Thread: Defender Airbags v coils. Final verdict

Hi, from Airbag Man.
At present on WA has clear rules about the fitment of air springs as a bolt in replacement for coils on a 4x4 vehicle, VIC, NSW and QLD are all in the process of writing or looking at new rules to cover this. We are working with the various authorities to assist them through this process, and it will take some time. In QLD and NSW you can make an individual submission for approval, however there is no direct ruling requiring this, and in VIC their rule 13.6 was written mainly to cover low height vehicles with air front and rear and chassis modifications, so we are working on figuring out a way to get bolt in kits passed via an easier channel. If anyone is looking at doing a conversion we suggest that you give us a call to check our progress in your state.
As a side note, we have done a lot of with with cross linking and custom airbag arrangements on Defenders so can advise on alternatives to our standard kits.

WA rules for anyone interested.
http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/media..._VS_IB_126.pdf

Originally Posted by airbagman

Hi, from Airbag Man.
At present on WA has clear rules about the fitment of air springs as a bolt in replacement for coils on a 4x4 vehicle, VIC, NSW and QLD are all in the process of writing or looking at new rules to cover this. We are working with the various authorities to assist them through this process, and it will take some time. In QLD and NSW you can make an individual submission for approval, however there is no direct ruling requiring this, and in VIC their rule 13.6 was written mainly to cover low height vehicles with air front and rear and chassis modifications, so we are working on figuring out a way to get bolt in kits passed via an easier channel. If anyone is looking at doing a conversion we suggest that you give us a call to check our progress in your state.
As a side note, we have done a lot of with with cross linking and custom airbag arrangements on Defenders so can advise on alternatives to our standard kits.

Great that you're actively working on this, and its a much more realistic position that you had a few weeks ago when I asked regarding certification in Victoria.

Steve

Originally Posted by airbagman

In QLD and NSW you can make an individual submission for approval, however there is no direct ruling requiring this,
.

Thanks. Are you referring to the standard process of engineering sign off or something else?

Originally Posted by isuzurover

WA rules for anyone interested.
http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/media..._VS_IB_126.pdf

That all seems pretty sensible.. I hope the other states follow soon.

Originally Posted by Fraz

I have written to RMS or RTA or whatever they are called this week requesting direction to the legislation regarding a conversion. I understand it will need to be engineered, but the only problem they have with it is in the way the controller behaves.

From what I understand, the controller is supposed to:
-prevent the driver making adjustments while the vehicle is moving
-have some sort of mechanism in place to respond to a catastrophic blowout

I see no logic in paying $1500+ for a controller when I can get the bags for $150 each

I will post what they respond with for others

for those two requirements, I see no reason why what others like Isuzurover have done, would not satisfy them.

The first one is obviously met, with external inflation of individual air springs.

With the second requirement, in a Defender with 110" or 127" wheel base, and rear air springs, at stock ride height, there will be little drama if one air spring suddenly deflates. That side will drop the small distance to the bump stop, and the other side will also drop a little as more load is transferred to the good air spring.

With the suspension at stock height and lower, the roll steer is not significant.

Just my opinion.

I can say that with a blow out on rough roads you are right. No worse than a tyre going POP!
Wished I had carried a spare

Originally Posted by Bush65

With the second requirement, in a Defender with 110" or 127" wheel base, and rear air springs, at stock ride height, there will be little drama if one air spring suddenly deflates. That side will drop the small distance to the bump stop, and the other side will also drop a little as more load is transferred to the good air spring.

With the suspension at stock height and lower, the roll steer is not significant.

Just my opinion.

Originally Posted by Albert

I can say that with a blow out on rough roads you are right. No worse than a tyre going POP!
Wished I had carried a spare

Hi Albert,
What air spring were you running? and what do you think caused it to fail?

Thanks

Tony