Thread: Suspension for 130 HCPU dual cab??

yours is a band new one yeah?

don't like stock suspension or are you after some more height?

Hi Middo, I am not an expert but I have the impression, mostly from threads on this forum, that raising the suspension on the more recent Defenders causes some trouble, particularly in the front drive line. Have you had a chance to see how it goes with the loads you mention on the standard set up? My 130 goes really well on the standard suspension apart from having double shockies on the rear to control bounce when heavily loaded. Cheers, 130man.

I would agree with the other post, the 130 be it a hcpu or tray , is fine in standard form, after all it is classed as heavy duty.

DON'T change a thing!! The standard 130 HCPU suspension is better than most aftermarket stuff by a mile, only thing I'd change is shocks IF you are pounding it fully loaded over horrific terrain. Koni Raid 90's are the go.... Factory shocks are now gas charged unlike the early models, so are quite good actually. I have gone to considerable effort with my 110 to find some factory 130 spec rear suspension, as it is very good for heavy load carrying and especially towing.
This link will shed some light on the konis... http://www.beadelltours.com.au/shock_absorbers.html


JC

I run 3 single cab 130s for my business,(2 td5,1 puma) we have custom built heavy steel trays, tools and a 600 litre fuel tank, I have been really impressed with the standard suspension as the vehicles run at about 3.1-3.5 t gvm. Having said that, one of the Td5 vehicles is fitted with extra heavy duty tough dog coils and shocks all round as it was fitted with a drilling rig rather than a tray before I bought it. The vehicle was almost undrivable if unloaded and needs about 800 kgs in the tray to settle it down, I've had 2.1 ton in the tray and it still sat pretty flat. As a compromise I would stick with the standard 130 suspension, it needs to be loaded to get the flex out of the coils and get a good on road ride..hope this helps

Standard is fine if your carrying your lunch to work...King Springs all round a pair 5psi bag in the rear and Bilstein shocks all round. do the steering dampener while you are at it. I fiited the lot about 2 years ago the difference over the standard was amazing. cheers Jack

Originally Posted by Jack Isa

Standard is fine if your carrying your lunch to work...King Springs all round a pair 5psi bag in the rear and Bilstein shocks all round. do the steering dampener while you are at it. I fiited the lot about 2 years ago the difference over the standard was amazing. cheers Jack

Are you talking of a 130 with dual rear coils ?

I tare @ 3000kg most all the time (been over the weighbridge) and have removed the inner coils for better ride/more flex.

I'd need to be at or above GVM to justify the extra 140lb coils.

[edit] this is in a '98 130CC

Shocks: Koni or Bilstein are the only 2 worth changing the OEM out for.

Springs: this is more a personal feel due to requirements and how you like it to ride. I have a 110 (yep its a different beast to the 130) I had the 320lb oem springs and found it to choppy for me. It is a tray back and when Im not towing I have very little weight on it (alloy tray) I run 250lb kings, no air bags.....even with the high towing km's I do I like it....now if it were more my toy I would go lighter again....

Listen to JC and Rick they will have a very good feel and understanding of the 130 and its OEM springs.....I doubt it worth the $$$ and trouble to do them....shocks yes....springs maybe not...unless you really want to play with things and get an old Boge Loadleveller and change the whole set up...but I doubt that.