D2a Suspension

**bidds** · 15th May 2011, 05:41 PM

Hi there,

Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide, I'm trying to get my D2a riding nicely.

I fitted it with new Bilsteins about eight months ago and I basically hate them. Well, I think I hate them...

They were custom valved from new for ACE/SLS and I reckon they're way too harsh in the front, yet crash through their travel with a larger bump and the rears had zero rebound control - bobbed along the road like there were no shocks at all. The rears have since been exchanged for standard versions and it's got rebound control but it's still harsh.

I've considered the front springs: They're the original ones as far as I know - I've had the truck a little over a year but it's only got 86k km on the clock and is completely standard. Could they just be 'old' even though the ride height looks fine?

The suspension bushes were checked by both MR in Redcliffe and CMW in Canberra, neither reported anything untoward and there are no clunks I notice, so I guess they're fine.

My truck does have 18" wheels but I've driven many other vehicles with lower profile tyres than my D2a and they all manage to ride way better.

Which brings me back to the shocks. Would getting the LR branded shocks be the best way to go? Does anyone recall what a new D2a with ACE and SLS rode like? I couldn't imagine LR would release something that rides so poorly.

If I were to fit LR shocks, which should I get? I notice there are different fitments for ACE/non-ACE and SLS-non SLS, front and rear, with all the permutations covered for the D2 models whereas the D2a has just a single shock for each end. Was LR just being cheap or did they figure out some suspension black magic for the 03MY?

I'm thinking of perhaps going with some of those newish Boss adjustable shocks - that way I might be able to tweak it to suit while on the vehicle. Has anyone experience with these?

Again, any thoughts/recollection you have are gratefully received. I think my D2a is just brilliant *except* for the terrible ride, so I'd love to get it sorted.

cheers,

bidds

**Pedro_The_Swift** · 15th May 2011, 07:05 PM

no consolation,, but I think my A rides far worse than my '01,,

and yes,, the 18's dont help.

**Hay Ewe** · 15th May 2011, 07:40 PM

I have jsut put bilsteins on my 04 D2a, normal suspension and the shocks that come off were so bad, anything would have been better, but we had to wait a little while

if you ware unsure, the best thing is to go back to stock so you a eliminating all the variables, taking it back to baseline and then starting again

maybe your air suspension is faulty and the bilsteins are fine?

Hay Ewe

**stevo68** · 16th May 2011, 09:27 AM

Hmmmm I found that Smokey rode better with the upgraded suspension compared to stock. I've got a 2 inch Dobinson lift/ suspension package and the ride on it is great.

Regards

Stevo

**Slunnie** · 16th May 2011, 09:57 PM

It sounds to me like you have the front shocks on the rear and the rears on the front. The rear on the D2 needs a lot of control compared to the front.

You'll also find that if the shock rides harshly that there is too much stiffness on the compression travel or at that speed of the compression travel unless its actually too soft and allowing the axle to contact the bumpstops too easily - there isn't a lot of bump travel in there.

**fester** · 17th May 2011, 08:30 PM

Run far far away from any idea of the Boss shocks. I have them on an 80 series Landcruiser and it rides like crap. Nowhere in their adjustment range do they go close to being suitable I've tried them right through the setting range. Don't drive the rig much so haven't done anything about them. Wish I had early on. Spoke to the place I got them from the other day about other things and got onto the subject and they pretty much admitted they were a mistake and stopped using them. I did notice ages ago that they were not listed on their web site for a fair while.

brownrangie · 18th May 2011, 08:10 PM

I have Bilsteins (longer ones for the 40mm lift) and King Springs on the front. SLS lift kit on the back. It does ride firm, but no way does it bottom out. Can drive over speed humps without slowing down and hardly feel the bump in the road.

**imatt** · 18th May 2011, 08:35 PM

I have bilsteins and a 2" lift in my 99 D2 with SLS and was amazed at the difference in ride from standard, my front springs are dobinsons (HD) which makes it a bit firm because I don't yet have barwork. My original springs were bottoming out constantly before upgrading which felt terrible, the shocks were stuffed as well. The bilsteins give a very controlled ride and maybe a little firmer than other brands but I think you will find your springs will need replacing and maybe causing most of the problems. Check your bumpstop rubbers to see if your front end is bottoming out or not, they will be damaged if you are.
Cheers Matt

**bidds** · 19th May 2011, 09:34 PM

Hey all,

Many thanks for that - good food for thought.

What do you think of this bump stop? I'm not familiar with a damaged one beyond something really obvious.

IMG_0228008676crop.jpg

I think I'll swap out the front springs and see what happens.

cheers

bidds

**clubagreenie** · 19th May 2011, 10:15 PM

It's not damaged but it's been hitting. Whats the clearance between diff and bump stop?

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