Defender 130 suspension

**brendanm** · 8th May 2014, 09:26 PM

After a while of collecting components, last Sunday with the help of Lowranger (massive thankyou) we had a crack at swapping the suspension on the Defender.
Some of the components were the Gwyn Lewis fittings. The complete kit comes from the UK and includes Old Man Emu springs and coils. Being manufactured in Australia it made sense to purchase these items here, which I did using the codes Gwyn supplied. The shocks seam to have the travel, (see picture of rear) further dynamic testing will give a better indication.
The coils is where I start to be underwhelmed. The recommended rates of 2751 front (225lb) and 2755 rear(300lb). On a 130 with a winch and bar this equated to a lift of 5mm on the front and 0mm on the rear. The car sits at 235mm front and 350 rear .Brake lines are braded with a 100mm extension. Front arms are caster corrected for a 2inch lift. I was aiming at a 2inch lift.
I lined up another set of springs which are 2767 front (285lb) and 2754 rear (420lb)which are the next step up in the OME range. After reading forum posts not many are specific to the 130. The lift will now come from increased rate as opposed to a longer spring of the same rate. This would be compounded by the lack of coil turns which is making me think the ride will be too harsh even before they are fitted.
Some photos below of progress to date. As you can see the steel tray may account for some of the weight needed to be carried. The car is being set up with an off road bias and not daily carrying heavy loads.

**Benz** · 8th May 2014, 10:11 PM

just to set it straight on your lift values you have achieved. Your suspension was completely standard before fitting this kit?

It looks taller than a standard 130 but that could be the angle the photo was taken + larger tyres?

n plus one · 8th May 2014, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by Benz

just to set it straight on your lift values you have achieved. Your suspension was completely standard before fitting this kit?

It looks taller than a standard 130 but that could be the angle the photo was taken + larger tyres?

Or the portals

**Steve Td5 130** · 9th May 2014, 12:17 AM

Hi bud

You would have at least 3 - 4 inches extra ground clearance with the portal axles fitted.

Where did you get the portal axles from if you don't mind me asking.

Cheers

Steve

**Disco Muppet** · 9th May 2014, 12:42 AM

They're Maxi-Drive portals if I'm not mistaken.
Pure porn mate

**uninformed** · 9th May 2014, 05:39 AM

Not counting link geometry and COG, and just looking at the spring rates vs sprung weight and from a off road point of view, IMO your first rates are closer to what is probably good, the second too high.

I know of a 2 in lifted tdi 130 with bull bar and carrying some load, daily driven with a bit of right foot. Fronts are 220, rears are stock with the inner removed (320~330)

Im sure Wayne has his ideas on your rates.

Edit: There is some excellent info from Bush65 in this thread that should help you get a starting point:

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/technical-...ing-rates.html

**isuzutoo-eh** · 9th May 2014, 07:08 AM

Sadly most spring lifts are made through increasing rate rather than length. It seems like spring manufacturers/resellers are scared of coil bind.

Searching around to find a coil the right length and rate is one way, a quick and dirty method could be to use coil spacers (fronts are same as D2 isolators, rear not so sure but you could machine some up I suspect).
There also may be some progressive rate springs that'd keep the ride soft but give a higher ride height.

**LowRanger** · 9th May 2014, 07:24 AM

Originally Posted by uninformed

Not counting link geometry and COG, and just looking at the spring rates vs sprung weight and from a off road point of view, IMO your first rates are closer to what is probably good, the second too high.

I know of a 2 in lifted tdi 130 with bull bar and carrying some load, daily driven with a bit of right foot. Fronts are 220, rears are stock with the inner removed (320~330)

Im sure Wayne has his ideas on your rates.

Edit: There is some excellent info from Bush65 in this thread that should help you get a starting point:

Understanding Spring Rates

Yes you are correct Serg.
Brendan and I have discussed spring rates and many other suspension thoughts along the way to where the suspension currently is on Brendans' vehicle.And my thoughts never at any time considered the springs from the manufacturer that are currently fitted.Taking into account that I know the vehicle and driver well,and how the vehicle primarily gets used by said driver,and also taking into account that I also am aware of how to calculate spring rate/height you can rest assured that I have offered my thoughts on the matter

**LowRanger** · 9th May 2014, 07:28 AM

Originally Posted by isuzutoo-eh

Sadly most spring lifts are made through increasing rate rather than length. It seems like spring manufacturers/resellers are scared of coil bind.

Searching around to find a coil the right length and rate is one way, a quick and dirty method could be to use coil spacers (fronts are same as D2 isolators, rear not so sure but you could machine some up I suspect).
There also may be some progressive rate springs that'd keep the ride soft but give a higher ride height.

Unfortunately spring spacers are not an option on this truck,as they are a compromise at best,and this definitely isn't a compromise vehicle.

**rick130** · 9th May 2014, 07:30 AM

As Serg and mark said, those second set of rates in particular are too high, ride quality and flex will suffer at the expense of load carrying.
If you are after a decent ride with reasonable flex, you need a longer coil, not a heavier rate.

If you want off the shelf coils, LRA in Melbourne probably have rates suitable, IIRC their 'purple' spring is a 17" free length, 220lb/in spring (the ones mentioned in Serg's post above I'm guessing) or you could just do some simple number crunching from the info you already have and get some coils wound, any spring maker will wind to your specs.

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