Looking @ aftermarket Shocks for the D3

[TerryO]

I am thinking of getting a set of aftermarket shocks for the D3 as the standard shocks are pretty much useless with just on 100k on the clock.

I can see that there are Koni's and Bilsteins available for D3's but was wondering if any other D3 owners had fitted either of these two brands or any other aftermarket shocks and how they found them? Also roughly what they cost to buy and have fitted would be valuable info as well thanks.

cheers,
Terry

[Tombie]

100,000km on a set of shocks is very good..

Most shocks are stuffed / handle poorly at around 40,000km

Unless totally over the top on price, I'd say leave the ride as it was meant and throw in some factory gear...

[TerryO]

Hey Tombie,

agreed most vehicles shocks don't last very long at all and because they fail slowley most people don't recognise that they are stuffed.

I really don't know how well D3's handled when new but they do tend to wallow around badly now. Many other owners have said they don't handle that well anyway so that is why I am asking what they are like with aftermarket shocks.

cheers,
Terry

[Ean Austral]

Gday Terry,

Will follow this thread as am sure my shocks are passed their use by date at 70,000kms.

I would expect ARB would do a nitro charger shock for the D3 but my search came up abit inconclusive..
just the general OME spiel..


Cheers Ean

[Graeme]

I replaced the original D4 shocks with MY09 D3s after 34K because the D4s were still way too firm for my requirements and 20K later the D3 shocks are still on the firm side. I didn't notice any wallowing at all with the D3 shocks fitted. However I do recall some wallowing during a test drive of an MY08 which seemed to float around somewhat, so perhaps the MY09 valving was altered.

I expect around 60-70k out of a set of shocks but they get a workout in my everyday use.

[Geedublya]

I fitted Bilsteins to replace my very worn out (200K) shocks. Much better control now and the stability control is not activating as near as much.
Front shocks lost their oil after 10K and were replaced. This has been documented elsewhere apparently there was a defective batch... We will see.

I selected Bilsteins as the are rebuildable and revalveable I also wanted a monotube as they run cooler and are less susceptable to heat problems especially on corrugations. They are expensive though.

Alternatives are Konis (FSD) and apparently someone in Greece makes a shock, checkout the UK forums for these.

[~Rich~]

I was thinking of upgrading my shocks too.
There have seem to have been many an issue with the Bilsteins, not sure about the Koni's but some have liked the Spyros from Greece.

DISCO3.CO.UK - View topic - Heavy duty dampers / "shock absorbers" (http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic18841.html)
DISCO3.CO.UK - View topic - Upgraded shock absorbers for airsprung & coilsprung LR3/ (http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic16567.html)

Maybe a group buy???

[Geedublya]

I should add my front Bilsteins were replaced no questions asked. I rang Heasmans and told them that I thought my front shocks were faulty the said bring it in and they replaced them that day. They told me there was an assembly problem that was damaging the seals.

[TerryO]

Hey Rich,

good to read the reports on the Greek shocks, they sound like the go. If it was just Poms saying they work in the UK then I would be more hesitant as they don't drive on roads and off road tracks as we do. But as a they seem to work really well for the Seth Africaan bloke then that sounds like we are in luck.

So I'm in for finding out more about a group buy, as long as it is soon.

Thanks for the info. :)

cheers,
Terry

[~Rich~]

Ok depending on costs & how many people are interested.

I'm a maybe.

Can you make contact Terry and get the ball rolling?
Rich

[TerryO]

Hey Rich,

Thanks for volunteering me to arrange your idea ... ;)... which is no problem but I'm not a member of the D3 UK site nor do I know who to contact re the Greek shocks.

So if you would like to get me a email address and a name I'll contact them and see what I can arrange.

cheers,
Terry

[~Rich~]

Hi Terry,
I'm not in any hurry like you are!
I'm sure in one of those threads there was a person to Pm about them.
Found it: pantg
DISCO3.CO.UK - View topic - Upgraded shock absorbers for airsprung & coilsprung LR3/ (http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/post823012.html#823012)
I just thought it may be cheaper for anyone interested.
Regards Rich

[TerryO]

I have sent an email to the gentleman in question Rich, as soon as I hear something back I will put something up on here re the shocks.

I might have to join the Pommy D3 site as I can't pm anyone on there because I'm not a member.

cheers,
Terry

[Mike_S]

I noticed Offroad Essentials in those posts as well, chap known as 10forcash on the D3 forum. Seems he's had them and may well be a dealer, he's based a few miles from where I work so if you get no joy from the greek chap (as a few seem to be saying on there) then drop him an email instead. Offroad Essentials, Land Rover and 4x4 Specialists (http://www.offroad-essentials.com/)

I haven't used him for anything but friends of mine with a G4 D3 have, said he was quite knowledgable.

I've got to get the dampers changed on my RRS, preferably before it heads down under so if these shocks are reasonably priced I may well give them a crack.

[TerryO]

Thanks Mike for the contact ... and yes I had not heard back from the gentleman from the bankrupt southern European country. :angel:

cheers,
Terry

[discowhite]

are the D4 shocks the same as the D3 shocks for air bags?

cheers phil

[Graeme]

Having swapped my D4's shocks for MY09 D3 ones, I can vouch that they can be used. There are slight differences in the spring seat position on both front and rear shocks. The D4's are considerably firmer both on slow-medium bump and on rebound. I may temporarily refit at least the rears for outback trips because the rears are easy enough to change-over. The fronts are more difficult to change due to access to the top nuts but an angled ratched spanner is reported to make the task much easier.

I'm still not overly impressed with the MY09 D3 shocks (earlier ones may be different) because they still have what seems to be excessive slow-medium bump, although the rebound, especially the rears, seems a good compromise for use between unladen and laden. Hence I'm keeping an ear to the ground on how the Greek ones ride. I'm fussy about shocks, having had Konis on a D2 revalved to soften the bump, although the rears had to go back to standard to accomodate loaded use.

Edit: The D4 shocks were fine at 80-100 kph on rough gravel roads where they were constantly working, but quite harsh where there was an occasional bump or patch on a relatively smooth surface or at slow speeds. Slow downhill corrugations shook the vehicle terribly, prompting me to stop then creep along at walking pace.

[TerryO]

So far I have had no luck tracking down the suppoesedly very good 'Greek shocks', so far I have not even found a brand name for them. The first contact name given for them, being Pantelis, hasn't replied to my email. The second gentlemen Ian from Off road Essentials in the UK says the shocks are no longer available in the UK because the importer went belly up as far as he knows.

So back to the drawing board for now unless anyone has any other ideas?


cheers,
Terry

[Graeme]

Pantelis had only advised in August that he was getting re-involved with the supply of the shocks. He had been on leave late August when others had tried to contact him so it might be worth trying again. I've never seen a brand for the shocks, just that they were Greek-made.
Having just re-read the reports of their ride characteristics, I'd be keen to try them when my current shocks wear-out.

[gghaggis]

I'm sure one of the Esperance D3 owners fitted the Greek shocks several years ago, but can't remember who - CraigE?

I recall they were hideously expensive ...........

Cheers,

Gordon

[Mike_S]

Talking to a chap at the LRO show at Peterborough at the weekend, he has a D3 G4 that he's planning on driving from the UK to Australia next year. He's currently had all the necessary kit attached to it (long range tank, wheel carrier, fridge, battery management systems etc) and he's had Koni dampers fitted, I believe on the advice of one of the overland companies over here (might have been APB as that's who's stand he was on all weekend). I assume they wouldn't have been recommended for the type of trip he's doing if they're not up to the task.

I would also assume (I haven't looked) that Koni dampers are the most expensive option, if my previous usage of them is anything to go by.

Still contemplating what to do with mine before it leaves, whether to stay with OEM dampers or 'upgrade' to Bilsteins or Koni. I've read a few negative reports of the Billies...

[Graeme]

he's had Koni dampers fitted, I believe on the advice of one of the overland companies over hereI wonder if the advisor had any idea what the D4 shocks were like because they're a lot stiffer than the D3s.

[Mike_S]

I seem to recall they had an overland prepared D4 on the stand, although predominantly it was D2's & 3's. Footloose 4x4 certainly had 2 or 3 D4's on their stand.

Are they significantly stiffer ? Perhaps the Koni's are aimed more for the additional weight than additional stiffness ? He did say he'd lost 100kgs by removing the very rear seats and the 2 seat section of the mid seats, albeit that 100kgs is more than replaced by the long range tank, wheel carrier, fridge, storage box, additional spare wheel etc.

All I can say is I had to really keep my wallet in my pocket at this show, otherwise I could've easily spent a fortune. Restricted myself to a couple of wolf storage boxes & cover from Nene & a spare wheel carrier for the roof rack from APB. That's the trouble when your house contents container left 2 days earlier than the show and the only space you have is in the car :(