Terrafirma big bore expedition shocks

[dullbird]

I have the Terrafirma big bore expedition shocks fitted to the puma.
They have been on for couple of hundred k now.

I have written a report on them for anyone that is interested.

please just bare in mind though that


I'm not a shock expert and i have only written what I have noticed and my feelings towards them
my spelling can be a little bit "hows your father"
my grammar..don't even read it if grammar irritates you to the point of felling suicidal:p

[5teve]

so what your basically saying is...

Ron dont read the report? :D

Thanks for the report DB... a good read and i didnt notice spelling or grammer... but im an engineer so i wouldnt! hehe. It is helpful as im thinking about replacing the td5 shock with terrafirma and maybe lift a little too? i wasnt loking at the expedition ones tho.. as i was concerned about the Laden tag that they seem to suit... however if your happy unladen... maybe they wouldnt be a bad idea...

Now just have to get permission to spend the $$$....:(

Steve

[dullbird]

so what your basically saying is...


Ron dont read the report? :DThanks for the report DB... a good read and i didnt notice spelling or grammer... but im an engineer so i wouldnt! hehe. It is helpful as im thinking about replacing the td5 shock with terrafirma and maybe lift a little too? i wasnt loking at the expedition ones tho.. as i was concerned about the Laden tag that they seem to suit... however if your happy unladen... maybe they wouldnt be a bad idea...

Now just have to get permission to spend the $$$....:(

Steve

exactly....:D

the shocks seem to go OK unlaidened..however like I said they do feel a little happier with some weight on, saying that though who doesn't laiden up their defender anyway with roof racks and tools carried etc etc.

you just never know when putting on a new and relatively untested shock..but I guess they will never get a reputation unless people use them whether its a bad one or a good one:)

[justinc]

Great report there Lou, professional presentation:)

As regards the unladen ride, I would suggest that after a while the valve pack etc will loosen up in the bore and they'll be a bit 'smoother'. My DeCarbons were definately harsher for the first 10,00km or so. After 7+ years they are just fine:)

Fitted some Terrafirma to a D2 recently, owner seems quite happy with their ride so far....he tows a race car regularly so I'll ask for some feedback in a month or so.

JC

[stig0000]

i allmost bort the same shocks,, i was inpressed with the reports i had read and the price,

but i found cheaper ones an in aus with free postige, i was realy looking for the cheapest ones i could get,,, i cant afford the $$$ for the big boys:(

but saying that,,, im very very happy with the ones i got,,, everything i wanted,,, great on and off road,, and extra long:cool:, and havent fadded yet on eny dirt roads been on:)

and felt even better with 1.8t of boat on the back to,

[weeds]

i allmost bort the same shocks,, i was inpressed with the reports i had read and the price,

but i found cheaper ones an in aus with free postige, i was realy looking for the cheapest ones i could get,,, i cant afford the $$$ for the big boys:(

but saying that,,, im very very happy with the ones i got,,, everything i wanted,,, great on and off road,, and extra long:cool:, and havent fadded yet on eny dirt roads been on:)

and felt even better with 1.8t of boat on the back to,

so what did you end up with?

[stig0000]

suspension stuff,, 440 for 4 shocks,,, and 635mm extended,, im told they are made buy Lovell's?? but i dont no for sure,

[dullbird]

there only about 50/80 bux cheaper

trying to think what these were for the 4 I'm sure they were around 500 mark for the 4

[stig0000]

there only about 50/80 bux cheaper

trying to think what these were for the 4 I'm sure they were around 500 mark for the 4

did you get them from the uk,,, i was going to and they were about 500

[dullbird]

no I got them from Rovacraft

[one_iota]

Well done Lou...you've certainly taken the presentation of projects to a higher level.

:D

[dullbird]

thanks Mahn...

I know I'm not the best of writers so I just try and make up for it in making it look pretty so people dont get bored to quick :D

[one_iota]

Well to be more specific

I thought that the content was good...I learnt a bit

I thought that the story was well told...I can almost hear Ian "f'ing and blinding" with the effort.

And it was very easy on the eye due to the layout and the photos.

Last but not least....I wasn't tempted to do a "Ron". :p;)

[slug_burner]

Well done on the report the presentation looks like you are submiting to a magazine as a camera ready article.

[SVX37]

This article was very well written and presented. Worthy of submitting to one of the major mags I reckon.....a journo on the road perhaps?:D

[Allan]

I have had Terra's for a few ks now and I'm verry impressed. I replaced my OME's with them and think its a huge improvement in ride and comfort. Top article by the way, bring on more of the same.

Allan

[jddisco200tdi]

Good writeup.
I have been thinking about getting these shock absorbers as well.

But as rovacraft only sell the +2" big bore shocks, can I ask you please check whether the bumpstop bottoms out first or the shock.
If it the shock, I can't see them lasting too long after you hit some washaways at speed when fully laden.

On another note, has anybody had success retaining the top of defender rear springs with hose clamps ?, I used to do this on my disco and it worked well.

Regards

John D - Defender 110 2.4

[isuzu110]

On another note, has anybody had success retaining the top of defender rear springs with hose clamps ?, I used to do this on my disco and it worked well.



Yes, dual hose clamps do work on the rears of defenders. U bolts are stronger but as I have polyairs as well, I cannot fit U bolts whereas the clamps will not interfere with the top plate of the polyairs.

I run 2 clamps as occasionally one will break under full articulation.

[cheyne_r]

Great report Lou, I love your fender, looks really nice.

A tube bar is on my wish list now:D

[dullbird]

Good writeup.
I have been thinking about getting these shock absorbers as well.



But as rovacraft only sell the +2" big bore shocks, can I ask you please check whether the bumpstop bottoms out first or the shock.
If it the shock, I can't see them lasting too long after you hit some washaways at speed when fully laden.

On another note, has anybody had success retaining the top of defender rear springs with hose clamps ?, I used to do this on my disco and it worked well.

Regards

John D - Defender 110 2.4


to be honest I never checked bumpstop clearnace and I really should have, however with the sway bars still attached the up and down travel are a little more limited....

now I'm not sure about these particular shocks but the Terrafimas +2 long travel shocks (not the big bores) have there own interenal bumpstop built into the shock to pervent topping out. I will try and find out

[stig0000]

i had to do the same thing with the hose clamps,,, i never broke a clamp but pulled the spring out of the bottom mount, as it just bent the bottom bracket, so its a must watch, i did a temp fix put puting a 5mm replacement for the plate, but i now have just received my 3" soft flexys springs,:D:D so no need to worry about the springs poping out and a new fresh ride and the full usage of my new shocks,:D

[dullbird]

wow 100 views of the article :)

[vnx205]

Have you done enough kilometres yet add anything new to your early impressions?

[dullbird]

Only on road kilometres...they still feel great and they handle well.

I will do another report once the car has been to the cape...of course if I have any troubles with the shocks in the mean time then I will report that also.

The only thing that bothers me with the shocks is the lack of boots..when I asked why they didn't have them the report was because they have the big bore and they are not needed, however these shocks have come form the UK, and the UK doesn't have the luxury of bull dust.

So it will be interesting to see...I was thinking about putting my own on however the body of the shock is so big that i'm not even sure that I could get a boot to fit.

[5teve]

I have some of these on order for my 110... so will give an update when i get them and have them fitted too.

I'm thinking i may need some springs too as the fronts look a bit tired dont want the +2 to bottom out...

Thanks

Steve

[dullbird]

you could always fit some extended bump stops thats probably what we will do

[5teve]

But wont they cost about the same as some springs? :D

dont give me ways NOT to get springs.. hehehe

Steve

[dullbird]

:lol2:

[Steve223]

exactly....:D

the shocks seem to go OK unlaidened..however like I said they do feel a little happier with some weight on, saying that though who doesn't laiden up their defender anyway with roof racks and tools carried etc etc.

you just never know when putting on a new and relatively untested shock..but I guess they will never get a reputation unless people use them whether its a bad one or a good one:)

Great I'm looking in to getting this shocks or the Koni raid do you have an update, still happy with them or changed since?

[Cammo]

Steve,
Talk to " Drover " on here. He had Terrafirmas under the back end of his SVX - I'm pretty sure they were big bores. For reasons I'm sure he could expand on he now has Koni raids in their place I think

[Drover]

Cammo is right on the money.

I had TF big bores on the rear for about 3 years. Great shocks and for $$$$ unbeatable. Never had a problem, never leaked oil etc.....

I have since up graded to KONI Raids (not to confused with Heavy Track) as I have just bought camper trailer and was chasing an increase in damping and longevity. The Raid's certainly have provided that but at nearly $1000 per pair they are a big spend.

Without the camper trailer, the TF would still be on. In fact they sitting on shelf and just might see another stint on the rear ..... One day

[blue_mini]

I have big bores all round on my 110, The only issue ive had is they are too big. I dislocated my front springs and gouged massive tracks in the damper body from the spring. Still seem to work okay though, I just need a suitable set of springs to really test them out.

[Brute]

I had TF big bores on my 130 . I reckon they were brilliant and will fit them on the new puma 110 when they need changing.

[Steve223]

excellent I cancelled my koni raid order as I like the 2" extra travel (springs, arms etc are all set up for it) and at $1600 they where 3 x the price and I heard that koni quality is not what it used to be due to manufacturing now done all over the world

[VladTepes]

So for a 130 with these TF shocks - what other is required tomake sure it all works?

Dislocation (or more correctly relocation!) cones?
Extended bump stops?
Anything else ?

[coolblues_au]

I must have had a bad run because I had 2 TF big bores leak and just out of warranty. Yep no help there so I changed to Dobinson.:(

[dullbird]

As I said in my pm Steve

The TFs are good value for what they are.

We did put Koni raids on due to pulling the camper and having issues with spring dislocation
I would like to point out that the Konis are in a different league to the TFs but that is also very much reflected in the cost.

When it comes to shocks again the raids with the camper and the weight we carry and the type if touring we gave started doing we would go the Koni again but for normal everyday off road on road with some camping the TFs were perfectly fine

[carlosbeldia]

I was in a heavily loaden 130 (overland south african family) with those big bores and really didn't like them, they allow too mucho movement in corners. Driver was conscious of it, he told me he was really dissapointed with them (30k km, same behavior since new). My thinking? they are only look, they can't cope the work... go Koni....

[Steve223]

have ordered the TF expedition +2" for $100 per shock I take the risk if they are no good probably go for bielstein

[Steve223]

have put the big bores +2 in the back and had a weekend out playing (Pipeline bottom to top in wet) and quiet happy with the shocks so far...

[noogie]

you just never know when putting on a new and relatively untested shock..but I guess they will never get a reputation unless people use them whether its a bad one or a good one:)

I agree that you do take a little risk. I have a set of terrafirma prosport plus 2" shocks on my 110 and I think they are great.

Plus they are half the price of the Konis I was also consisdering.
I guess time will tell, but I'm very happy.

I actually did a review which is on youtube.
Just search under terrafirma prosport plus 2" shock review.

Not exactly a pro video but it'll give you an idea.
:D

[dullbird]

I have the 2+ on my disco they have been in for probably 3yrs been happy with them although they haven't done massive mileage because the car is basically a play car

[mojo]

Hi guys,

I put some Terrafirma Big Bores on the front of the Fender last weekend. MR Auto recommended and sold them to me.

I've just come across this old thread, and people see to be suggesting extended bump stops, and possibly longer springs, may be needed with these shocks. MR didn't mention anything to me about this - are they really needed?

Cheers
Sean

[Steve223]

have removed my big bore and put ultimate suspension in just make sure that you bump out on bump stops not in the shock as this will wreck shocks quickly

[VladTepes]

Steve why the change?

[Steve223]

Steve why the change?


They rubbed in the TF front mounts, and I was not to happy with them in the high country...

[coolblues_au]

We had two break, one front and one rear and you bet just out of warranty, not happy. Would not go back to them.