Bilstein or Pro Comps for a Disco series 1

[Tugboat]

I am in the process of giving my disco a 2 inch spring lift and recently purchased a set of Bilsteins because I have been convinced that these or Konis are the only ones worth putting on a LR. Now when I measured the Bilsteins against my standard shocks they were only 10mm longer and I feel I am not taking full advantage of my longer Dobinsons. I have found that I can put Pro Comps on which are 620mm long for rear and 575mm for the front up from Bilsteins 553mm and 548mm but don't know the reputation of the Pro Comp brand where as Bilsteins have a name built on quality but I just can't afford the longer travel Bilsteins. So I would like to know if anyone has tried/used the Pro Comps and if they have any feedback on them, or any suggestions, what do you guys use?. I am going to tie the top of the springs in and most likely have to increase the bump stop height and also get longer brake lines too.

[Rocky4.4]

Bilstein Are a great shockie but very Dear, i know a few ppl who run Pro comp shocks and swear by them and there Cheap.

[DiscoveringAuz]

Mate if I was you, wait until you can afford the bilstiens, they are fully rebuildable and re-valveable. I have had a set for 60 000 k's some road some serious punishment, heavy load front and rear. With king springs no sag or drop off in performance

[tpj77]

I would be wary of these cheaper Americam shocks. I've had Ranchos in my past Rangie (93 Vogue) and they do the job but IMO they're not really suited to the softer LR suspension set-up. Plus they tend to not last very long and I had plenty of warranty issues with them as well (broke the eye of both rear shocks twice and were replaced under warranty).

I run Konis on my current rig and couldn't be happier. The give good ride both on and off-road although they are a tad short but there's more to having a suspension system that works than having oddles of artculation.

Currently I have a 40mm suspension lift and for the rear I lowerd the shock mont to allow for more down travel (measued this first and had about 10mm to play with so that on compression that I wouldn't damage the shocks). The front I pln on doing the same just need to get the extended brake lines, etc.. and front shock turret re-welded 40mm lower. I also retained the top of the rear springs as they just dislodge from the spring cup on the chassis and wouldn't realign on compression.

Also remeber the right spring rate will allow your suspension to flex properly.

Trav

[brooksy]

You get what you pay for & as tpj77 said, ProComps are not designed for L/Rover suspension systems & you end up flogging out the eyes & the valving rate goes to crap real quick.


brooksy

[ROVERNIT]

Hi Im going through the same thing as we speak my D2 firstly price wise yeah Procomp are cheap no dout but there not rebuildable from what I understand and not easly customised yanks however use them all the time if you dont really care about comfort Procomps are good real good but Bilsteins are Bilsteins after all IMO having said that, my info is second hand I dont know you might be in the trade but Im using Grahame from Bilstein Quadrant Automotive Suspensions Pty Ltd (http://www.quadrantsuspensions.com.au/) for my bilsteins, Im using perhaps a set of Ford 150 shocks that 10.4 inch travel 424 closed 688 open but my Dobinsons are 100mm oversized
Lower you shock mounts would be the cheapest option if you already have billies

[Tugboat]

Thanks guys you have helped me make up my mind- I will keep the Billies and may purchase some lower shock mounts and do what tpj77 has done. Mate did you need a longer brake line for the back when you lowered your rear mount? And did you need to alter the bump stop height?
Wow, Rovernit they sure are long muthas!!! about 6 inches longer than standard, I like the sound of that - the D2 should be a weapon!

[tpj77]

Re- shock mounts. I raised my brake line mount about 50mm when I did the body lift and so far it's been hassle-free evn with the lowerd rear mounts it's never under tension. The brake line on any old Rangie/S1 Disco is centrally mounted so there's less need to extend it (although wise to do so)

Shosks in general, this is what I've found out the hard way. Not saying Pro-Comps are crap, just not suitable for Land Rovers and IMO probably designed for leaf sprung vehicles initially.

Trav

[ROVERNIT]

it actually works out to be between 3-4 inches once compressed As for extended brake lines I bought mine from https://www.expeditionexchange.com/discovery/ there are other methods as mentioned however that work out cheaper

[Tugboat]

Well put the springs and Billys in, and ended up with 60mm lift which has really improved my approach angle. The ride you get from the Bilsteins really is as good as they say! but my concern is that I may be topping the shocks out hard now. If I undo the top shock bolt as the car sits on flat level ground and slide the top shock mount off the pin the shock only rises up another 35mm. Now, I will probably install 2 inch lower shock mounts but then my concern is that I may over compress the shocks. tpj77 how did you make sure you didn't overcompress your Konis and how did you lower your mount did you fabricate it or purchase one?

[Reddo]

Had Dobinsons and fitted longer Bilsteins, and only problem is the rear bottoms out now as the Billies are softer, but the suspensions control and travel is better. Miss the Dobs a bit though as the car`rolls a lot more in corners - has no roll bars:( Dobs are very good and never gave any trouble or leaks.

[Grimace]

I had bilsteins both front and rear on my rangie and it was brilliant. Then i broke the rear bilstieins and wacked in a procomp. Didnt notice the difference.

But i have trialed other generic/cheap brands and in the front its bilstien or konis. In the rear I havnt found it to important if your just a weekend wheeler.

If your into touring, Bilstiens or Konis FRONT & REAR.

[tpj77]

As I said, I did some measuring of the mount before I cut them. 40mm was the safest option than 50mm because I was wary of overcompressing the Kni's and it's been 18 months since I did it and no problems whatsoever.

The rear shocks closed were 330mm and I removed the spring to measure the closed length with the mount in std poisition, jacked up the rear axle to measure the compression and it was about 390mm. Remember that taller springs wiill inhibit the suspension to hit the bump stop (especially if you have stiffer springs). As you can see, I had 50mm to play with so shortening the mounts 40mm gave me a 10mm safetty margin. Not much, but better than nothing.

The mount, I just cut 40mm off the bottom of the rear mount, re-drilled the hole so there was no welding etc. to be done (and legal).

HTH

Trav