D2 rear bilsteins SLS

[Spenboyd]

Alright Bilstein experts out there can someone tell me what the hell is going on.....I have a 99 td5 D2 with SLS, I have been looking around to get my hands on new shocks as the originals are just about buggered.
Problem is I have got a 'range' of advice on the issue so far. Apparently if you have the SLS you should get a different shock than the standard BE5 6047 that all and sundry recommend for rear of the D2, the American suppliers like Off road Warehouse recommend the B46 2152 - the same as for the mid 90s rangies with air suspension.
I am almost at the stage of just getting the factory shocks as Land Rover specify a particular shock for each iteration ie no ACE but SLS.
Anyone able to shed some light on this interesting little conundrum?

[Redback]

My advice for what it's worth, get some Lovells for a 2" lift, Shane at Suspension Stuff should be able to sort you out, they will be heaps cheaper too.

Baz.

[Spenboyd]

cheers Redback the D2 is stock standard, no lift and no plans of getting one in the near future, I find the ability to lift the back end with the SLS good enough on most occasions, it is more the ride is starting to make the wife and progeny seasick and the prices delivered from the States are about the same for bilstein or factory Land Rover ( about $120aud each)

[harlie]

Yes you need a different shock for SLS, the air spring has nothing to slow the expansion as opposed to steel springs that will only expand to their set height. The air spring will continue to expand at the same rate until the piston runs out of bag length, it will then spit the bag off and only then stop expanding – the only thing stoping the air spring expanding too far is the shock.

To combat the extreme rate of expansion the shock needs to be valved vastly different for expansion and contraction. So internally the shock for SLS is nothing like one for coils. It should be the same as the RR, however I’ve not compared the end mounts of the P38.

I too have a 99D2 coming due for new shocks, I am going to do them when I replace the bags, they are still ok and have no air leaks but I know it’s not far away – I will be sourcing gen LR, I’ve experienced incorrectly valved shocks on air suspension before....

H

[Spenboyd]

Cheers Harlie that tallies with what a few people have explained to me so far, I will probably just go the genuine option unless I can get a definite on the Bilstein numbers and find someone who has gone down this path

[Redback]

cheers Redback the D2 is stock standard, no lift and no plans of getting one in the near future, I find the ability to lift the back end with the SLS good enough on most occasions, it is more the ride is starting to make the wife and progeny seasick and the prices delivered from the States are about the same for bilstein or factory Land Rover ( about $120aud each)

The Lovells for a 2" lift will be longer to suit the SLS, I wasn't suggesting getting a 2" lift, just trying to save you money:D

Getting Bilsteins from the US is a lot dearer now because of the exchange rate.

Baz.

[rabs999]

Have you thought about Monroe 4x4 Adventure Shocks?

I'm in a similar quandary as you re shocks for my '02 D2, mine has both ACE and SLS. According to Famous Four in the UK, Monroe's 4x4 Adventure has an offering to suit both SLS and SLS + ACE. And @ 26.50 quid a corner, the price is certainly cheaper than buying locally here in NZ. Not sure what you would pay for them in Oz but they've got my vote...feedback on this site seems to suggest they're a pretty good choice too.

Just my 2 cents...:)

[Spenboyd]

That sounds alright but i have always had Bilsteins on previous vehicles, and always liked 'em and the price I mentioned earlier is with the current exchange rate so it seems pretty good and cheers for keeping a weather eye on the credit card for me redback....need all the help I can get on that front, have a tendency to shoot first and ask questions later

[Spenboyd]

Official word from Bilstein Australia is that the company do not make a shock absorber valved to suit the rear of Discovery 2 with SLS......looks like I am going genuine

[BradM]

I fitted Dobinson shocks all round on my 2003 td5 Dosco with SLS. They worked really well but a bit stiff. You can live with it.

Bought them off Shane at Suspension stuff for $100 each. Really good gas shock for the price.

BradM

[Wodnee]

I have a 99 D2 TD5 with SLS & I suspect my shocks (particularly front) are on the way out.
I was just starting to research the same topic hence find this discussion most interesting.
I can't really consider lifting as an option as I use my car for work around the city & suburbs & carparks are already a challenge. Hence I'm probably stuck with what appear to be fairly limited options.

[Spenboyd]

genuine shocks valved for SLS with no ACE are around $150 mark it appears, have yet to hear back from OS to see if they can get them cheaper