Has anyone done the coil over conversion on their VDP? I can't find a kit anywhere for the VDP. Strut masters makes a kit but only fits in the xj8

 

? there should be no suspension difference between a vdp and a regular xj8. vdp was just an upgrade in interior/content, not suspension.

 

I did the swap on my VDP, without issue. However, there is a suspension difference on my car between the xj8 and vdp. I'm still searching threads and parts for what all is different - and why.

 

Hmmm, what was different? different part numbers perhaps? I see a lot of car part websites that differentiate the VDP as a separate model with it's own list of parts, sometimes they'll only list the part for an XJ8 - when it fits the VDP.
i.e. seems to be a lot of confusion out there.
Basically from what I found out when I bought mine, the VDP is an upgrade in materials and options on the long wheel base - which I think they all were after 2004.

 

I've done the Arnott conversion on both an XJ8 and a Vanden Plas. Same Arnott kit fit both cars and worked great.

The only thing I can think of that might make a difference is if your car was originally equipped with Sport air spring/shock units instead of Comfort units, as was our XJR. Arnott now offers both Comfort and Sport replacement units. I don't know if the same is true of Strutmasters, Suncore or any of the other vendors.

Cheers,

Don

 

Hello all,
I have been on the phone to Strutmasters and they assured me the there is no difference between the XJ8 and the VDP. I hope so as I just bought the kit and will attempt do this at the weekend. Mine is a 04 VDP.
I will let you know what happens,
Cheers,
Knobby

 

Hello all,
I just did a Struttmasters conversion on my 04 XJ8 VDP.
After talking to Struttmasters they assured me there wasn't any difference between the XJ8 and the VDP, with that I went ahead and did the conversion and I am very pleased with the conversion.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Knobby.

 

This is probably the kit that I’m going to get for my 2004 XJ8. Now that you’ve been driving with it for a while what do you thnk of it?

 

With probably close to 3 years on our conversion to Strutmasters coil over units in our '04 XJ8 I'd have to say that we're pleased with the results.


There are 2 relatively minor quibbles I have as they don't lower the car at speeds above 100mph as the air suspension did and on rough gravel or hardpan roads there is some slight rattling that is probably from the suspension. Of course the car is now 15 years old and has 107,000+ miles on it so some rattling is to be expected.

The upside is that I no longer have to worry about another airbag failure and the time and expense of tracking down the problem and fixing it.