry.

Too bad. I like the gear ratios available to the 6sp are pretty nice.

The guy in Canada has the adapters to mate the 2.8TGV to a GM tranny. So a 2.8gtv, NV4500, Ranger OD, Atlas. With the C303 gears you would have a good range of gears for highway driving and offroad.

Equipe make some awesome Landrover stuff. They are 'kinda' copied over here in the UK by 'sorpion racing' , one of the big players in the UK off-road scene. At risk of sounding like Im pimping the product, my mates company has just got the UK contract to import Equipe suspension.

Check out www.lrsofforad.co.uk for the kit.

Its beautifully made, excellent welding and all that.

Hope Ive not overstepped any advertising boundries in this post. Sorry if I have.

Rollazuki