Replacing shockers on a TD5 with SLS

[firstdisco]

Hi, I'm tearing my hair out trying to get info on whether I can lift the suspension by 20mm and retain the air bags, or even no raise, but replace the front springs and shocks, keep the air bags, and replace the standard rear shocks with aftermarket units.

[Slunnie]

You can do all of the above.

I think Lovells have standard HD replacement fronts.

You can lift the front and rear while retaining the SLS. Try Michael Samootin from 4x4 Intelligence I think the company is called. He will provide you with the SLS adjustment kit to do this.

Shocks... Bilstein do standard and raised, though there are other brands that do also.

[harlie]

re rear shocks - you should use different shocks with SLS than you would use for coil (very different spring rate, air bellows donot slow or stop when expanding), the shock has to be valved accordingly to counter the spring expand - and it will be vastly different to the compress - so most of the aftermarket models will not suit.
If you want to talk to some who actually knows what they are talking about re Air suspension systems give Richard @ "The Air Bag Man" a call, he has a list (and stocks some) of shocks valved or adjustable to suit air springs.

[Slunnie]

Yes, shocks for air springs are valved differently to coil shocks - still see Bilstein also.