The right shock for the job?

[DaveB]

I have two leakers on the Series truck, and the Disco II shocks are the originals with 200K on them now. When doing the lift it was obvious it was time for shocks too.

So I'm trying to do a little bit of research. Do I just buy OMEs and be done with it? I'm just not sure. Nearly all the consumer level high performance shocks I've come across are GAS FILLED, so that's the right thing to buy, isn't it?

Well, back a few (quite a few) years ago, when I was doing mechanics for a living, we never installed gas shocks on an off road vehicle. First issue was the positive, non-neutral valving. This gave nearly all the cushion in one direction, rather than even cushion both up and down. Second issue was that the gas would bubble up if the shock articulated too often or too violently, which it does constantly off-road. This resulted in either hardening up of the ride with some shocks or total fade of the shocks with no cushioning effect. I've witnessed this happening in my

Perhaps shock technology has taken some big leaps forward, but if not, I'm leaning towards looking a oil filled shocks. I've seen a number of higher end off-road performance shocks and many of these are oil based rather than gas. Can anyone enlighten me as to why I should buy gas shocks? Are they really better?

Is it just a marketing thing? Or does it really matter?

thanks, Dave :? :? :?

[PaulC]

Hi Dave,

For the price it is hard to beat OME performance, they don’t seem to scrimp on materials or build quality.

[Glenn D.]

I also need to replace my shocks on my D90. I was leaning toward OME. But I'm not really sure how stiff I should go. I intend to replace my springs later as well, but the shocks can't wait.

What are other people using now? (on all your trucks, leaf and coilers), And is there a good balance between stiff and comfortable?

Would you buy them again?

[PaulC]

That’s a good question, especially if you’re not replacing high mileage springs as well. You can end up with the right shock & the wrong springs….which is why you asked of course :shock: . Have you searched any Defender specific BBS’s they might have more owners with more D90 experience and opinions. Expedition Exchange has some pretty good info on OME shocks & spring.

[HeadDamage]

I put some monroe sensatrac shocks on my 87 RR this past summer and like them... they where cheap to at about $35 each. They might have seemed really good because the old RS5000 shocks where shot.

[PaulC]

I have also run the Senceatrac on a Chev 4x4 & was very happy with them…a real life time warrenty as well. I didn’t mention them cause I bought them when they 1st came out back in the early 90’s & they were very expensive.