Defender 130 Rear Air Springs

**brendanb** · 6th June 2010, 06:27 PM

After buying some triple convoluted air springs (Boss 2603) a few months ago I finally with the help of a few friends (Madana, Andrew C , Michael2) have successfully fitted them to the rear of the 130 DC.

We fabricated a 50mm aluminium spacer at the top to ensure sufficient height at full articulation but being conscious not to exceed the minimum height at full compression.

At this point we have used a series of Norgren manually operated air valves to control and isolate air to each air spring.

The air lines are 6mm industrial plastic air line with norgren compression fittings.

Early test indicate that we can adjust ride height by approximately 170mm.

The road handling appears to be normal with a noticeably smoother ride over minor bumps in the road and travels normally at speed (Defender speed).

We will be giving the system a real test in a week when we tackle some of the tracks around Toolangi Vic.

Stage two, subject to the successful Toolangi test will be to fit the Air Spings to the front.

If all goes well I will then fit electrically operated vales in place of the manual valves.

**TonyC** · 7th June 2010, 09:15 AM

Hi Brendan,
Why did you chose a triple convoluted spring rather than a reversible sleeve design?
I'm thinking of converting my 130 to air as well.

Thanks

Tony

**rick130** · 7th June 2010, 03:01 PM

Tony, the triple convoluted are supposedly beefier/stronger than the reversible sleeve ones.

I had a quick look on Michigan Truck Spring this morning and a Firestone reversible sleeve spring with a 10" stroke is silly cheap (US$69) but I couldn't match up an equivalent triple convoluted to what Brendan has above.
The Boss 2603 is A$245 on ebay ATM.

I'm hoping Bush65 sees this thread as he looked into air springs pretty heavily a few years back.

**brendanb** · 7th June 2010, 05:13 PM

The choice of the Boss 2603 was more a matter of convenience than planning. They popped up on ebay a few months ago so I grabbed them. Initial investigation showed that they will handle the load planned. (A slide on camper is in the early stages of design) and also the Boss 2603's provide enough travel so as not to restrict articulation.

**TonyC** · 7th June 2010, 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by rick130

Tony, the triple convoluted are supposedly beefier/stronger than the reversible sleeve ones.

I had a quick look on Michigan Truck Spring this morning and a Firestone reversible sleeve spring with a 10" stroke is silly cheap (US$69) but I couldn't match up an equivalent triple convoluted to what Brendan has above.
The Boss 2603 is A$245 on ebay ATM.

I'm hoping Bush65 sees this thread as he looked into air springs pretty heavily a few years back.

Thanks for that Rick,
I had a quick look on Michigan Truck Springs and the only reversible sleeve spring I could see at that price was a 70 mm Diameter helper that is only rated to 1000 pounds.
Hoping Rangier Rover and Rovercare will also chime in as they are both doing Air as well.
Airbagman also do a kit for 110/130 rears

Tony

**TonyC** · 7th June 2010, 06:58 PM

Originally Posted by brendanb

The choice of the Boss 2603 was more a matter of convenience than planning. They popped up on ebay a few months ago so I grabbed them. Initial investigation showed that they will handle the load planned. (A slide on camper is in the early stages of design) and also the Boss 2603's provide enough travel so as not to restrict articulation.

Thanks Brendan,
Let us all know how you go with it.
We should compare Camper thoughts, I also have some early ideas.

Tony

**rick130** · 7th June 2010, 09:11 PM

Originally Posted by TonyC

Thanks for that Rick,
I had a quick look on Michigan Truck Springs and the only reversible sleeve spring I could see at that price was a 70 mm Diameter helper that is only rated to 1000 pounds.
Hoping Rangier Rover and Rovercare will also chime in as they are both doing Air as well.
Airbagman also do a kit for 110/130 rears

Tony

Yep, that's the one.
It looks like it's only a helper spring (probably for a leaf rear end) like a polyair, but still cheap.

Rangier Rover · 8th June 2010, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by TonyC

Thanks for that Rick,
I had a quick look on Michigan Truck Springs and the only reversible sleeve spring I could see at that price was a 70 mm Diameter helper that is only rated to 1000 pounds.
Hoping Rangier Rover and Rovercare will also chime in as they are both doing Air as well.
Airbagman also do a kit for 110/130 rears

Tony

And isuzurover

For rears I used a OA 4515 110/130 kit with custom bags and pistons for my particular application.

Has 3350lbs rating per bag at 100 psi. The truck will break first.

With fronts in I now have an over all rating of over 5 tons

Tony

**rick130** · 8th June 2010, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by Rangier Rover

And isuzurover

For rears I used a OA 4515 110/130 kit with custom bags and pistons for my particular application.

Has 3350lbs rating per bag at 100 psi. The truck will break first.

With fronts in I now have an over all rating of over 5 tons

Tony

OA 4515 sounds like an Air Bag man kit # Tony ?
What bags are you using ?

Rangier Rover · 8th June 2010, 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by rick130

OA 4515 sounds like an Air Bag man kit # Tony ?

Yep

Had to do mine in a hurry so didn't bother going OS. Glad now, worth the extra dosh for good advise and product back up. I'm also getting this thing engineered so keeping it tame as possible with in reason. Just has to flex better than a 4" lifted cruiser or pootrol.

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