Thread: Done to Death but ..Which Shocks & Springs for my old Ra

Bilstien shocks

Les Richmond Automotive for springs.


Spring Info and hights.
Based on my RR.
Holden V8, Rear step bar, swing out S/wheel, Steel BB.

Aprox 1100 lbs per corner rear:
Aprox 880lbs per corner front.

----------Spring lt:---Lbs/inch----C:T/Load:--Installed Lth:--Bstop:
Rear-------17.8:-------320:--------1100:-------14.36:---------6.36:
Rear-------16.8:-------320:--------1100:-------13.36:---------5.36:
Rear-------17.8:-------270:--------1100:-------13.73:---------5.73:
Rear-------16.8:-------270:--------1100:-------12.73:---------4.73:
Rear-------18:---------220:--------1100:-------13.00:---------5.00:
Rear-------17:---------220:--------1100:-------12.00:---------4.00:
Rear-------17.2:-------180:--------1100:-------11.09:---------3.09:
Rear-------16.5:-------180:--------1100:-------10.39:---------2.39:

Front-------17:---------220:--------880:--------13.00:---------5.00:
Front-------16:---------220:--------880:--------12.00:---------4.00:
Front-------15.5:-------220:--------880:--------11.50:---------3.50:
Front-------17.2:-------180:--------880:--------12.31:---------4.31:
Front-------16.5:-------180:--------880:--------11.61:---------3.61:
Front-------15.9:-------180:--------880:--------11.01:---------3.01:


Note: Std RR has 3 degrees of castor angle, with B/stop clearannce of 2 inches.
Every HALF inch lifted, you will loose ONE degree Castor.

Shock lths

VEHICLE.........OPEN....CLOSED..TRAVEL..MOUNT top / bot

Toyota 75 F.....571.....350.....221.....Pin / Big eye
Toyota 75 R.....620.....390.....230.....Eye / Eye
Toyota 80 F.....594.....365.....229.....Pin / Pin
Toyota 80 R.....591.....380.....211.....Pin / Eye
Toyota 100 F....594.....365.....229.....Pin / Pin
Toyota 100 R....591.....380.....211.....Pin / Eye
Nissan GQ F.....478.....293.....185.....Pin / Pin
Nissan GQ R.....620.....390.....230.....Eye / Eye
Nissan GU F.....478.....293.....185.....Pin / Pin
Nissan GU R.....622.....390.....232.....Eye / Eye


Land Rover F....548.....330.....218.....Pin / Pin
Land Rover R....553.....346.....207.....Eye / Pin
LRA Front.......648.....380.....268.....Pin / Pin
LRA Rear........653.....396.....263.....Eye / Pin


Regards
Michael.

Steve go to Wilkison suspension in Bayswater and they will sort you out

King springs about $300 Full set
Koni shocks $800 full set

I had this set up on my first disco and they were great


Adam :wink:

bear in mind the list of shock lengths Michael posted is for Bilsteins.
Koni and OME 80/100 series TLC front shocks are longer than Billies with a shorter closed length = more travel.
Koni 82-2385 is 617mm open, 370 closed, and OME N73 is about the same open, and a shorter collapsed length giving over 10" of travel. If the internal adjuster nut is modified in the Koni, it will equal the OME in travel, but then isn't externally adjustable.

Why Kings Springs ? I'd also be talking to Andrew Richmond, tell him what you have and what you expect out of your vehicle, he'll ask you to measure the bump stop clearances and make a recommendation on spring rate/travel.

With any spring there are several requirements that must be met.
1. It is actually the rate specified (you'd be amazed how many aren't)
2. It is the free length specified ( " " " " " " )
3. It is the correct ID/OD to fit the spring perches.
4. It doesn't coil bind at maximum bump
5. It doesn't take an undue set during use or it doesn't lean over drunkenly or the ends sit unevenly (particularly on closed and ground ends used on a Landy) after some use. (incorrect steel/heat treatment/tempering/quenching or wasn't scragged properly)

I've had 4 sets of Kings springs do a number 5. Admittedly it was over ten years ago, and they were custom (I called out the rates and lengths) 2.25" ID race car coils, but they should never ever have taken a set the way they did. It made it a pain to set up the car when they were used. Their rate was spot on, and the initial free length was OK, but not for long. :? Funnily enough, I've never used them since.

If you want the absolute best springs available in Oz, contact Eibach, but make sure you are sitting down at the time

I have had OME shocks on my 2 door for 5 years and they still have plenty of life left, springs go for a tight bastard lift- move rears to front and then just get new + 2" of any brand for the rear. I have kings and koni's in my 4 door but its a daily driver / tourer.

Well on my D2 I've put Ralphs shocks(big bother to Tough Dogs which I had on the D1 ) and King Springs and cost $1850. Never had a problem with the Tough Dogs on the D1 which why I decided on the Ralphs for the D2

bloody hell, I didn't even think about all this compressed size, travel, etc, etc.

I thought you just buy a set, unbolt the old and in with the new and that's it !!


I said King Springs just because in all the posts I have read I have never read a bad post about them.

I really shouldn't put the back springs on the front because I think they are dead; the RR sways quite a lot around corners and with two back passengers and the usual tool box etc in the back it looks quite low.
But I’ll bear it in mind for next time

What I want to be able to do is take four people, (if need be) and load of camping gear off road, have a good time & not have to worry about it bottoming out, the back end sagging and hopefully still get decent articulation.

Maybe I'm wanting too much?