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Thread: 130 Suspension travel

  1. #1
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    130 Suspension travel

    My 130 DC has reached reassembly time and suspension is coming up.

    Having done a search I have found a number of threads on shocks and springs, but am needing a bit more help.
    Some actual opinions/ experience, on kit/ packages/ suppliers re: suspension lift and travel/articulation please.

    I had dealings with an OME 40mm lift kit for a D2 and found that while it lifted the truck, the shocks actually had no more travel than the OEM units, so actually reduced the travel by 40mm.with the pox articulation that followed.
    With this and other issues, I wont even look at OME stuff again.
    Suspension Stuff sorted a nice package for the D2 so will be talking to them anyway.

    I dont want to order in a kit or components that wont/cant do as advertised and I cant see, touch, measure anywhere in Alice so rely heavily on sellers actually knowing and telling the facts rather than regurgitating company claims.

    It will often run around town and local tracks empty but has a 450kg camper pod for the rest of the time. Helper springs wont be going back in but will be replaced with Polyairs.

    With plenty of spring options, I m not really stuck here. But suggestions welcome.
    I wont be getting Koni raids or Bilsteins (just cant afford them),
    so...
    what shocks have folks found to genuinely have a longer travel to match +50mm springs.
    I dont mind changing shock mounts if necessary.

    I am leaning toward the Terrafirma units, but as above, dont want to stuff around.

    Has anyone fitted spring isolators to their Defender has it reduced some NVH? stop laughing

    cheers

  2. #2
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    Have used Pedders foam cell shocks on the Classic, Troopy and on Kayes D2a. They are a brilliant shock though expensive. The only caveat I'll give is look at the shocker mount and make sure it's up to the task.The ones, both front and rear, on the D2a failed within 12 months of 'easy' travel. The rear shockers in particular had this crappy mounting bar thing, nothing like the big Rover eyes on the originals.
    Got them at the tyre place next to the BP in Alice, cost me over $1K fitted, waste of money.
    The point I'm making is make sure the mount is up to standard as well as the shock itself.

    Deano

  3. #3
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    I'm a bit of a talker without experience on this subject...so with that warning I have gone for the Gwyn Lewis challenge parts to raise the upper mounts, they are extremely well made but being galvanised aren't shiny bling like the terrafirma copies.
    I haven't selected shocks yet so all the bits sit in a box not on the vehicle...

    Wayne/Lowranger runs the Gwyn Lewis kit with OME shocks on his 110, the flex and balance is very good, the shocks are designed for a lifted toyota 80 series and are same front and rear.

  4. #4
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    Strange, I know your not keen on OME, but thay are good for the money. I think the key is don't use what they recommend for a LR. It's a cruiser shock that works for lifted defenders but I don't know the part number.
    Jason

    2010 130 TDCi

  5. #5
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    Have a look a Shock Warehouse in the US, I got 4 Bilstein 7100 long travel remote resevoir shocks for $180 each. You can determine the length you need as well as the damping rate, I would suggest the 400/100 rate for the rears and the next one down for the fronts. Just remember that these shocks have got eye mounts with Heim joints therefore you would need pin to eye converters on the front mounts and lower rear mounts. I changed my upper mounts to RTE ones. Also if you do get these shocks ask for urathane inserts instead of the Heims - much better for long life. Overall these have been the best shocks I have ever had!!
    Nick

  6. #6
    austastar's Avatar
    austastar is offline YarnMaster Silver Subscriber
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    Hi,
    Have you looked at AirBagMan. They do Air springs and shocks for the Defender 130.

    I'm going to get a set a$ $oon a$ Po$$ible.

    cheers

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by strangy View Post
    Has anyone fitted spring isolators to their Defender has it reduced some NVH? stop laughing
    cheers
    Yep, and I would fit them again when the springs were out.
    The fronts (RBC100111) made more of a difference than the rears (ANR2938).
    It did reduce some thrumming in the cab on smooth roads.
    Every little helps.
    I had the isolators on the top only.

    & I'll second Gwyn Lewis gear if you want more travel.
    Deal with him direct, his prices are lower than via the Ebay shop.
    Just remember the brake lines.

    HTH,

    Andy

  8. #8
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    I have terrafirma +5 kit in my 130. But I run 3inch lift and all the other mods required for that height. As mentioned there is nothing wrong with ARB stuff, you just can't run what what they they suggest. The lifted cruiser shocks have about 11 inch travel.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by austastar View Post
    Hi,
    Have you looked at AirBagMan. They do Air springs and shocks for the Defender 130.

    I'm going to get a set a$ $oon a$ Po$$ible.

    cheers
    Yes, and have varying feelings about this. Mainly $. My D2 has the SLS and it still impresses me. Having a similar system on the 130 would be nice, but probably more a wish at the moment.
    Some concerns about management sytem reliability, but have nothing to base this on.
    Given its all in pieces it is the ideal time to bite the bullet. Wouldnt be going for air up front though.

    cheers

  10. #10
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    The shock for the gwyn lewis set up is the OME 60070L which has 11.7 in travel you could also look at billies which are a great shock but have a ring mount , OME 60070L have pins at both ends.

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