GOE Height
sensor rods - Further information
Generally, most complaints from owners of D3's, D4's or RRS's with EAS fall into one of
three categories:
1. The car lowers itself at 50kph and above, not acceptable for long distance sand driving
2. The clearance isn't enough for more hard-core rock/mud 4WDing
3. How to protect the system and prevent system reset (car goes down to bump-stops)
For the first two points above, one can gain around 50mm of additional lift over the
standard "off-road" setting. This is still within the tolerance of the EAS system, but
precautions need to be taken. For the final point, have a look at our EAS inflation kit.
Some background
the standard T5 EAS system has 7 set heights:
1. Transportation height - not selectable: down on the bump-stops - can only be set by
LR via the testbook. Severe EAS failure will also bring the car down to this height.
2. Access height - user-selectable: 45mm below "on-road" height. Speed limited to 30kph
if in "locked mode", else 10kph maximum. Failure of major components or the signal path
will bring the car down to this level.
3. High-speed height - not selectable: at speeds over 160kph, car lowers from "on-road"
by 20mm. Resumes normal height once below 140kph.
4. On-road height - user-selectable: std height gives you ~190mm ground clearance.
5. Off-road height - user-selectable: 50mm above std height. If vehicle exceeds 50kph,
returns to "on-road" height.
6. Extended-profile height - not selectable: 40mm above "off-road" height. Selected by
the EAS computer. If it detects "grounding" - either the car is trying to lower and
something stops it, or all 4 wheels are spinning but no forward motion - it will auto select
this mode. If you exceed 8kph, or more than 45sec passes, it will return to "off-road"
height.
7. Emergency-profile height - SORT of selectable: around 75mm above "off-road" height.
If the car is ALREADY in "extended-profile", the driver can select this mode by holding the
brake pedal down for 5sec whilst simultaneously selecting "up" on the suspension setting.
Same limits apply as per "extended-profile".
There are 3 known methods to getting more height over the "off-road" setting on-
demand. But there is no known method that will significantly exceed the "emergency-
profile" height, other than re-designing the suspension.
a) Trick the car into extended-profile: Another use for the LR-supplied jack! Put the car
into "off-road" height, get out and place the jack under the chassis rail, jack up until it is
just touching. Then get back into the car (door closed) and try to lower the vehicle. Car
will detect obstacle and go into "extended-profile" mode.
Remember - this only lasts for 45s or so, and for speeds less than 8kph. I have often used
this method for climbing rock walls etc.
b) Buy the Matzker EAS kit (or similar): a German company, they do a plugin box that
piggy-backs onto the EAS module. An extra switch (which you fit somewhere handy) then
gives you +45mm or -25mm over any of the three user-selectable heights. Costs around
$3500, and warranty implications are unclear. An Australian company (LLAMS) now also do
a similar product, but at around $550.
c) Replace the height-sensor rods: on each wheel strut, there is a rubber rod that
connects a sensor arm to the chassis. This sensor is responsible for "telling" the EAS
module what height that particular wheel is at. If you replace this rubber rod
with one a precise amount shorter, then:
implications.
None of the above are recommended for long on-road trips, due to extra wear on the CV
joints and air bags. There are people who have used c) above and run for 10,000 km or
more without incident. On the other hand, I know someone who ran 600km and broke a
front outer CV - it may not have been due to the suspension height (he was heavily
bogged and loaded), but basically, as with any suspension lift, you take your chances ....
The GOE Height Sensor rods are a slight twist to c) above - a single rod that has both
standard height and "+50mm" settings. You then just switch over the top connection to
the chassis (once you are familiar with the components, it takes about 10s per wheel)
prior to getting onto the rough stuff. You can do this whilst airing down, for instance.
Another 10s per wheel when your finished and you're back to normal height again. They
are also easily removable, and the standard rods can all be refitted in a matter of minutes
to bring the vehicle back to factory spec.
This is a cost-effective alternative to other rods or more complicated systems that cannot
easily be removed. Price is $140 per set.
Generally, most complaints from owners of D3's, D4's or RRS's with EAS fall into one of
three categories:
1. The car lowers itself at 50kph and above, not acceptable for long distance sand driving
2. The clearance isn't enough for more hard-core rock/mud 4WDing
3. How to protect the system and prevent system reset (car goes down to bump-stops)
For the first two points above, one can gain around 50mm of additional lift over the
standard "off-road" setting. This is still within the tolerance of the EAS system, but
precautions need to be taken. For the final point, have a look at our EAS inflation kit.
Some background
the standard T5 EAS system has 7 set heights:
1. Transportation height - not selectable: down on the bump-stops - can only be set by
LR via the testbook. Severe EAS failure will also bring the car down to this height.
2. Access height - user-selectable: 45mm below "on-road" height. Speed limited to 30kph
if in "locked mode", else 10kph maximum. Failure of major components or the signal path
will bring the car down to this level.
3. High-speed height - not selectable: at speeds over 160kph, car lowers from "on-road"
by 20mm. Resumes normal height once below 140kph.
4. On-road height - user-selectable: std height gives you ~190mm ground clearance.
5. Off-road height - user-selectable: 50mm above std height. If vehicle exceeds 50kph,
returns to "on-road" height.
6. Extended-profile height - not selectable: 40mm above "off-road" height. Selected by
the EAS computer. If it detects "grounding" - either the car is trying to lower and
something stops it, or all 4 wheels are spinning but no forward motion - it will auto select
this mode. If you exceed 8kph, or more than 45sec passes, it will return to "off-road"
height.
7. Emergency-profile height - SORT of selectable: around 75mm above "off-road" height.
If the car is ALREADY in "extended-profile", the driver can select this mode by holding the
brake pedal down for 5sec whilst simultaneously selecting "up" on the suspension setting.
Same limits apply as per "extended-profile".
There are 3 known methods to getting more height over the "off-road" setting on-
demand. But there is no known method that will significantly exceed the "emergency-
profile" height, other than re-designing the suspension.
a) Trick the car into extended-profile: Another use for the LR-supplied jack! Put the car
into "off-road" height, get out and place the jack under the chassis rail, jack up until it is
just touching. Then get back into the car (door closed) and try to lower the vehicle. Car
will detect obstacle and go into "extended-profile" mode.
Remember - this only lasts for 45s or so, and for speeds less than 8kph. I have often used
this method for climbing rock walls etc.
b) Buy the Matzker EAS kit (or similar): a German company, they do a plugin box that
piggy-backs onto the EAS module. An extra switch (which you fit somewhere handy) then
gives you +45mm or -25mm over any of the three user-selectable heights. Costs around
$3500, and warranty implications are unclear. An Australian company (LLAMS) now also do
a similar product, but at around $550.
c) Replace the height-sensor rods: on each wheel strut, there is a rubber rod that
connects a sensor arm to the chassis. This sensor is responsible for "telling" the EAS
module what height that particular wheel is at. If you replace this rubber rod
with one a precise amount shorter, then:
- new
"access" = old "on-road"
- new
"on-road" = old "off-road"
- new
"off-road" = old "extended-profile"
implications.
None of the above are recommended for long on-road trips, due to extra wear on the CV
joints and air bags. There are people who have used c) above and run for 10,000 km or
more without incident. On the other hand, I know someone who ran 600km and broke a
front outer CV - it may not have been due to the suspension height (he was heavily
bogged and loaded), but basically, as with any suspension lift, you take your chances ....
The GOE Height Sensor rods are a slight twist to c) above - a single rod that has both
standard height and "+50mm" settings. You then just switch over the top connection to
the chassis (once you are familiar with the components, it takes about 10s per wheel)
prior to getting onto the rough stuff. You can do this whilst airing down, for instance.
Another 10s per wheel when your finished and you're back to normal height again. They
are also easily removable, and the standard rods can all be refitted in a matter of minutes
to bring the vehicle back to factory spec.
This is a cost-effective alternative to other rods or more complicated systems that cannot
easily be removed. Price is $140 per set.
Off-road
Products: Two-Position Height sensor rods
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For RRS,
D3 and D4 fitted with Electronic Air Suspension. |
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Add an
extra 50mm of clearance in seconds!!! |
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Return
the vehicle to standard heights in seconds!!! |
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Ideal for
high-centred tracks, fast sand crossings or
serious rock climbing! |
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Fit in
minutes - no drilling, cutting or wiring!!! |
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Laser-cut
from High Density
Poly-Ethylene - vibration and flex proof!! |
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Only $140 for a set of 4 (includes postage within Australia)!!! | |
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"Only Land
Rover!"