sls spacers explained

[nathand]

gday just wanted to see how the sls spacers work i understand i bolt the spacer under it and extend the sensors so the computer thinks the car is still standard, but by pressing the manaul button isnt that going to raise the rear another 50mm stretching lines that havent beeen lengthened? eg abs lines, hoses ect
would 50mm longer bags be the go and just ave landrover set the car to set 2 inch higher ?
if so what are the bags usualy worth
cheers

[lloyds disco]

good question, Im also intrested in finding out the answer to this question

[stevo68]

X3....just got my suspension and waiting on lift kit,,,would like to know myself,

Regards

Stevo

[Tombie]

Ok ok I'll write a detailed explanation after my shift finishes!!! (19:30)

I should ;) be able to write up a good explanation as I designed and manufactured the first and original kits in Australia before my design was "cloned"

[stevo68]

Ok ok I'll write a detailed explanation after my shift finishes!!! (19:30)

I should ;) be able to write up a good explanation as I designed and manufactured the first and original kits in Australia before my design was "cloned"Thanks Tombie...would be very much appreciated,

Regards

Stevo

[Baffle]

If you just raise the air bags 50mm with the computer, you loose your articulation same as if you push your raise button for the extra 40mm, lifts the vehicle but articulation is not as good, I have found the front wheels have a tendency to lift easier.
With the spacer kit you go up 50mm with out loosing articulation, you can still push your raise button (extra 40mm), back to the articulation again (this all depends on how extreme your off roading is). Brake lines and abs are still ok.
You have to ditch the original shocks, I used limiting straps on my new shocks as not to rip the bags apart.
Hope this helps.

[Tombie]

SLS spacers are a multi material compound.

They fit between the original factory mount on the diff and replicate that mount higher on a top plate. The bag locates using a keyway where the bag is intstalled at 90' and rotated till its in position.
The top of the bag is located by 2 spigots and small circlip style retainers.

Lifting an SLS vehicle by lengthening the sensors does, as mentioned above just raise the vehicle, and gains no extra articulation (although it remains the same as before - just more up travel than down) It also has the possibility of overextending the bag in offroad mode (+40mm).. This is not good!

Another issue is to get the raised height pressure in the bags is greatly increased and ride suffers.

Raising the SLS rear requires longer shock absorbers be fitted to take advantage of newe height.. OME/Billies +2" will do the trick nicely.. They will still allow full bump compression without bottoming and 2"+ extension to take advantage of the added ride height.

In *this* instance fitting a bump stop extension is *NOT* a good idea as you will lose the up travel benefit (compression) and all you get is a 2" lift with no extra travel - all thats happened is its been 'moved' 2 " lower.

It *IS* possible though, to go even longer on the shocks (+4" eg. 16"closed / 26" open) and fit a 50mm bump extension and have an extra 2" travel IF you fit longer (+2") airbags. This will give a great benefit offroad - although you will lose the 2" up travel to get this...

The kits (I sold) include the following:

2x alloy spacers with keyed steel top plates. (26mm alloy + 4mm plate)
2x brake / ABS line lowering brackets (Stainless)
2x sensor extension plates (calibrated 30mm lift)
2x sensor extension plates (calibrated 50mm lift)
1x assorted bolts for fitting spacer to axle, Brakeline lowering plates to spring mount and sensor extensions to lower arm and sensor.
NO Bump stop spacers were included with kit for reasons explained above.

Now the reason I sold the kit with only a 30mm spacer assembly....

Raising the vehicle 30mm doesnt present any problems, cornering etc remain good.
Add 20mm and the ride wallows a little due to increased height. Fitting a 30mm spacer and 50mm calibrated arms gives a 50mm lift AND a slight increase in "rate" through slightly increased air pressure in the bags.
This helps prevent induced body roll....

The bags have enough compression available to handle this fine.

WHERE an ISSUE will arise.......
If the vehicle is lifted like this and the SLS needs to be recalibrated (using the factory method) then calibration blocks need to be fitted between the bump stop and axle.
The 50mm lift kit then requires an extra 50mm spacer on the calibration block or ride height will be incorrect.
Therefore its easier for a home 'mechanic' to make up the desired calibration blocks from hardwood, polyurethane, steel etc.... to factory length + the spacer kit height in use.

I do not recommend the fitting of bump stop extensions with the SLS kit in 95% of installations as your overall articulation improvement is negated.

Hope this sheds some light on the subject...

Ps> I should have some kits available soon for a VERY special AULRO price (read far cheaper than the others out there)... But due to OneSteel commitments have been severly time restricted and havent completed the maching quite yet.

[Bytemrk]

G'day Tombie,

Thanks for the explanation.... a few things make far more sense now...

I'll keep an eye out for the upcoming kits.;)

For those that can't wait, it would be interesting to know who's not to buy..... don't like people that clone (or was that steal :mad:) others designs and work....

Cheers,
Mark

[lloyds disco]

a very comprehensive answer thanks tombie

[Slunnie]

Tombie, I've been asked a few times about doing 4" lifts on SLS vehicles. Is this something that may then be possible using (amongst other things) a 30mm spacer, 2+ bag and then a sensor extension to suit?

[Rosscoe68]

any idea of time frame for your kits tombie ?
i was just about to order some spacers elsewhere but would rather support aulro members :)

[strangy]

any idea of time frame for your kits tombie ?
i was just about to order some spacers elsewhere but would rather support aulro members :)

Yes , Tombie...as above. Ready to order now, though understand you are busy.
I read your explanation, thankyou.. Just to clarify for myself. your saying that NOT having extended bump stops (in most circumstances) will not harm the bags at full compression ie. against the stops.

What cases would the extended bump stops be recommended.

Thanks

Mark

[WildOne]

Yes , Tombie...as above. Ready to order now, though understand you are busy.
I read your explanation, thankyou.. Just to clarify for myself. your saying that NOT having extended bump stops (in most circumstances) will not harm the bags at full compression ie. against the stops.

What cases would the extended bump stops be recommended.

Thanks

Mark

Just to add my 6 bobs worth, i've run a 2 inch spacer under my SLS for at least 18 months now (with extentions on the sensor mountings also) and have not changed my bump stops from standard at all. Articulation is very good and i've not had any dramas with the airbags at all.

[Tombie]

Tombie, I've been asked a few times about doing 4" lifts on SLS vehicles. Is this something that may then be possible using (amongst other things) a 30mm spacer, 2+ bag and then a sensor extension to suit?

Yes/No... Bit of extra work to be done, would need a little more R&D to "polish" to a standard I was happy to release - But do-able indeed.

For starters....

Would need a spacer that is slightly tapered to compensate for the increased diff angle from the lift eg... Normal height mount is "__" but lifted would be slightly "/" (make sense?) so would mill the base to compensate.

Plus, I would fit a full 50mm spacer (have these) the longer bags and make a calibrated arm to give the rest of the lift. This would increase bag pressure a little and prevent excessive roll due to a rate increase over this height.

Also, the Brake spacer plate would be insufficient and would need ABS and Brake line extensions....

Mods to ACE links as per coil 4"

And NOW we would need to fit bump stop extensions :cool:

[Tombie]

Due to current work constraints, appointments with my 'Ink specialist' ;) etc..

I'm expecting 3-4 weeks for completion of kits.....

Will advise in this thread when ready to go!

[Slunnie]

Yes/No... Bit of extra work to be done, would need a little more R&D to "polish" to a standard I was happy to release - But do-able indeed.

For starters....

Would need a spacer that is slightly tapered to compensate for the increased diff angle from the lift eg... Normal height mount is "__" but lifted would be slightly "/" (make sense?) so would mill the base to compensate.

Plus, I would fit a full 50mm spacer (have these) the longer bags and make a calibrated arm to give the rest of the lift. This would increase bag pressure a little and prevent excessive roll due to a rate increase over this height.

Also, the Brake spacer plate would be insufficient and would need ABS and Brake line extensions....

Mods to ACE links as per coil 4"

And NOW we would need to fit bump stop extensions :cool:
Yeah! Lets do it! :twisted:

[Rosscoe68]

awesome, put me down for a set when they are a go


:)

[Rosscoe68]

i was just about to ring up and order some recovery points for my d2 from 4x4 intelligence, but then i tohught if you are doing the spacers, maybe you do these as well ?
any plans or recomendations ?
also ever thought about doing swaybar disconnects ?

rosscoe

[pohm66]

Great info as I have raised the pressure in my bags to give a 25mm lift knowing that articulation will suffer a little.

Shame Qld ADRs aren't on the side of SLS spacers...could be interested in the brackets though.

WatchingWithInterest

Paul

[Rosscoe68]

oh another thing
if you were to fit the 30mm lift spacers and the 50mm adjusters, can you still use the offroad lift button to get the extra 40mm lift ontop of that? or do you loose some due to the extra 20 mm of bag lift ?

[DISCOBEAR]

Hi Tombie,
Great writeup, I'm very impressed. I have had a look under mine and drawn up similar ideas but no where near the testing you've done. when available can you please put me down for a lift kit????? PLEASE.... Great work.

[IceFyre]

Hey Mike,

Can you put me down for my one from last November :) Obviously that one got lost in all this :)

Cheers
Anthony

[Rosscoe68]

any news on the lift kits as yet ?
about to stop travelling for a few months and would be an ideal time to be fiddling with the suspension

[nismine01]

Tombie, a question from left field if you like.

Reading this thread there have been some interesting facets come up, like airbag pressure and harshness of ride.

What, in your expert opinion, would soften the ride? I am thinking a small lift of the air bag, this without changing any settings would have the vehicle sit at its predetermined (Std) height with less pressure = softer ride. There may be more inclination to body roll but ACE should sort most if not all of that out.

My vehicle's ride height was measured this morning (L/R) but not on level ground so I will move some where to level ground and try again.

Cheers and an excellent write up.

Mike

[Pedro_The_Swift]

If the rear is harsh its more likely to be shockies,,
All RR classic chassis's, (which you have,,) are reknowned for their supple ride.
Genuine LR shocks for the D2 rear are valved to suit an airspring, which reacts differently to pressure than a steel coil, not many owners care and just buy the hardest shock they can afford.
god knows why:angel:

[thai_tiger]

other than genuine are there any other shocks suited calibrated for air springs. all the usual after market are wanting to supply std spring rated.

[nismine01]

It was more a thought process, I have only just bought the 2A and am finding my way around slowly.

There are so many little changes that I was totally unaware of, 18" wheels, compass in the R/V mirror, SLS, self darkening mirror. All features I'm happy to have, no CDL yet, it's there I just need to make it work. All I really wanted were the head and tail lights and the CDL.

Last two Discos were insurance write offs, (by us) and each time so was the caravan we were towing, neither were our fault though.

Each time I managed to step up a model by buying cheap and spending money slowly bringing them up to scratch.

It was just with the mention of higher pressures to give lift that made me think that a little manual 'lift' without changing any settings might make it softer!

Thanks again fellas

Mike