Thread: Defender 130 suspension

Originally Posted by LowRanger

Serg.
Brendan is running custom offset 8" rims and 35 x12.5/16's

Thanks, they look like stock 130 rims in the pics. But that is from behind a computer screen

So if Brendan knows his offset/back space, it wont be hard to figure out his track width.

The rims have the original 130 centres in a 8.5 inch wide outer rim to suit the 35 inch tyre. They were custom made by now retired wheel fabricator here in Sydney called Speedy Wheels. It was a bit of mucking around originally as I mocked them up to totally contain the portal inside and protect them from damage before welding them up. The biggest increase in capability comes from the internal beadlocks. I usually run them around 10psi and as low as 5psi in really hard going. The car climbs pretty well.


Fitted the dampener, Thankyou to Iain for his spare. Interested to find out more of Gwyn Lewis Hydraulic Assist unit in place of the dampener. It is supposed to take pressure off the steering box. Apparently they are legally engineered on plenty of Jeeps running around. Not sure if anyone on here is running this set up on a landrover.


Progress for today consisted of booking the car in for a wheel alignment and swinging by the Landrover dealership to measure up a standard Defender. Front spring height is around 250mm and rear 350mm. Most posts talk of hub centre to wheel arch. Neither of these are where they used to be on mine. Mine is currently at 285 front and 360 rear.

Originally Posted by brendanm

The rims have the original 130 centres in a 8.5 inch wide outer rim to suit the 35 inch tyre. They were custom made by now retired wheel fabricator here in Sydney called Speedy Wheels. It was a bit of mucking around originally as I mocked them up to totally contain the portal inside and protect them from damage before welding them up. The biggest increase in capability comes from the internal beadlocks. I usually run them around 10psi and as low as 5psi in really hard going. The car climbs pretty well.


Fitted the dampener, Thankyou to Iain for his spare. Interested to find out more of Gwyn Lewis Hydraulic Assist unit in place of the dampener. It is supposed to take pressure off the steering box. Apparently they are legally engineered on plenty of Jeeps running around. Not sure if anyone on here is running this set up on a landrover.


Progress for today consisted of booking the car in for a wheel alignment and swinging by the Landrover dealership to measure up a standard Defender. Front spring height is around 250mm and rear 350mm. Most posts talk of hub centre to wheel arch. Neither of these are where they used to be on mine. Mine is currently at 285 front and 360 rear.

Brendan
I usually measure from centre of the hub to the bottom of the wheel arch on the guard,not the flare.

Brendan the truck is looking good Looking forward to a day out doing a super tuff truck trip. That said any chance I had to follow you has now evaporated.

MLD

Hi Mark
I will organise a trip somewhere when I sort out the last couple of issues. Later on this week I will get a tweek on the exhaust as it is just rubbing on the rear A frame on full extension. Maybe there was something to ending your exhaust behind the muffler.

Tested the car out yesterday at Yawal by doing 6 stage. Talk about the hill that just keeps on giving. Travel is good and a bit of extra clearance is welcome. I thought the springs may have been too rigid originally though on cross slopes and angles softer springs may have made the car more tippy. All the wheels are still on the ground and the car sits level. Not sure of the exact rate of the springs as they are listed as Ultimates medium rate.

Originally Posted by MLD

Brendan the truck is looking good Looking forward to a day out doing a super tuff truck trip. That said any chance I had to follow you has now evaporated.

MLD

Hows that feeling now Mark after 6 stage?

Iain I'll down grade the super tuff back to merely tuff. That said with some sliders and fitting the winch I would have been self sufficient and would have avoided the damage. The 130 did everything I asked of it. Given the company I was in the 130 held her own. It was driving in the dark that had me most of all.

It will be a while before I sign up for 6 stage again. I need the rest from the emotional roller coaster.

MLD