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In layman terms, the LLAMS module intercepts data from the sensors and feeds "fake" numbers to the stock EAS module, which acts accordingly to correct the vehicle height.
In layman terms, the LLAMS module intercepts data from the sensors and feeds "fake" numbers to the stock EAS module, which acts accordingly to correct the vehicle height.
got it. thank you.
Is this prefrred over the rod's approach? I guess the most obvious addition is the LLAMS can operate to go lower on the "access height" setting, in addition to going higher on the "normal" and "off-road" modes?
Is there another advantage to LLAMS? Just trying to figure out which direction to head....
For me, the main advantage of an electronic height controller is that you can go back to stock at the flick of a switch. I was never fond of rods because it's a permanent modification - yes, you can replace them with the standard ones if necessary, but who does that, really? It's a PITA, nobody does that unless they are taking the car to the dealer for service. At the very least, driving around lifted an inch and a half or two all the times negatively affects handling by raising your center of gravity. I use the extended heights of the LLAMS controller only if I need them, otherwise I leave the switch off and use the stock controls. I may need to lift to super extended height before negotiating an obstacle off-road, before getting high centered. A controller such as this one allows me to be proactive. Or, I can knock it down 20 mm when driving at high speeds or up twisty mountain road, for better handling. Or to enter an especially low overhead garage. In other words, you have a lot more options and don't need to slide under the car to replace any sticks.
For me, the main advantage of an electronic height controller is that you can go back to stock at the flick of a switch. I was never fond of rods because it's a permanent modification - yes, you can replace them with the standard ones if necessary, but who does that, really? It's a PITA, nobody does that unless they are taking the car to the dealer for service. At the very least, driving around lifted an inch and a half or two all the times negatively affects handling by raising your center of gravity. I use the extended heights of the LLAMS controller only if I need them, otherwise I leave the switch off and use the stock controls. I may need to lift to super extended height before negotiating an obstacle off-road, before getting high centered. A controller such as this one allows me to be proactive. Or, I can knock it down 20 mm when driving at high speeds or up twisty mountain road, for better handling. Or to enter an especially low overhead garage. In other words, you have a lot more options and don't need to slide under the car to replace any sticks.
Very helpful, thank you. Subjects to think on.
I look forward to hear about how goes your installation ...
I guess one advantage the rods might have over this solution is that they are easily reversible in about five minutes... in the event of a breakdown, one could literally do it with the factory jack before LR roadside assistance showed up, and nobody would be the wiser when the truck arrived at the dealer service department. I imagine this wiring harness would take some time to reverse.
Personally, I would not want a mod like this installed when the truck went into service… those jackasses at the dealership are liable to declare a suspension warranty void over a set of aftermarket wheels, let alone reconfiguring the computer to trick the airbag into over-inflating itself.
Don’t get me wrong, I think the LLAMS solution is both more elegant and practical than the rods. But speaking for myself, it’s probably not something I’d do until the truck is out of warranty.
Last edited by TheLittleEngineThatCould; Jun 14, 2021 at 01:44 AM.
Installed, works great. The LLAMS controller is easy enough to hook up to the EAS module with the supplied harness, and I found the ideal place to install it so it is easy to access for service or to install the null plug that disables the controller completely (making it undetectable to the dealer's diagnostic system and allowing factory calibration.) The biggest PITA was, you guessed it, running the long cable for the switch from the rear right panel in the cargo area to the front left dash near the steering wheel. I tucked it under the edges of the floorboard and it was a painstakingly slow process, but I wanted to make sure the cable was invisible. Also, after much thinking I decided to mount the control switch on the shroud of the steering column - the switch is too large to easily mount in the blank for the brake controller. I can operate it by feel anyway, so don't really need to see the switch or its LED to find out where it's set. Even on the steering column shroud where I placed it, you need to be very precise as there is a lot of stuff hidden there and the switch could get in the way of other modules and wiring harnesses if it's mounted too high, or not mount properly if you drill too low... Lots of measuring was required before I decided to commit and drill, lol.
Overall it took me 5 hours, longer than I thought but I was being careful not to lose or break clips and stuff (still managed to break a couple of yellow poppers behind the right side loadspace panel, but luckily there's at least a dozen more back there, so two broken ones don't seem to make any difference.)
Will take a short video tomorrow, to show the benefits and features of the LLAMS height controller, since pictures are worth a thousand words. Meanwhile, here is a handful of install photos (it was dark outside, so they kind of suck), which probably won't make much sense to you unless you decide to install this, in which case they may be helpful. As you can see, I have a 5-seater so 7-seaters may not have as much empty space available under the cargo area floor.
Last edited by umbertob; Jun 19, 2021 at 04:43 AM.
More professional videographers have an assistant... I don't, sorry. But this should give you a rough idea of how the LLAMS height controller operates. Remember, as long as your engine is running height changes are available on-the-fly (even while driving) and regardless of your vehicle speed or stock air suspensions status.
Umberto, no disrespect but you look like an average American guy, but you sound like Pavarotti or a 007 Bond villain! I didn’t know you were a foreigner! Very cool! America’s melting pot.
Originally Posted by umbertob
More professional videographers have an assistant... I don't, sorry. But this should give you a rough idea of how the LLAMS height controller operates. Remember, as long as your engine is running height changes are available on-the-fly (even while driving) and regardless of your vehicle speed or stock air suspensions status.
More professional videographers have an assistant... I don't, sorry. But this should give you a rough idea of how the LLAMS height controller operates. Remember, as long as your engine is running height changes are available on-the-fly (even while driving) and regardless of your vehicle speed or stock air suspensions status.
Thank you for sharing the video and your installation details. I went to the Llams website and they do not offer the Defender LLams yet -- so you must be one of the first customers. Also, they do not have any contact information of the website.
I see the usefulness of this controller. It will allow me to intermittenly raise the vehicle for a short period of time, while off-roading to clear a specific obstacle. That is a needed capability for the way in which I use my Defender.
I like that approach better than using lift rods all the time in order to fit larger tires, or fitting the lift rods only when off-road with the stock tire sizes.
I posted Graeme Small's contact info in message #3 above. He will get back to you very quickly (considering the different time zone, LLAMS is in Australia) and answer any questions you may have in great detail. That's a big reason why I have been doing business with Graeme for 10+ years, unmatched customer support straight from the engineer who invented this controller.
