Thread: Coil Springs to Air Spring Conversion - report

I'm sure I posted something on this but buggered if I can find.

2000 Defender Hardtop with Mulgo Poptop.......was the driver for the conversion as I wanted to level the defender before we either jumped out or hop over the seats straight into the back of the defer......didn't want to carry leveling ramps or move the car around/back/forth to get it level. Also want to adjust from the driver seat.

Others on the forum have sourced bits and pieces from all over manufactured brackets.....a couple of mates did there this was and all seem to work.

Being time poor I decided to purchase the kit developed by Air Bag Man given they have sponsored Defender Days.

Install - pretty straight forward....from memory on and off over a weekend.

The defender had terrafirma shocks fitted at time of purchase so I figured I would give them a chance.

No rubbing anywhere.

Ride - after forking out a decent amount of cash can sometimes could your view but I do see why Land Rover have gone to air suspension. I reckon the ride has improved. The shocks seem to work well with the air springs.

With the car empty we run around 38 PSI in the bags. Measuring the spring height we are sitting a little low as per what's recommended for the spring.

We just got back from 10 days on Fraser Island, by far the biggest test driving the beach and sand tracks everyday. We were also loaded up in touring mode. For the run up to rainbow we had 48 psi in the bags...on the island I started with 52 thinking it would be better with the rougher tracks, ended up back at 48 halfway though the week.

I'm about to fit 130 front springs which I suspect will raise the front, this will mean I can raise the rear using a bit more air which should put me in the recommended operating range for the bags.

Be interesting how they perform on extended corrugations.

Adjusting - easy as with the inflate/deflate switches located at the centre console. I also have manual inflation valves on the rear cross member although I don't carry a hand/foot/track pump, putting faith in the ARB Twin compressor not failing. It takes seconds to level each time.....we would normally lower the high side, in some cases it lowered to the bump stop which removed some of the rocking when in bed. Leveling was also handy for opening/closing the rear door with spare wheel carrier and two fat bikes swinging off the carrier giving better control over the door as we no longer have the Mulgo gas strut. Leveling and returning to ride height happened every day and some times multiple times per day.

Overall I have been super impressed with the installation, operation and ride. Leveling for our Mulgo Poptop just makes the whole setup work nicely. Not for everybody, but I would recommend the conversion.

I'm also wondering if it may help when traction is lost when crossed up, I can take air out on the side that is tucked up in the guard and put some air into the other side putting more pressure on the wheel which maybe enough for traction.

I will dig out some pics.

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

Takes around 70psi to lift a D2 to ride height,,, mustnt be a lot behind your front axle

When I purchased the defer rear axle weight was 1220kg.