Defender 130 Suspenision Upgrade

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

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.

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Originally Posted by 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.

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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.

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

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Originally Posted by 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.

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Its a do it once job though!

The LTRs on Lara are still going strong.