| Author | Message | ||
     jan (Umsuja) New Member Username: Umsuja Post Number: 20 Registered: 01-2004 |
how is it capable in offroad use (not so extreme 85% onroad and 15% off mostly trails ) how sensitive is airsuspension? punkture, life-time? any possibilities to modify it? have test drived one and i liked it! can you other owners tell me you oppinion. | ||
| Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) Senior Member Username: Deanbrown3d Post Number: 1495 Registered: 02-2002 |
I know of one that blew after a long day of off-roading in the Hole in the Rock trail. Its seems that it can get very hot after a long day of heavy use. The guy only keeps it on because he can lower the vehicle to get it in the garage. Otherwise he would replace it with coils. I think it had around 50K miles on the clock. Dean | ||
| Sean Clawson (Jacintyre) Member Username: Jacintyre Post Number: 48 Registered: 09-2003 |
I have a D2 with the SLS or airbags in the rear. Offroad it does fine, actually I have never even raised it to the offroad setting. I have noticed that mine in cold weather (below freezing) have begun to leak air('00 w/ 56K miles). They can be modified with spacers to add lift or the computer can be tricked into keeping the bag filled at a higher lever for the same effect. They can also be removed and replaced with a coil spring. | ||
| not the same Mike (Mikem) Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 92 Registered: 02-2003 |
I have a D2 with SLS and haven't had any problems with it off-road, yet. I never tow anything, so I'm planning on replacing the airbags with springs when I upgrade my suspension. I have noticed rcently that the compressor has been grunting after I turn the truck off while parked on a slight incline. | ||
| Devin Walton (Devin_walton) New Member Username: Devin_walton Post Number: 40 Registered: 03-2003 |
I've got an '00 with SLS that is lifted with the spacers. I haven't had any issues (yet!) on or off-road and keep the system because I use a hitch mount moto carrier. The vehicle handles a lot better with the SLS compensating for the extra weight. Devin | ||
| Nick Bowerman (Nickb857) New Member Username: Nickb857 Post Number: 17 Registered: 12-2003 |
I have a 99 with SLS and have also noticed that when it is very cold the back end lowers about as far down as it will go. Then it goes right back up when you turn it on and close the doors. Other wise i havent had any problems with it. | ||
| OLIVER CLOTHSOFF (Everythingleaks) Senior Member Username: Everythingleaks Post Number: 339 Registered: 10-2002 |
Rear air springs are on back-order if that gives any indication as to why the rear of the two SLS cars drop. I would recommend repairing the issue soon. What happens is the air leaks out all the time but with the vehicle running the compressor runs alot to keep the rear end at proper ride height. The system has no reserve like range rover so the compressor burns up and now the truck needs a $700.00 compressor and the $375.00 x 2 air springs. For the price of one air spring you can buy the 2 coil springs and all the other needed hardware to convert it. The only thing that the shadetree installer could not do is switch the SLABS ECU over to coil spring to keep the warning lights off. | ||
| Steve Cooper (Scrover) Senior Member Username: Scrover Post Number: 726 Registered: 09-2002 |
This is how you get home when you blow the plastic top off the air bag: http://www.expeditionexchange.com/millerhv/DSC01516.jpg That was done coming off a mild ledge. At least the Classics had a metal top on the bag. The SLS bags are not 'Trail Rated' as far as I have seen. If you do anything more than dirt roads, just switch to coils. It's one (two actually) less thing to worry about. SC | ||
| Jamil Abbasy (Jamooche) Senior Member Username: Jamooche Post Number: 383 Registered: 05-2003 |
Jan, SLS is a great system, but I removed it and replaced it with RTE springs and mounts. Springs don't fail like airbags can. A friend of mine popped an airbag in Western MA and had to strap in a piece of wood to get home. I miss the ability to have the leveling system, but love the reliability of the springs. Jamil | ||
| Nick Bowerman (Nickb857) New Member Username: Nickb857 Post Number: 18 Registered: 12-2003 |
It has only happend to me when it has been really cold over the past month or so at night between -5 and 5 degrees out. It may have been from the cold that the air bags expanded and the air preassure lowered. That was at least my thinking of the problem but i dont know. SInce it has warmed up i havent noticed it again. Nick | ||
| OLIVER CLOTHSOFF (Everythingleaks) Senior Member Username: Everythingleaks Post Number: 343 Registered: 10-2002 |
Actually, the springs in the RR are worse. The front air spring is about the worst design I have ever seen, esp. for a off-road vehicle. The top and bottom mounts are just press on with no band to secure them. The front air springs in the P38a leaked so bad that LR came out with a revised front air spring and shock package. Air suspension - great when it works, $uck$ when it fails | ||
| Donald (Dsmcf) Member Username: Dsmcf Post Number: 118 Registered: 11-2003 |
99 DII -- blew one of the rear springs taking an unexpected pothole at 30 mph. Upsetting, yes. Would have caused a metal spring to fail, no. Very easy to replace the air spring, though, and now I have an extra one to carry with the vehicle as a spare if I am off on a long trip... | ||
| John Gadd (Roverdude) New Member Username: Roverdude Post Number: 16 Registered: 11-2003 |
Mike Jacobs and myself both of www.SCLR.org have SLS on modified DIIs. He more so than I, but we both off-road in all terrains and degrees of difficulty. The EE link above is a buddy of mine and is the only air bag I've heard of that blew off-road (see me knock on wood). I will replace with springs, after my 100K mile warranty expires. A replacement on the trails would be recommended if at all possible. |
