Thread: new shocks for the defender? what ones......

I just ordered some Terrafirma shocks with 2" lift.

Front ones have an extra 2" droop and rear ones have an extra 5" droop (from what I've discussed with others the front shouldn't articulate that much anyway).

Should be fitted in the first week of Jan. Budget conscious they are affordable (I think $150 a shock for the rear's) as for ride etc... well time will tell but others I have spoken too and read up on (including Dullbird) seem to think they are ok for the $$$..

Koni HT raids 470 Brit Pounds a pair landed in Aus, DCPerformance

Originally Posted by LowRanger

Serg
Goldey states that his springs are unretained,and so they are not limiting suspension travel.And the Konis listed for 80 series landcruiser with 2" lift,which is the longest they list for a Landcruiser,is still too short to allow full articulation,they will either not allow full down travel or full up travel,depends on the mounts.This was part of the reason,when I was chasing full travel,that I went away from Koni.If not really worried about maximising full travel,ie touring vehicle,then you can't go past Koni in my opinion.

Wayne

I agree with what you are saying but spring rate will also play a large roll...I know they will droop right out... but what about compression ???? they could be 400lb rate???? also I thought it was pretty much nessecary to retain if using polyairs or such

Serg

To all,

dont forget to check open/closed lengths of your new shocks and check your bumpstop space in relation....you dont want the shock toping out before the axle hits the rubber bumpstop (should also allow MIN 25mm rubber compression in real world driving)

Originally Posted by uninformed

I agree with what you are saying but spring rate will also play a large roll...I know they will droop right out... but what about compression ???? they could be 400lb rate???? also I thought it was

pretty much nessecary to retain if using polyairs or such

Serg

I would love to know how this is done as I have not been able to find anything to be able to retain mine which is what I want to do..

Originally Posted by dullbird

I would love to know how this is done as I have not been able to find anything to be able to retain mine which is what I want to do..

I take it you are talking about retaining the rear springs with a polyair inside??? If so does the poly air only have a small hose coming out of the top??? I made my own steel retainers for my rears. It is very simple. there is many ways of doing it.....not hard at all

cheers,
Serg

I noticed that Paddocks had the Heavy Tracks only, which aren't suitable for raised suspension.

KONI Raids are $303AUD (pair - front) and about $330AUD (pair - rear) out of France. search ebay.

I've got Bilstein on the back, but the front OME shocks are probably 10 years & 100,000+ km old, so I may go for a set of KONIs at that price.

Local price is about $900 a pair.

There is a pair of front KONI Heavy Tracks on ebay in WA for $220 from Linn Wreckers, but my resting shock length is 20mm shorter than the fully extended length on the Heavy Tracks, so they wouldn't last long, nor would I articulate well.

Originally Posted by uninformed

I take it you are talking about retaining the rear springs with a polyair inside??? If so does the poly air only have a small hose coming out of the top??? I made my own steel retainers for my rears. It is very simple. there is many ways of doing it.....not hard at all

cheers,
Serg

Sorry for the hi jack but if you have any dawings I would be really interested.

Yes I do have a small tube out of the top but you need to account for the retaining plate of the air bag too and of course design so nothing that retains the spring rubs on the airbag when reasonably inflated.

Thanks Lou