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Kev stephenson



Member Since: 27 Feb 2012
Location: Huddersfield
Posts: 56

United Kingdom 2005 Defender 110 Td5 XS CSW Java Black
Suspension upgrade help
I am running a 1996 300TDi 130 for my tree surgery business chip truck. It is regularly (very) full and so has a lot of weight over the back axle then towing the chipper about (approx. 1 tonne). The actual drop in the rear suspension isn't too bad but it rocks and rolls like mad. It is already double sprung and has the standard ARB fitted.

Can anyone suggest a suitable upgrade, springs/shocks/ARB/polybushes/all of these that will not give me a lift but will seriously stiffen the truck up. I don't need any real articulation so is a massive ARB the solution? I wouldn't use a landrover for this job if I didn't have to cross a muddy field to my tip site but needs must.

Any real world experience much appreciated.

Thanks

Kevin
 2005 110 TD5 XS running Alive Stage 1 and a bit and other toys
1996 130 300TDi chip truck for tree surgery business
Post #298782 14th Jan 2014 6:55pm
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RobKeay



Member Since: 19 Jul 2009
Location: Stafford
Posts: 1581

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Corris Grey
Mate of mine had the same problem.

He fitted air helper springs works really well. Also put poly bushes on these really help with the extra weight.
Post #298794 14th Jan 2014 7:10pm
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Anderzander



Member Since: 08 Feb 2011
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 1000

United Kingdom 
Another alternative is the ARB made by X-Eng.

The land rover arb is thin to not reduce articulation so much - but the trade off being it doesn't stop much body roll. The X-Eng one uses half shaft material and so offers much greater resistance.

It can also be disengaged - though that may be a feature you wouldn't use ?
Post #298798 14th Jan 2014 7:17pm
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RobKeay



Member Since: 19 Jul 2009
Location: Stafford
Posts: 1581

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Corris Grey
Post #298799 14th Jan 2014 7:18pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 8033

 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
how old are the current springs? how much use have they had? Cheers

James
110 2012 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop
Post #298864 14th Jan 2014 9:14pm
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Kev stephenson



Member Since: 27 Feb 2012
Location: Huddersfield
Posts: 56

United Kingdom 2005 Defender 110 Td5 XS CSW Java Black
Air helpers springs won't go inside the main springs without removing the original helper springs.

I have only owned the vehicle 3 months, it's done 98,000 miles but could have had a hard life. Not sure on the age of the springs, do they 'go off'? I could understand the shockers fading but not really the springs.

Any suggestions on a manufacturer and supplier for new springs/arb/polybushes?

Thanks 2005 110 TD5 XS running Alive Stage 1 and a bit and other toys
1996 130 300TDi chip truck for tree surgery business
Post #298877 14th Jan 2014 9:27pm
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JWL



Member Since: 26 Oct 2011
Location: Hereford
Posts: 3443

England 2002 Defender 110 Td5 SW Coniston Green
I'd be very tempted to get a set of Heavy Duty standard springs, preferably LR originals and shove them on. The standard springs do get tired after a while and just a new standard set can transform a motor. As the deterioration is over such a long time, you don't really notice it untill they have gone way past their best.
Post #298900 14th Jan 2014 9:50pm
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RobKeay



Member Since: 19 Jul 2009
Location: Stafford
Posts: 1581

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Corris Grey
My mate put heavy duty springs with helpers on first, still didn't work. Removed the helpers fitted air now they love it. The air pressure can be changed dependent on load.

Once you have your woodchip in the load will be heavy. I work on 250kg per sq metre and 350kg when wet. If you have a 150 on the back you'll be a fair train weight.
Post #298925 14th Jan 2014 10:41pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 8033

 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
springs do sag, esp with the possible use over 98k your would of done, assuming original springs. i would fit new HD 110/130 rear springs and either helpers or air.

i use air helpers as it allows the vehicle to run lighter and not be too stiff with a lower pressure. Cheers

James
110 2012 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop
Post #298979 15th Jan 2014 8:49am
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Kev stephenson



Member Since: 27 Feb 2012
Location: Huddersfield
Posts: 56

United Kingdom 2005 Defender 110 Td5 XS CSW Java Black
Bit of calling around today and it's hard to find anything uprated that doesn't include a 2" lift.

However, Extreme 4x4 are offering the following, what do people think

standard height +25% stiffness for the fronts
standard height +60% stiffness for the rears and use the existing helper springs
Delphi decarbon shocks all round

£560 delivered 2005 110 TD5 XS running Alive Stage 1 and a bit and other toys
1996 130 300TDi chip truck for tree surgery business
Post #299185 15th Jan 2014 8:29pm
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