Defender 130 tipper & airbags

[Popeye]

Hello all,
This is a first thread for me. I have had my 96 defender 130 Bigcab ute for 6mths now and it is time to start the serious modifications to make it more suitable for my dingo business.

I had a Series 2 Disco before with the Thor V8 and found it to be unbelievably comfortable and quiet but entifely useless for working with unless towing a trailer. I have a dingo mini loader and use my vehicle to tow the machine to jobsites. I sold the disco at chrissy and bought this defender.

My bloody system doesn't know what hit it as it seems that I made a really bad call and i'm missing the discos comfort (especially with the price of diesel!). Have built a center console/fitted a decent stereo/fitted central locking and it is growing on me but now I need to get the tipper happening for the tray and fitting a pair of helper airbags to the rear axle to compensate for the over a ton which I now carry in the back (built some ramps which slide in between the tray rails underneath and rarely use the trailer now).

I was wondering if anyone out there has any experience with either of these mods on a defer ute? The standard dual coils will stay and the airbags are to be mounted inboard of these and will work together. I have a 20l airtank and two ride height control valves from a late model Iveco and I plan on setting the system up to automatically contol ride height and roll. Should transform the utes roll and steering with the dingo in the back and won't affect it when unladen.

I mainly need to see what others have done to fit this style of bag and any pics of tipping trays fitted to 130s.

Thanks everyone, the site is a wealth of info. We seem to really push the defenders over here. Keep the unusual mods up.

[Aaron]

Doesn't the K9-4 package come with a tandem axle trailer that holds all the buckets/augers etc?

[Aaron]

I think there is an Isuzu 130 on Ebay with a tipper tray on it atm which may have some pictures that may interest you

[rovercare]

LANDROVER 6 WHEEL DRIVE DEFENDER TURBO DIESEL - eBay, Other Cars, Bikes, Boats, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 21-Jun-08 19:21:49 AEST)

[Slunnie]

oooooohhhh man would I love to buy that!

I know it's difficult to see between the rear wheels, but is this the same rear suspension setup that was used on the Military 6x6?

[Popeye]

WOW, what a quick response!

Hi Aaron, yes they do and I actually have the single axle dingo trailer which is quite a bit lighter. But I prefer not to tow as I go into the city quite a bit and without the trailer I get better performance, fuel economy and maneuverability in the traffic along with easier parking when I get there. Anyway, the other reason is that I am about to buy a 1t excavator which will be carried on the dingo trailer.

Nice 6X6, I agree. Can't see much in the pictures. Probably an aftermarket job like the current dingo conversions, they have a lazy axle just to increase the load carrying capacity and the length of tray. I expect this would severely restrict offroad ability? I have also been suggested to get a quote for a 6x6 setup from the people who make them for the army (on the Gold Coast apparently). This is a true 6 wheel drive arrangement and supposedly sucks about another 20Hp to just drive the extra diff & axles. Then I would need to do a diesel V8 conversion or such for more power as it just copes now, and then where does it stop!!!!!!!!

BTW for everyone who is curious, I have towed the trailer with a 1.5t excavator, dingo on the back along with trencher, bucket and post hole driver and it is surprising how well it will go. It does get hot if I consistently push it to 100 or further but doesn't get critical. I have however done the EGT guage and fuel pump adjustments to get ALOT more power. Gearbox is very sus along with transfer case but they seem to be holding out for now.

Popeye Pete.

Current:
96 Defender 130 Bigcab.Thermofans, fuel pump mod, Custom console, TJM winch bar, spotties, dvd, aux fuel tank, sunraysias. Heaps more to come.

Previous:
99 Disco2 V8 5sp. Air rear, TJM bar, Thermo fans, spotties, stereo.

[Popeye]

BTW everyone, if you think a 130 has an appaling turning circle, drive a 6 wheeler!!!!!!

[George130]

My beast has LTR shocks, single heavy springs and a swaybar in the rear. Yes it is solid but it doesn't notice a load. Handles very well and with the rear locker it doesn't matter that it lifts the rear off road.

[rar110]

the 6x6 on ebay has a Isuzu 3.9l 4bd1T Isuzu fitted with IHI turbo (no intercooler although can be added) and 4 speed rangy manual box. The same motor fitted to army 6x6s. It was a vehicle unique to Australia. The axles are 4.11 from memory which means it has a top speed of about 100km/hr. Both rear axles have a diff (not lazy axle). The rear most diff is activated by a PTO drive.

It would be a great vehicle for towing (great torque) but probably further away from the disco in creature comforts than the 130 king cab.

PS why worry about rain - it rarely does that at Jimboomba.

[Popeye]

It rains alot more out here than people think, we live on tank water comfortably. I agree that 6x6 would be great for towing and I didn't quite realise the rear axle would run from the PTO. Would be quite incredible off road! Aren't the defenders exactly the same inside from about 79 to 98? The big cab is alot bigger with a much better driving position.

Cheers all