Thread: Flex, or lack of it

Originally Posted by nayto

Do Bilstein make a longer travel shock? The measurements quoted above arent much longer than standard.
[snip]

Yep, LRA originally commissioned them and IIRC they are available through Sydney Shocks/Heasmans.
They are basically just longer versions of the B46-0243/B46-0255 and IIRC carry the same part #'s with a suffix.

Have some specific open/closed lengths here somewhere but when I asked Andrew at LRA years ago he couldn't remember off the top of his head but said they were basically 2" more stroke than stock so add roughly 50mm to the above dimensions. (*which also means you need to modify mounts so you don't bottom out the shocks on full compression)
[edit] forgot to add you will need longer free length springs to take advantage of the longer stroke dampers, otherwise the springs will fall out of their perches at anything approaching full droop and they won't fall back in (unless locating cones are used, and then that becomes another discussion entirely)

To get more articulation you need a longer shock.(+ a flexible coil aka dobinsons)
Because you fitted a 2 in lift with the same length shock you reduced the amount the wheel can drop. The standard shock/ billie has 8 inches of travel so on stock settings has 2-3in up and 5 down, raise Your defender 2 in and now it's more 4-5in up and 3-4 in down
If you fit longer shocks you will need to EITHER:
fit a taller rubber bump stop(to prevent the shock damaging itself), which will limit your axles uptravel,
or fit raised shock mount points with longer shocks. Such as a Gwyn lewis challenge Kit, OME 60070L shocks or another similar size and dobinson +2in coils(flexi coils on the rear) See my post in My defender.

Originally Posted by frantic

To get more articulation you need a longer shock.(+ a flexible coil aka dobinsons)
Because you fitted a 2 in lift with the same length shock you reduced the amount the wheel can drop. The standard shock/ billie has 8 inches of travel so on stock settings has 2-3in up and 5 down, raise Your defender 2 in and now it's more 4-5in up and 3-4 in down
If you fit longer shocks you will need to EITHER:
fit a taller rubber bump stop(to prevent the shock damaging itself), which will limit your axles uptravel,
or fit raised shock mount points with longer shocks. Such as a Gwyn lewis challenge Kit, OME 60070L shocks or another similar size and dobinson +2in coils(flexi coils on the rear) See my post in My defender.

Lifted springs are not need for flex....

I run stock rear springs and I can completely cycle a 14.5" travel shock...

just to show off, i'll show you

Originally Posted by Benny_IIA

Lifted springs are not need for flex....

I run stock rear springs and I can completely cycle a 14.5" travel shock...

just to show off, i'll show you

As I mentioned earlier, dislocated vs retained = whole new discussion (otherwise known as a can-o-worms)

Originally Posted by rick130

As I mentioned earlier, dislocated vs retained = whole new discussion (otherwise known as a can-o-worms)

arr yes i remember the thread......

Frantic, your calcs are good but don't take into consideration that you can fit 2 inch lower shock mounts and still run the standard shocks thus if you are using the standard mounts Landrover have cheated us out of 2 inch of travel as it's wasted by being in to high a mount.

Benny_IIA, love the photo mate, I have 12.8 inch in the rear but will be going similar to your self soon, I am considering longer arms though to prevent the rear steer as you have there.

Rick130, I too remember those threads good fun. My current thread about ultra flexi coils, I am going to run them retained and as mentioned they will be ground thinner in the ends to be able to open/stretch. But I do love the set up that Benny has got.

Actually I did take that into consideration but you have identical OVERALL travel if you use the same size shocks as by lowering the standard size shockies you still need to raise the bumpstop to prevent destroying the shock.
Yes you will get more drop on one side by lowering with the standard 8in travel shock but you lose the same on compresion. Raise the shock tower and fit a longer shock (springs +2in or more and location/ dislocation are your decision) so you retain the upward travel and gain more downward stretch.
P.s Benny II with the dislocation(nice ute) and the 14.8 in travel shock you moved the shock mounts up from standard around 3 inches?

Originally Posted by lambrover

Frantic, your calcs are good but don't take into consideration that you can fit 2 inch lower shock mounts and still run the standard shocks thus if you are using the standard mounts Landrover have cheated us out of 2 inch of travel as it's wasted by being in to high a mount.

I ran rear shock mounts that were lowered by about 30mm for a while. I also snapped two shocks while doing so. Coincidence?