Thread: Bilsteins for a D2 with 30mm lift?

Originally Posted by jwb

Have had some conflicting advice from suppliers as to whether I need the standard or longer shocks for my Disco 2 with a 30mm lift. I have extended bump stops on the rear.

Any advice out there? I looked thru the archives and found the references to the 50mm.

I would go longer. I have had quite a few +30mm and +50mm Unladen D1's for example top out their Bilsteins when going over speed humps. If you intend being loaded up 24/7 or not wanting more droop travel then go standard.
All that said, it also depends on the spring rates. A higher rate(stiffer) spring will cause more topping out than a softer rate, as the shock won't return so quickly/ further.
Longer shocks; If they are much longer than the advertised spring height increase may need spring dislocation cones or they may need to be retained to prevent spring tops dropping out at full travel. The D2 is better for this as the top insulator is quite a good shape
One more example, I've seen a set of standard length (B46 0253) fitted to the rear of a stock 130 CC, unladen they topped out continuously. With a load in they were fantastic
JC

2 x part no : B46 0243
2 x part no : BE5 2779
Are what I put on the Fender with a 2" lift, no dramas topping out so far, but I have a reasonable load in the 110 most of the time. Poly airs also put in.

Hi mate,
I had a 50mm lift and then the guys fitted the standard Bilstein shocks, nearly rammed into another car on the road as they were to short and breaking on a rough surface made the wheels jump all over the place. After fitting the longer shock the problem was solved.
Not sure but if your springs are not long enough compared to the shocks the may pop out so either fit dislocating cones or take same tools with.
Cheers
The entertainer

Originally Posted by jwb

Have had some conflicting advice from suppliers as to whether I need the standard or longer shocks for my Disco 2 with a 30mm lift. I have extended bump stops on the rear.

Any advice out there? I looked thru the archives and found the references to the 50mm.

Hi there JWB. 30 mm just isnt worth it. Go the whole hog on 50mm. Springs & shocks. I used progressives in the rear & find them fantastic. I'm on ARBs nitrochargers shockwise & havent had an issue to date. This was all done from new & they have held up well.

& I am about to fit 19"s to replace my 16"s just for another inch or so overall.

HTH

Cheers

I'll add some confusion. The shocks need to match the spring free length irrespective of the rate. The shocks though will provide a degree of retension so the shock will still partly squeeze the spring, and you will have direct spring load acting on the shock. My thoughts and practise when setting up is to have as little spring load on the shock as practically possible when the shock is fully open, meaning run the longest shock you can without the spring dislocating. It'll blow your mind when you work out the forces going through a shock, especially when reaching max travel. Doing it this way maximises suspension travel, and if you need to run extended bumpstops to suit that shock, despte what people say, you will not be losing travel overall. If the 30mm is a given lift to the static ride height and the springs are stiffer, then probably a standard length shock will be the right length because the lift is created by the spring rate (stiffness) not compressing under the weight of the Disco as much when compared to the standard spring. A longer shock will probably cause the springs to click when they go loose in the mounts. Also, there is some to be gained, but not much to be gained from a Disco2 with extended shocks unless you start spacing or extended brake + ABS lines and moving the Xmember under the front prop shaft. If the 30mm lift has standard rates or softer rates then you'll need to run longer shocks and bumpstop spacers to suit the longer shocks closed lengths. If you do run longer shocks, then check and check again that there is no pull on any brake/ABS lines and there is no contact with the Xmember under the front propshaft! I don't believe that Bilstein have allowed for these factors, and even ARB/OME got it wrong initially and ended up shortening their D2 shocks due to contact of the propshaft.

Another spanner in the works is.... I'm pretty sure the standard length Disco2 Bilstein is/was 20mm shorter than factory. I've dealt a lot with Bilstein and love their work and products - and interestingly their comments were that 20mm isn't a significant length difference with the shock... I disagree, but then again they are focussed on performance, where we add a critical suspension travel perspective. I'm not sure if they revised their lengths for the Disco2, but also something worth checking.

Originally Posted by Slunnie

I don't believe that Bilstein have allowed for these factors, and even ARB/OME got it wrong initially and ended up shortening their D2 shocks due to contact of the propshaft.

Spot on Slunnie. I forgot about those issues.

I've been a Bilstein fan for many years & have along relationship with Heasmans. Back in 04 When I got D2 2 I spoke with them re replacement shocks & confirmed they were 20mm shorter. They advised you would be hard pressed locking out the shock due to their valving & pressure rates. I wasnt sure on that.

I checked around & confirmed that ARBs offering had been corrected from their issues with propshaft contact from 02/03. In the end I opted for OME Nitrochargers & Custom springs. As I said earlier I have had nothing but excellent performance out of them. The progressive rear springs allow me to load up the rear & still maintain level, corner hard (when loaded) in that event if required & they perform well offroad too. I also run nitrogen in the tyres which improves road feel.

BTW I opted for no SLS or ACE on D2 2

Cheers

Thanks for the helpful advice. To clarify, I have a 2002 Td5:
rear: SLS and ACE and have 30mm spacers under the air bags and similar extensions on the bump stops giving me a real 30mm above standard hub to guard.
front: I have OME 779 (I think) springs but height is reduced with TJM bar and winch.

Will probably go with the BE5 6046/7 Bilsteins.

Hey T.D.5
Just wondering what tyres you intend putting on the 19" wheels that will give you more height????
Extra height (under the diffs) is usually based on larger tyre diameter, but hey, I stand ready to be corrected here.