Cheap shocks

[DEF95]

Hello all
I have a 110 and was just wondering if any one has had any experiance with the following shocks and what they thought of them? Also what order would you rate them in? ( 1 being the best)
Monroe adventurer
procomp ES9000
Boge
Armstrong
Terrafirma all terrain
Thanks

[Vern]

Heard good things about the terrafirma

[juddy]

We sell a lot of Terrafirma, and I can highly recommend the brand, for most things.

Theres lots of different kits, depending on what your requirements are, give us a call happy to talk about the options in the range.

Justin

[Vern]

If importing though, you can get koni or bilstein rather cheap, that'd be my pick.

[mike_beecham]

Hi there,
I am running the TerraFirma standard shocks (not the Big Bore). They were well priced at the time. I bought from Ritters in Melbourne. They beat a price l had found on-line.

I have to say that l am very happy with them. I have a TD5 Defender 110. I tow a camper. Touring mainly. Great ride on and off road.

Excellent product. I have found many TerraFirma's products to be of a high quality and well-priced.

Mike

[flagg]

If importing though, you can get koni or bilstein rather cheap, that'd be my pick.


yep +1 to that.

[wally]

Hello all
I have a 110 and was just wondering if any one has had any experiance with the following shocks and what they thought of them? Also what order would you rate them in? ( 1 being the best)
Monroe adventurer
procomp ES9000
Boge
Armstrong
Terrafirma all terrain
Thanks

What use are you putting it to? My single cab 130 carries a substantial load from time to time but it's mostly highway work, and it's rarely off the bitumen. I bought a set of Boge. They were cheap and they're doing the job. If I was driving on corrugated roads regularly I'd spend more money. I'm just saying be realistic about what you use your vehicle for or you can finish up wasting money.

[djam1]

Don't put cheap shocks on a Defender on a series yes but a coil sprung vehicle needs good shocks.
Unless of course you just take the kids to school in it.

[tyne]

Good shocks aren't cheap,
Cheap shocks aren't good.

I use this quote for just about everything these days, obviously if you shop around you might find a better price.
Are you fitting yourself on getting it done in store? Even if your fitting yourself I'd still recommend buying local, just for warranty issues, it's much easier to drive in and show the problem rather than having your car off the road and waiting for the postman every day.

[DEF95]

Thanks everyone for replying
I know that koni's and billies are most likely the way to go but at the moment funds are a bit tight and I can get these other brand for about half the price of koni's and billies from overseas.
The defender is a single cab lilke yours Wally and does similar work to yours but does about 40% of slow offroad work.

[Blade74]

Just be wary of trying to get shocks sent from overseas. I tried from two different suppliers in the UK. One said no straight off stating they can't ship them because they are compressed gas (even a few of the oil ones still have a lower pressure gas in them). The second company said yes but after paying and three months of waiting and phone calls they finally said they can't and had tried numerous shipping companies.
I ended up getting 4 x Koni Heavy Track shocks from wholesale suspension in arndel park in Sydney. They were around $700 the set of 4.

Shipped from England was going to be $150 cheaper but now I feel better that I have a local warranty.
Give Juddy a call and ask him about what he can get for you and I'm sure he'll do a good price for you if you don't want to spend Koni or Bilstein prices.

[agrojnr]

Cheapest for terrafima shocks overseas is LRDirect (I just ordered a set)

They will ship to Australia but I will be picking mine up when I get there in 2 weeks

Also Terrafirma in the UK is still cheaper than Koni etc if you shop around

Adam

[Michael2]

Overseas won't post KONI (due to pressure), but will post Bilstein.

I saw +2" Bilsteins for a Defender advertised for 62GBP ea on Land Rover World recently.

Otherwise eshocks (USA) are good for standard Bilsteins, though they're not too helpful with advice, say if you asked them what shock they'd recommend for a lifted Defender. They work out at about $120ea delivered

[Bod]

bit late on this thread but looking for similar advice.

2000 Defender 110 TD5

I currently have OME LTR's fitted but they are in need of replacement.

Im currently tossing up between:

1) Rebuild of the LTR's quoted at $250-300 each (ball park)
2) TerraFirma TF401/2 Remote Reservoir quoted at $1260 for a set
3) Koni Raids quoted at $1430 for a set
4) replace LTR's at $415 each

All from local (Adelaide) or interstate suppliers

I've been reading the previous posts and just wondering if anyone has any experiance/nightmares with the shocks im looking at?

cheers

[wally]

Don't put cheap shocks on a Defender on a series yes but a coil sprung vehicle needs good shocks.
Unless of course you just take the kids to school in it.

My 17 year old single cab 130 is on its second set of shocks. The OEM set were Boge too I believe. I've had good, reliable service from them. I regularly travel with a tonne in the tray and I've done some heavy, long distance towing but it's all on bitumen. Sure, if you're hammering across corrugations a lot then you'll probably want something better. But for me, it's all I need and the thread title is "cheap shocks". I'd get a price from Karcraft.

[MLD]

bit late on this thread but looking for similar advice.

2000 Defender 110 TD5

I currently have OME LTR's fitted but they are in need of replacement.

Im currently tossing up between:

1) Rebuild of the LTR's quoted at $250-300 each (ball park)
2) TerraFirma TF401/2 Remote Reservoir quoted at $1260 for a set
3) Koni Raids quoted at $1430 for a set
4) replace LTR's at $415 each

All from local (Adelaide) or interstate suppliers

I've been reading the previous posts and just wondering if anyone has any experiance/nightmares with the shocks im looking at?

cheers

have a look at Superior Suspension. Another forum member has the Amada Remote reservoir 6" patrol (11" travel) (front) shocks in a 110. Feedback is they are too firm but can be adjusted by reducing the nitrogen pressure. I contacted Superior Eng and was quoted $100 p/h to revalve each shock to suit the defender. About 1 hr per shock. Budget $400 per shock re-valved. That's my present project so i can adjust the nitrogen pressure to suit the situation. I go from a swag and sandwich to loaded to the GMV for an extended trip. After wearing out a set of Tough dog in less than 40,000 kms i'm spending the money this time to avoid premature failure and frustration.

Not sure where you scored TF RR at $1260 a set. I saw them at $1600 a set. The Raids are a fantastic shock but the defender specific models are only +2" at their longest. If you want a long travel shock you may find them a limiting factor. A post was started on Koni Raids but last time i looked there were no definitive model numbers that could be substituted as a long travel shock. Don't forget to budget for the re-valve to suit the defender.

Shocks are like picking a wife. You want the best but know you can't afford it. If you go cheap first time it costs you lots to get the upgraded model you should have acquired the first time. :o

cheers MLD

[Shingleback]

bit late on this thread but looking for similar advice.

2000 Defender 110 TD5

I currently have OME LTR's fitted but they are in need of replacement.

Im currently tossing up between:

1) Rebuild of the LTR's quoted at $250-300 each (ball park)
2) TerraFirma TF401/2 Remote Reservoir quoted at $1260 for a set
3) Koni Raids quoted at $1430 for a set
4) replace LTR's at $415 each

All from local (Adelaide) or interstate suppliers

I've been reading the previous posts and just wondering if anyone has any experiance/nightmares with the shocks im looking at?

cheers

Hi, I'm looking at buying a set of koni Raids soon myself, and was wondering if you could please tell me who quoted you $1430 a set as its over $200 better than my best quote?

I have not personally used them but from my research they are the only shock to get for serious outback travel. For excellent real life reviews of koni raid shocks used in very harsh conditions on a defender 130, look up "Beadell Tours", Mick has very detailed reports on how the shocks hold up to the abuse. Just google "beadell tours koni shock absorbers" and you'll find it.

Cheers, Andrew.

[djam1]

I personally use Koni Raids and find them to be excellent.
These shocks are very good and seemingly long lived
I have driven Defenders with some of the other brands mentioned here and there is a vast difference.

[juddy]

TF401/2 Remote Reservoir quoted at $1260 for a set.

We can supply for $1030.00