Thread: Suspension Lift Options D4

Originally Posted by Bru

For what it’s worth this is what I did to combat the self lowering at 50ks and it’s worked a treat, I’ve got mine on a permanent 1” lift and it’s perfect for where I go which is a combination of unsealed roads, sand and a bit of rock climbing. Real easy to do and costs nothing. And in my opinion the added bonus it looks great that bit higher. But all that said we are all driving one of the best if not the best off the shelf 4x4s going , so dont over think it and just enjoy.
Cheers

DIY 2" LR3 Suspension Lift - Land Rover Forums - Land Rover Enthusiast Forum

If you have an IID Tool it is very easy to set up a height change either higher or lower. I run at -10mm normally to give a slightly softer ride and change to +25mm on dirt roads to give more centre clearance. No mucking around with rods.

And on the highway - lower = less fuel burn... I consistently get better economy if lowered on the highway.

Originally Posted by BennyF

Here’s the thread that I came across when searching for the legality of LLAMS.

Some of the people here claiming to have never had the issue raised clearly have forgotten the conversation, especially Graeme who states that it needs to be hard disconnected when getting back on the paved stuff. Granted, it was more than a few years ago but running a google search brings it right up for newbies like me.

Its a bit late but I've only just recalled that the quote by CraigL was taken from wording referring to height modifications that lowered the rear or one side to aid wheel-chair access where the system was required to have an interlock to ensure that the vehicle was level again before moving off. Legislation explicitly prohibits the raising or lowering of other than the whole vehicle.

Originally Posted by Geedublya

If you have an IID Tool it is very easy to set up a height change either higher or lower. I run at -10mm normally to give a slightly softer ride and change to +25mm on dirt roads to give more centre clearance. No mucking around with rods.

Pardon my ignorance but how does this make the ride softer? Genuine question as my wife feels every bump in the road and anything that can alleviate that I will do. I too have the GAPIID and use it all the time to lower to bump stops to help her get in and out. I assumed that having a lower suspension would have the opposite effect.

Martin

Originally Posted by letherm

Pardon my ignorance but how does this make the ride softer? Genuine question as my wife feels every bump in the road and anything that can alleviate that I will do. I too have the GAPIID and use it all the time to lower to bump stops to help her get in and out. I assumed that having a lower suspension would have the opposite effect.

Martin

The more air pressure in the bags the higher the spring rate. Less air pressure is a lower spring rate. Air bags aren't linear like a coil spring, as they compress the air pressure and spring rate rises. Try running over bumps (same speed) at off-road height and then normal height to feel the difference.

There is a compromise between softness and travel. You can try lowering the car in small increments to find the ideal. If you go too far the bump stops come into play and they make the ride too harsh. On my D4 I ran at -20 on smooth city roads and motorways but if the road is rough you can run out of travel and hit the bump stops. Be aware also that a non standard height affects your wheel alignment. If you find a more comfortable height and intend to run it most of the time you can get a wheel alignment at that height to prevent excessive tyre wear.

It would be nice if they developed multi stage airbags so the ride became softer when the height increased, one thing I dislike about Landrover air suspension is how stiff it becomes as you lift.

That's actually not true,
it's an urban myth. It's true in truck suspension where the bags are not in shrouds. They grow as the pressure and load increases.
In these cars the bags are in a aluminium tube which limits the diameter of the bag end therefor the spring rate.
Adding air raises the vehicle with very small rise in pressure. It only needs to over come static friction of tyres and suspension bushes etc.
These suspension systems have a constant Spring rate regardless of height. So adding or reducing height only gets you further away from bump stops.

Also coils are available in both linear and progressive spring rates. Linear. Move the same amount per force applied.
Example 5mm per 100kg applied.
But progressive coils will start at 5mm per 100kg and then stiffen to to
3mm per 100kg then
2mm per 100kg
Getting stiffer as they compress.