Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Front suspension

I've only had my Roadster with SSL 5 Link for a short while but the back end feels much more under control and less harsh on bumpy roads.

However, be careful as there are people who claim that cars with the 5 Link Conversion are no longer real Morgans as they don't have leaf springs.

Mine too. Much more composed.

I have the SSL front and 5 link rear suspension on my Plus 8 and agree that the back end feels much more under control and less harsh on bumpy roads.

Some may say that it’s not a “real” Morgan because it doesn’t have leaf springs but neither have new Morgan’s now.

The 5 Link Conversion is definitely "a bridge too far." I am happy with the SSL Conversion on the front suspension because the concept has history in the racing community and apparently Maurice Owen also shortened the rebound springs. It makes the best of the trad setup. With Roger's bump stops on the rear you have made the best of the cart springs. The 5 Link is definitely "the spawn of the Devil". 😈

So how do those thoughts stack up with MMC's own 5 link rear? albeit introduced close to end of classic production

I will leave it to others to debate this other than to say that I don't think Roger's bump stops were fitted to original Morgans either.

Might make a good Zoom Noggin debate. When is a Morgan not a Morgan.

Not a "real" Morgan...? I suspect that which really matters is more in line with one`s own assessment of the type of vehicle which provides one with a personalised degree of well being, and sense of achievement, even at that, the chances that it might fit exactly your idea of all round automotive perfection seems rather unlikely..?

Amongst Morgan owners it seems few will have a Morgan as their one and only car these days as was more likely in the past..? Over the years not only have our bodies aged but the evolution in automotive design have provided much more in the way of increased comfort, driver aids, convenience and of course bling in our Family barges, or sporting saloons, thus it seems logical that our our vehicular expectations have also evolved to some degree to fit better not only our desires, but our needs as the ageing process taxes us ever more...?

As for that which might be defined as a real Morgan..? Is it not just in the nature of man, to be tribal and seek create divisions in any and many societies..? After all everyone knows a real Porsche has to be air cooled, etc.etc.etc.

In my own case, having made the decision a Morgan was for me as the result of watching a Vintage Bentley skipping and hopping over the irregularities as it was "progressing" on the road that runs down the side of Loch Tay, and observing the very much required and obviously skilled input of it`s pilot to maintain approximate course and direction, the decision was made I wanted some of THAT. As for the Bentley, I doubt that anyone would consider "upgrading" the suspension on that wonderful machine these days...? But then Morgans are perhaps evaluated on a different level by some..

Having experienced the efficiency of air cooled Porsches for circa twenty years previously, which were utilised to enjoy the wonderful roads and scenery hereabouts, and with the occasional track day thrown in, my Morgan expectations, nay desires, were for a far a more involving and raw motoring experience, and more importantly given ever evolving automated speed monitoring, at somewhat lower average road speeds, which in time was where my old +8 was found to excel, and precisely as I had hoped it would.. (-: In truth I should have been in no doubt whatsoever in choosing a Morgan, having been reassured by Marque experts such as those I found initially on the then fledgling MSCCDG and a little later on eMog, where Lorne the web master at GoMoG/eMog, having covered more miles driving, and time repairing and maintaining his Morgan than most seem ever likely to.. ?

So there you have it MY personal take on that which was the perfect Morgan for ME and over many years, whereas there will be those who determine that a REAL Morgan will have no more than three wheels and two cylinders...whatever...

Time and evolutionary processes seem likely to catch up with us all, as to how best to handle that..? Each to their own. For perhaps a couple of years now I have been contemplating returning to a Porsche to continue my enjoyment of the roads hereabouts in a bit more warmth and comfort, which my body would seem more likely to appreciate since that fateful day circa 25 years ago when I came across the wonderful old Bentley which has left a lasting imprint on my mind... It might not even have been a REAL Bentley, but one of those very expensive modern-day recreations....

If it left the Factory it's a real Morgan. If it's not got cart springs it's not a traditional Morgan. If it left the Factory as a trad Morgan and is then butchered with 5 Links what is it? It's no longer a trad. I am the custodian of a traditional Morgan and it will still be so when I hand it on. No Sir, cart springs good, 5 links bad!!

Its always a matter of opinion, very subjective and any relative benefit of the front SSL setup is determined by the state of your front suspension and king pins before the conversion. On my 4/4 I recently had the the king pins rebuilt (26k miles) replacing with upgraded king pins (kept standard shocks) and installed brake reaction bars and full wheel alignment and it was a step change in 'compliance' over undulating surfaces smoothing out the undulations and less bottoming out on pot holes.

My current Roadster (only had a couple of months and covered only 400 miles so far) has the SSL front end with brake reaction bars installed about 3k miles ago, there is not much in it compared with my 4/4 rebuilt front end. with brake reaction bars. The extra benefit of the SSL kit, allows a higher ride height which helps with the very low sump ground clearance on the Roadster and better Spax front shocks, but I could also have replaced the standard shocks on the 4/4 front.....so the only real tangible benefit I have experienced so far is the SSL ability to adjust ride height at the front , but some may feel that may compromise handling slightly......horses for courses.

The definition of traditional Mogans setup become very subjective, I felt the earlier 70 's and 80's traditional Morgan suspension was more compliant with lever arms and certainly ground clearance was never a concern compared with today's traditional Morgans.

Mines deffo a Trad, and left the factory with a 5 link rear ! Having done a couple of hundred miles in it this weekend it's blik'n marvellous