Thread: 2015 130 questions

Hi Icecream,

Welcome to the forum and particularly the Defender and associated variants section!

As you'll see from my signature, I'm not a 130 driver, but up to the second set of doors they are pretty much the same.

Firstly and opening advice, if this is your first Defender I would hold off on the lift kit at least for a few months. Defenders have spectacular stock ground clearance and I've personally never needed additional lift to go anywhere. A Lift kit adds very little to a Defender as your ground clearance is governed by the diffs and 130's aren't really trialling trucks to begin with. Spend the money on personalising the vehicle to your taste and if you still feel the lift kit necessary say 6 months on, go for it.

2 inch lift should be OK, you would just need to check the front propshaft UJ's on full articulation. Early Pumas (Tdci powered Defenders) had some issues with propshaft UJ grabbing on max articulation, especially right wheel down. You should just need the coils and some longer shocks. The trailing arms and brake lines should be OK with a 2" lift.

That ARB compressor you're talking about is massive and you most probably need to go for an X-Box from Mulgo to free up space under the driver seat. I suppose you can mount it in the cab to the rear, but its unpleasantly noisy. I have the smaller ARB compressor fitted in my battery bay (bespoke for the locker) as my second battery is in an Arkpak and doesn't permanently live in the car.

The interior light runs up the left hand windscreen pillar, but it's not a very powerful current, so if you're talking UHF's and things you'll need to run some better cable which should go up the same route no problem.

Cheers,

Lou

I largely agree with what Lou is saying; however, being a 130 owner I can see merit in a mild lift, as the ramp over angle can leave a little to be desired. It all depends on what you intend on doing with the truck.
My 2011 130 will get a 2" lift so as I may fit 35s.
I have an ARB twin compressor, but I've not yet mounted it. I intend on mounting it in my canopy. Under the drivers seat is a popular option, but I'm assuming you will have DSC being a 2015 model, and I'm not sure if that system takes up additional room under the seat.

Im interested to see your MUD roof console mounted, as I'm currently trying to decide on a console myself, so please: post lots of photos.

Where abouts in the world are you located?

Most of all - enjoy it.

Cheers for the quick replies, I'm planning on using the 130 as a daily driver but i am only at home for 1/3 of the year due to my work. However each year I have a 4 or 5 week trip planned so it is being prepared for the purpose of using it for expeditions, this years is a simpson desert crossing and the next one is the victorian high country.

As for compressor mounting ideas, as loubrey suggested I already have an mulgo ex-box ordered from the expedition centre to relocate the electrics. However what is DSC?

I shall post pics of the mud console and the front runner roof rack that I have to fit on the car as soon as I get it on tuesday

Cammo I'm located in brisbane and would be keen to see some other 130s to steal ideas off if anyone lives locally.

Loubrey cheers for the info on the compressor location and wiring info.

Dynamic Stability Control... Sort of traction control on sealed roads, especially in the wet. Extra switch top left on the dashboard, but not sure 130's would have it.

Cheers,

Lou

Repost...

With my build, I was trying to do everything that will add weight to the vehicle first. Then you can get your suspension sorted to suit. I have a 3.5 metre roofrack, hannibal double rooftop tent, arb bullbar and 12 000 lb winch. I currently run 285/75R16s (a touch under 33" in the old money) and still have all standard suspension components. Loaded on a trip I want for better rear shocks - other than that its not really that bad. Unfortunately I will have to do suspension before I build my canopy, but if thats the only weight I have to calculate I should be okay.

I'm in newcastle nsw, so if you're ever down this way - feel free to stop in.

Head over to the members rides area and check out:

CAL415s 130
MLDs 130
Nuggets 130, and also his 110 dual cab build

There are definitely more good ones in there, but those three gents have helped me get to where I am, and where I'm heading.

Cheers for the vehicle info.

Also does anyone know the distance between the roof gutters on a late model puma?

Icecream,
I might have missed it, but is it a HCPU or cab chassis model?
If the latter, be very careful on who builds the tray.