[chewblekka]

Figured I should start a thread about my current project. I'm going to retrofit the air suspension in my 2015 ExecLine R-Line. I will document as much of the retrofit as I can here. I'll try to includes as many pics as possible, as well as part numbers and wiring diagrams. I currently have everything except the air strut assemblies (on order), the body acceleration sensors (on order) and the load sill lower switch/trunk trim.

The latest Cayenne (958 ) comes with the air suspension in North America, so that makes it easy to get everything required except for the two dash switches. I thought about purchasing a wrecked Cayenne, but the cheapest I could find was around $9000 CAD. I acquired everything for under $3000 CAD.

I'm no stranger to turning a wrench. I'm a heavy duty mechanic, have owned over 30 Volkswagens and Audis, and have done some pretty neat swaps (16v G60 swap in my '81 Rabbit S, 1.8T K04 syncro swap in my '92 Passat wagon, VR6 swap in an '84 GTI, several MK2 1.8T swaps, etc). Overall it's not a terribly involved retrofit per se. You need:

compressor assembly and air lines
air tank
air trut assemblies
computer module
dash switches (2 of them)
FR and RR height sensors
body acceleration sensors (2 of them)
random mounting hardware (brackets, bolts, nuts, grommets, etc)
Load sill switch and right trunk trim panel (allows you to lower just the rear axle for ease of loading/unloading things)
lots of wires


Pictured below is the air compressor assembly complete with air lines and grommets, air tank, levelling module, and some pigtail harnesses.

I'll post more pics later when all the parts have arrived. I hope to start the install within the next three weeks.

I'm also retrofitting a Webasto parking heater as well, just waiting on a few last pieces to arrive. I'll create a separate thread for that, of course. Also planning on retrofitting a complete 4Xmotion system too (transfer case, rear diff).

 

[Gumerojo]

Watching with eager anticipation... I plan on doing this to my NAR 2012 sport when time, money, and wife approval allows.

 

[noobytoogy]

These are going to be interesting threads.


Would you be kind enough to list part numbers where you know them?
And lots of pix too please!!

 

[chewblekka]

Got some work done today. Mounted the compressor assembly, air tank, and ran the air lines. Pretty neat that the body has all the correct openings already, just plugged with grommets.

Few pics for now. When it's all done and running, I'll post a complete thread with lots of pics, part numbers, coding, wiring diagrams, etc.

 

[Built4Sin]

YESS!!!

 

[DeepWoods]

How's it going? This has me sitting on the edge of my seat.

 

[chewblekka]

How's it going? This has me sitting on the edge of my seat.

Sorry for the lack of updates. I'm waiting on a few final pieces to come from Europe and Volkswagen. In the mean time, I've got it pretty much all set. Compressor assembly, air tank, air lines, dash switches, and 90% of the wiring is complete. I'll install the airbags when it's all ready, obviously. Running the front left airline was a huge pain, as it runs along the bottom of the rain tray area; which meant I had to remove pretty much everything in there.

I've taken lots of pics, so when it's all done and moving up and down, I'll create a proper thread complete with lots of pics, part numbers, and wiring diagrams.

I also need one of our ROW friends to send me their levelling control module coding. Posted on MyTreg but haven't received any replies as of yet.

Here's a couple of pics to tide you over for now.

Air compressor assembly mounted:

Air tank mounted:

 

[Megaboss268]

This is going to be excellent.

 

[04_sti]

I suggest we get a group buy going for NA friends to swap this over to our Tregs. If we could get 50-100 owners to go in we could probalby get some good deals on parts or even have an aftermarket become interested in this. Im willing to throw 4k out for air ride on my Treg.

 

[chewblekka]

You can get everything needed (with exception of the two dash switches) from a 958 Cayenne (2011-2016).

I'm also in the process of acquiring the needed bits for a 4Xmotion swap (transfer case and locking rear diff).

 

[04_sti]

You can get everything needed (with exception of the two dash switches) from a 958 Cayenne (2011-2016).

I'm also in the process of acquiring the needed bits for a 4Xmotion swap (transfer case and locking rear diff).

How about the controller? That swaps over just fine too?

 

[chewblekka]

How about the controller? That swaps over just fine too?

Correct, the level control module swaps over. In basic terms, if you acquired a wrecked 2011-2016 Cayenne with air suspension, you could swap over everything from it, except for the two dash switches and the control module bracket.

 

[Njord]

I suggest we get a group buy going for NA friends to swap this over to our Tregs. If we could get 50-100 owners to go in we could probalby get some good deals on parts or even have an aftermarket become interested in this. Im willing to throw 4k out for air ride on my Treg.

Very optimistic estimation. If only you could source wrecked Cayenne. I checked OEM cheapest options. Just few main components: Controller, Compressor assembly, Valves block, Tank and 4 Struts. The budget is around 9,390 US Dollars. Plus the remaining bits: sensors, wiring, hoses, bolts and nuts, etc. There are some substitutes available. However, no aftermarket alternatives for some positions, like main controller. Don't even try to search brand new Cayenne parts. The price is 1.5-2 times higher.

 

[04_sti]

Very optimistic estimation. If only you could source wrecked Cayenne. I checked OEM cheapest options. Just few main components: Controller, Compressor assembly, Valves block, Tank and 4 Struts. The budget is around 9,390 US Dollars. Plus the remaining bits: sensors, wiring, hoses, bolts and nuts, etc. There are some substitutes available. However, no aftermarket alternatives for some positions, like main controller. Don't even try to search brand new Cayenne parts. The price is 1.5-2 times higher.

Yea thats why im saying it would be all aftermarket, nothing OEM. The downfall of that is no factory looking parts in the dash or integration in modules, however it would be much cheaper work as well if not better.

 

[chewblekka]

I've been able to piece together all the bits off eBay and the dealer. I got some parts off eBay in North America (air bag struts assemblies, module, air tank) and some parts of eBay in Europe (complete air compressor assembly with uncut airlines and grommets for $250 CAD, level sensors, acceleration sensors, pigtails, dash switches). I bought random bolts and hardware from the local dealer. All in, I'm into this for about $2900CAD, which isn't too bad at all, I believe.

The Webasto parking heater retrofit (thread coming soon) was about $550 CAD, and the 4Xmotion system will be around $2000CAD (due to heavy shipping weight from Europe).

 

[Scubacruiser]

The Webasto parking heater retrofit (thread coming soon) was about $550 CAD,

^^^^This!! Please start a thread! It's getting freezing here.

 

[04_sti]

I've been able to piece together all the bits off eBay and the dealer. I got some parts off eBay in North America (air bag struts assemblies, module, air tank) and some parts of eBay in Europe (complete air compressor assembly with uncut airlines and grommets for $250 CAD, level sensors, acceleration sensors, pigtails, dash switches). I bought random bolts and hardware from the local dealer. All in, I'm into this for about $2900CAD, which isn't too bad at all, I believe.

The Webasto parking heater retrofit (thread coming soon) was about $550 CAD, and the 4Xmotion system will be around $2000CAD (due to heavy shipping weight from Europe).

My 2016 comes up to temp VERY quick and has heat within 2 min. I must have something auxillary heater that is helping with this. Ive never seen a diesel come up to temp this quick without some sort of aftermarket heater. Are 2016s special?

 

[Scubacruiser]

My 2016 comes up to temp VERY quick and has heat within 2 min. I must have something auxillary heater that is helping with this. Ive never seen a diesel come up to temp this quick without some sort of aftermarket heater. Are 2016s special?

Holy thread hijack!

All V6 TDIs in North America came with an electric auxiliary heater that heats the coolant at the heater core while the engine is running. Elsewhere in the world, they offer a diesel-fuelled auxiliary heater (parking heater) that runs independently from the engine and heats the coolant. V10 TDIs had diesel-fuelled heaters but not set up like parking heaters. They only operated while the engine was running. Search Eberspacher or Webasto for more details on parking heaters.

 

[04_sti]

Holy thread hijack!

All V6 TDIs in North America came with an electric auxiliary heater that heats the coolant at the heater core while the engine is running. Elsewhere in the world, they offer a diesel-fuelled auxiliary heater (parking heater) that runs independently from the engine and heats the coolant. V10 TDIs had diesel-fuelled heaters but not set up like parking heaters. They only operated while the engine was running. Search Eberspacher or Webasto for more details on parking heaters.

Thank you. Ill def be adding one of these!

 

[chewblekka]

All V6 TDIs in North America came with an electric auxiliary heater that heats the coolant at the heater core while the engine is running.

This is actually incorrect. Nothing heats the coolant, there is an electric grid heater installed in the HVAC housing, works just like an electric space heater you'd buy for your house.

The Webasto will allow me to set a schedule so that it comes on in the mornings, heating the interior and clearing the windows before I even get to the car.