Installing front shocks ... problem

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Originally Posted by Andrew D

Gents

What shocks do you recommend? Bilstein are a no go from what I have been told due to ACE.

I have a D2a 2003 with ACE and not SLS. 95% on sealed road and 5% unsealed roads.

Are Dobinson any good? (about $285 for a pair I think). Plan to do all 4 plus the steering damper.

Also what's the latest news with regards to fitting. Has anyone tried fitting without jacking the car.

Regards
Andrew

(This is the 2012 Xmas project)

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Andrew, I have a 2000 with the same spec and usage, I'm looking at the +45mm Dobinsons/Bilsteins combo below, seems to be a good match from my research... (No affiliation with vendor)

Bilstein Shocks (front) BE5B994 (rear) BE5B995 $1000 Discovery Series 2 2" lift Bilstein Shocks X4, Suspension Stuff

Bilstein rear stone guards $50 Discovery Series 2 Bilstein Shock Stone Guards, Suspension Stuff

Dobinson Springs +45mm front c51-042 rear c51-015 $350 Discovery Series 2 2" Lift Dobinsons Coils Springs X4, Suspension Stuff

Does anyone know what the spring rate of the Dobinson coils are? I just had a feeling they were very hard.

Hi have done a 2inch lift and shock replacement on both a V8 and a TD5 now. Both 2004 D2A's.
I found the Terra Firma's video on a 3 inck lift to be spot on. You can find it here...

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/discovery-...l-video-3.html

The shock towers definitely come out through the top on both motors. From memory on the V8 I has to remove the MAF and ajoining pipes on the passenger side and it was fairly straight forward on the drivers side. On the TD5 it was the same on the passenger side. (you need to do a fair bit of wiggling past the ABS and turbo hoses but it will come without too much drama) On the drivers side is a bit tougher on the TD5. You need to lift your expansion tank out of the way. No need to remove any hoses just unclip it and pull it up out of the way to allow the shock tower to pass. There is a bit of a knack to it but not too difficult though. I must say the guy in the video makes pushing the lifted springs into place a lot easier than it actually is. It was all I could do to push a 2 inch lift spring in. You would need a fair bit of fore arm strength to get the 3 inch spring in I would imagine. This is definitely harder on the driver side as the prop shaft contacts the cross bar. I was however able to get enough articulation on the axel on both vehiles to allow doing the job without removing the cross bar.

I did both vehicles at home on the drive way with a trolley jack, bottle jack and stands. It would be well within most peoples abilities as long as you have a very basic mechanical knowledge and the jacks and stands. Just make sure the stands are well placed and I kept the trolley jack under the axel at all times as well just incase anthing went astray.

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Originally Posted by walker

Does anyone know what the spring rate of the Dobinson coils are? I just had a feeling they were very hard.

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Not sure on the actual spring rate but I can confirm that the 2 inch lift Dobinson constant loads I have in the front of my TD5 are considerably firmer than the Brit Parts Constant loads I had in my V8.

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Originally Posted by walker

Does anyone know what the spring rate of the Dobinson coils are? I just had a feeling they were very hard.

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Thanks Adam, this is a good question. Hopefully someone knows...

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Originally Posted by Tombie

Who told you that BS ;)

Billies are fine. Some get slight valving changes made is all.

As for fitting, depends how you want to go about it.

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These guys (eshocks.com: Shocks and Struts: Discovery II) have confirmed it. Also there site indicates it. The same comments is made on other site which sell Bilstein.

By the way these guys have quoted me $750 for all four shocks plus the steering damper including delivery (US $). Pity they are not suitable. Great price.

Regards
Andrew

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Originally Posted by Andrew D

These guys (eshocks.com: Shocks and Struts: Discovery II) have confirmed it. Also there site indicates it. The same comments is made on other site which sell Bilstein.

By the way these guys have quoted me $750 for all four shocks plus the steering damper including delivery (US $). Pity they are not suitable. Great price.

Regards
Andrew

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That's funny!!!

Eshocks supplied my 7100s and I run them with off the shelf valving!
The only difference is slightly different rebound settings on "ACE" shocks.

It's not a drastic issue and std will work just fine...

Just get them and fit them.

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Originally Posted by Tombie

That's funny!!!

Eshocks supplied my 7100s and I run them with off the shelf valving!
The only difference is slightly different rebound settings on "ACE" shocks.

It's not a drastic issue and std will work just fine...

Just get them and fit them.

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I'm obviously too cautious. I did ask a second time to confirm so I'm not willing to risk using something when the advice clealy recommends not to.

I also asked if they had a alternative (Bilstein), to which they don't.

I'm also dubious when more than one website (pretty sure it was the 'Bilstein' Site) notes the same advice. Must be for a good reason.

Regards
Andrew

Or it could just be they haven't duplicated the same valving and won't commit to ride quality!

Have you fitted aftermarket springs?

The vehicle manufacturer doesn't recommend these either!

Or bullbars and non OEM products...

It's called backside covering!!!!

Sometimes it is just baskside covering and then sometimes it's for a good reason. I'm thinking this is for a good reason. I did give the sales people the opportunity to offer an alternative as well.

The truck is currently all genuine. I wasn't that keen on the blue and yellow anyway. I just want good quality. Genuine are around $145 each plus postage from the UK so probably another $150.

Regards
Andrew