02 D2 - Poly Airs and new shocks for towing

[ozscott]

Hi all - looking at upgrading to poly airs in the rear and new shocks - probably Dobinson 36 mm bore all around. Want to keep standard springs - they seem good, ride well, and I dont want to lose anything off road. I have a TJM bull bar but no plans for a winch, and I dont want a lift. I run 31 inch tyres and thats as high as I need, particularly towing. I tow a 2 tonn 21 foot boat, and the D2 is getting a_se saggy lately and a bit bouncy - original shocks have done 138,000 so they are probably close to their end of life. The steering damper cra_ped itself and I replaced that the other day with a Raw big bore and the difference to steering wheel shimmy over big bumps is fantastic.

Cheers

[weeds]

poly airs are a good investment....i have them fitted to my defender

although i didn't fit mine it would appear to be a straight forward job, i sure some will come along that has recently purchased and fitted a set

i have no idea on the shock that you have selected, billy's seem to work well

[McDisco]

I would also check out the Firestone airbags. I got mine from Truckspring.com from the states cheaper than I could buy polyairs here! All I had to do is buy some 2 inch blocks from polyair as I have a lift.

Angus

[BradM]

I had dobinsons fitted to my D2 for towing. You feel the bumps more but give great control.

BradM

[ozscott]

I like the stiffness of my D2 standard suspension versus my D1 standard suspension (the D1 has new shockies but standard rate). I suppose therefore that I dont want to go softer for the D2 particularly when towing such a heavy weight, but I also dont want to make the ride too stiff...I know it is all about compromise at this level, but are the dobinsons much stiffer than the standard new OEM shocks (in percentage terms?). I could go the EFS ones but they might be too soft for controlling re-bound when I have, with the boat and LPG tanks and some gear about 350kgs of down force over the back axle.

Cheers

[Rosco]

I recently fitted a pair to the fender. Did the same to my previous disco and seem to recall the fitting was similar. Easy enough, the only hard part (if you could call it that) is the fact the spring tower has an open top, so you need to drill up from under through both the tower cap and the air-bag retaining plate. A bit difficult, but easy enough if you use a sharp drill bit and clamp the cover plate in position with G cramps.

They certainly help when fully loaded and towing the 1Tonne+ CT. Levels the vehicle up nicely with std springs and removes all the rear end thumps through dips etc.

A top bit of kit IMO. :thumbsup:

[BradM]

I tow 2,500 kg, go with the Dobinson shocks. The guy at suspension stuff gives a good deal on them. If you want a bit softer get the Lovell's shocks.

I had Koni shocks on a 1996 GQ Patrol, the Dobinsons are every bit as good at a much cheaper price. Dobinson shocks, I believe are the Decarbon design which is pretty much Bilstein.

BradM

[Graeme]

... original shocks have done 138,000 so they are probably close to their end of life. The steering damper cra_ped itself and I replaced that the other day with a Raw big bore and the difference to steering wheel shimmy over big bumps is fantastic.
I reckon you'll feel a big difference in stiffness regardless of what you put on, after 138K on the originals. Mine were sloppy after 40K.

[ozscott]

Went the dobinson shocks at each end and no air bags. My brother who also sells and fits shocks also recommended them. She is a bit stiffer than standard...can feel a lot more vibrations but then again my shocks were so stuffed that was always going to be the case. She is really stiff...lot stiffer than the dobinsons in my D1 (different part no and most likely different valving).

I love the ride and handling though...she corners like a thing possessed. She does not dive at all under brakes and rides the big bumps really well. I hoped up and down on the tow bar and she is very sweet...very little movement and very well controlled, so the boat on the back should go well. When my truck was new the boat towed really well, so with these new and a bit stiffer shocks it should be nice. I have an 16 hour return trip with the boat coming up soon with a combo of highway and crap back roads, so I will let you know - boat and camping gear will be 2 tonn plus whats in the back of the truck.

Cheers

[wardy1]

I would also check out the Firestone airbags. I got mine from Truckspring.com from the states cheaper than I could buy polyairs here! All I had to do is buy some 2 inch blocks from polyair as I have a lift.

Angus

I did the same and have no probs. They were delivered in 4 days from the states.
Fitting is simple...just use some soapy water on them so they slide in between your spring coils. Took me about 2 hours I think from start to finish inclusing running the air lines:)
Alan

[Slunnie]

Fitting is simple...just use some soapy water on them so they slide in between your spring coils. Took me about 2 hours I think from start to finish inclusing running the air lines:)
Alan
I wish I knew that when I did my Polyairs. I had to crush the bag and try to slide it in.