Farmer Brown

Active Member
hi

Am going to fit some new shocks to back of my 2005 90 TD5 as they are phecked. Is handling like an old rowing boat just now. Was looking to fit Monroe shocks as they might be a bit better than the britpart ones I've fitted before. Went on to paddocks and the Monroes they have seem to only be for defenders to 1998 though i am not sure. They like referring to chassis numbers on their pages and they mean absolutely nothing to me. Seems odd that Monroe don't make shocks to fit a defender after 1998. Is the info on paddocks correct? Have tried googling and I ain't getting anywhere.

If Monroe are no good what is the best option? Not bothered about fancy adjustables just something fairly decent that is better than the real cheap britparts that are up to rough farm off-road and some heavy towing. Springs are standard. Front shocks are standard, seem ok so not fussed about changing them just now. I have seen the gas britparts so maybe them or perhaps the cellular dynamics ones? Koni etc prob not worth the extra money as it's just a farm landy so I ain't going to be trying to set any speed records in it
 
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I can only speak as I find. I went for Pro Comp. They have been on for 4 years no problems. Have crossed Morocco fully loaded. Used regularly to collect wood from the forest and I would say overloaded on many occasions. I am thinking of another trip to Morocco next spring and they seem up for it again. Some people on here seem to knock them but I have found they are not bad.http://www.paddockspares.com/pm1089...th-rear-gas-shock-absorber-from-xa159807.html
 
Should be OK, as they're a fairly standard fitting with a ring at the top and a pin at the bottom. Some vendors list them as fitting the entire range, such as this one
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LAND-ROVE...RS-/401299807193?_trksid=p2385738.m2548.l4275

@Oldseadog seems to be trying to seduce you with Britpart's finest!


Spoke to paddocks and they told me that the Monroes they have are for a pre-98 defender. Seems a bit odd to me, have done more searching and as you say some sellers seems to say the Monroes will do for all defenders. I have noticed that britpart and others seem to differentiate between pre and post 98.

I was set on the Monroes but now I'm not so sure. Had a look at the britpart gas shocks and cellular dynamics ones, they are cheap but you see some dodgy reviews of them. Have looked at pro comps but they also get bad reviews for build quality. Koni and bilstein are too dear. Not sure about terrafirma as again some people seem to have issues.

If Monroe if a non starter Might try armstrongs as they are cheap and seem to get ok reviews.

Yes I noted the post for britparts, paddocks are less than half that price.
 
I can only speak as I find. I went for Pro Comp. They have been on for 4 years no problems. Have crossed Morocco fully loaded. Used regularly to collect wood from the forest and I would say overloaded on many occasions. I am thinking of another trip to Morocco next spring and they seem up for it again. Some people on here seem to knock them but I have found they are not bad.http://www.paddockspares.com/pm1089...th-rear-gas-shock-absorber-from-xa159807.html

I have looked at these and on paper they do look good. I would think they are probably a better bet than the Gas britparts . Paddocks certainly seemed keen on them. Only problem is that some people say they are bad for getting mud etc in behind the rubber cover and rusting and my landy is quite often plugging through mud. I don't suppose that mud will be much of an issue in Morocco.
 
I had some gas britpart on the rear of my 90.They lasted five years and I have replaced them with armstrong.
 
Some new Terrafirma shocks were fitted to a P38 which was on our trip to Morocco. One of the rear shocks broke. Terrafirma did replace it.
 
Have ordered Monroes from Amazon for backs and fronts from paddocks. My mate fitted Monroes to the back of his Land Rover td5 no prob and he rates them. They had a different part number from the ones on on paddocks (D6629 instead of M6629). Info on web is confusing but D6629's seem to fit TD5's and my mate had no issues so have gone for them. Will give an opinion on them once they are on.
 
The only difference between pre-1998 and post-1998 rear axles is the cups that are spot welded onto the axle (where the bottom pin of the shock absorber locates). Knock the cups out with a hammer and chisel and you may fit earlier-type shock absorbers.
 
I fitted standard Britpart shocks to the rear of my 110 TD5 and they've been fine for 30,000 miles.
Just had them off to fit new top bushes and although there's a bit of rust on the outside they both still seem to be working.
Top and bottom bushes had play after 12 months though.
Fitted poly bushes to both ends now.
 
To finish off the thread I have fitted new Monroes all round. First I did the back and took it for a run to see if there was any handling issues. In short there were, back end was firm and front was very soft in comparison and could catch someone out if they weren't paying attention.

Got new shocks all round and first impressions after a couple of days driving about is very good. Nice and firm but still gives a good ride. General racket going over rough stuff is reduced no handling is also vastly superior. Tendency to wander under braking is gone (have changed rear trailing arm bushes as well). also it does not wander about in the wind and is much easier to hold on line. Generally very pleased and not sure if any other shock absorber could have been better. I should also add that the torque settings in the Haynes manual seem to be wrong, it said 70odd NM which seems very tight to me, I just adjusted them by eye so that the bushes weren't compressed too much with a couple of threads showing at the end of the threads on the shocks. Next thing is to see how long they last. :)
 
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Farmer, can you tell me what the max height is on the monroe adventurers are? I haven't been able to find that info anywhere! I've got OME springs on the back with an extra 2 inches height and need to know if they have sufficient height/travel to support them. I had terra firma all terrains tf117's on the back and one just broke the weld on the upper mount.

Sitting in San Pedro de Atacama Chile hovering over the order button....

Cheers

Gary
 
Hi

Sorry don't know the answer to this. I just have standard springs on. I go over rough stuff a lot with a lot of axle articulation and never had any issues but dunno if they would deal with an extra 2 inches lift height.
 
Apologies for resurrecting an old thread. It's mentioned here that rear shocks can be made to fit any model rear axle, but does anyone know if front shocks specified as being for late models will also fit the early ones? The pics look very similar...
 

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