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Grenadier

Member Since: 23 Jul 2014
Location: The foot of Mont Blanc...
Posts: 5765

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Corris Grey

Defender Steering Box - Drop Arm Conversion - Yes/No

Morning all,

Just wondering who's done the Defender steering box Drop Arm conversion by Gwyn Lewis, and if you have what your reasoning was behind the conversion and thoughts.

And for those who've upgraded to Sumo bars, but HAVEN'T done the conversion, why you chose not to and whether you now wish you had, or are happy with the decision.

Going to place an order soon and can't decide whether it's worth the conversion (faff rather than bucks) or not.

Ta

Monsieur Le Grenadier

I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list.....

2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey

21st Feb 2024 10:48am

rustandoil

Member Since: 08 Sep 2012
Location: Cotswolds
Posts: 670

2005 Defender 110 Td5 XS DCPU Bonatti Grey

I upgraded just because I was replacing with Sumo bars

21st Feb 2024 11:00am

Timo K

Member Since: 23 Aug 2012
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 169

I did the conversion both to my RRC and my Defender. The stock swan neck drop arm design is kind of silly and it's much nicer to have one less specific spare part to carry. Now it's a much simpler system and the ball joint isn't as badly squished as it was with the stock joint.

21st Feb 2024 11:18am

hank

Member Since: 12 Sep 2016
Location: South Wales
Posts: 2233

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey

It's a nice solution and I would definitely do it if I didn't have a steering damper.

I've replaced the drop arm ball joint twice during my ownership and it's a real pain. The conversion makes it so simple with a standard screw in/out track rod end.

Personally though I really dislike the steering damper bracket and u-bolt arrangement. It looks a bit DIY. If Gwyn Lewis developed a steering rod with a welded bracket it would be a no brainer for me > 110 XS Double Cab
> Instagram @simonlanemind

21st Feb 2024 11:19am

jst

Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7693

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey

i have done this on mine.

previously i fitted sumo bars with the std drop arm conversion. then the ball joint needed changing a while later - what a pain.

Since then on the next 4 defenders i have just replaced drop arm with a discovery 1 one that takes the TRE when fitting Sumo bars. bought the kit from Gwyn each time.

Why.

TRE are easier to change.
Sumo bars are less likely to bend off road.
future maint is easy.

if someone comes to us for vehicle prep i advise them to fit the TRE drop arm if they are upgrading the arms. Cheers

James
110 XS Utility
130 Puma Station wagon/camper (in the making)
90 Puma Hardtop

21st Feb 2024 11:20am

Grenadier

Member Since: 23 Jul 2014
Location: The foot of Mont Blanc...
Posts: 5765

Thank you all. Four for four. Seems like it's a positive and worthy upgrade. Sold. Will let you know how I get on.

Monsieur Le Grenadier

I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list.....

2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey

21st Feb 2024 11:29am

34064

Member Since: 12 Dec 2023
Location: South Central
Posts: 101

Its something im looking at for my 110 as it makes complete sense and the old sumo bars on my Discovery made a massive difference in the steering feel over the stock rods 110 Td5 Ex Utilities slowly converting into a pop top camper one day

Build thread:https://www.defender2.net/forum/post1024784.html#1024784

21st Feb 2024 1:07pm

Timo K

Member Since: 23 Aug 2012
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 169

hank wrote:
It's a nice solution and I would definitely do it if I didn't have a steering damper.

I've replaced the drop arm ball joint twice during my ownership and it's a real pain. The conversion makes it so simple with a standard screw in/out track rod end.

Personally though I really dislike the steering damper bracket and u-bolt arrangement. It looks a bit DIY. If Gwyn Lewis developed a steering rod with a welded bracket it would be a no brainer for me

Why do you dislike it so much? I mean yeah it's not super elegant, but in a way I think it's simplicity is commendable.

21st Feb 2024 1:13pm

rustandoil

Member Since: 08 Sep 2012
Location: Cotswolds
Posts: 670

Picture, just for the hell of it

Click image to enlarge

21st Feb 2024 1:20pm

Retroanaconda

Member Since: 04 Jan 2012
Location: Scotland
Posts: 2555

For balance, I have the sumo bars with the standard drop arm and ball joint. No issues.

Have changed a few ball joints and not found it a big problem with the proper tool. No doubt a TRE is easier though for sure.

21st Feb 2024 1:30pm

blackwolf

Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 16892

hank wrote:
... If Gwyn Lewis developed a steering rod with a welded bracket it would be a no brainer for me

A welded bracket would not be compatible with a drag link with conventional ball-joints due to the need to be able to rotate the drag link to alter its length.

I've been very happy with my Sumobars and drop-arm conversion, I would certainly do it again. I find that the stiffer bar has a small but positive beneficial effect on the feel of the steering, and the ease with which ball-joints can be replaced, and the ease with which length adjustments can be made, are also beneficial.

21st Feb 2024 2:11pm

Scotm

Member Since: 28 Feb 2014
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 644

2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 SW Orkney Grey

Retroanaconda wrote:
For balance, I have the sumo bars with the standard drop arm and ball joint. No issues.

Ditto - I changed mine after watching a garage struggle to adjust the tracking using the original bars. I wasn't happy with the state of them afterwards.

21st Feb 2024 4:19pm

julian

Member Since: 17 Feb 2017
Location: Devon
Posts: 53

1994 Defender 110 300 Tdi CSW Alpine White

I made the mistake of replacing the track rod with a cheapo one. One kerb, and it was a banana.

I bought the gynn lewis kit as i didnt feel that i could trust any of the other parts. I did the drop arm at the same time as its just way more sensible from a maintenance point of view.

None of it was for "offroad" or "bling" - it was just for a reliable repair vs unknown blue (or otherwise) box components.

21st Feb 2024 6:03pm

Screbble

Member Since: 26 Apr 2015
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 2054

2004 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Zambezi Silver

I’m another convert. Very happy for all of those reasons stated above. Sumo all round with the greasable TREs and poly boots.
Looks and performs like it should have done from the factory.
Can I be so bold to suggest that anything that anything that comes from the GL stable is really rather good indeed

21st Feb 2024 7:15pm

julian

Member Since: 17 Feb 2017
Location: Devon
Posts: 53

If you speak to Gwynn (spelling?) on the phone, it's clear he is an engineer, rather than a retailer.

I'd also add that he sold me some "seconds" at a reduced price because he said they were scratched (I did comment that I was amazed that anyone would care!)

When they arrived I honestly could not see where the said scratches were...

I got the greaseable joints. They come unpainted so I did them in epoxy and whatever 2k top I had in the gun at the time.

21st Feb 2024 7:27pm

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