RED 130's Suspension Change

**Bush65** · 8th September 2009, 06:02 PM

Originally Posted by Bush65

Have a look at Hally's Defender here using Firestone air springs, which have more travel than rangie units (14" vs 8" IIRC). Besides looking at the pics, read the update post #14.

These air springs are different to air bags/helpers, they replace the coils. Here is a pic and quote from Hally.

Well it has been a while but I finally got to take the red rover for a spin yesterday to test out the air bags

WOW why didnt I do this earlier no more cluncking banging from the rear springs no more bouncing after i hit a bump in the road and no more breaking spring retainers. I used to have heavy duty springs in the rear and you had to wear a kidney belt just to drive it it was painfull. After driving around on very rough roads yesterday I would highly recommend the air bags. Their is almost no rebound and the rear is handling alot better around corners you could not wipe the smile off my face as I cant explain how comfortable the ride was. I will post up some detail shortly on part No.s etc.

The pistons for the air springs in the pic are not the best style to use for this application though and handling can be improved greatly by changing the piston shape (machine pistons or buy different style).

**87County** · 8th September 2009, 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by The ho har's

We have finally redone the suspension on the fender

we have taken the inner spring out and fitted Firestone Airbags inside the outer spring..

I went for a drive and it is definitely softer on the road.....didn't even notice the speed bumps in the car park..... with no load in the back..

we will put the camper on shortly and see if the desired effect will be achieved....which is less bum sag

and less body roll

Mrs ho har

Hi Mrs ho har

glad it has worked out ... could you post the Firestone part # please

**The ho har's** · 9th September 2009, 07:08 AM

truckspring.com

RR W22-760-4116

Mrs ho har

**The ho har's** · 11th September 2009, 10:37 AM

OK camper was on this morning and has lifted the rear by about 20mm...we

are heading to Sydney soon so this will test the handling.........will report

back

Mrs ho har

**roverrescue** · 11th September 2009, 01:47 PM

So just to confirm:

Standard 130 spring setup: large coil, small inner coil loaded ride height = X

New setup: 130 large coil, remove inner replace with firestone RR W22-760-4116 ride height = X + 20mm...

if so Im very interested... I still prefer polyair air line fittings, have come across three sets of firestone push fittings un-pushing but will be interested to see how the loaded trip goes ride wise...

Steve

2stroke · 11th September 2009, 03:07 PM

I had the Firestone ones in but one seemed to go down slowly, I took them out for the Simpson trip as it'll be loaded the whole time and I thought I'd have less drama with the inner coils. Will work out why when I get back.

**roverrescue** · 11th September 2009, 03:37 PM

check the push fitting at top of bag... Normally a very sound pneumatic fitting, but in this application where there is heaps of movement between fitting and hose they seem to leak.

Polyair uses a barbed brass fitting with hose clamp, which I have not had troubles with (plus 3 mates with them). Funny story, a guy I met in the kimberley who ran his coil rear GU ute with polyairs at 60psi for three years till I tried to convince him they werent rated to that pressure... I dont think he believed me though! No probs with a tonne in the back on the GRR and station work. I dont think he will change his inflation plan any time soon.

Steve

**lardy** · 12th September 2009, 10:43 AM

Polyair uses a barbed brass fitting with hose clamp, which I have not had troubles with (plus 3 mates with them). Funny story, a guy I met in the kimberley who ran his coil rear GU ute with polyairs at 60psi for three years till I tried to convince him they werent rated to that pressure... I dont think he believed me though! No probs with a tonne in the back on the GRR and station work. I dont think he will change his inflation plan any time soon.
.................wont that speed the deteriation of the bag ?
we seem to have two schools of thought between polyair and firestone can someone list the pro's and con's to both cos i am too lazy to do the research and can they be run off a general compressor ..estimated cost ..and who is best to fit them in the west

**Bush65** · 12th September 2009, 11:11 AM

Originally Posted by lardy

...
we seem to have two schools of thought between polyair and firestone can someone list the pro's and con's to both cos i am too lazy to do the research and can they be run off a general compressor ..estimated cost ..and who is best to fit them in the west

The main difference is the colour - Polyairs are red, Firestone are blue

Firestone airbags can be bought from Trucksprings in the USA, for a considerable cost saving (Trucksprings don't sell ployairs).

Either can be inflated with any compressor that can inflate your tyres - they use the same type valve stem for inflation.

**The ho har's** · 12th September 2009, 03:30 PM

We have polyairs in the Disco

haven't had any propbs with them the only reason bought Firestone is they

cost nearly half the price of polyairs

Mrs ho har

Thread: RED 130's Suspension Change

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