Replacing Coils with Airbags?

**John_D4** · 15th April 2017, 10:24 PM

No I haven't asked that question backwards! My 7 seater D2 had been fitted with coils by a previous owner. However since buying a camper trailer I've been thinking of fitting something like Poly Airbags.

Today at The Land Rover weekend at Melrose I was talking to a few people about this & a couple of people recommended taking out the coils and refitting airbag suspension. I've been doing some research & I can't see a reason why not. From what I can determine I'd need a compressor and Airbags. All the plumbing & wiring was left in place. I know someone whose removed their Airbags last year due to funds, I might be able to get their compressor cheap & recon it.

Thoughts?

**Bluetoes** · 16th April 2017, 06:29 AM

Love my D2a sls but spring conversion is cheaper all depends on how much u want to spend. If mine starts giving problems I will repair not replace with coils. They are great when towing and give a better ride with or without a trailer. Just my my 2cents worth

**weeds** · 16th April 2017, 06:33 AM

I don't have a D2 but have converted my 110 rear to air bag....agree with bluetoes nicer ride and easy to adjust depending on the load.

Not sure what pump Land Rover used in the D2 but I used an ARB pump with tank.

**John_D4** · 16th April 2017, 06:35 AM

Originally Posted by Bluetoes

Love my D2a sls but spring conversion is cheaper all depends on how much u want to spend. If mine starts giving problems I will repair not replace with coils. They are great when towing and give a better ride with or without a trailer. Just my my 2cents worth

Agreed (well from what I'm hearing anyway)

**John_D4** · 28th April 2017, 02:34 PM

I've just had a price from Airbagman for bags & a compressor. They're after $1200 which includes an updated 'genuine' compressor & Dunlop bags.

I remember reading that someone has modified an ARB compressor to work using the standard wires & fittings and has plumbed in onboard air.

So...would it b difficult to:

1) use an ARB compressor to fill an air tank. Thought the compressor could sit where the jack sits now & tank in front of the fuel tank.

2) put a quick release fitting on the tank for tyre inflation, etc

3) have an electric air solenoid on the tank which would be turned on & off by the height sensor that would be responsible to fill the 2 rear Airbags.

4) be able to do this without a degree in electrical engineering

5) put seperate remote pressure gauges on the dash for both tank pressure and airbag pressure.

6) non return valves on the airbags with optional manual filling in case of solenoid failure

**Lemo** · 28th April 2017, 03:53 PM

Hi John,
I've got all the parts together for re-installing the bags in my D2.

Original compressor and height sensors from previous owner.

Hose harness from Brit-car.com (pn RQM100012)

Contitech Airbags from Roverlord Spares (Mario)

And new Nanocom to programme the height settings

**Lemo** · 28th April 2017, 03:59 PM

Originally Posted by John_D2

I've just had a price from Airbagman for bags & a compressor. They're after $1200 which includes an updated 'genuine' compressor & Dunlop bags.

I remember reading that someone has modified an ARB compressor to work using the standard wires & fittings and has plumbed in onboard air.

So...would it b difficult to:

1) use an ARB compressor to fill an air tank. Thought the compressor could sit where the jack sits now & tank in front of the fuel tank.

2) put a quick release fitting on the tank for tyre inflation, etc

3) have an electric air solenoid on the tank which would be turned on & off by the height sensor that would be responsible to fill the 2 rear Airbags.

4) be able to do this without a degree in electrical engineering

5) put seperate remote pressure gauges on the dash for both tank pressure and airbag pressure.

6) non return valves on the airbags with optional manual filling in case of solenoid failure

Send a pm to Roverlord off road spares and ask for a price

1) and 2) yes great idea

3) The bags fill independently and have a separate valve for each as well as the dump valve etc, so don't think this'll work??

4) ?? If you use the existing valve block and electrical connections

5) yeah but more placed for the lines to leak as you'd need a tapping point for the pressure switch

The ARB compressor method connected where the out let of the original compressor was mounted via and adaptor plate and used the existing valve block etc, I'll be doing this mod when my compressor packs it in

Lemo

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