Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Roadster 3.7L SSL Suspension upgrade

Hi, has anyone experience of a 3.7L Roadster with existing factory fitted 5link suspension but then upgraded with the SSL Suspension progressive rear springs/ dampers to give a more compliant ride? Also, were the front SSL RS progressive springs/ dampers fitted? Thanks in anticipation, Happy Christmas to all, Ashley

Ashley, firstly welcome to TM

I fitted the SSL front to my 3.7 very early in its life, (It's a 2018 and was the first customer 5 link) and then later the rear SSL coilovers to the OE factory 5 link as had to wait for SSL to develop the rear conversion

Definitely worthwhile, Richard V6 has the same & will give a more eloquent description of the improvement in ride

Hi Ashley and another welcome to TM. Ironically there is a very recent thread here covering the SSL suspension upgrade to 5 link Roadster. And yes you need to fit front and rear as I found out.

I would just add a little history though. According to Dan at SSL, MMC fitted quite high rate springs to the coil over dampers on their own 5 link rear suspension when it was first introduced to the Roadster around April 2018. This to limit roll but at the expense of an uncomfortable ride over small undulations and potholes. Read typical Norfolk minor roads in my case

SSL already had a dual spring rate solution in their RS kit for the front of Classics but developed a complimentary dual rate version for the Roadster rear with two springs in series around Spax adjustable dampers, likely based on experience with their own retro fit 5 link conversion. In this case a softer ride is provided for the first 25mm or so of suspension compression, thereafter as the much shorter spring becomes coil bound the effective spring rate increases to limit roll to an even greater degree than OE. The transition is seemless and I've never felt the conversion bottom out despite two up touring with luggage and full tank. Both these features were noticed within a mile of first installation particularly the positive of roll resistance, this being felt through the seat of your pants, sitting so close to rear axle. Hope this helps.

Another thread here on fitting the SSL rear conversion to factory 5 link Roadster.

Thanks both, that's really helpful and I think I now know what i have to do! Our Roadster was one of the last off the "assembly line", we took delivery end of Jan 2020. Although I found the ride much better than in a Plus 4, I still dislike the harshness over the smallest of bumps. It will be a New year present ...

Ashley, some photos from when I swopped mine...
These are the OE setup



This is the SSL version clearly showing the dual springs in Richards description

Thanks Jon, as you say can quite clearly see the dual springs. I believe you fitted the fronts yourself, did you also fit the rears yourself? Have you left ride height the same as standard? That's my plan.
Best rgds, Ashley

Yes did both, rears are easy peasy less than 30 mins per side, I measured the ride height before and adjusted to standard using the base ring you can see in photo 2

OK that’s great, thanks Jon!

Just to add a recent post on the subject of fitting the rear SSL coilovers here Ashley. As said it couldn't be easier unlike the fronts which although not difficult, does involve a lengthy process taking most of a day in my case.

Mine were fitted as supplied for both damping and seat height which can be seen below (you could count the threads exposed to match the latter).



Other than increasing damping a couple of clicks when touring I've never felt the need to change anything and have never had any ground clearance issues at the rear. To be fair Dan at SSL did ask me for OE dimensions loaded and unloaded so not too surprising his replacements were set to match on fitting.