LR3 suspension air to coil conversion

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remember5

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I converted my Disco II from air to coil and added a 2" lift. It changed the ride and made it a bit more harsh. As far as off road honestly I didn't notice a difference and really the handling and cornering on road were still good but it was a little top heavy. I just decided that with my LR3 I was going to keep all the stock components and use what the engineers designed. I rarely if ever use my LR3 for trips so lifting it will not cause the issues on the highway that I had with the Disco II.
 

mflecklr3

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I only have second hand experience with the D3/LR3 air vs. coil debate. It's hardly scientific but "a guy I know" did a coil conversion to his LR3 and went to Moab. He came back and immediately switched back to air. To your point about coil suspension being available from the factory, those models did not have the Terrain Response System (per wikipedia). To your point of factory coil option being an indication of R&D, then that would seem to confirm the R&D department concluded that coil suspension and TRS are incompatible.
 

Houm_WA

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A few things:

1. The DiscoII Air Suspension and the LR3's EAS are VERY different systems and comparing them is not appropriate.

2. The AB Coil System is said to ensure no faults are shown when you disable the EAS in lieu of the coils. I don't know if that means it "works with" the 4ETC and TR the way the EAS does.

....but that's not the biggest knock against the coils. It's that without the cross-link valving of the EAS, the suspension won't articulate.

As for ensuring you won't be on bump-stops, it's not really that hard with EAS.

1. Make sure your compressor is in good working order before your trip.
2. Check the life of your air shocks by lifting the front end and making sure there is physical clearance between them and the upper control arms.
3. Carry spare height sensors.
4. Carry an IIDTool.
5. If you are overlanding and the trail is mild but remote, pull EAS fuses.
 
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And to that argument, I see your points. I have, however, read threads that discredit the ability for the air suspension to articulate as really necessary- in practice. I love the idea of the air- the ability to change the height on command and of course to 'wow' friends, but I don't know that i want to end up having to replace all four bags eventually... in addition to diagnosing issues that come up along the way.

That being said, I have to make this decision quickly. I'd like to order the parts this week and it'll either be the AB 2" HD coil conversion or a new bag and a compressor rebuild kit.
 

Houm_WA

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Well, I can understand that. The EAS is likely more expensive in the long run and certainly more frustrating, but the coils aren't perfect either (read up and you'll hear of some frustrations) and the initial costs of the coils are high.

I have had my LR3 for almost 13 years now. In that time, sure I've replaced some compressors but the AMK is said to be much better than the prior (Hitachi) and I've changed both air shocks in front (first one went out, second one I did voluntarily). As for the rears, they are fine. I don't know when I will change them but I can spread that out a bit, mostly because I don't drive it much so if I do the right rear next year I can wait another year to do the left and only ~2500 miles would have been driven so they wouldn't be "mis-matched" shocks or anything weird like that. Hmmm....what else? I have had a calibration issue because of complications with the failed shock on a trail (upper control arm was wacking the shock and also caused a bending of the sensor bracket) but a lot of these things were self-inflicted by not understanding what was happening under the rig when I heard it or felt it or saw it. There is a lot less to fear now, with EAS simply because we, as a community, understand it better.

As for articulation....I don't know who said what to you about that. EAS is not going to flex like a Defender's solid axles....but it does pretty well and I'd say remarkably well for being an indy suspension at heart. My statement was only that it offers more articulation than the coils, and that is irrefutable.

I will let this photo speak for itself...not flexing like a tricked out Jeep or Defender with a 1,000,000 RTI score, but you'd swear there was a solid axle under there, but no...that's the cross-link valves at work!

articulation.jpg
 
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Thank you for your insight. Maybe what I should do is fix the EAS for now, play with if for a while and maybe make the switch later if need be. Even ordering a new shock, compressor rebuild and Johnson Rods is cheaper than the initial expense of the coils. hmm
 
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If I do decide to just replace the air spring, what is the most recommended place to buy? I've seen them range from $230 - $350 for the shock / spring combo. I would love the Bilstein upgrades but those are a bit spendy
 

Houm_WA

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idk, I just use the OEM stuff. I'd personally skip the Johnson Rods and get an IIDTool instead. You can get the lift you want plus all the other functionality from the GAP (IIDTool).
 
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Would I need the IID Tool and the EAS control to do that?

Edit* I just answered my own question, yes. I would need both.
 
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Houm_WA

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...not sure what you mean by "EAS control."
 

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