What shocks

[coolblues_au]

Hi guys, its time for new shocks on our 2002, 110. Whats every one using and at what cost. Would be pleased to hear. Thanks.

[stig0000]

05 td5, 3" lift with extended sus stuff shocks, very convy ride and not as much body roll as expected, been on sum very bumpy rds and got prity hot to touch but still dident fade, 440 i think the 4 were, very happy with them,

[flagg]

Plenty of threads around about it.. but the billies are well regarded.

These guys are the cheapest you'll find. (note USD, expect to pay twice that if buying from AU)

http://eshocks.com/bil_veh3.asp?Model_Index=0Q11&Manf=All&SubChar=Q

but may not work if you have a lift.

[ugu80]

Depends what you want to spend. Bilstein/Koni, supposedly the best, but do you want to spend 3 or 4 times as much to gain (maybe) a 15% performance increase. They are fully rebuildable, but the cost of rebuilding is what you pay for a new (lesser) shock anyway.

What sort of driving do you do? Just gentle touring with light or moderate load - a 35mm/36mm gas will be fine (something like Lovells or Dobinsons are good value for money). Do you go hard or over a lot of corrugations? - A bigger bore would be advisable. Horses for courses!

[5teve]

i posted my impressions recently.. but i went for the Terrfirma big bore expedition shocks (+2) and went with the raised king springs also on a 2002 110

about $850 all up give or take a bit, fitted them myself to save a bit of cash...

they may not be the best... but they work and fitted my budget and plenty of people seem pretty happy with the Terrafirma stuff..

Steve

[landrover dave]

Depends what you want to spend. Bilstein/Koni, supposedly the best, but do you want to spend 3 or 4 times as much to gain (maybe) a 15% performance increase. They are fully rebuildable, but the cost of rebuilding is what you pay for a new (lesser) shock anyway.

What sort of driving do you do? Just gentle touring with light or moderate load - a 35mm/36mm gas will be fine (something like Lovells or Dobinsons are good value for money). Do you go hard or over a lot of corrugations? - A bigger bore would be advisable. Horses for courses!

If you are prepared to pay for Koni you will get far more than a 15% performance increase. The 8200 series oils are infinitely adjustable and will last far longer than a lesser shock. I have removed konis from older 4x4s that have been traded in to be put on the owners new vehicle. Some of these vehicles have done 200K on all sorts of roads with these shocks and no rebuild! I have yet to see other brands last like that

[flagg]

Having driven Defenders with both lesser and top line shocks, I'd be looking for the best.

I've just ordered some Billy 7100's. :D

If you are doing lots of dirty driving, corrugations etc you will need good shocks or they will become useless in no time. I've seen too many shocks explode / bend / fade to the point that they are totally useless.

But if you are just driving around on the highway, with the off slow speed offroad bit then top end shocks are going to be overkill.

[dullbird]

Terrafirma's here too, I think there OK although not had chance to bash them on a long trip yet, only time will tell.

Had another puma driver drive my car on the weekend and he also said he liked my suspension..all I have is Land Rover springs with the Terra's

[ugu80]

i posted my impressions recently.. but i went for the Terrfirma big bore expedition shocks (+2) and went with the raised king springs also on a 2002 110

about $850 all up give or take a bit, fitted them myself to save a bit of cash...

they may not be the best... but they work and fitted my budget and plenty of people seem pretty happy with the Terrafirma stuff..

Steve


Just had Dobinsons springs/shocks fitted for the same price and I'm pretty happy with the result. Seems to be about the minimum spend for a good result. I would have fitted Koni if price was no object (agreeing with many comments here), unfortunately, that sort of up front cost is out of reach of many people, as is many things discussed on this forum (tyres, driving lights, winches, etc). I recall posting a good deal for Maxxis Buckshot Mudders (235/85/16 $185 fitted and balanced) and was assailed by "this is better, that is superior, they don't have sidebiters, blah, blah. They missed the point that these were half the price of anything else (don't ask; too late; all gone).

[Gav110]

I've had Bilsteins on my TD5 and now again on my Puma. They come in 2 settings - sport and comfort. In my experience, comfort is too soft, and sport is too hard. Heaseman Steering who are their main supplier in Sydney agree with me. I have had them re-valve mine (at the cost of a new set of shocks) and to be frank am still not happy with them.

I had Tough Dog Adjustables on the TD5 after the Bilsteins and found them to be great - easily adjustable with a knob (although you have to crawl under).

From what I can tell the Koni's are similar but adjust in the front with a top knob, and rears you need to unbolt the lower connector, compress and turn a pinion.

For what it's worth, I've also found the 130/110HD front springs too hard.

I am planning on replacing all the springs with Les Richmond Auto or custom rated springs (LRA springs come in a wide range of spring rates) and will probably go with Konis or Tough Dogs for shocks.

This article on the Les Richmond site contains some interesting points: http://www.lrautomotive.com.au/contents/en-us/d680.html

[LowRanger]

Depends on the vehicle,and how it is set up,and what use it is being put to??

For an expedition vehicle,then Koni Raids would be my only choice.
For a general touring vehicle,I have found Koni 8200's to be brilliant on my previous Rangie.

For a weekend truck with raised suspension and lots of flex,unfortunately the Koni's are too short.There are some nice Bilsteins available ie 7100's but mounts need to be changed with these.There are also a lot of high end shocks from the U.S. with remote cylinders that are rebuildable.Me,I just went with the NEW OME Comp spec extra long Nitrocharger Sports,and they give a ride in my 110,that is almost as nice as the ride in my Rangie.

Wayne

[dmdigital]

Koni Raids. I haven't got them to fade yet regardless of the number of kilometres or the temperature. They also remove a lot of the roll from the Defender. Absolutely brilliant :)

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/94646-big-red.html

Just don't faint at the price.

[Lightweight]

Plenty of threads around about it.. but the billies are well regarded.

These guys are the cheapest you'll find. (note USD, expect to pay twice that if buying from AU)

eShocks.com: (http://eshocks.com/bil_veh3.asp?Mode...=All&SubChar=Q)

but may not work if you have a lift.

Hi Flag, Do you know if they are 5100's quoted on that US website? Will they fit without any mods? if so, they are very reasonably priced!

Also, are they a standard height? Or are they +2"?

[rick130]

Hi Flag, Do you know if they are 5100's quoted on that US website? Will they fit without any mods? if so, they are very reasonably priced!

Also, are they a standard height? Or are they +2"?

B46-0243 and B46-0253 are 6100 series, standard stroke, straight bolt in.

A B46-0253 doesn't have suitable valving for the rear of a 130, it's the shock recommended for RRC/Disco/90.
The 130 rears I posted in another recent thread.

[Benny_IIA]

Hi Flag, Do you know if they are 5100's quoted on that US website? Will they fit without any mods? if so, they are very reasonably priced!

Also, are they a standard height? Or are they +2"?


I have 5100's BE5-6250-T7 i think.


They are a great shock, but watch your closed lenghts as 5100 have quite a long closed lenght and will need raised mounts.

also the mounting point on the shocks are all wrong for a land rover.


I had to cut the top mount off, and weld a bigger eye on to it. And run a pin to eye convertor on the bottom.


ben...

[flagg]

Hi Flag, Do you know if they are 5100's quoted on that US website? Will they fit without any mods? if so, they are very reasonably priced!

Also, are they a standard height? Or are they +2"?

That link is for std height bolt in. :)