Thread: Shock Absorber difference: Leaf vs Coil Shocks

They're just different in the valving. You will probably find a shock for leaf springs doesn't control a coil sprung vehicle very well (handling) and it may induce car sickness in some due to the bounce.

Yes. Leaf springs have significant, often substantial, friction damping, so the hydraulic dampers are an 'extra', and will not have near as much damping as is needed with coils.

What have a few of your suspension shops suggested?

Let them earn your business no need to do all the research yourself.

Originally Posted by Robmacca

I can’t exactly find what I’m looking for but I did find a shock that meets the travel (Open/Close) I’m looking for but it’s designed for for a rear leaf end GU Patrol (Eye/Pin design).

Just throwing it out there to see what others experiences have been...

I thought back in the day people used to run inverted Landcruiser wagon shocks into Disco1's and the other classics for long travel shocks. You cant run most shocks inverted, you would have to run a shock like the Bilstein to do this.

Does anyone know of a website that would list various shock types and configurations for various vehicles? I just would like to see what options are out there...

Originally Posted by Slunnie

I thought back in the day people used to run inverted Landcruiser wagon shocks into Disco1's and the other classics for long travel shocks. You cant run most shocks inverted, you would have to run a shock like the Bilstein to do this.

correct but that shock was a very primitive shock. as was the oem series shock with the "valve" being little more than a plate with holes drilled in it and with the Gas control being non existant.

A very early spring valve shock with the dampening adjustment being the oil fill level would be exactly what you want but good luck finding someone that will still sell one thats not a racing shock.

Originally Posted by Robmacca

Gents
I’m looking for some long travel shocks for my old D1. As my old D1 is a bit of an old hack I don't want to spend big money on buying specialised shocks and unfortunately I can’t exactly find what I’m looking for but I did find a shock that meets the travel (Open/Close) I’m looking for but it’s designed for for a rear leaf end GU Patrol (Eye/Pin design).


I assume the valving in a coil shock would need to be stronger (if that's the right terminology) than a leaf sprung shock in order to control the Coil compression/rebound, so I also assume it would be wrong of me to use a leaf spring shock in a coil sprung vehicle?


I’m only talking about a local weekend play 4wd here and not looking to spend big money, so I’m looking at options of shocks from other vehicle types. I assume the valving in a Coil sprung vehicle shock would be valved in such a way that would that require more dampening / rebound than a shock on a leaf sprung vehicle, so if I was to use a shock designed for a leaf sprung setup that it would more than likely fade sooner or fail in a short period of time?

Just throwing it out there to see what others experiences have been...

What open / closed lengths are you talkin' Willis? Lift?

Going for droop I assume?

DL

Rob if you are in SEQ give Garth Smith a call at Carolls Suspension at Rocklea a bell. Very impressive place. Good knowledge and experience and very reasonable prices. Cheers