shock absorber preferences 110 wagon

[Craigb]

I did a search and couldn't find a thread like this - apologies if it has been done before.

I have a 96 110 wagon which looks like it has been lifted - maybe 2 inch. Shocks are white and rusty so no doubt seen better days. I am fairly pleased with the on road handling, but we live in the Adelaide hills and this is my normal drive car so tightening up a bit of bodyroll would be a plus. I know sway bars can tighten up body roll but not sure I have to go that far, it is really not that bad for me and also it does have off road duties on our scrub block and wouldn't want to limit the great wheel travel it has (that is if a thicker bar would do this.

So short question, what shockers have people been happy with and got reasonable service life out of, that when they put them on greatly improved the onroad handling? I don't mind paying more if it is worth it, but if there is a better value option that is just about as good, would probably go that way.

Any suggestions/ experiences greatly appreciated.

[87County]

Suggestion (as requested).....

After much on and off road experience I'm afraid there is only one answer for you from today's range of products on a cost/benefit basis ......... Bilstein.

No doubt others will have alternative loyalties (but have they done the ks ?) ;)

[PAT303]

Or Koni's,both excellent. Pat

[voltron]

Happy with the Bilsteins.

[redrovertdi]

Bilsteins

[Tomo]

Koni Raid 90 series shocks -
This is a great link discussing an experience with Koni Raids

Beadell Tours - Vehicle Suspension (http://www.beadelltours.com.au/shock_absorbers.html)

[gusthedog]

Or (shock-horror) standard land rover items if you are a tight wad :wasntme:

They are actually designed to work on the car by land rover :D

[Wildcard8]

Or (shock-horror) standard land rover items if you are a tight wad :wasntme:

They are actually designed to work on the car by land rover :D

Since when has anything "standard land rover" been associated with a cost effective solution ... :angel:

Speaking from zero research, experience or knowledge of cost or subject matter mind you .....

[gusthedog]

Since when has anything "standard land rover" been associated with a cost effective solution ... :angel:

Speaking from zero research, experience or knowledge of cost or subject matter mind you .....

They are not too badly priced

90-110 & Defender Front Standard Shock Absorbers at www.rimmerbros.co.uk (http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-GRID010497)

[steane]

Koni Raids with the rebound adjusted to max setting are brilliant and make a big difference to body roll and on/off road handling.

[CraigE]

I think most will say Bilstein or Konis. I have Bilsteins on my Defender as they were the best shock that was in my budget at the time. I have had Konis on a RR Classic and were a better shock, but at a price. If you can afford Koni Raids then I would go that way, if not Bilsteins will be the next best.
There are actually lots of historical posts on this subject but they can be hard to find. Sometimes easier to search google with tags Bilstein, Koni, AULRO.

[Craigb]

Thanks for all the advice and the answers ring true to my normal car experiences. I actually removed a set of completely stuffed Bilstein shocks off my 1969 Mercedes.... but they still had the paint dots on the nuts and this was 30 years down the track! And I could have them rebuilt and even fine tune the settings if done by Sydney shocks at the time. Also I had Koni yellow on my old 68 Alfa that I circuit sprinted and they are still there and working well. So both brands I would be extremely comfortable with. And I know for a lot of landrover parts the genuine ones are often of very high quality that is not the case for all manufacturers. I think though I will shop around the billies and konis, konis often seem to have that rebound adjustability so that gives some flexibility. Thanks again for your responses and the tip on searching using google rather than the forum search.

[BadCo.]

To further expand on the google searching, type your topic into google then add "site:www.aulro.com" without quotations and this will get google to only search these forums for your topic.

Back on topic, good to know that both Bilsteins and Konis are well regarded on here.

Bad

[pannawonica]

I think one of the Landie comics had a advert for Billies that are electrically adjustable on the fly, for Deafners !

[Drover]

I have had TerraFirma front Pro-Sport's and Expedition on rear good cheap solution that perform above their price range.

Then went to Koni Raids 90 (don't be confused with smaller "Heavy Track's) didn't rate them, the rebound was way to quick and when fully loaded over "whoop's" would still bounce way to much.

Recently I had new custom springs (rate & length) made along with custom length shocks and valving to match the springs. All done by "Ultimate Suspension".

The Ultimate Suspension : Custom Built Suspension for all Vehicles (http://www.ultimatesuspension.com.au)

Couldn't be happier, these guys are the ducks guts. The SVX has never handled or performed batter.

[Sirocco]

Blew a full set of Koni Heavy Tracks in less than 40,000km... on a 90.

now onto OME Sports, which seem to give a nicer on road ride, see how long these last...

G

[Bushie]

Ran bilsteins from a 130 on the rear for our last trip, seemed to control the rear (fully laden) better than the standard billies. Also have firestone bags inside standard rear springs.


Martyn