Thread: Heavy Defender 130 suspension?

It sounds like you might just need some better shocks in the back to control the springs. If the rear isnt sagging (which a 130 definately shouldn't do with only 600kg on), then the springs are good enough.
Some adjustable rate shocks would be the go as mentioned above, then you can find the setting that suits you.

Originally Posted by intothefar

Tyres are: BFG All Terrain 265/75 R16
Pressure on the road back/front: ~3.5/~3.2 bar (or ~50/46 psi) or more to save Diesel
Pressure offroad varies from 1.5 bar (21 psi) in sand up to 3.0 bar (43 psi) depending on the conditions;

The tray's height is ~ 1.55 m (from frame to top); Total height is 2.40 m; That, of course, has a massive influence on exactly the left/right movement (sway?) I would like to get rid of. So my idea was to find a suspension that compensates this crazy height (aka bad design) as good as possible.

@86mud: Really looks beautiful but I doubt I can effort that right now
@Beery: I tried to keep all the weight below an imaginary line (app. lower quarter of the box); So there shouldn't really be a big difference to having 6 people on benches in the back of a 110;

As I really need a solution to be able to continue my journey I went for the Terrafirma Big Bore for now. Will mount them with the original springs since I am not completely convinced that they are too weak. The whole topic which suspension is the right one can probably not be answered objectively and I realized that I probably just have to find my way here

You are right in these observations.

I am not far from where you are right now 20/1/16 2200hrs (You appear to be in Canberra. I'm in Batemans Bay- some 130km east of your location).

I always use Bilstein B6 off road shocks when and where I can in my vehicles.

I have a crew cab L/R 130 powered by our army Landrover engine and gearbox (Isuzu 3.9 turbo and the old four speed manual transmission).

My tray & Canopy is about 350kg and I like the dual original spring setup. It is simple and provides reasonable comfort under load & no load conditions at all times. My friends here have sought to modify their L/R 130 setup for camper bodies (airbags, other damper arrangements, conversion to single spring and use of OE dampers and all sorts of other arrangements).

None have proven very successful for purpose intended. In my humble opinion, the OE spring setup is excellent- dampers- of course B6 Bilsteins.

My rear B6 Bilsteins are now almost dead but the fronts are excellent and I must say, it rides nicely for the great lump of vehicle that it is.

You are welcome to visit and stay for a bit. This part of Oz is lovely and it's a bit of a pity that you took the Neriga Road through to Braidwood instead of coming past this part of the coast. I did notice that you went through Kangaroo Valley before Nowra. There! is some lovely travelling. Hope you aren't worn out...
PM if I can help.
Cheers steu