Thread: P38 suspension upgrade

yep, I reckon thats the way to go.
I swear by Bilsteins, first set I had was on my old Disco 1 which also had a 2" lift with new springs, was awesome, especially off road and improved handling and body roll even with a 2" lift!

Each to there own!
Don't get me wrong but i have also be drawn into the Bilsteins change and purchased some a few months ago and replaced my standards (which were ok). The BILSTEINS do reduce body roll and the ride is certainly stiffer. I guess it depends on what you are after. The RR classics were known for their soft plush ride and one of the criticisms of the P38 when it first arrived on the market was that this was lost with its suspension setup (Harsher too a small extent). The Blisteins enhance this even more so rather than a soft plush ride you tend to feel the bumps a bit more but probably gain a bit of control and handling out of this. I don't mind this and will keep mine on but i would suggest taking a ride in one first. Of course if you are replacing everything then your suspension is going to be NEW and will of course feel better than one that was worn out.

I would love a set of GEN3 bags but cannot bring myself to part with the money although the $$$ is getting better. Certainly there seems to be a good design reason to change. Let us know if you do get them and what they cost you when you do.

Thanks Remy, this throws things out a little... my current suspension feels every bump in the road and it's not the smoothest ride. I'm sure this is due to old suspension and as you say, should improve with any update. I'm confident with the current level of handling so would only get the Bilsteins if they were an improvement in both handling AND comfort. Not so sure now....??

Originally Posted by Remy

The RR classics were known for their soft plush ride and one of the criticisms of the P38 when it first arrived on the market was that this was lost with its suspension setup (Harsher too a small extent).

I heard the story that later the P38A used a different shaped piston in the air suspension thus giving a different rate. I've not had the opportunity to examine the early and late model pistons. I note my early ones use aluminium pistons and later ones use fibre filled plastic.

Just my 2 cents worth.

I had a RRC air sprung with Billies and thought it road too hard, even after replacing the air bags.

Bought a P38 with worn out suspension, put new bags and new Boge shocks, I think they were an OEM supplier, and it rides much better than the Classic did. Back to what a Rangie should do.

Handling is so far in front of most other 4x4 that I don't think it needs any improvement

I agree with ytt105 ...

Replaced my airbags with a standard LR OEM set... they did have both the "Ford" AND the LR trademark logo stamped on them... Front ones had metallic bands to seal them top and bottom (like the Arnotts), rears are standard bellows.

I also fitted Armstrong Heavy track adjustables... bad move.

Every bump transmitted 10x fold. So I eventually changed out the shocks for standard oil filled OEMs...not sure what brand,,, but they has the LR logo and are made n Spain! (and about 1/4 price of the Armstrongs!).

the improvement in the ride is amazing... even on Qld's broken bitumen tracks that pass for major highways are now a reasonable ride ...doesn't pay (in my opinion) to screw with (some) original designs!

Originally Posted by Hoges

Every bump transmitted 10x fold. So I eventually changed out the shocks for standard oil filled OEMs...not sure what brand,,, but they has the LR logo and are made n Spain! (and about 1/4 price of the Armstrongs!).

Probably Boge.

I fitted Armstrongs but they were the direct replacements for OEM and were only $200 for the set of 4 (off eVilBay).

Just some X-Info from me:

I replaced the bags with "original" ones from airagman but decided against Bilstein and got Konis. They're not cheap but are adjustable.

When it comes to the decision with my new-to-me 4.6 HSE I'll go the route with genIII an Koni.

Peter
Switzerland
2000 RR 4.6 HSE
ex '96 RR 4.0 SE