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Shocks for Late series 2 Disco with rear airbags

Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 8:36 am
by stinger
I have a Late (2003) Series 2 Disco with Rear Air Bag Suspension and I am chasing some shockies for the rear. The front are easy as they are coils so no problems. The rear with the Airbags I believe require shocks with different valving due to the air bags as opposed to coils. Have already replaced them once with Factory items, but am not really impressed.

Any one know of someone who can help me? I tried the Airbag man in Brissy to no avail....

Cheers,
Stinger

Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 9:19 am
by Slunnie
What about OME or Sydney shocks (Bilstein).

Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 10:53 am
by justinC
Just fitted Bilsteins to one, fantastic result especially over undulations and with a load. DO NOT fit OME shocks.

JC

Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 10:54 am
by HSV Rangie
Bilstien.

only way to go.

Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 6:40 pm
by brooksy
I have Edelbrock Remote Resovoirs with 13" travel airbags in my '03 Disco. Mine are valved a bit too soft (set-up for rock crawling), but are brilliant apart from that. I am getting them re-valved next month. The set-up I have isn't cheap though so may not be what you are chasing.


brooksy

Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2006 9:07 am
by stinger
I contacted Bilsten, but they did not give me much of an answer. Basically said we can supply std shocks, try them and then if not right send them back and get them adjusted at me expense!!!!

Can anybody tell me what length std shocks are compressed and at full extension and whether they are pin or eye fittings?

Thinking about getting adjustable shocks up front and working it out for myself.....

Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2006 9:57 am
by mickrangie
Bilstien!!

Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2006 10:06 am
by Hardy
Did you talk to Bilstein in Moorooka (Fulcrum) or Bilstein in Sydney?

I found Sydney mob rather helpful. I've been working on long travel Bilsteins shocks to go with my air suspension mods for the Rangies. They do charge for modifying standard shocks - the starting point, which is fair enough. It'd be pretty hard if there's no precedent for the settings.

There's a bloke in our club who wants a similar solution for his D2. He's got 2" coils up front, but only a reprogrammed lift in the back, really needs proper air springs and matching shocks.
I can have a look into it for you if you like but maybe not for another couple of weeks.

Did you want longer travel - where you thinking of putting longer air / coil springs in? Or did you just want a better ride?

I think the D2's have unusual lower shock fittings? Could be a limiting factor in availability?

Adjustables (eg Tough Dog etc) will work okay for coils but they're not much chop for air springs. They adjust Rebound / Compression at the same time, which is not good - really need to be independant of each other.


Hardy

Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2006 3:03 pm
by Slunnie
Hardy wrote:I think the D2's have unusual lower shock fittings? Could be a limiting factor in availability?
They just take a normal eye type end on the shock, but they run a 12mm bolt rather than 1/2" or 16mm. It just means that they run a metal crush sleeve inside the bush. The fronts run a bar pin at the bottom that just press into the bush.

Image

Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 6:39 am
by stinger
I just emailed Bilsten Service Line of their website. This is the actual answer I got
[u]The standard height Bilstein rears are suitable for your application. We have had instances where customers require a softer valve rate for air; this is an additional $200 a pair for revalve. You can try the standard setting as is, within 500km decide if a revalve is warranted and return for a couple for days to be set softer.
Regards,
Tony[/u]

The impression I got from this they do not know what setting works for airbags and it is up to me to work it out. I know individual have different preferences but I just want shocks that work for airbags.....

I am not looking for long travel or anything outside of the norm, I have a comp spec cruiser for that sort of work this is my touring vehicle.

Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 7:57 am
by Slunnie
They'll know the settings, they probably just don't carry an SLS valved D2 shock.

Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 10:30 am
by walker
I know everyone raves on about Bilsteins but they have always been too hard for me.

I have an 04 D2 with SLS and I have standard Tough Dog shocks all round with custom springs at the front. This rides fantastic and I have had it in most situations from tough tracks to the Simpson Desert.

Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 4:01 pm
by Slunnie
I had them made twice as stiff again! :lol:

Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 8:17 am
by stinger
Walker,
What was the reason for the new springs in the front? And who did them for you?

Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 10:51 am
by walker
I had springs made at 150lb (standard) but which gave a 2" lift. The whole setup rode fantastically although I would not recomend going as light as 150lb unles you have ACE.

Brown's Springs in Thimastown made the springs.

Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 8:00 am
by brooksy
walker wrote:I had springs made at 150lb (standard) but which gave a 2" lift. The whole setup rode fantastically although I would not recomend going as light as 150lb unles you have ACE.

Brown's Springs in Thimastown made the springs.
Hey Adam,

Do you have a contact no. for Brown Springs as I am looking at a longer set of front springs. Mine are 220lb & I would like to go to somewhere around 190lb. I have 30mm spacer up top ATM & I would like to remove this.


brooksy

Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 8:43 am
by cloughy
RR classic coils fit the front, so take your pick

Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 11:32 am
by walker
Here you go:

Brown's Springworks Pty Ltd
11 Lipton Drv Thomastown VIC 3074
ph: (03) 9460 8622

Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 11:34 am
by brooksy
walker wrote:Here you go:

Brown's Springworks Pty Ltd
11 Lipton Drv Thomastown VIC 3074
ph: (03) 9460 8622

Your a champion, thanks Adam



brooksy