SLS Conversion

[AMCMDisco]

Hey guys.

Recently did a coil swap on the rear of the disco - the SLS was having ride height sensor issues and seemed like it started to fry the SLABS on the SLS. It would hooptie itself down the street at the slightest bump, but would stay perfect, even adjusting height during trail driving in the "offroad" height position... but that only works as it allows to up to 20 or so mph.

Here's the "how I did it..."

[AMCMDisco]

Rear coils were pulled from a parts truck, looked to be in good shape, no rust, little dirt, bushings in good shape.

I first used the spring tools to compress the spring while on the ground. Be careful to do each side a little at a time, you are putting a ton of energy into the springs and be very careful to treat them like loaded guns!

I jacked the truck up, propped with stands, and removed the rear wheels.

Remove the cover from the SLS compressor pump, and using a 8mm combination wrench remove the ends of the valves for each airbag. While in here, pull the cannon plug for the compressor so it won't run in the meantime while driving. Tape the ends of the pipes and plug, replace cover.

Remove the retaining clips and push the airbags down a little, then remove the air line feeding the top of the bag. Rotate 90 degrees and remove the airbag - taping the end of the line and zip-tie out of the way.

[AMCMDisco]

The airbag... retainer clips are on the two studs which pass through the top mount for the airspring.

Attachments:

[AMCMDisco]

The bottom base is attached directly into the mounting points on the axle with 13mm bolts...

Attachments:

[AMCMDisco]

Place the compressed coil into place between the retainer on the top, and the base plate just installed on the axel, carefully releasing tension on the spring compressors until there's just enough space to slide in the bushing.

With the bushing in place on the top of the coil, release the remaining tension of the spring tool, and remove (ensuring the spring is properly seated).

Attachments:

[AMCMDisco]

Now that the springs are complete, you can swap out the shocks if you need to.

The SLABS unit will still be trying to adjust the system for the ride height, and will try to run the compressor. You can drive normally with the unit still trying to operate, but you'll get either the three amigos and/or the SLS warning light.

You will need to find a great shop (like Great Basin Rovers in SLC, UT) which has either Rovacom or Testbook and get the SLABS unit to convert from SLS to coils for the mode of suspension in the rear.

[ptschram]

Two comments.

The bolts holding the spring perches to the axle housing should be 10 m/m, not 13 m/m.

It is a good idea to disconnect the air solenoids from the circuit as the computers can lose their mind and revert back to original settings resulting in dead battery and alarm problems.

[AMCMDisco]

Ah, apologies, the spring tool was 13mm.

Good tip for the sensors, didn't think about those guys. thanks!