getting that "cushy" ride from a D2, LRA coils and 7100 bilsteins?

[DieSchnelleKafer]

New mud tyres are purchased, so its time to replace the coils and shocks on my discovery II v8. as the car sits:

FRONT: ARB bull bar
REAR: accessories that add up to approximately 130kg


I don't load the vehicle up much at all, i camp very light. Most of my driving is on the road, most of my 4wding is on muddy tracks. I am after that "RRC ride" that we all know. Whats most important is that the suspension soaks up as much as it can, i REALLY want a soft ride as i am sick of our roads around where i live killing me with bumps, the feeling of floating over the road is a great one. I want a total of 2-3 inches worth of lift, i am prepared to use spacers if necessary.

SHOCKS: So from my research i will be going with Bilstein 7100 shocks. What valving do people recommend? and what length of travel should i be looking at getting? here is where i will be getting them from: eshocks.com: Off-Road Shocks: Bilstein 7100 Series Shocks (http://www.eshocks.com/bil_ORsb.asp?Series_Index=Q3&Manf=All&SubChar=Q)

COILS: From my research, and also the way that LRA have presented themselves to the market, i will be going with coils from them. what do we think, 220lb front and 270lb rear?

also, whats peoples experiences with LRA coils or 7100 bilsteins?


I have searched through the forum but there was not a thread/post that detailed a vehicle with the same setup as mine. Thanks Guys!

[Slunnie]

Why 7100's if you want a cushy ride? These are shocks designed for handling and performance in high performance vehicle. Wouldn't you be better off with shocks that have bushes in them if you're after a cushy ride - thats not what these shocks are designed for?

[Vern]

And if you want that rrc ride, those coils may be a tad heavy

[DieSchnelleKafer]

Why 7100's if you want a cushy ride? These are shocks designed for handling and performance in high performance vehicle. Wouldn't you be better off with shocks that have bushes in them if you're after a cushy ride - thats not what these shocks are designed for?

Hi Slunnie thanks for the comment. this is why i brought this up, to see if my research was incorrect. I plan for 7100 because they are custom valved, if i dont like the valving i can just valve them again. But i forgot that they have ball ends and not rubber bushes, a kit can be bought that replaces the ball ends with bushes, but even still your saying they are more performance based? any recommendations instead of the 7100?


And if you want that rrc ride, those coils may be a tad heavy

Okay thanks, from this site, what would you recommend? White Tiger Spring Selection (http://www.lrautomotive.com.au/contents/en-us/p87.html) (disregard length, just sorting out spring rate for now)

[Vern]

Hi Slunnie thanks for the comment. this is why i brought this up, to see if my research was incorrect. I plan for 7100 because they are custom valved, if i dont like the valving i can just valve them again. But i forgot that they have ball ends and not rubber bushes, a kit can be bought that replaces the ball ends with bushes, but even still your saying they are more performance based? any recommendations instead of the 7100?



Okay thanks, from this site, what would you recommend? White Tiger Spring Selection (http://www.lrautomotive.com.au/contents/en-us/p87.html) (disregard length, just sorting out spring rate for now)I would give Andrew a call re springs. I ran 220/270 in my lse which has isuzu 4bd1t engine and gearbox, bar, winch, dual batt, roof rack, sliders, rear bar, rear wheel carrier, long range and sill tanks, etc...so it weighs a lot! I have now gone up to 236f 320r, which could be a tad heavy on the back but they are there for towing our camper.
May be look at around 180-200f and 220r

[Slunnie]

Hi Slunnie thanks for the comment. this is why i brought this up, to see if my research was incorrect. I plan for 7100 because they are custom valved, if i dont like the valving i can just valve them again. But i forgot that they have ball ends and not rubber bushes, a kit can be bought that replaces the ball ends with bushes, but even still your saying they are more performance based? any recommendations instead of the 7100?


I don't have a recommendation because I would expect most shock manufacturers don't want their products handling that badly. The only thing I can think of that you can get that soft is the adjustable Rancho shocks turned down low - just don't over heat them otherwise they will be shot. If you're happy to throw money at it, then its definatly worthwhile speaking to Paul Joyner if he is still at Bilstein Motorsports in Sydney (Heasemans) and he can build a shock for you, but you will need to know the axle weights, spring rates etc.

[Vern]

Or superior engineering remote res 8 way adjustables. I run these in landcruiser form and have just revalved them myself to close to rover specs of 370 front and 400 rear on the rebound. As they arw adjustable, the compression side is somewhere between 80-120 from memory

[DieSchnelleKafer]

I would give Andrew a call re springs. I ran 220/270 in my lse which has isuzu 4bd1t engine and gearbox, bar, winch, dual batt, roof rack, sliders, rear bar, rear wheel carrier, long range and sill tanks, etc...so it weighs a lot! I have now gone up to 236f 320r, which could be a tad heavy on the back but they are there for towing our camper.
May be look at around 180-200f and 220r

I have sent him an email. Jeez thats afair whack of weight. Thanks Vern


I don't have a recommendation because I would expect most shock manufacturers don't want their products handling that badly. The only thing I can think of that you can get that soft is the adjustable Rancho shocks turned down low - just don't over heat them otherwise they will be shot. If you're happy to throw money at it, then its definatly worthwhile speaking to Paul Joyner if he is still at Bilstein Motorsports in Sydney (Heasemans) and he can build a shock for you, but you will need to know the axle weights, spring rates etc.

I am struggling to find a rate chart for those shocks, it might work well to have those on the rear for if i ever need to tow anything.


Or superior engineering remote res 8 way adjustables. I run these in landcruiser form and have just revalved them myself to close to rover specs of 370 front and 400 rear on the rebound. As they arw adjustable, the compression side is somewhere between 80-120 from memory

Those are out of my price range at $360 a corner, although they look like a nice bit of kit!

[DieSchnelleKafer]

Hey Guys,

well i ordered some custom springs today from a vendor in Perth. Dobinson coils, 180Ib front and 240Ib rear.

We will see how it all goes, it is a bit of a guessing game i take.

Its a 4 week wait so i'll en-devour to report back with the shocks i purchase and how the ride turns out.


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/12/520.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/BlairWhittle/media/DSCN2084_zpsuswozssi.jpg.html)