Discovery 2 air suspension to spring conversion

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Si Click said:
Well going back to the original post and to provide some balance; my ES TD5 has had both the air bags and ACE removed and replaced with Terrafirma springs and shocks and some very serious anti-roll bars. I'm very happy with the handling (and yes I have driven D2s as nature intended), and I like the fact that I have two less bits of complex and aging hydraulic and pneumatic gadgetry to worry will fail in some inconvenient spot.
I'm running standard height and weight springs on 255/55/18 KO2s, but am considering upgrading to Old Man Emu shocks and getting some 235/75/16s on steel wheels for dedicated overland travel. Not sure what advantage you would get from going much wider.
Click to expand...

There was no discernible difference in ride when I changed to coils. I think people get the impression that they are floating on air with airbags, when in reality they are taking the place of springs with standard shock absorbers providing damping. If you are towing then you do lose the self levelling and if you go off road then you lose the extrra 2" in height. I never have to wonder now if both sides are level - they always are. Its personal choice.
 
I’ve mentioned it before that I had the opportunity to drive new demo D2s, either with five seats and fitted with steel springs and the seven seater with air springs back early days, when my D1 went in for it’s service I always had a D2 as courtesy car for the day so a good opportunity to see what’s what.
For the four years I went to the dealers I was all ways pestered by their sales department to try out a new D2 for longer than a day, I even had a Land Rover off road day in Kent, but I got stuck, but it was pouring with rain so there was mud very where, it wouldn’t have happened with a D1 :)

Therefore the bottom line... I never purchased a D2, I did found any difference in the ride on the tarmac (don’t go off road) plus I wouldn’t use all the extra gizmos that a D2 has over and above a D1.
 
Interceptorxj said:
+ 500

The air bag SLS is one of the best features of the D2 and I find it totally bizarre that some are so frightened of the very simple and reliable system and end up replacing it
Click to expand...

The spring system has two coils of metal. The airbag system has two rubber bags, height sensors, compressor with filters etc and needs controlling from the slabs unit.
Springs just work. For airbag reliability look at the hundreds of posts on here. If you don't tow or go off-roading then the air suspension is a nothing feature. Its not bizarre its just personal choice but people get very defensive about it.
 
Springs wear out and fail.

Been there done that, multiple cars.

So to me converting to other springs which also wear out and fail seems pointless.
 
Never changed the springs on my RR, although I changed the dampers to the gas type as I was fed up with the RRs roll on bends. The discos springs and dampers are original. I suppose it’s all down to the use the vehicle gets states when stuff gets replaces.
 
My disco 2 has coil springs but all other pipes compressor etc and link arm sensors are all still in place. Can I just remove all that gubbins? Also ACE is disconnected and not piped up but still in place? Don’t know what to do there as all seems good? Any thoughts?
 
Removing it all would save a fair amount of weight, but firstly are you absolutely certain that you will not want to reinstall it at a later date? Secondly, if you were to sell it, would it be attractive to the next owner to still have the option?
 
I have never had air suspension and I like the old girl as she is so I recon I’ll remove it after I’ve done the sunroofs.

Thanks for that
 
Elmur Thud said:
My disco 2 has coil springs but all other pipes compressor etc and link arm sensors are all still in place. Can I just remove all that gubbins? Also ACE is disconnected and not piped up but still in place? Don’t know what to do there as all seems good? Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
Yes, remove everything, bin all the enhancements which made the D2 to be a such brilliant vehicle... eventually remove the engine too then cut a big hole in th footwell and drive it like the Flintstones :rolleyes:
 
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Elmur Thud said:
Thanks for the advice and I will stick with what I have and remove all air. Not all enhancements are for the better, remember Jordan.
Click to expand...
Jordan?

Air springs have two tricks - one is to level the car while towing and the other is two inches extra height off road. We got rid of our horse trailer and we towed our caravan to Spain and left it there, so we don't need these tricks. Ignore comments about floating on air. They are springs - no more, no less. You just have to look at the number of threads on here to see how robust they are. How many threads are there about how coil springs are playing up? I wouldn't worry about the value of the car as they seem to be fetching more for parts. lol.
 
Hi Brian
It is true that no one ever complains about springs. I’ve only had hydraulic air suspension on Citroen cars which was awsome but costly and troublesome. Sounds much the same.
Sticking with springs as it towed the caravan to Scotland very well.
 
Elmur Thud said:
My disco 2 has coil springs but all other pipes compressor etc and link arm sensors are all still in place. Can I just remove all that gubbins? Also ACE is disconnected and not piped up but still in place? Don’t know what to do there as all seems good? Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

I suggest you tell your insurance company that your vehicle is now heavily modified from standard otherwise you are likely not to be covered and could be in deep poo poo if you are involved in a serious accident.
 
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