My 2004 Jag finally reached 100,000 miles. The air suspension system was a plague since day 1. I tried to keep at original as possible but finally gave up and converted air system to standard spring shocks. I had all four corners replaced last two year with new air shocks and air compressor. I replaced every bushing and joints that shown signs of deterioration. I do not drive the Jag frequently since I drive Co, vehicle, which caused the battery drained. After jump started, I probably fried the air suspension computer. The rear shocks rose to the max height while I am driving. The front stayed the same. Error code has to do with solenoid valve stuck. I read on this forum, and suspected relieve valve from air compressor stuck closed. I replaced both air compressor, air computer, and solenoid valve pack and did not solve the issue. (I have a garage full of Jaguar spare parts),

I been toying with using Jaguar S-type spring shocks for a while and planned for the conversion. I bought the entire S-type shock system for $100.00 at local junk yard . I replaced the two rear shock bushings that I bought Rock Auto for $40 shipped. There is a post somewhere on this forum regarding using S-type shock on XJ8. The drilling procedure of new bolt holes was straight forward, this was my biggest concern. I make a template with a small piece of wood but did not have to use it. All I had to do was tap approximately 1/8 inch closed to center for each bolt hole. I used a small drill bit with cutting oil first and used a larger drill bit to enlarge the bolt hole.

The ride and height. The height is perfect front and rear. I cannot tell if there any height changes, I think it might just a tag lower which I preferred. The ride, two great thumbs up. It’s not as soft as the air shocks.

Safety; Extend bolt hole 1/8 inch does not anyway comprised the structure integrity of the mounting plate.

Why not after market springs: 1. Cost 2. some of these convertor kits are questionable. I installed a Chinese made kit for my friend Jaguar and it look silly, standing 1.5 inch to 2 inch higher the normal stand.

I just made a deposit for another 2004 Jaguar with 60K miles for $4,000.00 . It has the silly tall Chinese shock installed. I will investigate if the Chinse shock mount with fit S-type shock.


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You may want to look at 2009-2012 XF spring/shocks also.

 

Does the S type shock use the same ECATS adjustable damping system as the XJ? Or is it a completely passive shock?

 

Its just passive and I cannot tell the different. The Jag stands slight lower, which I really like the look. Ride solid.

 

Anna,
Compliments on finding an apparently workable solution to the aging air suspension system on our old Jags! This can be a real dilemma for many owners.

I assume the "S" dampers are still available? If so, this would address the issue of worn out dampers on donor vehicles (which is just one of the many problems with "rebuilt" air struts)
Also, is it specifically the upper wheel well 4 hole mounting circle that needs to come in 1/8"? If so, seems a simple issue...

The cost of a new set of OEM struts + air compressor would "total" most of the surviving X350 fleet. Unfortunately, a plethora of truly garbage chinese struts have now invaded EBay, etc. All of these I've seen are basically useless. Arnott makes some acceptable spring and air struts (they no longer do X350 rebuilt struts - far too many comebacks). Some other reputable outfits may do also.

My experience is that matching spring/damper rates with x350 requirements takes some careful design and real world tuning to achieve decent driveability. Without this, your nice Jag will ride just about as well as the chinese EBay coilovers in a teenager's Really Rad Honda Civic. Plus, it'll probably look funny...

IIRC, the "S" has similar suspension design and geometry, and - being steel vs aluminium - is just slightly heavier than the X350.
Its good to have substitute Jag parts as an X350 option...

 

I agreed regarding damper rate design . However, I cannot tell a huge different in rides between XJ8 air suspension system or S-type suspension system. The S-type springs are a little bit stiffer (+5% maybe), which I preferred. XJ-8 air shock and S-type shock are identical in height when they placed right next to each other. As you indicated both S-type and XJ8 are about same weigh and should have similar damper rate. If you do some research, both S-Type and XJ8 share many identical suspension parts. I do have two modified supercharger Miatas and coil over set up with various spring options for weekend racing. I do know a bits about dampers and spring rates. S-types are littered at junkyards now a day and costs mere $100.00 for full set. S-type OEM shocks are made by BILSTEIN. Rear shock bushings replacement is a must even they shown no sign of wear and tear. I will do some investigation and see if I can use Chinese's top shock mounts will fit S-Type shocks and springs. I am about to pick up a low miles XJ8 with Chinese shock installed.

 

Definitely good to know there are alternatives that use other model Jaguar parts. I have gone to the new Arnott air springs on my XJ, been happy enough, but of course that does not eliminate the risk of compressor issues.

I thought for sure the S-type had active dampers as an option, but maybe I'm thinking the XF. Would be interesting to see if the XF coil setup would transfer to the XJ in the same manner as the S type.

If you can share a picture of your XJ with the coil setup would love to see how it turned out.