The BigCat shock absorber for the Defender from OFFROAD-PARTNER was developed for Defender drivers who want maximum ride comfort without giving up performance.
A vehicle with solid axles, like the Land Rover Defender, places particular demands on the suspension. On the one hand the vehicle should be as comfortable and soft as possible, on the other the dampers must not bottom out or overheat during off-road use. On top of that, the suspension has to cope with frequently changing loads, in everyday use and on a trip.
OFFROAD-PARTNER developed the shock absorber for the Defender together with KW Suspensions
OFFROAD-PARTNER, working with the German suspension specialist KW Suspensions, has developed a shock absorber with exactly these properties. That makes the BigCat shock absorber for the Defender ideal for overlanding, long-distance travel, tours and off-road outings, as well as, of course, for safe road use.
The name BigCat reflects the philosophy of this damper. Because with this shock absorber the vehicle moves elegantly and effortlessly through difficult terrain, just like a big cat.
The BigCat shock absorber for the Defender has a few special features
The shock absorber can be swapped 1:1 for the original dampers. All the standard mounting points are used. The available installation space in the vehicle is maximised by the large damper housing. Even so, no further modifications and no entry in the vehicle papers are needed. The vehicle height stays unchanged and the BigCat shock absorber can be used with all the original springs. The BigCat can also be fitted with vehicle lifts of up to 40 mm from accessory springs or spacers.
This shock absorber doesn’t need adjusting. It’s designed to cover all the required functional ranges perfectly. That avoids incorrect settings, increases operational safety and extends the service life. Endurance tests in demanding terrain, for example in the Sahara in Tunisia, have confirmed this.
The BigCat manages without a reservoir and connecting hoses. With its considerable 2.5 inch outer diameter, the BigCat holds the largest possible volume of oil. That ensures the necessary temperature compensation and consistent damping.
The piston rod, a solid 17 mm and designed “right side up”, so with the piston rod at the top, along with the sturdy housing and its high-quality powder coating, stand for durability and a long service life. Designed as a twin-tube damper, it achieves an unexpectedly comfortable response with high reserves.
As a technical highlight, the BigCat shock absorber for the Defender has an internal hydraulic bump stop. So we’re talking here about genuine motorsport technology that’s hard to match in this price segment.
The BigCat shock absorber is available in various versions
The BigCat shock absorber is available for the Defender 90, 110 and 130 models of the Land Rover Defender L316 up to 2016. Depending on the vehicle weight there are two different damper sets. The BigCat D4 kit for Defenders up to 2.4 t gross weight, the BigCat D5 kit for Defenders over 2.4 up to 3.05 t gross weight. A version for extremely heavy vehicles (e.g. with a living box) from 3 to 3.5 t gross weight is planned.
You’ll find further details on this shock absorber for the Defender on the OFFROAD-PARTNER website.
About OFFROAD-PARTNER
The owners of OFFROAD-PARTNER are Brigitte Reitbauer, Hans-Christian Maurer (known as “H.-C.”) and Lukas Wenzl. The first two have worked for over 30 years for the most varied firms in the off-road industry, driving rallies and travelling the deserts of this world. Motorsport in particular still takes up a large part of their working time and is an important source of ideas for new developments. With the Esslingen location and the high number of specialist automotive firms based there, the conditions for manufacturing and development are ideal. OFFROAD-PARTNER in the Matsch&Piste off-road company directory and Brigitte Reitbauer and H.-C. Maurer in the interview here at Matsch&Piste.
© Photos: OFFROAD-PARTNER GmbH & Co. KG