Standard defender on +2inch shocks

[marting]

Hi all
I am in the market for some new shocks and have noticed that you can get a range of shocks with +2 inch more travel.
I have a 1997 defender with standard springs/standard height and I have no intention to raise it (won't fit into the garage), so my question is: can you fit these shocks to a standard defender to improve down travel (if it does at all)?,
and what modifications would I need to do to make them work? I have heard that these shocks will bottom out if the upper mounts aren't raised.
Should I just stay with the standard length shocks?
I am considering the Koni Heavy Tracks; has anyone had experience with these?
Thanks for your replies,
Martin

[frantic]

Have a look at gwyn lewis(.com from memory) in wales, u.k , he makes a kit to lift both the front and rear shock mount points so you can fit shocks 3-4 inches longer, i fitted the 60070L ,12in travel ome shock(from the front of a cruiser 3in lift kit) compared to the standard 8in along with a 40 mm lift and the dislocation cones front + rear dis. hooks.

[Allan]

I fitted +2inch shocks to the 90 and had to fit front spring retainers, I also fitted relocation cones front and rear while I was at it. People with more knowlege than me may say the cones are un necessary but as it was in bits so I did it anyhow. It is lifted 30mm or so also. I as yet have not had the shocks bottom out but have not given it a really hard time either.

Allan

[justinc]

The use of +2" shocks on the rear with standard springs WILL require dislocation cones. I have them in my 110 at the moment, and swapping back to standard length shocks.

JC

[LowRanger]

Hi all
I am in the market for some new shocks and have noticed that you can get a range of shocks with +2 inch more travel.
I have a 1997 defender with standard springs/standard height and I have no intention to raise it (won't fit into the garage), so my question is: can you fit these shocks to a standard defender to improve down travel (if it does at all)?,
and what modifications would I need to do to make them work? I have heard that these shocks will bottom out if the upper mounts aren't raised.
Should I just stay with the standard length shocks?
I am considering the Koni Heavy Tracks; has anyone had experience with these?
Thanks for your replies,
Martin

Martin

You won't find too many better shocks than Koni,and if you fit them,you will ask yourself why you didn't do it a long time ago.They will transform the ride of a Defender.
You need to check the closed length of the shocks,compared to the standard shocks.While you have the shocks out of the vehicle,compress the suspension fully and measure the distance between the upper and lower mounting points,this will tell you if you will need to either change the upper mounts,or alternately extend the bumpstop,if you are not too worried about up travel.

Regards

Wayne

[Sly]

Whats wrong with standard / generic parts shocks ?.

[LowRanger]

Whats wrong with standard / generic parts shocks ?.

All vehicle manufacturers make trade offs with their suspension components,to try and cover a large general useage.Aftermarket suspension allows the owner to purchase suspension components to suit a more specific application for their individual vehicle/use.Standard oil type shocks will work ok in the short term,but take them over corrugated roads for any distance,and you will see how quickly they fail.Do the same with Koni shocks,and see the difference.

Wayne

[isuzurover]

The use of +2" shocks on the rear with standard springs WILL require dislocation cones. I have them in my 110 at the moment, and swapping back to standard length shocks.

JC

Or just a couple of clamps to fully retain the springs...

[jazzaD1]

i have done the same with some fencing wire to tie my coils in at the top