Thread: Defender 130 - Suspension options

Go air bag suspension and you can vary the stiffness of your suspension from inside the cab depending on the load you are or are not carrying. Costs a bit more than coils but rides better than coils and are reliable.

Mine is a bit harsh bit it handles very well and doesn't notice a load.
The springs have been replaced with heavy duty ones and a 2 inch lift. Only single rear springs. LTR shocks and a heavy duty sway bar in the rear. Only down side I have noticed with mine is the tendency to lift a rear leg.

have to agree, air bag rear seems to be the only way you will get what you want.
The other alternative is to have 300+ kg in the rear at all times. Definitely improves the ride.
Had close to a 1 tonne in firewood in the old girl the other day (the first time I've ever had the rear substantially lower than the nose) and the ride was superb. Wallowy and uncontrolled, but superb.

Originally Posted by tannery

err.. hi..

having a 2001 Defender 130 twin cab is a generally good.. plenty of load capacity when one needs it, however, the ride quality for humans is, somewhat harsh..

my particular vehicle has what I can only guess is heavy duty rear springs, with helper springs, and polyairs in the rear.. the shock-absorbers (by name rather than function, although I'm sure they probably do actually absorb some shock), appear to be standard..

the D130 has traveled a little over 130K kms..

Am wondering if there is anyone there with some advise as to what I can ft that will provide:
1. comfortable ride for humans, ie. men and women, not men only...
2. and when I need to carry a load (up to 1100kg) I can adjust some suspension to cater for this load..

I guess I'm being greedy.. I want both!

any thoughts?

thanks in advance,

p.tanner

If you've already got polyairs in there it sounds like you could take out the original springs and replace them with something softer for the main springs, and rely on the polyairs and the helper springs when you have it loaded up.

Cheers
Simon