What-If: Doing Adjustable Ride Height on Discovery - Land Rovers Only

Adam in NYC USA · 01-07-2007, 04:31 PM

What-If: Doing Adjustable Ride Height on Discovery
Hi there from Adam in NYC

This is a What-If question.

I was wondering how doable and much would it cost to do an adjustable ride
height suspension for the Land Rover Discovery?

I was thinking from 1 1/2 inch ride height to say about 4 inch ride height.
I am currently using stock 16 but doing
something like obviously lets you go up a few inches to maybe 18+.

How would that be implemented? I was thinking one dual system shock each
side with one shock being a adjustable airbag
system so you can do cockpit ride adjustment. Another system I saw was
sneaking a airbag up on the top of the shock mount
and doing the rise/fall there. That works great with those small shock
towers in the engine compartment but you do have to
make custom towers.

Then you have to worry about the wheel alignment once you go past a certain
point.

How about it?

Adam in NYC

Rovin4life · 01-07-2007, 04:45 PM

well its possible you could put it in extended ride height mode by extending the ride height sensors.

puts its up and fools the computer. from there you have to add an inch or two and then your safe.

Rovin4life · 01-07-2007, 08:09 PM

dear god I got mixed up with a disco two.

you can do adustable ride height but mostly as an aftermarket system thats not to cheap.

seen most systems for regular trucks.

nothing for land rovers but I could be wrong.

rmuller · 01-07-2007, 08:20 PM

Someone had a nice system for the RRC (or was it a P38?) at MAR two years ago.. I cant remember the name of the company though.

DevilDisco · 01-08-2007, 05:35 AM

I don't think there are any Disco Specific Systems. It could be done of course with Air Bags, but the only system I have seen was when Xtreme 4x4 put one on a Dodge RAM. Looked like a pretty stout system, but it would be major modificaiton and of course $$$.

AdrianS · 01-10-2007, 06:12 AM

Here is a link to the air suspension for the DI/RRC/P38. http://www.roverspecialties.com/suspension.html Ask for John. Tell him Adrian from 4x4ag sent ya.

Adam in NYC USA · 01-10-2007, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevilDisco

I don't think there are any Disco Specific Systems. It could be done of course with Air Bags, but the only system I have seen was when Xtreme 4x4 put one on a Dodge RAM. Looked like a pretty stout system, but it would be major modificaiton and of course $$$.

All of the shows include Muscle Car have been using AirBag Systems of Nevada, i think.

One system was very interresting. It was for a PT Cruiser and they put the special airbag on top of the factory shock tower. That would look sweet in the D1 engine compartment.

I was looking for one and found one thanks to one of us here. Way to go!

Adam in NYC

Adam in NYC USA · 01-10-2007, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdrianS

Here is a link to the air suspension for the DI/RRC/P38. http://www.roverspecialties.com/suspension.html Ask for John. Tell him Adrian from 4x4ag sent ya.

Thank you very much. I have emailed them and see how much it will cost and entail.

Adam in NYC

apbtpetey · 01-10-2007, 09:56 AM

When I had my old Lincoln it had a few air ride system and I used a air ride shop up in Albany. Not sure if they are still there as it has been a few years since I used them. A really good place for air ride stuff is arnott industries.

Let me just add that air rides can be very expensive to put in and repair. They are great, but can be costly and then when you take it to a shop fro repairs you'll have to make sure they turn off the system when they lift it other wise you could damage the bags.

If you do go this route make sure you get the right bags for the weight of the Discovery as well or you'll run into problems.

not trying to scare you away, but just giving you a heads up about the cost of the system. To just replace an airbag shock set-up was like $600-$700 and was just for one on a car that has the system from the factory. Of coruse the price would drop if you did the work yourself, but still converting over to a full air-ride isnt going to be cheap when you add in the pump, lines, bags, and various other stuff.

300bhp/ton · 01-12-2007, 03:51 AM

It's all possible the P38 has adjustable ride hieght suspension, but for serious off road people remove it and run normal shocks/spings.

Don't really see the point in it myself. I mean if you still want to lower the vehicle then you can't run big off road tyres. So apart from ground clearance you'll gain little off road. Plus any such system will be expensive, heavy and complex.

I don't know much about these airbag systems, but I've seen a few and I suspect some are totally useless off road so make sure you check they are suitable for your application.

The only setups I've seen have been custom one off hydrolic setups. Very good for off road as you can control the ride height of each wheel indeoentantly. But it's not you average everyday setup.

VArova87 · 01-16-2007, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam in NYC USA

Thank you very much. I have emailed them and see how much it will cost and entail.

Adam in NYC

did you ever get any pricing info?

Adam in NYC USA · 01-19-2007, 03:49 PM

Not yet.

01-07-2007, 04:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
Adam in NYC USA The Urban Motorist Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 968 Gallery: 0	What-If: Doing Adjustable Ride Height on Discovery What-If: Doing Adjustable Ride Height on Discovery Hi there from Adam in NYC This is a What-If question. I was wondering how doable and much would it cost to do an adjustable ride height suspension for the Land Rover Discovery? I was thinking from 1 1/2 inch ride height to say about 4 inch ride height. I am currently using stock 16 but doing something like obviously lets you go up a few inches to maybe 18+. How would that be implemented? I was thinking one dual system shock each side with one shock being a adjustable airbag system so you can do cockpit ride adjustment. Another system I saw was sneaking a airbag up on the top of the shock mount and doing the rise/fall there. That works great with those small shock towers in the engine compartment but you do have to make custom towers. Then you have to worry about the wheel alignment once you go past a certain point. How about it? Adam in NYC __________________ -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Owner of a 1996 Land Rover Discovery 1 in Beluga Black or the Dirt of the Day. Where we are going,we don't need roads. Nothing in education is so astonishing as the amount of ignorance it accumulates in the form of inert facts. ‘The Education of Henry Adams’ (1907) ch. 25

01-07-2007, 04:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
Rovin4life Former NAS LR TECH, Current AUS LR TECH Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: DOWN UNDER Posts: 1,740 Gallery: 0	well its possible you could put it in extended ride height mode by extending the ride height sensors. puts its up and fools the computer. from there you have to add an inch or two and then your safe. __________________ I work on Rovers. Got a question just ask.

01-07-2007, 08:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
Rovin4life Former NAS LR TECH, Current AUS LR TECH Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: DOWN UNDER Posts: 1,740 Gallery: 0	dear god I got mixed up with a disco two. you can do adustable ride height but mostly as an aftermarket system thats not to cheap. seen most systems for regular trucks. nothing for land rovers but I could be wrong. __________________ I work on Rovers. Got a question just ask.

01-07-2007, 08:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
rmuller Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 2,398 Gallery: 0	Someone had a nice system for the RRC (or was it a P38?) at MAR two years ago.. I cant remember the name of the company though. __________________ Ryan :: Off-Road/Accessories Moderator :: Gallery 2001 Discovery II \| 1994 Defender 90 #416

01-08-2007, 05:35 AM	#5 (permalink)
DevilDisco He did what in his cup??? Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: GA Posts: 1,005 Gallery: 0	I don't think there are any Disco Specific Systems. It could be done of course with Air Bags, but the only system I have seen was when Xtreme 4x4 put one on a Dodge RAM. Looked like a pretty stout system, but it would be major modificaiton and of course $$$. __________________ '04 Discovery SE7. Last of the best.

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01-10-2007, 06:12 AM	#6 (permalink)
AdrianS Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Roseland, NJ Posts: 50 Gallery: 0	Here is a link to the air suspension for the DI/RRC/P38. http://www.roverspecialties.com/suspension.html Ask for John. Tell him Adrian from 4x4ag sent ya. __________________ Adrian Strata www.4x4ag.com 98 DI 34x10.50 Simex JT 2.5" SR lift Evo Kit 91 RRC parting out

01-10-2007, 09:56 AM	#9 (permalink)
apbtpetey Support Our Troops Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Hudson Valley, NY Posts: 3,376 Gallery: 0	When I had my old Lincoln it had a few air ride system and I used a air ride shop up in Albany. Not sure if they are still there as it has been a few years since I used them. A really good place for air ride stuff is arnott industries. Let me just add that air rides can be very expensive to put in and repair. They are great, but can be costly and then when you take it to a shop fro repairs you'll have to make sure they turn off the system when they lift it other wise you could damage the bags. If you do go this route make sure you get the right bags for the weight of the Discovery as well or you'll run into problems. not trying to scare you away, but just giving you a heads up about the cost of the system. To just replace an airbag shock set-up was like $600-$700 and was just for one on a car that has the system from the factory. Of coruse the price would drop if you did the work yourself, but still converting over to a full air-ride isnt going to be cheap when you add in the pump, lines, bags, and various other stuff. __________________ John Conklin LRO Moderator

01-12-2007, 03:51 AM	#10 (permalink)
300bhp/ton The Best 4X4XFar Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: England, home of the Land Rover Posts: 598 Gallery: 0	It's all possible the P38 has adjustable ride hieght suspension, but for serious off road people remove it and run normal shocks/spings. Don't really see the point in it myself. I mean if you still want to lower the vehicle then you can't run big off road tyres. So apart from ground clearance you'll gain little off road. Plus any such system will be expensive, heavy and complex. I don't know much about these airbag systems, but I've seen a few and I suspect some are totally useless off road so make sure you check they are suitable for your application. The only setups I've seen have been custom one off hydrolic setups. Very good for off road as you can control the ride height of each wheel indeoentantly. But it's not you average everyday setup. __________________ Land Rover Discovery (3 Door) 200Tdi 5-speed Mods:Allisport LARGE FMIC \| Allisport Tuned \| Simex Jungle Trekker II 33.11.50R15 Tyres \| 15x8 8 Spokes \| Heavy Duty Uprated Suspension (shocks & springs) \| Wheel arch Flares \| 1" Wheel Spacers \| Custom Straight Thru Exhaust \| Custom Trimmed Front bumper with twin NATO Hooks \| Custom Rear Bumper with single Large NATO Hook 360˚ Swival \| Front Light Guards \| Custom Aluminium Rear Floor \| Bonnet Straps \| 100w Spot Lights \| Upgraded Headlights The Best 4X4XFar

01-19-2007, 03:49 PM	#12 (permalink)
Adam in NYC USA The Urban Motorist Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 968 Gallery: 0	Not yet. __________________ -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Owner of a 1996 Land Rover Discovery 1 in Beluga Black or the Dirt of the Day. Where we are going,we don't need roads. Nothing in education is so astonishing as the amount of ignorance it accumulates in the form of inert facts. ‘The Education of Henry Adams’ (1907) ch. 25

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