VB Air Suspension and Anti Roll Bars

[fatnold]

Just finished installing VB Air Suspension on my 110. Very impressed for the most part. Does what it says on the box so suits my needs perfectly. While the magic carpet ride is very nice the body roll is 'unpleasant' to say the least.

Firstly - anyone else running VB Air Suspension? Any experience with uprating the ARB's?

ARB's - bigger is better???
(I once had a D1 with 35mm ARB's that had a hydraulic cylinder at one end and a valving system with a pendulum that stiffened the ARB's the more lean there was. Magic....until the body mounts started cracking from all the extra force.... I digress.)

I'm concerned if I opt for heavy duty ARB's without disconnects that the Auto-Leveling function of the VB Air system may not work so well as heavy ARB's may not flex enough to level up at a camp site. (110 is a Poptop camper. I of the justifications for the VB system)

ARB mounting point is usually spaced down to avoid inverting on a lifted Defender, it seems 1" spacer is recommended for a 2" lift etc. What about when you have variable height????? I can have the equiv of a 2" lift or be below standard ride height. Should ARB mounts be spaced??

I'm not super concerned regarding reduced articulation. I have 3 x ATB diffs, it's a 2015 Puma so has traction control so i figure i can get away with a wheel in the air if i have to.

I can find Terrafirma Heavy Duty Anti Roll Bars, 25.4 front and 25.4 or 28mm rear. I can find a couple of systems based off a half shaft and locking hub. Any other Heavy Duty/ Uprated ARB's out there to suit a 110?

[W&KO]

Good timing...although I already have airbag man rears in and contemplating converting the front

Thanks for the detailed feedback on the install

[fatnold]

Thanks for the detailed feedback on the install

I can be a little slow on the uptake....was that sarcasm??? Happy to answer any questions. I did take a few photos of things along the way so can share if anyone is interested.

[W&KO]

I can be a little slow on the uptake....was that sarcasm??? Happy to answer any questions. I did take a few photos of things along the way so can share if anyone is interested.

Nope, really keen to see how it performs. I wasn’t aware of this system when I started out.

I won’t be going the fancy controller, manual for all four corners.

Did you have to adjust the steering stops, I’m running +20 rim and the tyres touch the shocks. Thinking it would be worse with OEM Offset.

[steveG]

I can't help with a ARB recommendation, but keen to see what you end up with, and for more info on the VB kit you put in. I haven't come across them previously.
I've been planning bags all round for my 120 - firestone bags and probably accuair controller but interested in what else is around these days.

Steve

[AK83]

Interesting.

Q.
How much(if you don't mind me asking)
How easy to install .. ie are there any weirdo sensors required, and other strange stuff?
Is it electronic as in it requires an ECU powered vehicle.

How you measured or noticed any difference in articlulation(say during install)?
more? .. less? .. roughly close enough to the same?

[fatnold]

Did you have to adjust the steering stops, I’m running +20 rim and the tyres touch the shocks. Thinking it would be worse with OEM Offset.

I haven't checked thoroughly at full lock at each end of shock stroke but does not hit front shock on full lock at normal height. (stock offset. no spacers)

[W&KO]

I haven't checked thoroughly at full lock at each end of shock stroke but does not hit front shock on full lock at normal height. (stock offset. no spacers)

That’s good

[fatnold]

......., and for more info on the VB kit you put in. I haven't come across them previously.

Check out the info here > https://www.vbairsuspension.com/uplo...20Defender.pdf
Through their local distro > VB Air Suspension - Capital Special Vehicles

[fatnold]

Interesting.

Q.
How much(if you don't mind me asking)
How easy to install .. ie are there any weirdo sensors required, and other strange stuff?
Is it electronic as in it requires an ECU powered vehicle.

How you measured or noticed any difference in articlulation(say during install)?
more? .. less? .. roughly close enough to the same?

Are you sitting down......AUS$11500 (incl GST) (+ $1500 fitting in Melbourne if you don't want to do it yourself). I tried numerous VB Air distributors around the world while the German and UK guys were around 70% of that price landed their distribution agreement constrains them to their given territory and as such cannot sell to where ever they please. Also, kit is supposed to be installed by one of their distributors and not sold just as a kit. This is primarily due to compliance laws (TUV) as the kit is fully engineered and certified in Europe. And in the end, I wanted local support AND the initial software load is dealer password protected. Seems like but in reality it is a fully developed and comprehensive kit including calibration tools and documentation specifically for the Defender supplied by a large company that does this as their business. You really get what you pay for I think.

Relatively easy to install. Some jobs are a pain. Removing front shocks and towers as an example and running the wiring loom and hosing. Nothing any worse than that. There are height sensors on each corner and in my case, a level sensor for auto leveling (optional). You need to pick up power, accessory power and the speed signal. You need to connect a laptop to it which involves installing a piece of software and a driver, you then need to upload the contents of the ECU and send off to VB in The Netherlands, you then need to download the program for your individual vehicle. This is where the distributor/ dealer comes in. The download is password protected and only a dealer can access. So in my case i set up a remote session on my laptop and dealer logged in via my PC and did the download. He stepped me through the calibration while he was connected. 30 mins max.

It is electronic. It has its own ECU and associated software, diagnostics and calibration. It has a wired remote keypad. I also installed the option Emergency Air kit which basically allows you to pump up/ down the individual air bags manually should you wish or should the system $hit itself.

Haven't put the articulation to the test really. Driven about 1000k's so far mainly tar with some dirt road sections.

So very happy. Defender sits level now despite an excess of weight on the LH side. I had a perfectly level nights sleep without scouring the surrounds for a big rock or log for under a wheel. BUT need to improve (reduce/ control) the body roll when carrying a little bit of weight.