D3 S or D3SE

[JamesP]

Hi All,
I have D1 TDI and planning to upgrade to a D3 Tdv6 for a trip to the outback and Simpson desert. Due to the complexity and unrealibility of the air suspension on the D3SE I'm pondering, either a D3S and install a Dobson lift kit or go with the SE and install rods to achieve the required lift.

Welcome comment and advice.

thanks
James

[DiscoMick]

The air system is quite reliable from all reports so if it was me I wouldn't change it, just get it checked to make sure it is in good condition. Trucks and buses do huge distances on air suspension.

[Tins]

What Mick said, plus, look at getting this:

Llams PTY LTD

[scarry]

I have done the Simpson across and back with standard air suspension,no worries at all.

We were also fully loaded.

Like all sand driving,tyre pressures are what is critical.

Long handled shovel is your friend,but we didn't need it.

[Bytemrk]

James, as others have said, if properly maintained..... the story of "unreliability of air suspension" is just fiction.

I've done thousands of Km of outback travel with out a hitch - Last Easter a group of us from here. including Chops and I both in air suspended D4's did a few thousand Km around outback SA including a visit to Maralinga, a couple of days travelling Googs track.
When I gave Digger (who's a defender driver) a lift back down the track over a few larger dunes - he just looked at me after the first dune and said... " Oh come on... this is cheating!"

The air makes corrugations far less severe and even makes the chopped up stuff approaching big dunes significantly easier.....

Don't be scared into thinking you should go for a car without it......I think you would regret it

If you are still worried, there are kits available to be able to inflate the bags manually if you have a problem...... but I'll bet they end up staying in your spares box.


I'm pretty sure the coil sprung D3's do not have terrain response either......

AS far as a lift goes - my preference is Llams too.... Either that - or think about buying an IID tool that can read and reset codes for you - they also have the ability to lift the suspension.

[DiscoJeffster]

They are complex systems however with some spares and investment in maintenance, very reliable. Compressors play up, but generally give you heaps of warning, and rarely die, just drop performance. Sensors can fail/be damaged, but a single spare front and rear will keep you smiling. They’re not dear. I have a spare front and rear height sensor, plus a spare front and rear ABS sensor. Those cover the majority of risk, and I’ve never needed them.
If your air springs/shocks are aged, you can replace them to ensure you don’t have a bag split (again rare).
Overall with some love and some spares you’ll be going anywhere without any risk.

[casta66]

I have a 05 TDV6 HSE 182ks to sell, fresh with a rebuilt box 😀

[rar110]

My L322 has just clicked over 270,000km. I replaced the front air suspension struts/bags at 10 years as a precaution. I’ll probably replace the rear at 13 years. My compressor was replaced by the PO, not sure why. The EAS has been brilliant. I have a Perentie, but the L322 just ticks so many more boxes on a long trip. I can get a 2” lift with the flick of a switch in the L322, and if I still bottom out I can get more lift. You don’t get that on coils. Llams or an IID Tool give you more options.

[veebs]

Total no brainer - get the air springs. More lift, more comfort, more capability (Terrain Response), levels irrespective of loading/towing, and it a cool party trick to boot.

I suspect the rumours of unreliability stem from the earliest implementations on the D2s... D3/4 is a VERY different story.

[Tins]

I suspect the rumours of unreliability stem from the earliest implementations on the D2s...

Not to mention P38As.