Suspension upgrade under the 130

[Pilbara130]

Hi guys,

I'm looking at my options for a complete suspension upgrade on the 130.

What are the recommendations for a 2 " lift. Brands and set ups.

The 130 has limited wheel travel when climbing the big rutted hills are there any recommendations for dislocation springs.

Many thanks.

Dan

[Pacemaker]

Hi Dan

What year is the 130? This will help determine the lift. Puma onwards sometimes have vibration issues when lifted.

What sort of work are you going to do with the vehicle?

I personally dont like springs dislocating. I prefer to retain the top and bottoms. Especially in the rear. This helps make the front work harder and actually flex.

Cheers
Michael

[Pilbara130]

Hi Michael ,
It's a 2011 puma.
I think the vibration had a bit to do with not adding a double Cardon uni I may be wrong.
It's been up the Gibb and Kalumbaru 4 times now fully loaded towing a boat so I'd like to show it some love.

[Marty90]

Hi Dan,
I'm in the process of fitting out my 2013 D90.The front has dropped about 30mm due to the bullbar,winch,aux tanks etc. I've been researching suspension setups on this forum and elsewhere and have come to the conclusion that I'll be replacing the suspension just to bring it back up to stock height.I'm probably looking ,at this stage Lovells HD front with no lift while Standard lovells rear with air bags . Bilsteins seem the go as they give extra travel over other brands,which I think is what you're looking for. These would still give about 40mm lift over standard.Anything above 50mm and you're looking at DC shafts,and from what I've seen here,It's hit and miss if you get a good one.Also affects geometry,so radius arms or bushes.My opinion is a lot of mucking around for very little reward.Ground clearance is really determined by the diffs after all. A good set of airbags on the back will lift it heaps,and once back on bitumen you can drop it down again.I've even looked at full airbag setups,but at the end of the day,I want reliability.Keep it simple.Just my opinion.

[Nick S]

G'day Dan
I used LRA springs on mine but the rate will depend on the type of loads you need to carry. This gave it around +2", also has air bags in the rear springs. Rears are retained as I'm not a fan of dislocating springs, but that's just me, others like them. For shocks I went with 12" travel Bilstein SB7100 remote reservoir from GBR in the US, front were 80/380 (I think) and rear 100/400 valving, GBR supply them with poly bushes rather than Heim joints which are much longer lasting for general off road touring. You will need pin to eye converters for where they bolt to the diffs. I also used + 2" front shock turrets and extended rear shock mounts from RTE Fabrications also in the US. Just check the closed length of the shocks to see if you need extended bump stops front and rear. Changed all the bushes on the car to Prothane and used cranked rear trailing arms. This set up has been on the car for 2 years and seems to work well, I've got the same on my RRC. My 130 is a 2000 Td5 so different in terms of front drive shaft angles following lift, others will have recommendations about this aspect
Nick

[POD]

I set my 2008 130 up with similar things in mind, we frequent the Vic high country where steep rough climbs are the go, also took the vehicle at very nearly max GVM to the Kimberley last year including Kalumburu and Walcott Inlet.
When I first got the 130, I put in Ashcroft lockers, CVs and axles- articulation is now less of an issue as I have positive drive at all wheels, which allows you to consider load carrying over articulation when choosing springs. A bit of lft is useful in the 130 to avoid dragging the guts.
I had some springs made to suit by Les Richmond, I took my vehicle to them to get it sorted but they can do it with axle weights and bump stop measurements, I would give them a call.
If you're going to lift it, bite the bullet and get a double-cardan shaft. Mine is from Tom Wood in the US, cost about $750 landed but exchange was better then.

[Pilbara130]

Thanks for you feedback guys.
Pod I'm doing some research on the Ashcroft lockers.
I'm not really looking for to much additional height just bringing it back to standard.
Cheers
Dan

[86mud]

I run 50mm lifted (19mm wire) Dobinson Springs, Polyair bags, twin Bilsteins on the rear....in my 1998 130. It travels very well over corrugations and on the bitumen either loaded or unloaded. Had this set up for about 4 years and really happy with it.

[Chenz]

I run a similar setup with the 50mm lift and double Bilstein shocks and airbags. Handles the extra weight of the Trayon and the myriad of supplies and other stuff SWMBO put in.


The difference the airbags make to the ride and handling is phenomenal. I went away last weekend and forgot to pump them up. I run them at 15-20 psi when not loaded. With the away load on I pump them up to 40psi and the difference is quite noticeable.

I also fitted the Ashcroft lockers front and rear and added a double cylinder ARB compressor and external tank mounted under the tray which I use to pump up the airbags and tyres as required. I had ARB lockers on the old 200Tdi and these are much more robust and work extremely well.

[n plus one]

I run a similar setup with the 50mm lift and double Bilstein shocks and airbags. Handles the extra weight of the Trayon and the myriad of supplies and other stuff SWMBO put in.


The difference the airbags make to the ride and handling is phenomenal. I went away last weekend and forgot to pump them up. I run them at 15-20 psi when not loaded. With the away load on I pump them up to 40psi and the difference is quite noticeable.

I also fitted the Ashcroft lockers front and rear and added a double cylinder ARB compressor and external tank mounted under the tray which I use to pump up the airbags and tyres as required. I had ARB lockers on the old 200Tdi and these are much more robust and work extremely well.

Hi Chenz, who did/what brand is your rear mount setup?