Ady Gancz

Member
Greetings,

The front shocks on my 1998 disco are officially dead. I think they are an older model of Bilsteins (in black).

The Disco is mainly used off-road, in rocky desert tracks etc. It is usually not loaded (driver+ maybe 100kg of equipment. probably less)

The car is lifted by King Springs. I bought it with them and would like to keep them. I assume it is a 2'' lift.
Looking at the various options for shocks and reading many threads got me confused.
First of all - lengthwise, will standard 8'' or 8.5'' (travel) shocks do, or do I need longer ones (10''?)
Secondly, specific recommendations would be appreciated, especially if you have a similar configuration on your disco. Here are some of the options I was looking at:
Bilstein B4/ B6/ 7100 ?
Koni Heavy Track/ Raid
Old man emu
Terrafirma TF118 (can buy all 4 for less than the price of a pair of the above...)
Monroes?
Armstrong?
Other?

Your help is needed!!!!

Ady
 
Last edited:
I'm sure most of your Q's will be answered as soon as a grown up comes along but for now I should like you to know that on my Disco 1's I always replaced with Munroes - perfectly good and reliable.
Since having the Def 90, however, (on very old muds) I have had all replaced with FOX shocks from the afor fitted ProComps and boy are they superb.
I have the standard cheapest +2" in the range (no external reservoir and all that specialist stuff), fitted for me this time, yet still a damn good option.
Completely transformed the truck from hard cornering, green lane to general motoring. The faster you take really rough stuff (not a recomendation) the better they perform so that you know in the unexpected even they will perform.
Now with new BFs - a good set up which why I wanted you to know.
Probably a tad more pricey per corner but my next Disco or lrc will have these too no question!
HTH..... :)
 
Greetings,

The front shocks on my 1998 disco are officially dead. I think they are an older model of Bilsteins (in black).

The Disco is mainly used off-road, in rocky desert tracks etc. It is usually not loaded (driver+ maybe 100kg of equipment. probably less)

The car is lifted by King Springs. I bought it with them and would like to keep them. I assume it is a 2'' lift.
Looking at the various options for shocks and reading many threads got me confused.
First of all - lengthwise, will standard 8'' or 8.5'' (travel) shocks do, or do I need longer ones (10''?)
Secondly, specific recommendations would be appreciated, especially if you have a similar configuration on your disco. Here are some of the options I was looking at:
Bilstein B4/ B6/ 7100 ?
Koni Heavy Track/ Raid
Old man emu
Terrafirma TF118 (can buy all 4 for less than the price of a pair of the above...)
Monroes?
Armstrong?
Other?

Your help is needed!!!!

Ady
Definitely get the longer shocks, tried standard length on my D1 with a slightly better spring length and tore a rear shock in half on a rough track, it must have "topped out" pretty hard. Unless you have lots of money to put about I think the Monroes are sufficient for most work your Disco will do, the fancy shocks will do better in extremes, corrugations for mile after mile etc, but can also eventually fail at greater replacement cost and usually an arguement if you try to claim warranty.
Shocks, like tyres are a very subjective matter, and I do not believe the most expensive are always proportionally better than the cheaper ones, but your money, your choice
 
Since having the Def 90, however, (on very old muds) I have had all replaced with FOX shocks from the afor fitted ProComps and boy are they superb.
I have the standard cheapest +2" in the range (no external reservoir and all that specialist stuff), fitted for me this time, yet still a damn good option.
Completely transformed the truck from hard cornering, green lane to general motoring.
HTH..... :)

Which Fox shocks? The 10" x 2.0" diameter Air shocks?

What springs have you paired them up with?

I'm always interested in decent suspension setups, currently running Pro Comps but contemplating spending some money .. I know Fox are a bit pricey, but I also know they're rebuildable and tuneable, which is what I want. :)
 
Thank you for this info Sirronluap. I too would like to know which exact Fox shocks are you using. Do you have perhaps a part number or a link for them?
How long are they?
Cheers
Ady
 
Last edited:
Definitely get the longer shocks, tried standard length on my D1 with a slightly better spring length and tore a rear shock in half on a rough track, it must have "topped out" pretty hard. Unless you have lots of money to put about I think the Monroes are sufficient for most work your Disco will do, the fancy shocks will do better in extremes, corrugations for mile after mile etc, but can also eventually fail at greater replacement cost and usually an arguement if you try to claim warranty.
Shocks, like tyres are a very subjective matter, and I do not believe the most expensive are always proportionally better than the cheaper ones, but your money, your choice

Thank you Gazbo. I agree, it's probably not woth spending an arm and a leg on shocks as they will all fail at about the same time, and are more often replaced than rebuild.
I wonder if I should not change all 4 as the rear ones are old, likely on their way out, and I don't know how well the D1 will perform with a pair of new ones in front and old ones on the rear. Does Monroe have long shocks? What about Terrafirma? They seem to be popular in the UK, but perhaps less so elsewhere. I any case, I need to get them ASAP as the car is unsafe to drive as it is.
Regards
Ady
 
Thank you Gazbo. I agree, it's probably not woth spending an arm and a leg on shocks as they will all fail at about the same time, and are more often replaced than rebuild.
I wonder if I should not change all 4 as the rear ones are old, likely on their way out, and I don't know how well the D1 will perform with a pair of new ones in front and old ones on the rear. Does Monroe have long shocks? What about Terrafirma? They seem to be popular in the UK, but perhaps less so elsewhere. I any case, I need to get them ASAP as the car is unsafe to drive as it is.
Regards
Ady
Terrafirma is popular in the UK as its cheap... but its crap.... I could not steer you away from this shoddy brand enough.
 
I'm sure most of your Q's will be answered as soon as a grown up comes along but for now I should like you to know that on my Disco 1's I always replaced with Munroes - perfectly good and reliable.
Since having the Def 90, however, (on very old muds) I have had all replaced with FOX shocks from the afor fitted ProComps and boy are they superb.
I have the standard cheapest +2" in the range (no external reservoir and all that specialist stuff), fitted for me this time, yet still a damn good option.
Completely transformed the truck from hard cornering, green lane to general motoring. The faster you take really rough stuff (not a recomendation) the better they perform so that you know in the unexpected even they will perform.
Now with new BFs - a good set up which why I wanted you to know.
Probably a tad more pricey per corner but my next Disco or lrc will have these too no question!
HTH..... :)

are these the Fox shocks you have?
http://www.roversnorth.com/ProductDesc.aspx?code=804258&type=0&eq=&key=it
 
Terrafirma is popular in the UK as its cheap... but its crap.... I could not steer you away from this shoddy brand enough.

I dont agree. Most of the TF shock failures ive seen have been down to incorrect fitting.

I had some +2 ones on my 90, ran very well for around 18 months when I sold it. Jim Marsden of Gigglepin commented on how well it drove, he assumed I had remote res!

Got the TF +2 big bores on my 110, ride is great and they have taken some abuse over the past year. Friend of mine has had them on for the past 4 years harsh off roading and some expeditioning zero issues regarding the dampers.

What I will say is the paint finish is awful.
 
I dont agree. Most of the TF shock failures ive seen have been down to incorrect fitting.

I had some +2 ones on my 90, ran very well for around 18 months when I sold it. Jim Marsden of Gigglepin commented on how well it drove, he assumed I had remote res!

Got the TF +2 big bores on my 110, ride is great and they have taken some abuse over the past year. Friend of mine has had them on for the past 4 years harsh off roading and some expeditioning zero issues regarding the dampers.

What I will say is the paint finish is awful.
LOL.... so the max you have had is 18 months.....Hardly a stunning recommendation,.... In regards fitting I had the full set and there wasn't a hint of an instruction in there.... as others find as well.
 
Yeah personally on my old 90, where as a mates had them 4 years with no problems.

Easy enough to look up online, which the box mine came in recommended.
 
Thank you Gazbo. I agree, it's probably not woth spending an arm and a leg on shocks as they will all fail at about the same time, and are more often replaced than rebuild.
I wonder if I should not change all 4 as the rear ones are old, likely on their way out, and I don't know how well the D1 will perform with a pair of new ones in front and old ones on the rear. Does Monroe have long shocks? What about Terrafirma? They seem to be popular in the UK, but perhaps less so elsewhere. I any case, I need to get them ASAP as the car is unsafe to drive as it is.
Regards
Ady
I have vague recollection that the shock that ripped apart was "Terrafirma", but as said it did not appear to be the correct length travel for the lift of the vehicle, the Disco was set up this way when I bought it.
I went to a 4x4 expo show after that had happened and was having a talk with the guy on the "Terrafirma" stand and he pointed out that incorrect fitting will cause them to fail.
I went to my local Landy expert workshop, he recommended the bog standard hydraulic Monroes in the longer version, they have faithfully served for the past 6 years on some of the worst corrugated terrain you'll ever experience, the cost of these shocks was minimal compared to what all the "big gun" brands were asking, I let my wallet make the decision.
Not sure if you'll be able to get the same Monroes in your part of the world, but good hunting!
 
I have vague recollection that the shock that ripped apart was "Terrafirma", but as said it did not appear to be the correct length travel for the lift of the vehicle, the Disco was set up this way when I bought it.
I went to a 4x4 expo show after that had happened and was having a talk with the guy on the "Terrafirma" stand and he pointed out that incorrect fitting will cause them to fail.
I went to my local Landy expert workshop, he recommended the bog standard hydraulic Monroes in the longer version, they have faithfully served for the past 6 years on some of the worst corrugated terrain you'll ever experience, the cost of these shocks was minimal compared to what all the "big gun" brands were asking, I let my wallet make the decision.
Not sure if you'll be able to get the same Monroes in your part of the world, but good hunting!

I will likely have a friend bring them over, as for some reason everything costs X2 or more here. I just need a link or a part number.
Cheers
 
I will likely have a friend bring them over, as for some reason everything costs X2 or more here. I just need a link or a part number.
Cheers
I guess any brand can fail, sometimes just the luck of the draw, but I stand by my beleif that more cost does not necessarily mean better.
I have also had problems with EFS shocks on a Toyota that we had, seals gave out in a very short time.
If I was to purchase new shocks now I would buy at best price on ebay, replaceents for the Toyota purchased that way, I got a bargain and was very happy with my purchase.
 

Similar threads