Disco 2 Rear spring conversions

I am thinking about a doing a rear spring conversion . Yes o have read the legalities about it informing insurance but technically any modification you are meant to .

Once change to springs can you remove the height level sensors and arms by the radius arms ? What is done about the pump ? What fuses are needed to be removed and also what do I need to do to switch the warning light off ?

At work we have TEXA vehicle diagnostic equipment is this possible to be used or is it main dealer only ?

Cheers , matt

The real question is why? What are you hoping to achieve?

You can remove everythig which had to do with SLS once converted to coils and if that TEXA is a multivehicle(not generic OBD2) tool which has D2 suspension in it's menu then it's good enough, if not a compatible tester is needed which has that feature no need to mess with main dealers

Spot1 said:

The real question is why? What are you hoping to achieve?

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To convert to springs and not to have the compressor running without a warning light on the dash .

sierrafery said:

You can remove everythig which had to do with SLS once converted to coils and if that TEXA is a multivehicle(not generic OBD2) tool which has D2 suspension in it's menu then it's good enough, if not a compatible tester is needed which has that feature no need to mess with main dealers

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Its is s multi vehicle tool as know work pay a fair bit each year with regular updates . Can look up oil capacities , wiring diagrams , torques etc a bit like the auto data books.

But not looked under landrover section yet as we dont have any at work mainly Van's and some cars on the fleet .

Matt2e0fgx said:

To convert to springs and not to have the compressor running without a warning light on the dash .

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I’m sure it wouldn’t be a difficult thing to rig a LED on the dash to show when the compressor is running.

I could understand changing to springs if planning to go overlanding to reduce risk of breakdown but I really don’t see the benefit of going backwards technology wise...

Spot1 said:

I’m sure it wouldn’t be a difficult thing to rig a LED on the dash to show when the compressor is running.

I could understand changing to springs if planning to go overlanding to reduce risk of breakdown but I really don’t see the benefit of going backwards technology wise...

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I will be doing off roading as well using as a daily driver but I know the airbag systems can be a pita when go wrong chasing tail etc and a bit costly .

Main reason is future proofing myself.

Matt2e0fgx said:

I will be doing off roading as well using as a daily driver but I know the airbag systems can be a pita when go wrong chasing tail etc and a bit costly .

Main reason is future proofing myself.

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Off course... though is not as costly as the engine so next time when it goes wrong wreck the engine cut out the footwell and drive it like the Flintstones

sierrafery said:

Off course... though is not as costly as the engine so next time when it goes wrong wreck the engine cut out the footwell and drive it like the Flintstones

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Theres always one

Has anyone found to be any issues when on airbags to rear springs when offroad ?

Matt2e0fgx said:

I am thinking about a doing a rear spring conversion . Yes o have read the legalities about it informing insurance but technically any modification you are meant to .

Once change to springs can you remove the height level sensors and arms by the radius arms ? What is done about the pump ? What fuses are needed to be removed and also what do I need to do to switch the warning light off ?

At work we have TEXA vehicle diagnostic equipment is this possible to be used or is it main dealer only ?

Cheers , matt

Click to expand...

I done a spring conversion to a D2 last year & used my nanocom to change the settings from air to springs
this removes the light on the dash & disabled the pump.

kevstar said:

I done a spring conversion to a D2 last year & used my nanocom to change the settings from air to springs
this removes the light on the dash & disabled the pump.

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Do you prefer the springs or the bags ?

Matt2e0fgx said:

Do you prefer the springs or the bags ?

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I got rid of that motor 6 months after but bags are a far better ride the springs gave a much more thump
when over even the slightest pot hole id go for bags every time, not sure how they would fair off road
youd need to take spares & they can be changed in less than 10 mins,prob be a right pain if its up to
axles in mud lol also if you burst a line there are valves available so you can clamp the line & blow
the bag up from a compressor.( I had a quick look for them in my watch list but I find them)

Mine is on springs it was originally on Airbags.

Only issue is her ass is sagging.

It isn't a Bentley it is built to be a bit of everything.

A bit of Range rover A bit of Defender etc #

Airbags just give it an unnecessary Achilles heel IMO..

Especially when bouncing around offroad.

In 2 minds ... I'm not doing serious off roading but will see how I go for a while first .

Cheers all

My D2 was converted to springs before I brought it. I’m planning on going back to air in the not too distant future. I nearly got stuck green laning and had I been able to raise the arse a couple of inches then I’d have been out easily. Also I have a hobby that requires loading up my truck a bit so having it back on air will stop my arse end sagging.

Spot1 said:

I nearly got stuck green laning and had I been able to raise the arse a couple of inches then I’d have been out easily

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It has an automatic mode too which is not known by many owners named "extended mode" this can raise it even higher that what you get from the ORM switch cos it kick in even at ORM height, i noticed it working not once in deep mud and i'm sure i would have been stuck without it:

Extended mode
The extended mode is automatically operated by the ECU and requires no input from the driver. Extended mode
operates when the chassis is grounded causing the rear wheels to spin. This information is generated by the ABS
function of the SLABS ECU.
When the ECU senses that the chassis is grounded and the vehicle speed is less than 6 mph (10 km/h), the ECU will
operate the compressor and energise the air control valves for 25 seconds to raise the rear of the vehicle. This
operates irrespective of the mode that the SLS system is in at that time. To inform the driver, the ORM warning lamp
will flash continuously at all times that the system is in extended mode.
The driver can exit the extended mode by depressing the ORM switch for not less than 0.5 seconds or by exceeding
8 mph (13 km/h).

Just a thought if you do a 2inch lift can you put the spacers under the bags or above them to give you a lift to match the front by any chance ?

If you watch how they are built you'll deduce that they come above the bags https://www.lrparts.net/tf526-terra...-axle-2-for-discovery-2-with-air-springs.html

Matt2e0fgx said:

Just a thought if you do a 2inch lift can you put the spacers under the bags or above them to give you a lift to match the front by any chance ?

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Yes you can, obviously you will need to put +2" shocks on the back as well.
My D2 has the bags replaced by springs, but only because it is being prepared for overland travel and I value the increased reliability more than the benefits bags bring; ACE has been removed for the same reason. Even then it is compressor and height sensor failure that concerns me; bags are far easier to change than springs and much easier to carry as spares.
For pretty much any other purpose bags are the better option; the ride is better on road, it gives self levelling for towing, and off road it gives you the option to raise the rear suspension at will. Don't replace it on a whim, the chances are you are better off with it.

Mine has not got ACE . I will mainly be doing green lanes really as dont want to wreck it too much ... but yes a daily drive to work which 20 minutes and do go to wales and devon and Midlands but only for a camping trip or weekend away but it's not regular . So I may look into a lift but apart from shocks is there anything else I need to upgrade?