Thread: Expedition shocks D1

Originally Posted by Vern

In what way are they struggling? Compression or rebound? Or fading?

Not fading but could do with a little (say 10% plus) more rebound damping I think ( rear).
If a rear wheel drops into a hole they top out too easily. Seemingly more so on the DS.
They are pretty good on fast corrugations and Vic high country off road but things like the WAA line ( simpson) or sections of the French line really upset the apple cart especially with diagonally opposing holes. I think the front could do with more compression ( and maybe some rebound) damping as well.
I am not an aggressive driver. I think that it should be possible to get the suspension to cope with what I ask (loaded) with a bit more aplomb/stability.
Maybe i ask too much of the vehicle?

Originally Posted by fitzy

You could get the billies valved to your liking and rebuilt by Baker bros in Huntingdale vic,

Originally Posted by edddo

Not fading but could do with a little (say 10% plus) more rebound damping I think ( rear).
If a rear wheel drops into a hole they top out too easily. Seemingly more so on the DS.
They are pretty good on fast corrugations and Vic high country off road but things like the WAA line ( simpson) or sections of the French line really upset the apple cart especially with diagonally opposing holes. I think the front could do with more compression ( and maybe some rebound) damping as well.
I am not an aggressive driver. I think that it should be possible to get the suspension to cope with what I ask (loaded) with a bit more aplomb/stability.
Maybe i ask too much of the vehicle?

Bakers are the best Billie rebuilders in the country IMO.
They used to do all our race car Billies (open wheelers) and their background is off-road racing.
The Bakers were the kings of off road in the mid/late seventies.

May be look at getting some 7100 bilstiens like many on here have done.

Originally Posted by rick130

Bakers are the best Billie rebuilders in the country IMO.
They used to do all our race car Billies (open wheelers) and their background is off-road racing.
The Bakers were the kings of off road in the mid/late seventies.

Thanks Rick.

I still have my old set of Billies. They are worn out/lost their damping capacity. Just standard set.. Are you saying that I could send these off and get them rebuilt to have higher damping?
That might be a good option.

Vern Thanks - I am sure the 7100/6100 option would be great but I really dont want a remote cannister shock if I can avoid it.

However I see that they come in non remote cannister versions. That could be an option. Why do they have Schraeder valves on the body? Is that some kind of adjustment?

Originally Posted by loanrangie

They are the gas/hydraulic model 312 i think from memory, i expected after 10 years that they would need replacing or rebuilding but after the new bushes they feel like new again.

something like this?

Koni Rear Shocks Landrover Range Rover/Discovery 1/Defender 90/10/130 | eBay

The Raid 90's are expensive at over $900.

hi eddo,
lots of good advice coming by the looks of it...

I have bilsteins on both my disco's now, (95 tdi man, and 96 tdi auto) the auto is only used for remote desert touring.
usually 150-180 lt fuel/ 50 lt water, 2 spares and extras for one only (driver) and some spares...I have no experience with koni's but would only consider these two options for remote work. I removed OME from my auto and am much happier now. I run + 2" king springs on both cars. the air bags I put on because of the fuel/water weight, but am not convinced i needed to do this...much improvement from adjusting tyre pressures as needed. (I don't tow)

I originally chose billies over konis because of local availability ....(probably 10 years ago) now can't see any reason to change, good luck again....
regards robbo

Originally Posted by edddo

Thanks Rick.

I still have my old set of Billies. They are worn out/lost their damping capacity. Just standard set.. Are you saying that I could send these off and get them rebuilt to have higher damping?
That might be a good option.

If they aren't damaged internally yes, it's a viable exercise.
The best part is that Bakers can custom valve, and there they really know what they are doing.

Originally Posted by edddo

Why do they have Schraeder valves on the body? Is that some kind of adjustment?

7100's can be user rebuildable, hence the schraeder valves for nitrogen recharging.

You need a dedicated regassing machine for 6100's.