GQ Front Air Suspension Install

[Abri Hoffman]

Eventually fitted the Front Airsprings to my Trol

Friday morning I received my long awaited front airsprings from Andre Brink from Airspring Supply Company.
Andre delivered it personally to my office at 08h00 Friday morning. Not bad service from the CEO of the company.

This must be one of the easiest job I have ever done.
Arived home at just after 16h00 and by 17h15 the job was done.

I got hold of a set of Land Cruiser 105 front shocks just before our Kaokoland trip. These shocks are 100mm longer than the Patrol units and as such I did not have to remove the shocks or wheels to install the airsprings.


Unpacked parts


Used the HL Jack and removed the coil


Nice and long shocks from LC105 makes for very easy install. Normally one would have to loosen the front should bottom mount to allow sufficient clearance


Top mounting plate assembled. This would then bold onto the top spring hanger through the bumpstop mounting hole. Could not be simpler.
I was worried that the tapered bolt would be difficult to install. However it was as easy as pie. The moment I started fastening the nut the tapered bold would bind in the hole with the result that it was a matter of tightening it to the specified setting.


The fully assembled airspring with specially molded piston to fit snugly over the bottom springhanger.


The airspring secured in place. A 2 minute job.


Since all my powertools are in Ceres and I am in Centurion currently I found a perfect hole just in front of the 2nd battery to install the inflation valve.


Was a bit worried that the airline would be damaged during full articulation inside the wheelarch , however it clears quite nicely.

[Patrol4.8]

Jis Abri dit lyk baie goed, en dankie vir die klomp foto's.
Dit lyk of die installasie sommer maklik is.

[Abri Hoffman]

Installing the airline to the airspring.


Airline connected to the inflation valve and cabletied into place.


Inflated the airspring to 5bar and tested for airleaks with a bit of soapy water.


Airspring at 5 bar. Looks scary but the nice thing is that with the spring inflated to its full length the shock is also at full extension.

http://www.patrol4x4.co.za/gallery/imag ... age_id=361
Airspring at normal operating pressure - 2bar. Same height I had with the +50kg ome's up front.


Normal road height at 2bar in front and 2.5bar at the rear.


Max rideheight at 3bar in front and 3.5bar at the rear. In front at this preasure I have approximately 100mm stroke left before full extension of the shocks and airsprings. At the rear there will be 200mm stroke left once I have installed the correct shocks.
Difference between minimum and maximum height is 150mm, not too shabby Nige?

I have not driven the Troll yet since I am eagerly awaiting the lower control arms that Pierre has sent.

First impressions of looks can best be described by my 10year old son's reaction:

"WOW, COOL, A Monstertruck, Pappa wanneer sit ons groter wiele op?"


Will state again that I think this is the ultimate suspension for the Troll.

Next up: Longer rear shocks: Either Koni - 82-2347 or the new OME Nitro Sport n29. I need a shock with a compressed length of 400mm and extended length of 700mm.
Then: Incab inflation system.

[Abri Hoffman]

A sideview of the wheelarch clearance around the 285/75/16 tyres:


At 2 bar


At 3 bar

[Tjaart]

Wonderlik wonderlik!!

Baie mooi gedoen!! Wat hou daai ding vas as die coil nou uit is?

[Abri Hoffman]

Tjaart die coil word slegs in plek gehou deur die gewig van die kar en shock. Dit sit los rondom die springhangers. Gedurende artikulasie beweeg die as gewoonlik na 'n kant toe wat dan die coil teen die springhanger vasdruk. Presies dieselfde beginsel geld vir die airspring. Dit is altyd onder druk en aangesien dit bo vasgebout is in plek van die bumpstop kan dit onder van die springhanger afgly nie weens die shock wat net so lank as die airspring is. Die piston onder aan die airspring is spesiaal vir die patrol gemold en pas dus styf oor die springhanger die volle lengte van die springhanger. Dus solank die shock in plek is kan die airspring nie uitkom nie.

[Rittelin]

Baie netjies gedoen! Lyk sommer (w)iele.

[Pieter du Toit]

Abri,

Daar is net een manier om jou installasie te beskryf - "ABSOLUTELY BLEDDIE AWESOME"!!! Man dit lyk mooi - en yes ek stem saam met jou laaitjie - daai Trol kort nou groter wiele!!!

Begin spaar maar solank Pa!!!

Jy moet ons laat weet hoe ry hy nou as hy eers weer loop - man ek sal wat wou gee om by te wees!!!

JOB WELL DONE!!

[Abri Hoffman]

After installing the new lower control arms I was able to use the Patrol today.
Took a bit of time to balance the vehicle on the 4 airsprings as presure and hieght is not linear as was the case with only the rear springs installed. Pressure seem to remain around 2.5bar in front and 3 bar at the rear not matter the height. After some experimentation I found that I set the rears at the correct height and same pressure and then set the fronts.
On the road it handles differently, very stable on the road except for very sudden left turns where it feels as if the nose dive a bit before stabilizing, interestingly enough this does not happen on right turns. Pierre warned me against this as it seems to be a trait of the pistons used for the front airsprings. I will experiment a bit with pressures to see the effect. Futher I will experiement with best onroad ride hight.

The ride is very good onroad especially over bumpstops. Can't wait to experience it on dirt roads.
Faster acting shocks is a definate requirement as is incab inflation and deflation.

Definitely a worthwhile mod and investment.

[Vaatjie]

Dammit, nou het my budget en wishlist finaal sy agterkant gesien. Dit lyk goed. Het juis gister in 'n range rover gery met air suspention en dit ry so sag, amper onwerklik. Ek het dit dalk gemis in die skrywe hierbo, maar wat kos die episode jou.