Höherlegung New Defender mit Rods
Those who have configured the new Defender with an air suspension system can continuously change the height of the vehicle with simple means by replacing small coupling rods between the wheel suspension and the sensor of the air suspension system.
The height change is then permanent and applies to all set heights used with the air suspension.
Function:
The air suspension has a sensor on each wheel that gives the air suspension control unit permanent information about the height position of the wheel. This sensor is connected to the wheel suspension by a small plastic coupling rod. When the New Defender is raised by means of coupling rods (rods), the original coupling rods are replaced by modified ones. These modified coupling rods are slightly shorter (or longer), so after installation the ECU “thinks” the Defender will be lower than it should be. This is immediately compensated for by the air suspension by the ECU sending a signal to the valve blocks to continue pumping up the air suspension bellows. The Defender lifts and now stays at that height.
So depending on which length you choose for these coupling rods, the Defender can be changed in height.
The height change always refers to all set heights. So both the entry height, the normal height and the terrain height are henceforth adjusted by the difference of the height change. For example, each height is 2.5 cm higher.
On the Discovery 3 and 4, which have almost the same air suspension as the new Defender, this type of height adjustment has been the absolute standard for many years and is used by many drivers. From our own very long experience we can say that this modification works robustly and does not cause any problems. Only the track should be readjusted (with large changes) if necessary, so that no one-sided driving off the tires can happen.
The Rods are available from different manufacturers, we prefer the Rods from Rhino, which are available in 1″, so approx. 2.5cm and 2″, so approx. 5cm height increase.
Here you can find a short video about this:
P.S.: Many Discovery drivers will still know that there are electronic helpers with which the vehicle can be freely programmed in height. X-Lifter, Anitas and IID Tool are probably the best known representatives. Currently (02/2022) these options are not (yet) available for the New Defender, but this will surely come soon.
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