Well first off Hello to everyone! I just picked up my S about a few months ago for 4500 with 100k, I wouldn't say it was steal but it well worth the money! This is my first jaguar as I've been a Euro junkie since I was 16. From BMW, to VW to Audi and back. Now Jaguar and to be honest as much as the transmission problems scare me with these cars I love it.

Now on to the fun stuff, my air ride build
I kinda took a quick look through the threads before I started this and didn't find much on anybody doing air ride in there S type so I figured I'd snap some pics along the way and show everyone what worked and what didn't.

I started off with a universal kit from "bagriders" in VT great people btw and very helpful. Aerosport 2 bags which are A "bag over coil" setup (for thoes of you who don't know they basically slip on to your strut and take the place of your spring.

Started off with this. I bought the 20inch Arden wheels same day and was too anxious to wait so I have no photos of it completely stock.
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Aerosport bags used.
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Strut disassemble an bag placement, normally the bag has a bracket that you weld to the perch or if your brave enough you weld the bracket to the shock. (After your completely strip it apart of course ) DO NOT WELD TO GAS FILLED SHOCKS. Trust me.
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Spring perches were than trimmed and aerosport Bag bracket was welded to spring perch and everything repainted nice glossy black. Here comes the fun part, the stock front shocks were a tiny bit too large so off to the junkyard we went in search of the same style shock assembly but shorter and more piston travel, when we came across a BMW e39 with the rear shocks still in it, we pulled one out and played around with it a while, after some overnight research I found they were not only 2 inches shorter but had a stronger valving inside the shock which allows me to go up and down more often without going through shocks every month.
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The rear shocks worked just fine, the only modification I did was since the spring Perch was only held in by a snap ring I cut another slot for the snap ring to sit on the shock with a dremel tool and moved the perch 2 inches lower on the shock. Sorry no photos this is when I found welding to a gas shock may not have been my most intelligent moment of the build.

That was it for the struts after brackets were welded in place to the trimmed spring perch the bags bolted up to the brackets and the original top hats were used and everything was put back in the car.
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On to the interrior, Trunk set up and deciding where to put 2 dual needed gauges and make it look original and clean.

Cup holders under the armrest!
I bought a sheet of plastic and trimmed it to fit on the inside of the cup holder than did a little custom plastic welding with a few zip ties and than wrapped in in some black suede
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Trunk setup, bulkheads, airline and tank and compressor setup. And mounted.
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Spare tire removed and everything hidden but the tank.
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Everything's just about done. Gauges mounted, strut towers cut and trimmed in the wheel well so no sharp objects come anywhere near the rubber bag that took place of my spring. Air line run everything powered up an grounded out.

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She's out!
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I apologize if the pictures did not work, I am a novice! So here is the link p my photobucket just incase! Enjoy!


http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/00...?sort=3&page=1

 

Yep. I do believe that's a first on here. Looks sick!

 

You are a hooligan....
Looks fantastic appreciate the work you're done and the pics...Paul

 

It's not my scene, but an excellent "How to".

I find it interesting the idea of air suspension as it usually gives excellent comfortable ride qualities. No so interested in "slamming" my car like yours as I don't think it would survive on our rough country lanes.


Can you give some feedback on how the car drives, with this set-up please?

 

I have to say as above, no really my thing tbh, but I fully appreciate the time and trouble you've went to on this.

The way you achieved the look is great, the placement of the gauges etc looks very well done.

Thanks for sharing

 

Thanks everyone! I have to be honest the ride quality depends on how low or high I drive the car. The pictures I posted are of the car fully aired out. And with the wheels tucking like that there's no chance I'd be able to drive it like that. When I air up its about an inch or two lower than stock ride height. Which is perfect! The bags hold a max psi of 110 and my daily driving height is around 80psi so the bag is ony partially inflated which allows more cushion. The higher the psi the stiffer the ride quality and even with the bags maxed out it rides like I'm on Coilovers. Anywhere between 40-90 psi it rides just like stock if not more comfortable. I have to say I love it. And I love the attention it catches! But recently I have been finding when I'm aired out all the way and I lock my car any little gust of wind will set my alarm off.. Has anybody ever had any randomly sounding alarms in the s type? Or am I just over reacting?

 

I often wondered if my alarm works as it never seems to go off! I like the setup!

 

Nice Arden! Where did you pick those up at?

 

the only time my alarm has gone off was when i had a failing battery

 

I actually picked them up from a guy locally not knowing what they were for 300 bucks! Than brought them home and did a little research and almost died hahah what a great find.

And ill double check the battery, I hope it's not dieing it's brand new!

 

At least you're only ruining a pre-2003 S-Type....

 

There's always that 1 cool guy who can't just appreciate, sorry I couldn't afford an R tough guy. Thans for your input though..

 

lol you haven't seen mine then....

 

That's a bit harsh - I reckon it's an interesting piece of re-engineering even if I'm not a fan of the "slammed" look.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by totalimmortal363 View Post
At least you're only ruining a pre-2003 S-Type....


I agree, very harsh, great engineering even if it doesn't appeal to all.

Most of us are just mere mortals after all.

 

ok guys lets get back on topic

 

I would totally do this if I could relocate the compressor and storage tank somewhere in the undercarriage. I don't like the idea of giving up a spare or that much trunk room. (already lost some to the sub) I also wonder what affect it would have on the C.A.T.S.

 

I don't think there is much room in the undercarriage to put anything. Only thing I could think is to ditch the mufflers (do straight pipes) as that frees up room on the sides, but then you have to deal with the heat from the exhaust pipes.