THIS THREAD HAS BEEN UPDATED - SEE POST #10 BELOW FOR CHANGES
This is a thread to gauge interest in a possible future kit which would convert the front IFS suspension of a D21/D22 from being suspended by torsion bars and damped by shock absorbers, to being suspended and damped by a strut-type airbag-over-damper assembly.
Such a kit would comprise of bracketry and reinforcement necessary to change the spring type, two air struts, and the necessary plumbing. Regarding legality, the kit would be complianced for Australian states prior to sale. The idea is that the evidence compiled in conjunction with my VASS engineer is provided to your engineer that the modification is safe, so that your engineer can produce a certificate without expensive testing.
Don't be too concerned with discussing whether it will fit/work/break, this thread is simply to determine if such a product is of interest to the market.
This kit would...
- ...increase on road ride comfort. Air springs are fitted to some upmarket luxury vehicles, ie. Range Rovers.
- ...make possible the adjustment on-the-fly of ride height, making it easy to enter low clearance areas, increase clearance to negotiate obstacles, increase clearance during oil services, or lower vehicle to improve access to the engine bay.
- ...make possible, through the use of a solenoid block, the cross-linking of air springs, creating an effective zero spring rate. In uneven terrain, as one wheel is forced up, the other wheel is forced down, similar to solid axle vehicles. Whilst this does not increase the range of travel, which is still limited by the bumpstops, it does increase the compliance of the suspension, allowing it to follow the terrain better. This feature would be activated from the cabin via a switch when travelling off-road.
- ...negate the need for a sway bar disconnect, as the zero spring rate contribution from the air springs when the link is activated, allows the control arms to articulate more despite the presence of the sway bar.
- ...increase access (by complete removal of the torsion bars) to the transmission, allowing the transmission to be removed without removing torsion bars, significantly reducing labour costs for clutch replacement etc.
- ...be compatible with aftermarket UCAs.
- ...make easy the adjustment of suspension after fitting a winch/bullbar/dual battery.
The spring rate ("hardness") of air springs is defined by their volume, whilst the height of the spring, which affects ride height, is determined by pressure, so ride height can be maintained (or altered) with differing loads, without affecting spring rate noticeably.
With so many variables, it is difficult to produce an accurate estimate for the total price of such a kit, however expect the basic kit (no air compressor or extras) to cost roughly somewhere in the range of $2k-$2.5k. If nation-wide compliancing is deemed impossible, this price will drop considerably.
Fitting would require grinding/welding to the chassis and LCA, painting, and basic spanner work. The above rough estimate does not include fitting.
Expressions of interest please.
This is a thread to gauge interest in a possible future kit which would convert the front IFS suspension of a D21/D22 from being suspended by torsion bars and damped by shock absorbers, to being suspended and damped by a strut-type airbag-over-damper assembly.
Such a kit would comprise of bracketry and reinforcement necessary to change the spring type, two air struts, and the necessary plumbing. Regarding legality, the kit would be complianced for Australian states prior to sale. The idea is that the evidence compiled in conjunction with my VASS engineer is provided to your engineer that the modification is safe, so that your engineer can produce a certificate without expensive testing.
Don't be too concerned with discussing whether it will fit/work/break, this thread is simply to determine if such a product is of interest to the market.
This kit would...
- ...increase on road ride comfort. Air springs are fitted to some upmarket luxury vehicles, ie. Range Rovers.
- ...make possible the adjustment on-the-fly of ride height, making it easy to enter low clearance areas, increase clearance to negotiate obstacles, increase clearance during oil services, or lower vehicle to improve access to the engine bay.
- ...make possible, through the use of a solenoid block, the cross-linking of air springs, creating an effective zero spring rate. In uneven terrain, as one wheel is forced up, the other wheel is forced down, similar to solid axle vehicles. Whilst this does not increase the range of travel, which is still limited by the bumpstops, it does increase the compliance of the suspension, allowing it to follow the terrain better. This feature would be activated from the cabin via a switch when travelling off-road.
- ...negate the need for a sway bar disconnect, as the zero spring rate contribution from the air springs when the link is activated, allows the control arms to articulate more despite the presence of the sway bar.
- ...increase access (by complete removal of the torsion bars) to the transmission, allowing the transmission to be removed without removing torsion bars, significantly reducing labour costs for clutch replacement etc.
- ...be compatible with aftermarket UCAs.
- ...make easy the adjustment of suspension after fitting a winch/bullbar/dual battery.
The spring rate ("hardness") of air springs is defined by their volume, whilst the height of the spring, which affects ride height, is determined by pressure, so ride height can be maintained (or altered) with differing loads, without affecting spring rate noticeably.
With so many variables, it is difficult to produce an accurate estimate for the total price of such a kit, however expect the basic kit (no air compressor or extras) to cost roughly somewhere in the range of $2k-$2.5k. If nation-wide compliancing is deemed impossible, this price will drop considerably.
Fitting would require grinding/welding to the chassis and LCA, painting, and basic spanner work. The above rough estimate does not include fitting.
Expressions of interest please.
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