Heavy Defender 130 suspension?

[intothefar]

Hey folks. I am travelling around Australia (currently in Sydney) and need an advice regarding suspension on a 130 Defender with a permanent load of ~600 kg (camper cabine). Total weight is ~2.9 / 3.0 t.

You can see the vehicle here: http://www.aulro.com/afvb/showthread.php?p=2615316

The original suspension seems a little bit too soft, especially when going offroad. Heavy wavering (not sure if that's a good word for it, left/right movement) is my biggest problem. The back is not hanging at all and the performance on the road is not bad so I am unsure whether I need different springs in the back or if other shock absorbers (front + back) might do the trick already?

So what type of suspension are you using on your Landy with high permanent load? And where is a good place to get it in Sydney? Any tips highly appreciated since I will have to fix this in the upcoming days.

Thanks and peace! Jonas

[87County]

Have you got the standard HD 130 suspension (dual rear spring) still installed or have you or a prior owner previously removed the inner spring for a softer ride ?

Whereabouts are you in the Sydney area ? (So we know who to send you to )

[intothefar]

I still have the 130 HD springs in there (including inner spring in the back). The front shock absorbers are original, too. In the back I installed Monroe adventurers (gas).

[87County]

I still have the 130 HD springs in there (including inner spring in the back). The front shock absorbers are original, too. In the back I installed Monroe adventurers (gas).

You haven't posted where you are but for LR suspensions Try KLR at Sth Windsor 4721 3675

[Don 130]

I've had around a tonne on my tray for the last 15 years or so. My work gear. I've always been happy with the ride on the original suspension. The only things that have upset things have been worn bushes or soft tyres.
Don.

[intothefar]

@87County: Thanks a lot, will definitely call KLR and check if they have any special setup for my case.
@Don: Great, thanks for your reply. That's very interesting since I wasn't sure whether my suspension is crap in general or if it's just time for some new shocks and proper fitting :) As I said earlier, I do not think my springs in the back are too weak really. The solution for now will probably be to get new shocks all around (the ones I am currently driving on are definitely worn) and see how I go.

[86mud]

My 130 runs this suspension. Koni Raids with heavy duty, 50 mm raised Dobinson springs on all 4 corners, plus air bags on the rear springs.

The ride is superb either unloaded, loaded and on all surfaces and terrains.

[Beery]

The height of your tray and load can affect handling too, but more on road.
If there's any weight that you can store lower, it may help.

[ramblingboy42]

you haven't mentioned tyres, pressure, size , type.

that can have a big influence in stability.

[intothefar]

Tyres are: BFG All Terrain 265/75 R16
Pressure on the road back/front: ~3.5/~3.2 bar (or ~50/46 psi) or more to save Diesel :D
Pressure offroad varies from 1.5 bar (21 psi) in sand up to 3.0 bar (43 psi) depending on the conditions;

The tray's height is ~ 1.55 m (from frame to top); Total height is 2.40 m; That, of course, has a massive influence on exactly the left/right movement (sway?) I would like to get rid of. So my idea was to find a suspension that compensates this crazy height (aka bad design) as good as possible.

@86mud: Really looks beautiful but I doubt I can effort that right now
@Beery: I tried to keep all the weight below an imaginary line (app. lower quarter of the box); So there shouldn't really be a big difference to having 6 people on benches in the back of a 110;

As I really need a solution to be able to continue my journey I went for the Terrafirma Big Bore for now. Will mount them with the original springs since I am not completely convinced that they are too weak. The whole topic which suspension is the right one can probably not be answered objectively and I realized that I probably just have to find my way here :)

[Beery]

It sounds like you might just need some better shocks in the back to control the springs. If the rear isnt sagging (which a 130 definately shouldn't do with only 600kg on), then the springs are good enough.
Some adjustable rate shocks would be the go as mentioned above, then you can find the setting that suits you.

[Don 130]

I have 65 PSI in the rear. BFG At 235/85/R16 tyres wear evenly at that.
Don.

[DiscoMick]

Isn't 65 in the rear rather high?
Have you considered rear airbags?

Sent from my A1601 using AULRO mobile app

[Don 130]

Isn't 65 in the rear rather high?
Have you considered rear airbags?

Sent from my A1601 using AULRO mobile app

Any less and the edges wear away, wrecking the tyres. I think the tyre placard suggests 75PSI in the rear.
Don.

[DiscoMick]

Any less and the edges wear away, wrecking the tyres. I think the tyre placard suggests 75PSI in the rear.
Don.

Wow that's high.

Sent from my A1601 using AULRO mobile app

[Svengali0]

Tyres are: BFG All Terrain 265/75 R16
Pressure on the road back/front: ~3.5/~3.2 bar (or ~50/46 psi) or more to save Diesel :D
Pressure offroad varies from 1.5 bar (21 psi) in sand up to 3.0 bar (43 psi) depending on the conditions;

The tray's height is ~ 1.55 m (from frame to top); Total height is 2.40 m; That, of course, has a massive influence on exactly the left/right movement (sway?) I would like to get rid of. So my idea was to find a suspension that compensates this crazy height (aka bad design) as good as possible.

@86mud: Really looks beautiful but I doubt I can effort that right now
@Beery: I tried to keep all the weight below an imaginary line (app. lower quarter of the box); So there shouldn't really be a big difference to having 6 people on benches in the back of a 110;

As I really need a solution to be able to continue my journey I went for the Terrafirma Big Bore for now. Will mount them with the original springs since I am not completely convinced that they are too weak. The whole topic which suspension is the right one can probably not be answered objectively and I realized that I probably just have to find my way here :)


You are right in these observations.

I am not far from where you are right now 20/1/16 2200hrs (You appear to be in Canberra. I'm in Batemans Bay- some 130km east of your location).

I always use Bilstein B6 off road shocks when and where I can in my vehicles.

I have a crew cab L/R 130 powered by our army Landrover engine and gearbox (Isuzu 3.9 turbo and the old four speed manual transmission).

My tray & Canopy is about 350kg and I like the dual original spring setup. It is simple and provides reasonable comfort under load & no load conditions at all times. My friends here have sought to modify their L/R 130 setup for camper bodies (airbags, other damper arrangements, conversion to single spring and use of OE dampers and all sorts of other arrangements).

None have proven very successful for purpose intended. In my humble opinion, the OE spring setup is excellent- dampers- of course B6 Bilsteins.

My rear B6 Bilsteins are now almost dead but the fronts are excellent and I must say, it rides nicely for the great lump of vehicle that it is.

You are welcome to visit and stay for a bit. This part of Oz is lovely and it's a bit of a pity that you took the Neriga Road through to Braidwood instead of coming past this part of the coast. I did notice that you went through Kangaroo Valley before Nowra. There! is some lovely travelling. Hope you aren't worn out...
PM if I can help.
Cheers steu