Should i switch to coils?

[ksk228]

First i would like to say hello to all this is my first post! I have a 2000 RR p38 4.0 and i'm trying to get a little more lift for some bigger tires. I havn't seen many lifted p38's anywhere online or around town. From what little info i've been reading to get more lift the best thing to do is to switch to coil springs. What options do i have and what are your experiences with them? What 4x4 is the best for finding aftermarket parts for the p38? and for the ultimate noob question whats the largest sized tire i can fit under my p38 hehe. Thanks a ton!

[daway]

welcome to this forum!!! yes, it would be the best way to add any lift to your rr. i have seen some pic's on this site of rr p38's lifted. someone will post some for u. do u still have your eas in your rover? there r convert kits out there for your rr i have seen them at altantic british and other part shops. if your eas is going bad it is cheaper to convert to coil and let a great lift. good luck and post some pics before/after your lift (if u get)

[ksk228]

Hey thanks for the quick reply! Yes i still have eas and i will look into atlantic british's stuff. I have about 105,000miles on my RR and when i put her into reverse i hear a clunk sometimes. Could this be a bad u joint? I'm going to start by changing all the fluids and as money and time start comming in the coils will be on their way. Thanks for the info keep it comming!

[daway]

Originally Posted by ksk228

Hey thanks for the quick reply! Yes i still have eas and i will look into atlantic british's stuff. I have about 105,000miles on my RR and when i put her into reverse i hear a clunk sometimes. Could this be a bad u joint? I'm going to start by changing all the fluids and as money and time start comming in the coils will be on their way. Thanks for the info keep it comming!

there r alot of part shops around northen rover, british pacific, and etc. price shop on all of them. my rrc had the convert already and i am waiting for a set of ome heavy duty. i am not sure about the clunk noise. disco mike might know that question. could b alot of things. did u jsut buy the RR? if so and u dont have the records then check and/or change all the basic fluids (peace of mind). check out www.rangerovers.net http://www.rangerovers.net/service/index.html they have tons of info and have a list of local indy LR mech shops that can save u $$$$. members here r great w/ info and pics!
aaron

[Freeloder]

DON'T DO IT.

Check my link in my signature!!

This guy's name is Dennis Altman. He is the king of P38 EAS. He can reset the ECU, rebuild the valve block, get you 4 Arnott Gen III air springs (Awesome construction and lifetime warrantee), rebuild the air compressor, replace the air dryer desiccant and test it all. He can do all of this in about a week turnaround. Your system will run like new for about $1300 total!!!! Or you can do the work with his extensive kit and excellent directions for about $1000 total!!! He can even adjust the ride heights for more lift. Tell him Kris from El Paso recommended you.

Most people who convert to springs and do very little off roading eventually regret switching or switch back. The ride in a sprung P38 is horrible! Way to stiff and lean way out in the corners. Now if you use the rig for more off roading springs MAY be better but that is up for debate too.

I had Dennis rebuild my system and it worked/works great. Another great place for Range Rover guys is www.rangerovers.net. TONS of people willing to help on the forum and a wealth of knowledge cataloged on the site.

[Choqiees]

P38s comfort level is too valuable to sacrifice..

if you want a trail rig, get the cheapest D1 out there and built the hell out of it...


keep you P38 for daily use...it's the ultimate comfort IMO

[Freeloder]

When I go off road with my P38 all I see from everyone is this.... .

[Pascaltissot]

Do not do it , part of the charm of this cars are the type of air suspension they have . Why change it ,just change cars ######## this is of coarse just a suggestion .
Saludos cordiales,
Pascal

[Sailcnc]

You can add a spacer between the air bags and give yourself a bit of a lift. The only downfall is that the lowest position or access position will be higher. Do not have the maxium height adjusted. The suspension will lift more if it feels that a wheel is in the air. If you have maxed out the suspension there is a chance that the air bag will come unseated or break. This is advice from my Mechanic. he said that he would do it for me but really did not recommend it. It took my truck off road and it performed real well. There is a link to all of my photos here.

http://community.webshots.com/user/sailcnc

Joe

[Life's Lemon]

I was considering switching to the coils as well. That is.. untill I saw this.

If you ask me, that is the way to go.
If you would go with this here they are:
Front
Rear

Bil

[Funrover]

I am not a big fan of air ride... however arnott seems to know their stuff!!!

[mcnabj]

I switched to the arnott coils about a year ago. The ride on my p38 is now harsh. I have bilstein shocks and arnot t coil springs. I guess the springs are calibrated for off-road use. The ride is still too harsh after a year of use. I like the idea that I wont have an air spring failure and the conversion was only $400. I can live with the harsh ride but I do miss the smooth one of the air bags. Good luck either way.

[ikoinu]

I am just about to switch to OME coils myself, because my wife got restationed to Elmendorf afb, AK. I love the air suspension but when it's below zero the air is a little thin and the o-rings are a little fragile! Thought I'd put in my 2 c.

[Knut]

If you switch to coils, don't buy the standard AB coil conversion kit. The springs are way too soft and will make you bottom out a lot.

British Pacific has a coil conversion kit with OME springs with a ride height about 1" over the standard setting. This kit is awesome. The ride is about the same as the EAS system off road - i.e. excellent.

If you want bigger tires on your P38, keep in mind that if (when) the EAS fails, you may not be able to limp home due to excessive rubbing. Rangerovers.net has a nice writeup about this (http://www.rangerovers.net/outfittin.../p38tires.html)

[ikoinu]

This is an option that allows you to customize your coil kit for a good price. I am ordering mine through this site. https://www.expeditionexchange.com/ome/indexsprings.htm

I'm probably going with the 764 in the front and 781 in the rear, though I still have to consult with these guys to make sure I get what I need. That combo should net a 3" or so gain from standard ride height, maybe a little more with the rubberized spring isolators which help eliminate vibrations. Besides that you need Rubberized Shock Tower Securing Rings for the spring tops and Spring Seats for the bases. https://www.expeditionexchange.com/kit/

Now I'm not 100% these adapters will fit the P38 (still have to call)so might have to use a pre-made kit from the Rover Connection. http://roverconnection.com/

No problem, this kits only $250 and 4 OME springs will cost $320. $570 is not bad for a conversion where you pick your own springs.

This is a good webpage where a guy did this type of conversion www.okoffroad.com/okrovers/tech-38alift.htm

He did a real good job of documenting his conversion, so I thought I would give him some recognition.
Good Luck!

P.S. I am running 265/75/R16 on my 4.0 with absolutely no problems (cannot ride the bumpstops though). I didn't have to regear for these, but this is about the largest I'd go. BF AT/KO's are next.