Thread: D2 Suspension Blues - Going to Cape York in 2 weeks!!

Shane, were the bilstens standard length? IMHO if you use standard length shocks with the 2" lift, plus the added stiffening of poly airs, then unladen it WILL bounce as there is very little stroke in the shocks, and they are going to be operating right at the end of the valve/ seal pack. Fully loaded it will be fine, IE the shocks will stroke enough to dampen the rebound.
Have you tried it loaded?


JC

Thanks Justin,
Yes they are the extended length shocks (correct part for the job as varified by 3rd party). Disco is normally loaded with approx 80 kg of tools in rear. Polyairs tried on both 15 and 6lbs.
I can load the 85L Esky in for added weight. Obviously Disco will be fully loaded for 4 week trip but I really don't want to have to keep it loaded when I'm back in Brissy.
Is it right to mix coils between front and rear?
Maybe I should just take out the 2" lift and just have the extra height from my new BFG 255/70/16R. But I really would like the extra clearence for the Tele Track.

S

Sounds very odd, ALL D2's I have fitted Bilsteins to have been a vast improvement over standard, even set one up with a 60mm lift and lowered the rear upper mounts to run stock length Bilsteins, used 320Pound Rear LRA springs and 220Pound LRA springs front. Vehicle ran a ARB bar no winch. Handling was fantastic even at the raised height, and it was towing a Kimberley camper across the top end with no handling issues.

I have no theories as to why yours seems unpleasant, can it possibly be that the bilsteins have been supplied with incorrect damping?

JC

Before you launch into different springs, find a bilstein dealer/specialist and try re-valving them, i had my bilsteins custom valved and it made a world of difference.
My disco had the opposite problem and found they were way to hard, took them to heasmans down here in sydney and had them re-valved. All i did was went for a spin with the dealer and told him what i wanted and the disco went from rock hard to controlled and comfortable
I can't see any reason why they couldn't tighten yours up, it'd be worth a looking into at least...

Originally Posted by meteor

All i did was went for a spin with the dealer and told him what i wanted and the disco went from rock hard to controlled and comfortable

Meteor, did you have to take along figures of weights over front & rear axles when loaded & unloaded? Reason I ask is Im looking at going to them as well.
Pete

Just done mine,standard height King springs all round & new Billys on front,fantastic.

Standard height Kings actually bring it up around 15mm .

As for yours,dunno,will leave it for the experts.

Guys are supossed to be good at suspension stuff,they are on the southside.They could probably help.

What colour is your D2,were leaving next Friday for the tip

Cheers Scarry,

I had standard Bilsteins and original springs before the lift. It was a great ride. Just wanted the advantages of the lift.
you'll see by the attached photo that mine is white with black trim. Just how I like them (my previous 300TDi was also white)
Experts ? yes living near Moss Street I thought I would be set for expert service. Well each one I've spoken to so far has a different opinion. I guess it depends what they are trying to sell. As I had said earlier. I had Billys and kings (lifted) but no polyairs on the previous Disco. I was very happy. (weep) I had fixed or replaced just about everything on it before it got written off near Coen 2 years ago.

Anyway, have a really good trip up the tip. How long are you up there for?
We'll be around Punsand and Sommerset for about 3 weeks.

Cheers,

Shane

Originally Posted by Shane_H

Thanks Justin,
Yes they are the extended length shocks (correct part for the job as varified by 3rd party). Disco is normally loaded with approx 80 kg of tools in rear. Polyairs tried on both 15 and 6lbs.
I can load the 85L Esky in for added weight. Obviously Disco will be fully loaded for 4 week trip but I really don't want to have to keep it loaded when I'm back in Brissy.
Is it right to mix coils between front and rear?
Maybe I should just take out the 2" lift and just have the extra height from my new BFG 255/70/16R. But I really would like the extra clearence for the Tele Track.

S

Shane, was just wondering, you mention a Third party,, dont know who you went to, but is it worth while going to Pedders and having them put it on their test rig,,, Ive never done it myself, although I do have their suspension on my vehicle.
It may be that a test like that might point someone in the right direction.

Anyway, hope all goes well and you get it sorted soon so you can have a great trip,,

Chops