Discovery 2 air suspension to spring conversion
- Thread starter Jack rush
- Start date
This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Shimsteriom
Master Procrastinator
- Posts
- 41,906
- Location
- Over Here
Don't do it... fix the SLS... trust me. 
Shimsteriom
Master Procrastinator
- Posts
- 41,906
- Location
- Over Here
What size tyres are you looking at fitting?
brian47
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 8,867
A pair of bags will sort your problem, easy to change too.
the SLS is a good system and will give you a couple of facilities you won't get with coiled springs.
the SLS is a good system and will give you a couple of facilities you won't get with coiled springs.
Shimsteriom
Master Procrastinator
- Posts
- 41,906
- Location
- Over Here
I've got 245/75 16's on mine and I had to adjust the steering lock a bit as they were rubbing on the arches.
I had an issue with my SLS a few years ago, and I thought the same as you... just replace the bags with coil springs! I then spent the next couple of years trying to make it handle and feel like it had air suspension because the springs just never felt right.
Anyway, I put new bags and height sensors back on mine a few months ago, and it was the best thing I've done to my TD5 (apart from the remap). I should have just fixed it in the first place, but hey, sometimes you have to make a mistake to learn from it.
I had an issue with my SLS a few years ago, and I thought the same as you... just replace the bags with coil springs! I then spent the next couple of years trying to make it handle and feel like it had air suspension because the springs just never felt right.
Anyway, I put new bags and height sensors back on mine a few months ago, and it was the best thing I've done to my TD5 (apart from the remap). I should have just fixed it in the first place, but hey, sometimes you have to make a mistake to learn from it.
- Posts
- 9,105
- Location
- Roaming the UK on assignments
Just do the bags. It's a very smooth ride on air.
You're adding 10% to your original tyre size diameter and 30mm on the width, you'll get quite a bit of tyres scrub on lock and on your arches under articulation.
Is there a reason in particular you're going for such a big tyre?
Spacers and arch extensions will be your friends.
- Posts
- 21,064
- Location
- In the next Glen
Listen to the lads.... I done a spring conversion on other disco (early this year) I noticed it was really thumpy
when I hit any pot holes or over uneven roads & felt it never drove or felt the same as when it had bags.
I bought another disco which I have just replaced the bags & sensors as the nsr was leaning to one side
when not driven for 2 days, the ns bag had about 12 tiny little holes surprize NOT now sits nice & level
plus its a joy to drive.
I have a couple of new cheap bags if you want them for 50 quid which I ordered in error
if you wanted a cheap fix or I have a used one you can have for the price of postage if your stuck
when I hit any pot holes or over uneven roads & felt it never drove or felt the same as when it had bags.
I bought another disco which I have just replaced the bags & sensors as the nsr was leaning to one side
when not driven for 2 days, the ns bag had about 12 tiny little holes surprize NOT now sits nice & level
plus its a joy to drive.
I have a couple of new cheap bags if you want them for 50 quid which I ordered in error
if you wanted a cheap fix or I have a used one you can have for the price of postage if your stuck
- Posts
- 9,105
- Location
- Roaming the UK on assignments
I have a used one you can have for the price of postage if your stuck
You just reminded me of an old 80s era advert with the exchanging of second hand "used bags"
- Posts
- 21,064
- Location
- In the next Glen
You just reminded me of an old 80s era advert with the exchanging of second hand "used bags"
wtf that's clatty lol
- Posts
- 9,105
- Location
- Roaming the UK on assignments
- Posts
- 21,064
- Location
- In the next Glen
The 1980s mate, t'was a strange era
Weirdo's driving Ford capri's with passion rugs on the parcel shelfs listening to Franky goes to Hollywood exchanging rinsed out jonny's haha
- Posts
- 9,105
- Location
- Roaming the UK on assignments
- Posts
- 21,064
- Location
- In the next Glen
- Posts
- 9,105
- Location
- Roaming the UK on assignments
I believe there was a sanitized version for Top Of The Pops lol
- Posts
- 21,064
- Location
- In the next Glen
Si Click
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 1,503
- Location
- Lincolnshire
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.
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.
- Posts
- 9,105
- Location
- Roaming the UK on assignments
Greater level of floatation on soft ground, better ride on rough roads as more surface contact to absorb road surface imperfections.
