Thread: Defender 130 Suspenision Upgrade

I most definately would not fit any type of foam cell shock to it. Its heavy and its going to be used endlessly on rough roads. These are both key factors in overheating a shock and foam cell shocks don't recover from that. I would be fitting a monotube like Bilstein without a doubt. Personally, I wouldn't even go twin shell like OME, Koni, Monroe etc for that application.

If it needs to do that day in and day out as it sounds those shocks are going to cop a total flogging. If that were me and the $ stretched, I would look at a dual setup on the rear, but it depends on what you want, can afford or will settle for, but remember that most of your handling on those dirt roads will come from your shocks.

I think that changing to medium duty springs is not going to help you in the least.

If you're sagging in the rear with original 130 dual springs, plus polyair bags, then I think either your springs are stuffed or you are carrying too much.

iirc the rear springs on a 130 are designed to carry 1000kg. Maybe it's time to visit the weighbridge.

Cheers
Simon

Thanks for the info, i intend to visit the weigh bridge on return to Darwin so i can see what im dealing with. I would think that the springs are on their way out for a start

Dan

I'm running single heavy springs with LTR shocks. I have found it a great set up but it was done before I owned the beast. I believe it is quite an expensive set up.

Originally Posted by abaddonxi

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iirc the rear springs on a 130 are designed to carry 1000kg. Maybe it's time to visit the weighbridge.

Cheers
Simon

I think it's a 1300kg payload.....

I know of one 130 DC that uses Lovells (by the look of them) HD springs and the OE inner springs.
I calculated the rate of the new rear springs at 540lb/in, and the inners are 140lb/in and it still rolls and wallows with it's camper body on the back. IIRC it tares over 3000kg.
It also has TJM dampers, and it really needs them to be dual per side. I really wanted to build a set of Koni's for it but too many $$ for the owner and it's now being sold.

The other option, budget allowing, would be dual Tough Dog Ralph dampers and perhaps HHD King Springs.

Hmmm.... Me thinks you need to visit that weigh bridge.

Be strict about what you carry. Travel light - Your truck will thank you for it.

M

When you say "it sits low at the back"
what sort of figures are we looking at?
If you get a chance measure your front and rear bump stop clearances, ideally empty and loaded.

Your usage seems very similar to mine. I find the spring rate about right. Not too harsh when empty, a little light (wallowy) when first heading off on a big trip (150L dieso, 200L boat fuel, 100L Ice, gennie, 150kg of gear in space cases, towing 750kg boat trailer) but once the fuel load diminishes or Ice is gone the spring rate is perfect.

What the 130 dose suffer from when loaded on corrugated roads is under damping. I now have the brackets made up just need to bolt them on. At this stage it will be a single Bilstein per side when around town and then Ill bolt on a second per side when on a trip.

Steve