Shock Absorber difference: Leaf vs Coil Shocks

[Robmacca]

Gents
I’m looking for some long travel shocks for my old D1. As my old D1 is a bit of an old hack I don't want to spend big money on buying specialised shocks and unfortunately I can’t exactly find what I’m looking for but I did find a shock that meets the travel (Open/Close) I’m looking for but it’s designed for for a rear leaf end GU Patrol (Eye/Pin design).


I assume the valving in a coil shock would need to be stronger (if that's the right terminology) than a leaf sprung shock in order to control the Coil compression/rebound, so I also assume it would be wrong of me to use a leaf spring shock in a coil sprung vehicle?


I’m only talking about a local weekend play 4wd here and not looking to spend big money, so I’m looking at options of shocks from other vehicle types. I assume the valving in a Coil sprung vehicle shock would be valved in such a way that would that require more dampening / rebound than a shock on a leaf sprung vehicle, so if I was to use a shock designed for a leaf sprung setup that it would more than likely fade sooner or fail in a short period of time?

Just throwing it out there to see what others experiences have been...

[Slunnie]

They're just different in the valving. You will probably find a shock for leaf springs doesn't control a coil sprung vehicle very well (handling) and it may induce car sickness in some due to the bounce.

[JDNSW]

Yes. Leaf springs have significant, often substantial, friction damping, so the hydraulic dampers are an 'extra', and will not have near as much damping as is needed with coils.

[johnp38]

What have a few of your suspension shops suggested?

Let them earn your business no need to do all the research yourself.

[Slunnie]

I can’t exactly find what I’m looking for but I did find a shock that meets the travel (Open/Close) I’m looking for but it’s designed for for a rear leaf end GU Patrol (Eye/Pin design).

Just throwing it out there to see what others experiences have been...

I thought back in the day people used to run inverted Landcruiser wagon shocks into Disco1's and the other classics for long travel shocks. You cant run most shocks inverted, you would have to run a shock like the Bilstein to do this.

[Robmacca]

Does anyone know of a website that would list various shock types and configurations for various vehicles? I just would like to see what options are out there...

[Blknight.aus]

I thought back in the day people used to run inverted Landcruiser wagon shocks into Disco1's and the other classics for long travel shocks. You cant run most shocks inverted, you would have to run a shock like the Bilstein to do this.

correct but that shock was a very primitive shock. as was the oem series shock with the "valve" being little more than a plate with holes drilled in it and with the Gas control being non existant.

A very early spring valve shock with the dampening adjustment being the oil fill level would be exactly what you want but good luck finding someone that will still sell one thats not a racing shock.

[350RRC]

Gents
I’m looking for some long travel shocks for my old D1. As my old D1 is a bit of an old hack I don't want to spend big money on buying specialised shocks and unfortunately I can’t exactly find what I’m looking for but I did find a shock that meets the travel (Open/Close) I’m looking for but it’s designed for for a rear leaf end GU Patrol (Eye/Pin design).


I assume the valving in a coil shock would need to be stronger (if that's the right terminology) than a leaf sprung shock in order to control the Coil compression/rebound, so I also assume it would be wrong of me to use a leaf spring shock in a coil sprung vehicle?


I’m only talking about a local weekend play 4wd here and not looking to spend big money, so I’m looking at options of shocks from other vehicle types. I assume the valving in a Coil sprung vehicle shock would be valved in such a way that would that require more dampening / rebound than a shock on a leaf sprung vehicle, so if I was to use a shock designed for a leaf sprung setup that it would more than likely fade sooner or fail in a short period of time?

Just throwing it out there to see what others experiences have been...

What open / closed lengths are you talkin' Willis? Lift?

Going for droop I assume?

DL

[ozscott]

Rob if you are in SEQ give Garth Smith a call at Carolls Suspension at Rocklea a bell. Very impressive place. Good knowledge and experience and very reasonable prices. Cheers

[Vern]

From memory patrol rear valving is pretty close to what landrover is, and 80series cruiser fronts are pretty close to what landrover is. So look for some +2" patrol/cruiser shocks, should give about 11" of travel from memory, and get a pin eye adapter (or make one) for the rears. Have used this combo a looong time ago and it worked quite well

[I Love My Landy!]

Yes. Leaf springs have significant, often substantial, friction damping, so the hydraulic dampers are an 'extra', and will not have near as much damping as is needed with coils.

My old work truck was an FJ45. One of the rear shocks failed so we removed it and we noticed little difference with the handling. In fact we drove it around for weeks without the shock. Coil suspension is much more reliant on shocks than leaf springs.

Edward :)

[vnx205]

Yes. Leaf springs have significant, often substantial, friction damping, so the hydraulic dampers are an 'extra', and will not have near as much damping as is needed with coils.


My old work truck was an FJ45. One of the rear shocks failed so we removed it and we noticed little difference with the handling. In fact we drove it around for weeks without the shock. Coil suspension is much more reliant on shocks than leaf springs.

I seem to remember that the 30 Cwt Commer truck Dad owned in the late 50s had no shock absorbers.

The friction of the leaf springs provided some damping, but if water from a puddle splashed onto the springs, that damping disappeared briefly until the water between the leaves dried out.

[RANDLOVER]

With leaf springs the smoothness of the ride depends mostly on the gait of one's horse/s.

[ramblingboy42]

British Offroad will have the perfect damper for your D1

[Robmacca]

Rob if you are in SEQ give Garth Smith a call at Carolls Suspension at Rocklea a bell. Very impressive place. Good knowledge and experience and very reasonable prices. Cheers

Are they a EFS dealer?

[Robmacca]

From memory patrol rear valving is pretty close to what landrover is, and 80series cruiser fronts are pretty close to what landrover is. So look for some +2" patrol/cruiser shocks, should give about 11" of travel from memory, and get a pin eye adapter (or make one) for the rears. Have used this combo a looong time ago and it worked quite well

That's kinda what I'm already running on my old Landy... I've got EFS 80's shocks up front and I had thought that were 80's rears as well but I cannot find a suitable Eye/Pin 80's shock so I must not have a 80's shock on the rear...

I found a Rear Eye/Pin shock for a GU/GQ Patrol that meets or close to the Open/Close that I have currently but the shock is designed for a leaf spring.... Just not sure how that would go in a coil sprung 4wd...

[Robmacca]

What open / closed lengths are you talkin' Willis? Lift?

Going for droop I assume?

DL

The Rear Shocks currently are 635mm Open and 382mm closed

[Vern]

That's kinda what I'm already running on my old Landy... I've got EFS 80's shocks up front and I had thought that were 80's rears as well but I cannot find a suitable Eye/Pin 80's shock so I must not have a 80's shock on the rear...

I found a Rear Eye/Pin shock for a GU/GQ Patrol that meets or close to the Open/Close that I have currently but the shock is designed for a leaf spring.... Just not sure how that would go in a coil sprung 4wd...I'd just get pin/eye converters for the rear (bottom) and run a coil gq shock and be done with it.
I used to run 80 series fronts, front and rear (pin pin) but the valving for the rears was all wrong

[350RRC]

The Rear Shocks currently are 635mm Open and 382mm closed

I have some Terrafirma rear shocks lying around from a 'job lot'. They were on the rear of a RRC.......... pin / eye.

About 610 open and 380 closed. Dunno about the quality.

Have another pair, same brand, about 620 open and 420 closed. Real big fat mofo's and really soft.

Both sets had been on a 77 with 35's, 2" body and 2" spring lift.


I'd be going with what Vern has suggested.................. he's been there.

DL

[Vern]

I have some Terrafirma rear shocks lying around from a 'job lot'. They were on the rear of a RRC.......... pin / eye.

About 610 open and 380 closed. Dunno about the quality.

Have another pair, same brand, about 620 open and 420 closed. Real big fat mofo's and really soft.

Both sets had been on a 77 with 35's, 2" body and 2" spring lift.


I'd be going with what Vern has suggested.................. he's been there.

DLI've been there with terrablefirmas too, all i can say is lucky they were on the car when i got it, i would never fork out my hard earned for them[emoji1]

[ozscott]

Are they a EFS dealer?Yes Rob. I was a Bilstein fan but these EFS XTRs in my leaf spring rear triton (have them as struts in the front coils also) are great. Cant fault them as a big bore shock. Cheers