Thread: DIY Suspension Fitout

Hi ya...

I have just installed new suspension in my 1998 130 (took me 5 hours today). I ordered 2" lift Dobinson springs matching Bistein shocks and a Bilstein steering damper from www.suspensionstuff.com.au. Shane offers free delivery to most areas in Aus. I also ordered some poly air bags for the rear, but did not install those today. I will install these at a later date. These will help with heavy loads and towing any weight.

I had this combination in my previous truck (it was 3") and I really liked the ride.

I also installed some terrafirma bits, like heavy duty front shock turrets and a few other bits. These where ordered from British Off Road.

Cheers
Andrew

you should be able to search for the billy part numbers on this site

upfront i believe mine are land rover heavy duty, from a 130 i think, i have a bar and pto winch with steel cable

down back, standard with poly air's....well until one failed due to old age

i have bilsteins allround

i have put 130k on them since i brought the rig and yes they all need replacing

this setup has worked fine as mine is a tourer, pretty sure i will stick to this setup, although not sure if poly air will go back in, might consider 130 helper springs

Where are you lightweight?

I got the shocks from Rovacraft... talk to Stu and mention the aulro price... you never know they may still honour it..

the springs i got from ape suspension in perth, very cheap but only good if you are in perth... postage is a killer...

Thanks

Steve

I recomend the suspension stuff stuff too.

Ive done 5 installs of his gear and know of a few other people running it as well.

Hi 5teve,

I am in NSW.

What are the opinions on the Dobinsons over the King Springs? Or are the OEM HD's the better option?

I have always used Dobinsons springs. I had 3" Flexi coils in my Rangie and now I have 2" Heavy Duty in my 130.

The ride now in my 130 is very nice now. In my opinion the combination of the Dobinson springs and Bilstein shocks are a great match.

My 130 previously had EFS suspension and it was rough, and poor quality. One rear spring was 25mm shorter than the other.

So glad to get rid of it.

Cheers
Andrew

Has anyone tried the Les Richmond Automotive springs listed here: land rover spring specifications ??

I had front sag as soon as I put on the Tigerz11 12,000lb winch and Rovacraft bar + dual battery, but it's not as heavy as the ARB bar. I fitted the 130/110HD (225lbs) springs to compensate, but as their rate is a lot higher than the original dual rate springs (155/215lbs) I am finding it a bit harsh up front esp. with the lighter bar.

At the rear I have the standard rear springs (180lbs) and was considering fitting the 110HD springs (330lbs) to compensate for the rear wheel carrier, extra fuel tank and compressor, plus steel rack- but am worried this will make it worse.

The Les Richmond springs appear to come in some more granular spring rates - am considering the XXHeavy for front (180 lbs) and XXHeavy rear (270lbs) or possibly even the 220lbs option - both of which seem to be less aggressive rate wise.

I only carry kids and luggage in the rear, not drawers or fridge. I will be lugging a camping trailer soon too, hence thinking the 270lb springs.

Has anyone fitted these or have any anecdotal experience of the Les Richmond springs? Any guidance?

Also, am finding the Bilsteins very controlled but also a bit firm - am considering Tough Dog Adjustables which I had on my old 110 - seemed great and are fully rate adjustable. Any comments on this too?

I run the LRA 'purple' springs on the front of the 130, (17" free length, 220lb/in) I needed a little lift as the standard 130 springs were providing a little too small a bump stop clearance with a bar and winch up front, I was constantly crashing into the bump stops.

Talk to Andrew at LRA, he will advise exactly what you need based on your preferences and setup.

I knew exactly what rate and free length I needed for what i wanted but the average person doesn't know how to calculate loaded heights, etc and LRA have done all the hard work, they know what combinations to use.
Interestingly they use the 220lb/in springs in their racer too, and FWIW my bump stop pads are polished just from running on road, so the 220lb springs don't limit articulation at all for an average vehicle but yes, they are stiffer than your original variable rate springs.

Does you 110 have a front anti-roll bar ?
If fitted, that will increase the wheel rate (the spring rate that the wheel actually sees) in single wheel bump. ie. it feels like a heavier spring is fitted in a one wheel hitting a bump situation.

Re dampers (shock absorbers), everything is a compromise, you can have control or you can have nice ride characteristics but generally those two things are mutually exclusive, one has to be compromised to achieve the other.

Your Bilsteins can be re-valved to reduce the low speed bump valving. (they are generally fairly stiff standard)
This will increase ride comfort while allowing a little more initial roll, although it reduces the control of the unsprung weight (diff/axle/wheels) a little but in all honesty you'd probably need to be hammering pretty hard and be a race/rally driver to pick it.

Koni Heavy Track's are generally a little softer in bump and it doesn't seem to be a problem, although a lot of this is probably due to how quickly the forces are generated by the two different designs too.