VB Air Suspension and Anti Roll Bars

Thanks for that info.

One of the other questions I was going to subsequently ask .. more so for your purposes.
If the system is ECU operated, then there must be a way for the ECU to respond to a turn(assuming an accelerometer) taking into account vehicle speed.

Considering that it's auto levelling, couldn't imagine that it'd be hard for the manufacturer to tweak the response of the system to counter the excessive roll you're trying to alleviate.
Have to asked the question to the distributor or manufacturer?
If they can provide an uploadble solution, saves you needing to muck about with more anti rollbars and suchlike.

Also, I've been doing more and more reading up on poly bushes for a long while now .. not so much to make a choice, more so to find out as much info as I can.
I fitted them to my RRC some 20+ years ago, and loved them then, and have no problems with the few I've fitted to my D1(shocks, stg damper, panhard, and whatever else).
I won't install anything else, except if I 'had too'. Can't stand the usual suspension bush design, and fitting the split type Nolathanes is the easiest peasiest job .. so I've already made my choice.
But I still do more searching about more info/products/feedback(even tho I know what I'm going to do).
No rush, suspension in good nik, have some bits, still need to get some other bits.

But, I've read many posts where people have replied that poly bushes had ruined their ride, made it too firm, less articulation .... none of which I ever found in my RRC.
I only experienced much more durability(close to infinite in my case), and ease of fitment(not needing a press to fit them).

Could this be another option for you to combat the roll/sway issue you now have.
Maybe search up for those poly bushes that many folks complain about with the harder ride/reduced roll .. etc. and maybe fit them in place of your rubber suspension bushes.
The likelyhood is that at some point in the future those rubber bushes will need replacing anyhow ..

FWIW: back with my '79RRC, I reckon I'd go though a set of front radius arm bushes and the rear chassis mounted trailing arm bush every year, without fail.
But I was a high klm user back then .. min 70K, a few times 100K in a year.
Had to do those bushes so many times, I really should have got a hold of a 20T press to make life easier on myself .. I just used a local shop that used to do it cheaply for me.
(one other product I did try tho before the polys was back then the Rangie Spares modified chassis end trailing arm bush. That one lasted at least 2x what the original did, but still did wear out too.)

Anyhow, after maybe at least 4 or 5 sets in as many years(or close to it) .. I had to look around, and I was told of Nolathanes poly bushes.
Thought anything had to be worth a try, and when I saw the split bush - metal tube design, I was sold!
No time to fit, and just for the hell of it, after I fitted them I removed one front radius arm to be sure they were as easy as they seemed! [thumbsupbig]
Ended up doing 200-300K klms on that set with no issues, and most of that was gravel/dirt type roads central aus.
So durability for me was without a question infinitely better. RRC was completely rusted to high heaven, un reg, 650k klms, needed too much work to keep it .. so was eventually got rid of.
So technically those Nolathanes outlasted me!

Therefore, just thinking of a different approach to your current issue .. poly bushes(to start with), if they can't help .. maybe then look at stiffer rollbars or shocks or whatever.

Thanks for the additional paperwork info.....

Now I just have to decide if I swap the front over to airbag man.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AK83

Thanks for that info.

One of the other questions I was going to subsequently ask .. more so for your purposes.
If the system is ECU operated, then there must be a way for the ECU to respond to a turn(assuming an accelerometer) taking into account vehicle speed.

Considering that it's auto levelling, couldn't imagine that it'd be hard for the manufacturer to tweak the response of the system to counter the excessive roll you're trying to alleviate.
Have to asked the question to the distributor or manufacturer?
If they can provide an uploadble solution, saves you needing to muck about with more anti rollbars and suchlike.

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The system isn't that sophisticated. It doesn't respond that quickly. It rechecks the height sensors and makes a correction every 8secs so no real use for combating roll on normal corners/ round-abouts/ changing direction. There are no accelerometers in the system. The Auto-Leveling option (and subsequent sensor) are there purely to level when stationery.

I had also read somewhere else about the duro of the sway bar bushes so your post has got me thinking that could be my first port of call. :twobeers:

What ARB's have you currently got installed?
Since you have a 110, I'm wondering if the ones off a 130 might be heavier, or perhaps from a D2?

Steve

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Originally Posted by steveG

What ARB's have you currently got installed?
Steve

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Stock. So about 20mm front, 16mm rear.

Let’s bring this thread back to life with owners experience 2 years later.
‘I’m really interested in this option for my 110 2012 LS3 powered vehicle fitted with ARB BP 51 shocks and HD springs.

I take it for granted that upgrading my anti roll bars to reduce body roll in covering at road speed will be required.

Has Off Road ability suffered and if so, in what area? Articulation only?

Have any other people who were considering this option fitted the same kit from VB or other kits such as Air Bag Man etc?

Thoughts and experience?

Wow, there’s a fair bit to it.

I’m not sure how it would go with my upgraded alloy Radius arms from Superior Engineering and the plastic air bag seats are a bit of a concern for heavy duty use.

‘This currently is more of a ‘scoping the technology and others experiences’ with the modification especially after one members experiences and advice re his 130’s ride after fitment of another manufacturers solution.

Defender Air Suspension kit - YouTube

As above, Grizzly and Bears install of the Air Bag Man solution in their World traveller 130 camper and initial impressions.

Very positive.
Land Rover Defender FULL AIR suspension system! An epic upgrade. Coil spring replacement! (Ep193) - YouTube

I went with the VB system as I felt that the kit had been thouroughly engineered and refined and was not just some bits bolted on to fit. ( no reflection on the Airbag Man kit as I don’t have any knowledge of what development work has gone into that system)The VB kit was designed specifically for the Defender by a large company that supplies air suspension systems to VW and Mercedes. Also for heavy vehicles. The kit has full TUV approval ( not that this means anything in Australia) and is well proven.
The airbag ‘pistons’ have vehicle specific shapes to create the desired spring rate and ramp up characteristics. Plastic (acetal or similar would be my guess) is standard for this component even on heavy vehicles so I have zero concerns about the durability. I have, however, had to get the left front shock mount rewelded (and now gussetted) 3 times.
Airticulation is not reduced in anyway by the air suspension ( in fact with the Koni Raid shocks it has increased due to extra droop. ( which causes its own set of issues). I am a bit top heavy with a Mulgo Poptop so have fitted a HD rear anti-roll bar. (20mm Elbach) This definitely saps the articulation but because i have ATB’s alround I can lose some articulation and still be able to ‘proceed’. I have removed the rear anti- roll bar for trails with a lot of cross axle action though just to make life easier for the old girl. Only takes 10mins.
I do get some tyre rub on front shock on full articulation with the Koni Raid shocks. The solution is spaced bump stops but i need every last mm i can get when i drop the air out of the system to put the defender into my garage so will live with the occasional buzzing of the shock.

Sorry for making a tangent to this thread.

Back in 2013 I purchased an AccuAir elevel kit from the US for my Defender 6x6 so the rear axles could load share. Subsequently I was informed the eLevel ECU (AA-EC4) that came with the kit did not meet Au regulations and I had to acquire the AA-EC4-AUS ECU. I acquired the -AUS ECU from AirBagMan who also supplied the front axle kits. The AA-EC4-AUS came with instructions to modify my US harness to match the -AUS ECU. In the ensuing years I have lost those instructions, AccuAir US went into Chapter 11 bankruptcy and was purchased by another company without all the records and Air Bag Man no longer deals with AccuAir. I have contacted numerous vendors in Aus and the USA who mention the AA-EC4-AUS ECU on websites but none, including AccuAir, are able to provide the information I need.

I NOW HAVE A PROBLEM. [bawl]

The AA-EC4-AUS requires an interlock signal from the e-brake (hand brake) to prevent height changes while the vehicle is in motion. This wire is coloured BLUE in the -AUS harness.

While a technical schematic would be useful, all I really need is an image of the back of the 16pin plug in the -AUS ECU.

If anyone knows of someone who has the AccuAir eLevel system with AA-EC4-AUS ECU in any vehicle in Australia an image of their plug back would be great.