2012 110 with Billsteins. WOW

[voltron]

Last week I had a set of Billstein shocks fitted allround and just got back from a weekend trip over some pretty boney, potholled, gravel dirt track and I am so happy with the transformation they have made to the car, I wish it was the first accessory I fitted

I never wanted to take my wife and 2 kids on this trip until I found a ride they would handle and the Billsteins provided. AFter all the info guys have given me on Aulro concerning springs , tyre pressure and Shocks. I have fallen in love with the beast all over again. Not to say any other shock couldnt provide the same result, I'm basically saying I'm happy with the result the new Shocks have given.

Unfortunately I learned why people have two spare tyres as I blew a tire within 5 minutes on the dirt, so I was paranoid the rest of the trip and took it real easy for the next 2 days. So next on the list is a second spare wheel holder.

Cheers for everyone and to John at OL Newcastle

Happy Camper.

[Dockstrada]

Last week I had a set of Billstein shocks fitted allround and just got back from a weekend trip over some pretty boney, potholled, gravel dirt track and I am so happy with the transformation they have made to the car, I wish it was the first accessory I fitted

I never wanted to take my wife and 2 kids on this trip until I found a ride they would handle and the Billsteins provided. AFter all the info guys have given me on Aulro concerning springs , tyre pressure and Shocks. I have fallen in love with the beast all over again. Not to say any other shock couldnt provide the same result, I'm basically saying I'm happy with the result the new Shocks have given.

Unfortunately I learned why people have two spare tyres as I blew a tire within 5 minutes on the dirt, so I was paranoid the rest of the trip and took it real easy for the next 2 days. So next on the list is a second spare wheel holder.

Cheers for everyone and to John at OL Newcastle

Happy Camper.



Sounds like I need the same transformation , do you have the part numbers?

[87County]

Yes, I have Bilsteins in everything now. I have given them a bit of a hiding and I am entirely happy with them

[PhilipA]

Fronts are fine but make sure that you either buy or make up guards for the bottom half of the front of the rear shocks.
Mine dented in about 20KK of dirt road use and could not be economically rebuilt.
Regards Philip A

[voltron]

Fronts are fine but make sure that you either buy or make up guards for the bottom half of the front of the rear shocks.
Mine dented in about 20KK of dirt road use and could not be economically rebuilt.
Regards Philip A

Thanks Phillip.

Can you explain this further and what kind of driving were you doing? I know you said dirt but was it touring or hard trails etc.

Cheers.

[specwarop]

What sort of cost is a set of bilsteins?

[voltron]

Mine were $1050 fitted from OL Newcastle.

I know you can possibly get them cheaper from OS but I personally am struggling for time to learn to fit anything like this myself and honestly I need the support of local business's if something goes wrong with the car, they have been pretty helpful to date. I've learned from past cars it's best to leave these things to someone other then myself.

Compared to other accessories these have been the best in terms of value for money.

I dont have a part no. but can look tomorrow.

Cheers.

[n plus one]

Thanks Phillip.

Can you explain this further and what kind of driving were you doing? I know you said dirt but was it touring or hard trails etc.

Cheers.

Serious touring dirt (gibber plain etc) will smash the living day lights out of them - not because they're Bilsteins but because of the rear shock design/location in a Defender. Great big Koni Raids will take a bit more of a beating but they'll still end up looking pretty sore and sorry for themselves.

Some 5mm rubber from Clarkes and a couple of hose clamps will do the job, alternatively I think Bilstein actually offer shock protectors.

I modified a set of steel Rancho shock guards to suit after the Sturt Stoney Desert blasted the crap out of my shocks (and returned the front of my rear diff to its natural bare metal finish) :mad:

[CraigE]

Mine were $1050 fitted from OL Newcastle.

I know you can possibly get them cheaper from OS but I personally am struggling for time to learn to fit anything like this myself and honestly I need the support of local business's if something goes wrong with the car, they have been pretty helpful to date. I've learned from past cars it's best to leave these things to someone other then myself.

Compared to other accessories these have been the best in terms of value for money.

I dont have a part no. but can look tomorrow.

Cheers.

Thats not a bad price. I was quoted that just to supply.

[Wortho]

Good to hear the trip went well :D, give me a call and i will give you a set of shock guards. (it's John by the way).

[PhilipA]

Can you explain this further and what kind of driving were you doing? I know
you said dirt but was it touring or hard trails etc

Plenty Hwy, Tanami, GRR, Oodnadatta, Kalumburu road, OTT, Cape York Development Road and many others

The thing about Bilstien is that they are single wall, while Konis are dual wall. My Camper trailer Konis lasted 17 years but were battered even more than the Billies. However they could not be economically rebuilt either (sigh) as the foot valves were damaged from excess compression. Must have been the Yump landings. I have nice new Konis now on my Camp'o'matic.

Regards Philip A

BTW you can make very good guards cheaply , by buying steel from Bunnings which has holes stamped in it. It comes in flat, right angles brackets etc. I made some by bending about 3 inch flat stuff, making a stand off bracket, then holding on the shock with hose clamps. this allows airflow but stops rocks big enough to damage. I think rubber or solid steel stops the air flow and therefore reduces the advantage of billies of radiating the heat build up. I burned my hand on them once on the Mitchell falls track.

[Dougal]

Sounds like I need the same transformation , do you have the part numbers?

The part numbers are critical. Bilstein not only make a lot of different shocks, they make the same shocks with completely different compression/rebound valving.