Installed Billsteins in my 80

[94landcruiser]

Installed Bilsteins in my 80

I am used to working on my BMW. No lifting, no tire removal!!!

Whoot!

 

[Tools R Us]

They look good, do they work, how is the ride?

 

[DuManchu]

It looks like there's a bigger gap on the left as opposed to the right, is that normal?

-Andrew

 

[94landcruiser]

The KYBs that were there were nowhere near worn out but since I bought it at 160k I had no way of knowing.

Feels firmer, less dive. Feels great!

What gap?

 

[topend yobbo]

I think KC means the gap where the blue top cover meets the yellow bottem tube. I dont think there is a problem.

 

[94landcruiser]

Ok thanks.

I just went for a longer ride. It is much more linear, by that I mean when I turn or change directions instead of leaning in that direction it just goes. the front end is much more "planted" feeling. I will go on a longer trip tomorrow ending at the alignment shop and I'll report my findings.

 

[alkaline747trio]

These are the stock replacement Billies, right? How much trouble was it to break free the nuts? Did you re-use the old bushings or does Billstein send new ones?

 

[94landcruiser]

I ordered them from a site that listed them as correct for the fj 80. Not sure if they are stock replacement but I guess so.

Nuts came off easily, I don't think the KYBs were in there too long. Bilstein supplied new bushings.

The only problem was the top nut refused to torque down so I had to go to the hardware store with the second shock to buy nuts.

 

[Mickldo]

It looks like there's a bigger gap on the left as opposed to the right, is that normal?

-Andrew

IIRC Bilsteins have a rubber boot instead of a metal one.

 

[Critter]

IIRC Bilsteins have a rubber boot instead of a metal one.

They do, like rancho and most other aftermarket shocks they have a rubber dust cover as opposed to a metal one like the factory shocks.

 

[Critter]

These are the stock replacement Billies, right? How much trouble was it to break free the nuts? Did you re-use the old bushings or does Billstein send new ones?

When I replaced my stock shocks at 75K miles I was able to break them free with a breaker bar and I am a light weight, an air gun would surely break them free though.

 

[Cruiser Jimmy]

What's the length difference between the stock shocks and Bilsteins?

 

[94landcruiser]

These were the same length at the KYBs they replaced.

 

[spartan]

P/N Open length (in) closed length (in) Travel (in)

OME For 2" Lift

N73 24.2 13.9 10.2
N74E 24.4 14.6 9.8

Bilstein Shocks / For Stock Application / Will work with 2" Lift

B46-1477 23.4 14.4 9.0
B46-1478 23.3 15.0 8.3

Stock shocks are shorter than both.

 

[94landcruiser]

P/N Open length (in) closed length (in) Travel (in)

OME For 2" Lift

N73 24.2 13.9 10.2
N74E 24.4 14.6 9.8

Bilstein Shocks / For Stock Application / Will work with 2" Lift

B46-1477 23.4 14.4 9.0
B46-1478 23.3 15.0 8.3

Stock shocks are shorter than both.

Those are the correct part #'s.

Thanks I was about to post them.

 

[94landcruiser]

Took a long drive 10 miles freeway, windy road home. On the freeway it feels much more composed, no more of the floaty feeling it had.

On the windy road (sunset from PCH) it feels much more conected, less of the diving into curves that it had before.

I recommend them highly. Great sub 250.00 mod.

 

[DTAYLOR]

what about new springs?

 

[Grouseman]

Billies ROCK...

 

[cary]

I have to laugh because when I asked about using Bilsteins 2.5 years ago the only responses I got were that OME were the only way to go and I think only one person had used the Bilsteins. I went with them anyway based on past experience and have never regreted it. Now after many people have had continued to have problems with OME shocks, many are actually interested in the Bilsteins.

 

[fzj80kidpen]

Just put the OME heavy front/medium rear springs on. I did not replace my shocks as they seem to be good for now. While swapping the springs I did notice that the lower bushings are just beginning to crack. After reading these posts I am now leaning towards Bilsteins though I find myself questioning whether I should be looking for a shock with more extension.