County Owners - Load Leveller Poll

[isuzurover]

So - who still has a load leveller in their county? And what suspension are you running?

[SheldonA]

No load level. Pretty sure they are still the standard springs, as she doesn't look propped up like others at the rear, but not 100% sure as like it when I bought it.

[JDNSW]

You left out the answer "still there but I know darn well it doesn't work", which is my position.

Replaced the rear springs about eight years ago with standard (non-levelled) springs. Noticeably rougher ride, but doesn't bottom when loaded. I would prefer to get the leveller fixed or replaced and go back to the original springs, but can't afford the leveller (springs are not that expensive!)

John

[DaveS3]

Still there in my old mans.

Doesn't work & also has has 2.5inch raised springs.

[Gavo]

I was thinking it would be good to have some sort of manually controlled air operated device in there.
I haven't really looked at it, but maybe one of those air bags that you see fitted over the top of a leaf spring.
That you could have a compressor on board or inflate it from a service station compressor like the old air shock that I had on my Falcon.

[isuzurover]

You left out the answer "still there but I know darn well it doesn't work", which is my position.

Sorry mate - I am pretty sure mine doesn't work either.

I have heard of someone dismantling their load leveller and using a cut down gemini coil spring to replace the hydraulics. Should allow the rear to flex better than removing it completely.

[LRCounty]

Load leveller removed from my current and previous Countys...both times before I bought the vehicles, so I couldn't tell you the difference with and without them. I fitted King springs (standard height) into both, and this seems to work fine for me.

Cheers
Andre

[kaa45]

Still there, no idea if it's working or not. Haven't got to the back end yet, still working on the front.

[LoveMyV8County]

Leveller... what leveller? Coil replacement air bag suspension fitted instead.

[wovenrovings]

My previous county (since sold) had the load leveler in it and it worked. Originally it had hvy duty springs but was too stiff when empty or lightly loaded (didn't have much gear) so put some original V8 county rear springs in. Much improved articulation, but noticeable increase in body roll. (was able to lift front wheel 24inches with forklift and keep other wheels on ground). With a big load (9 people) it still bottomed out over big dips.

Lovemyv8county, do you have some pics of the coil replacement airbags you are running? I would be very interested in seeing what the setup is like. Does it give the same travel as the original springs?

WR.

[BMac]

The load leveler was missing when I got my 86 County. It had very soft 2inch lift spring and no bump stops ( ouch ) so empty it rode beautifully, but loaded up it dragged its ar$e.

I put fitted new bump stops, and put ARB airbags in the coils. They run at the minimum PSI and ride well.

Bruce.

[87County]

On my 87 County, I removed the load leveller, fitted king raised springs, had the suspension completely rebushed with std bushes by KLR. It now rides very well but with heavy loads it does sit down a bit at the back, so I am considering firestone airbag inserts

[LoveMyV8County]

Lovemyv8county, do you have some pics of the coil replacement airbags you are running? I would be very interested in seeing what the setup is like. Does it give the same travel as the original springs?

WR.

Hi WR

Here's a link with some pics that might help http://www.airbagman.com.au/Light%20Vehicle/bayboy.html

I was advised by the installer that I need to fit longer travel shockies to take full advantage of the air bags - I can't increase the ride height too much in the meantime. I assume this means the overall suspension travel is increased but am willing to be corrected on that by someone who knows better. Budget constraints mean the shockies have to wait a bit longer.

They have been in for over a year and for me the improvement in handling (body roll) and ride was worth it alone. Mind you the load leveller had been removed by a previous owner so I was just running on the (tired?) standard coils. When fully laden with family of 5, dog, bike rack, canoes and all the gear the ride is still very good once they are pumped back up to normal height.

From the point of view of maintenance they lose about 1 psi per week so pressure needs to be checked periodically (I run them at 30 psi unladen but do not have the luxury of a compressor hooked up to them).

Chris

[THE 109]

I was thinking of making an adapter to mount a pair of adjustable air shocks,to replace the self leveller.rather than an airbag.The only reason was to have more dampening with the air shocks than the airbag,providing I can source some with enough travel.

[EchiDna]

mine has the leveller removed and has had airbags in the past with the tyre inflation valves mounted through the panels just forward of the rear wheel for ease of access... PO removed the airbags prior to sale, so no idea of how well they work.

[landymanv8]

Mine still works, always sits level after 350,000k's and never bottoms out except after being airborn. Steve