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cartoonhead



Member Since: 02 Mar 2018
Location: Bucks
Posts: 135

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 130 Puma 2.2 HCPU Corris Grey
Optimal suspension setup for expedition 130
I’ve recently been thinking I should beef up the standard shocks on my 130, which got me thinking whether I should also change the springs. It’s a 2015 130 everything stock suspension wise, will be heavily loaded and used off-road for extended periods.

For shocks I like the look of the Koni heavy track raid best so far. What suspension setup would you recommend for my requirements? @tab.travels on instagram

Defender 130 2.2 TDCI
Defender 90 TD5
80" CCV Trialer 4.6 V8 (14CUX)
Stage One V8 109 - 3.5 V8
Stage One V8 109 - 4.6 V8 (GEMS) - in progress
Range Rover L322 4.4 TDV8
Freelander 1 2.0 TD4
Post #710402 2nd Jun 2018 6:09am
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Tdi4



Member Since: 24 Oct 2014
Location: Houten
Posts: 513

Netherlands 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Stornoway Grey
If you have Some spare cash i would definetly Go for air suspension.

Added benefit that it has a self leveling function. It’s about 5k euro a defender from 1984 pretending to be a puma with a touch of Range Rover
Post #710406 2nd Jun 2018 6:45am
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Pilgrimmick



Member Since: 16 Nov 2015
Location: Highlands
Posts: 581

United Kingdom 
For expedition work, keep it as close to stock as possible, it is a lot easier to get spares in remote areas if they are standard. 80" 1948
Lightweight V8
Bowler Tomcat
130 Station wagon
90 300tdi
(Santana PS10 pick up)
Range Rover L322 (Ful fat)
Post #710412 2nd Jun 2018 7:33am
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cartoonhead



Member Since: 02 Mar 2018
Location: Bucks
Posts: 135

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 130 Puma 2.2 HCPU Corris Grey
I was thinking about getting the air helpers, but I think they limit articulation off road? I don’t fancy going all air, too much to go weong on a overland vehicle.

As I’ve already got the helper springs I might leave them stock and just get some updated shocks and a x-eng ARB, which should improve things on and off road. @tab.travels on instagram

Defender 130 2.2 TDCI
Defender 90 TD5
80" CCV Trialer 4.6 V8 (14CUX)
Stage One V8 109 - 3.5 V8
Stage One V8 109 - 4.6 V8 (GEMS) - in progress
Range Rover L322 4.4 TDV8
Freelander 1 2.0 TD4
Post #710422 2nd Jun 2018 9:03am
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Tdi4



Member Since: 24 Oct 2014
Location: Houten
Posts: 513

Netherlands 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Stornoway Grey
I've seen a setup with air helpers which he could inflate manually Laughing

So really low tech. Big advantage was that whilst not driving with heavy loads he had a normal driving experience a defender from 1984 pretending to be a puma with a touch of Range Rover
Post #710425 2nd Jun 2018 9:37am
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markalpha



Member Since: 23 Apr 2008
Location: Downham Market
Posts: 690

England 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Santorini Black
We had a 130 very similar to yours but we used oz tent rather than a roof tent. We did a 2 1/2 week overland trip through Portugal on a standard suspension set up. Springs we’re fine and shocks were ok, I would up grade the shocks for warmer weather. But it coped well off road apart from Hairpins bends on a few tracks Rolling with laughter Rolling with laughter

There was 3 of us in the vehicle and we had plenty of space for our gear. Just remember not to pack the kitchen just because you have space for it. No point carrying extra weight if you don’t need too.
Post #710442 2nd Jun 2018 11:30am
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Mcmuffin



Member Since: 01 Apr 2014
Location: Antwerp city
Posts: 38

Belgium 2013 Defender 130 Puma 2.2 HCPU Santorini Black
We have Fox adjustable shocks. They did very well on our last trip to France
Post #749019 3rd Jan 2019 9:18pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7664

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
I would keep it as std as possible with respect to mounting points and length of shocks. Oem are exceptionally good, the only time I have felt the need to upgrade them is travelling in warmer climates for longer periods. I would keep std springs if she is sitting level when loaded, you can't fit air helpers inside the rears if they have assisted springs. If it needs a lift or you vary weight alot then air helpers rear instead of assist springs are good option. Ran them on my 110 for 8 years now, pump them up for overland of heavy towing, run them 6psi rest of time.

If you feel shocks need changing them ome would get my vote. Cheers

James
110 XS Utility
130 Puma Station wagon/camper (in the making)
90 Puma Hardtop
Post #749084 4th Jan 2019 6:45am
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LandRoverAnorak



Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11240

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Orkney Grey
Have you got any more detail about the air helpers and the springs that you use them with, James? My 110 spends quite a lot of time empty but I don't really want to sacrifice the load capacity for when I do need it. Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Post #749092 4th Jan 2019 8:00am
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7664

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
Exactly my issue, empty lots and then fully loaded 4mths of year. Will dig out helper info. Springs std usw rears. Cheers

James
110 XS Utility
130 Puma Station wagon/camper (in the making)
90 Puma Hardtop
Post #749094 4th Jan 2019 8:13am
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7664

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
https://www.paddockspares.com/da5011-air-l...gKXe_D_BwE Cheers

James
110 XS Utility
130 Puma Station wagon/camper (in the making)
90 Puma Hardtop
Post #749262 4th Jan 2019 9:10pm
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landy andy



Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 5408

2006 Defender 110 Td5 USW Zermatt Silver
When I used to overland and off road I swapped to pin pin rear setup and I think it was plus 5” old man emu dampers. All with Gwyn Lewis setup. Reasons for this was that Gwyn Lewis said the pin pin doesn’t fail, such as snapping off the top and bottom mounting of the damper. It’s the same damper front a rear, so if you wanted to carry spare less required. It’s also the same damper as Land Cruiser uses, so just as easy to source if you do have one fail. Bigger damper carries more oil, so stays cooler. On top of that you get the great articulation which made the off-road stuff much smoother, especially when fully loaded
Post #749266 4th Jan 2019 9:34pm
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LandRoverAnorak



Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11240

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Orkney Grey
jst wrote:
Exactly my issue, empty lots and then fully loaded 4mths of year. Will dig out helper info. Springs std usw rears.

Thanks, James. That wasn't what I expected, to be honest. I'd assumed that the air helpers allowed you to run lighter springs than standard to get the benefit when running empty. Also, the kit that you linked to is for a 90. Is that the one you're using on a 110? Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Post #749274 4th Jan 2019 10:12pm
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familymad



Member Since: 13 Dec 2011
Location: Bucks
Posts: 3459

 2016 Defender 130 Puma 2.2 HCPU Santorini Black
Just go the whole hog and get portals

https://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/thr...als.37713/ 1951 80" S1 2.0
1995 110 300TDI
1995 90 300TDI
Post #749277 4th Jan 2019 10:33pm
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AJC



Member Since: 30 Nov 2015
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 1327

United Kingdom 
landy andy wrote:
When I used to overland and off road I swapped to pin pin rear setup and I think it was plus 5” old man emu dampers. All with Gwyn Lewis setup. Reasons for this was that Gwyn Lewis said the pin pin doesn’t fail, such as snapping off the top and bottom mounting of the damper. It’s the same damper front a rear, so if you wanted to carry spare less required. It’s also the same damper as Land Cruiser uses, so just as easy to source if you do have one fail. Bigger damper carries more oil, so stays cooler. On top of that you get the great articulation which made the off-road stuff much smoother, especially when fully loaded


This is what I have done, my mate that I go out with has the same on his, so we can in theory carry a spare or 2 between us and we're both covered then.
Post #749307 5th Jan 2019 7:15am
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