Defender 130 Suspenision Upgrade

[Darwin Dan]

Hi All

Im looking at upgrading the suspenion on my 130 defender. It's currently fitted with standard oem shocks and dual springs in the rear end. It is set up with touring boxes on the rear with 120l fitted under tray. I suspect im carring approx 750kg min. Presently it sit low at the back due to the weight rear of the axle. I have a set of poly air bags fitted, but they dont quite cut-it.

Im thinking about fitting a full set of iron man foam cell shokers and medium duty springs. Any comment welcome re this equipment.

I need to know if the Ironman gear is up to task and also when fitting the new springs in the rear do i remove both the outer and inner spring and just fit the one upgraded spring.

50% of my travel is on rough NT roads, so i need to fit the gear that will go the distance.

This vehicle is being set up for a Cape trip via the Savannah Hwy in June 2010 so i want to get is right.

Any help would be great

Thanks Dan:)

[Slunnie]

I most definately would not fit any type of foam cell shock to it. Its heavy and its going to be used endlessly on rough roads. These are both key factors in overheating a shock and foam cell shocks don't recover from that. I would be fitting a monotube like Bilstein without a doubt. Personally, I wouldn't even go twin shell like OME, Koni, Monroe etc for that application.

If it needs to do that day in and day out as it sounds those shocks are going to cop a total flogging. If that were me and the $ stretched, I would look at a dual setup on the rear, but it depends on what you want, can afford or will settle for, but remember that most of your handling on those dirt roads will come from your shocks.

[abaddonxi]

I think that changing to medium duty springs is not going to help you in the least.

If you're sagging in the rear with original 130 dual springs, plus polyair bags, then I think either your springs are stuffed or you are carrying too much.

iirc the rear springs on a 130 are designed to carry 1000kg. Maybe it's time to visit the weighbridge.

Cheers
Simon

[Darwin Dan]

Thanks for the info, i intend to visit the weigh bridge on return to Darwin so i can see what im dealing with. I would think that the springs are on their way out for a start

Dan

[George130]

I'm running single heavy springs with LTR shocks. I have found it a great set up but it was done before I owned the beast. I believe it is quite an expensive set up.

[rick130]

<snip>
iirc the rear springs on a 130 are designed to carry 1000kg. Maybe it's time to visit the weighbridge.

Cheers
Simon

I think it's a 1300kg payload.....

I know of one 130 DC that uses Lovells (by the look of them) HD springs and the OE inner springs.
I calculated the rate of the new rear springs at 540lb/in, and the inners are 140lb/in and it still rolls and wallows with it's camper body on the back. IIRC it tares over 3000kg.
It also has TJM dampers, and it really needs them to be dual per side. I really wanted to build a set of Koni's for it but too many $$ for the owner and it's now being sold.

[Yorkshire_Jon]

The other option, budget allowing, would be dual Tough Dog Ralph dampers and perhaps HHD King Springs.

[camel_landy]

Hmmm.... Me thinks you need to visit that weigh bridge.

Be strict about what you carry. Travel light - Your truck will thank you for it.

M

[roverrescue]

When you say "it sits low at the back"
what sort of figures are we looking at?
If you get a chance measure your front and rear bump stop clearances, ideally empty and loaded.

Your usage seems very similar to mine. I find the spring rate about right. Not too harsh when empty, a little light (wallowy) when first heading off on a big trip (150L dieso, 200L boat fuel, 100L Ice, gennie, 150kg of gear in space cases, towing 750kg boat trailer) but once the fuel load diminishes or Ice is gone the spring rate is perfect.

What the 130 dose suffer from when loaded on corrugated roads is under damping. I now have the brackets made up just need to bolt them on. At this stage it will be a single Bilstein per side when around town and then Ill bolt on a second per side when on a trip.

Steve

[Darwin Dan]

Hi all

Thanks for all the info, im heading back into Darwin on Saturday, so i will do some figures and see what i come up with, It should shed some more light on what im dealing with. The truck has done over 200 000kms already so im hoping it will just be a matter of renewing what ive got.

Im doing the research on the "Billi's" in the mean time.

Cheers Dan

[Gaz69]

Dan,
Is your ute a single or twin cab? I have a 130 single cab and have been through the same dramas. I bought the poly airs that go in the inner spring and the 1 st thing i did when i got back from my Simpson desert trip a couple years ago was pull them out as they are useless. I then bought the heaviest springs ARB make and put them in (without the inners) and they levelled the ride height but crappy ride (like a landbruiser) if lightly loaded. I have now just put in a full set of full air bags in the back and am impressed so far. In hindsite, rather than putting the heaviest ARB springs i should of put the heavy duty ones and a poly air to allow some adjustment.

Another thing to consider is your weight distribution and centre or gravity. My ute has a steel canopy on the back which is heavy plus 2 spares hanging off the back of that. That means there is a lot of weight hanging behind the rear axle. I always have to take care where i pack things, eg keep the weight forward and low as possible. How many people do you see touring/ travelling with the towbar dragging on the ground and 4 tonnes of crap on the roof rack.

Cheers Gaz

[Darwin Dan]

Hi Gaz

its a twin cab ute, It has a BMG Aluminiun box on the rear which is always set up for traveling. i think the start of my probs are because the springs have done 200 000kms and there is very little weight up front. I will most likely go for heavy duty springs and back it up with the polies.

[rick130]

Hi Gaz

its a twin cab ute, It has a BMG Aluminiun box on the rear which is always set up for traveling. i think the start of my probs are because the springs have done 200 000kms and there is very little weight up front. I will most likely go for heavy duty springs and back it up with the polies.

A common misconception is that springs 'go off' with age.

They'll sag or take a set, but their rate doesn't change. In theory you could get the OE springs re-set to their original free length and the actual spring rate has never changed between any of the free lengths.

[Darwin Dan]

Hi all

Took the 130 over the weigh bridge on the weekend. front axle came in at 1.05ton and rear axle at 1.90 ton so in total 2.95t although quite loaded up max for the 130 as per spec is 3.5t. mmmm what to do.

Dan

[Tombie]

I'm running single heavy springs with LTR shocks. I have found it a great set up but it was done before I owned the beast. I believe it is quite an expensive set up.

Its a do it once job though!

The LTRs on Lara are still going strong.