Thread: Springs or dislocation cones?

May I ask what are 2 inch shocks ? are they 2 inches longer at full stroke only ? if so why fit them ? if you are trying to increase wheel travel wouldn't you have to fit longer springs and shocks ? and wouldn't this raise the ride height ?

Originally Posted by noogie

Are your Springs heavy or medium duty? Are they 2" lifted coils?

The springs are OME progressives and the shocks are custom-made Bilsteins.

I got the kit from a friend: there are no progressive off-the-shelf OME springs for a Defender, so he did a lot of research and finally ended up with the fronts from a Disco 1, and the rears from a Defender.

The spring rates are matched, with the rears at +50mm and the front at +25mm.

Originally Posted by ian4002000

May I ask what are 2 inch shocks ? are they 2 inches longer at full stroke only ? if so why fit them ? if you are trying to increase wheel travel wouldn't you have to fit longer springs and shocks ? and wouldn't this raise the ride height ?

Whilst I'm not the op, I'll guess..

2 inch shocks are 2 inches longer. Most longer shocks are a little longer when compressed as well.. Which can cause complications so you have to measure things properly. Longer shocks when used with the right springs will give you more axle articulation and keep your tires on the ground in deeper holes. If the shocks extend longer than the springs you need to either retain the springs or fit relocation cones... Otherwise they can fall out or not go back in properly causing great amusement to all around. Longer spring can rise the ride height... But it depends on their spring rate (how hard they are) and static height (how tall they are without your landrover on top of them) too many coils will cause them to bind (compress fully) and too few will cause them to not last very long (sag).

Yesterday I jacked the right rear up until the wheel was off the ground. Does this mean that is the full extension of my shocks? I thought they would extend more than that. The length of the rear shock was 60cm.
I measured the distance between bottom and top spring mounts and the distance was 47cm.
I rang around and couldn't get a spring close to that without going a3" lifted spring which I don't want.
The best I got was 43cm terrafirma med duty Springs being a2 " lifted spring.
The existing Springs were completely dislocated from the Mount by about 50mm when I had the car jacked up.

I'm thinking I'm gonna have to get dislocation cones and just use my current Springs. because the 2" shocks are going to dislocate anyway. The guy reckons the 2" terrafirma Springs won't dislocate with the plus 2" shocks. I can't see how they would remain captive.

Does anyone know how long the cones are?
Downside is I'll have to remove my helper bags.

Originally Posted by lambrover

They are only captive on the bottom.

...

That is true, but last time I read the ADRs and NCOP they state something along the lines of: "springs must not unseat through the entire range of travel" or words to that affect.

Originally Posted by noogie

Yesterday I jacked the right rear up until the wheel was off the ground. Does this mean that is the full extension of my shocks? I thought they would extend more than that. The length of the rear shock was 60cm.

Yes, that is the full extension of the shocks

The existing Springs were completely dislocated from the Mount by about 50mm when I had the car jacked up.
I'm thinking I'm gonna have to get dislocation cones and just use my current Springs. because the 2" shocks are going to dislocate anyway. The guy reckons the 2" terrafirma Springs won't dislocate with the plus 2" shocks. I can't see how they would remain captive. .

It's marginal, but IMHO they will dislocate. Maybe not fully, but even a marginal dislocation will mean they will not re-seat themselves properly. This happened to me when I put the Bilsteins on, and I drove with the springs not seated properly for a month before realising it!

Play it safe and fit the relocation cones. The cones I have are approx 15-20cm. And yes, you will have to lose the air helper bags.

Before you go that route though, bear in mind that unless you do lots of 4x4 trails, dislocation is not really an issue.

Originally Posted by isuzurover

That is true, but last time I read the ADRs and NCOP they state something along the lines of: "springs must not unseat through the entire range of travel" or words to that affect.

Yep, I remember reading that too. If an insurance company was investigating an accident .. Say a roll over on a rough dirt road having the axles move so much that the springs dislocated could hardly be over looked for the report.

..but I'm very risk averse when it comes to the legality of modifications.

Thanks Nakks and Flagg.
Yes I do get out 4x4 ING most times I head out.

That was one of my concern the legality of the cones.
What if I got the 2" Springs and retained them at the top.

Do you think the stress at full articulation would be too much and cause any damage. Reality is that ill see that full articulation only occasionally. I've been informed that its not advisable to retain them at both ends but terrafirma sell top retainers for the rear.

I hope I'm not doing your heads in with this thread. I just wanna get it right.

Cheers
Mick