L300 Shocks Options

Just bolted up the Bilstein fronts, but I think it's worth mentioning that the lock nut that comes with turns the piston rod when you try to tighten it, and there isn't a clamp for vice grips like most shocks. I had to drive slowly down the block to a mechanic so they could hit it with the impact gun, but even then, he had to thread chase the rubber out of the nut. The shocks feel amazing, but something to consider for the home mechanic.
 
connorblanco said:
Just bolted up the Bilstein fronts, but I think it's worth mentioning that the lock nut that comes with turns the piston rod when you try to tighten it, and there isn't a clamp for vice grips like most shocks. I had to drive slowly down the block to a mechanic so they could hit it with the impact gun, but even then, he had to thread chase the rubber out of the nut. The shocks feel amazing, but something to consider for the home mechanic.
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The Bilstein shocks take an allen key in the top of the piston to keep it from rotating as you tighten the nut.

And if he took the plastic/rubber out of the nut, that means it's no longer a locking nut (Nyloc), so you need to put some thread locker on there or the nut may come off over time, or replace them properly with Nyloc and an allen key.

Not a great pic, but you can see the allen hole for yourself if you look at the tops of your shocks.

PXL_20210401_164457281.jpg
 
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Sputnik said:
The Bilstein shocks take an allen key in the top of the piston to keep it from rotating as you tighten the nut.


And if he took the plastic/rubber out of the nut, that means it's no longer a locking nut (Nyloc), so you need to put some thread locker on there or the nut may come off over time, or replace them properly with Nyloc and an allen key.
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He put a healthy dose of Loctite on it. Are you F#$%ing kidding me?! hahaha I'll never live that down.
 
connorblanco said:
He put a healthy dose of Loctite on it. Are you F#$%ing kidding me?! hahaha I'll never live that down.
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I missed the allen thing initially also, and there's no mention of it in the instructions, but as I was getting ready to use 'alternative methods', I saw the allen hole (see my blurry picture in my last comment.). Of course, if you ever remove the shocks, the allen key will be necessary then also. I don't remember the size...maybe a 10mm.
 
Sputnik said:
I missed the allen thing initially also, and there's no mention of it in the instructions, but as I was getting ready to use 'alternative methods', I saw the allen hole (see my blurry picture in my last comment.).
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If only I'd come here to complain before I snugged em up! Thanks again
 
Hey guys I was reading through but got a bit confused.

What exact shocks can I buy to replace my stock shocks ?

My 92’ Chamonix

FFCC33A7-E0C7-4BD2-948F-AD4F1499FF10.jpeg
 
Hey Manfree,
Good lookin van! I had initially gone with the cheap KYB front and rear when I first got my Delica. After a ton of reading I ended up with the ever so popular Bilstein 24-013369 up front the Monroe MA708 airs on the rear. Did the KYB get the job done(numbers mentioned in an earlier post in this thread)? Yes. Did I really need to upgrade to the current setup? No. Did it make a marked difference in the ride quality and make me happy with no regrets? Absofrankinlutely! I haven't looked for the Bilsteins, but you may get lucky and another batch will come through. Just set a product alert if they're not in stick and root around for more options while you wait to see if they show up.
 
Allular said:
Hey Manfree,
Good lookin van! I had initially gone with the cheap KYB front and rear when I first got my Delica. After a ton of reading I ended up with the ever so popular Bilstein 24-013369 up front the Monroe MA708 airs on the rear. Did the KYB get the job done(numbers mentioned in an earlier post in this thread)? Yes. Did I really need to upgrade to the current setup? No. Did it make a marked difference in the ride quality and make me happy with no regrets? Absofrankinlutely! I haven't looked for the Bilsteins, but you may get lucky and another batch will come through. Just set a product alert if they're not in stick and root around for more options while you wait to see if they show up.
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Thank you man!!
 
FreeRangeDelica said:
I reached out to Bilstein US for any further insight on our shock situation, but also specifically for a two inch lift. They responded with..

"Thank you for contacting us about our products. As you know we do not build specific shocks to fit a lifted Delica but we do manufacture a line of B8 5125 universal shocks. These are primarily fit by extended and collapsed lengths and come in “stem to eye” and “eye to eye” configurations. I have attached our 5125 fitment chart below for your review. As for the valving, we only have the one shock for the front that will meet your length requirements. On the rear you will want to go with our 255/70 valving for your Delica. The 170/60 will be too light.

Please keep in mind that these shocks are universal and some modifications to the mounts may be necessary for proper install."


I attached the chart they sent me if it could be helpful for anyone else out there. I'm gonna try it out and see what happens, since Bilstein seems ok with doing some modifications for the fit. I'll be putting the 33-230405 on the front that fits. And then trying to use an adaptor for the rear eye-eye 33-185590. There will be a delay in the results, I'm waiting on an engine from Karr Auto and will be having them do all my work so once it's done I can give ya some feed back.
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Did this front and rear Bilstein shock setup end up working without any major modifications? Im considering it myself since the Procomp 921520 rears for a 2" shackle lift are now discontinued.
 
Hey everybody,

I’m looking for new front shocks for my ‘93 L300 that has a 2 inch lift. I haven’t been seeing great reviews for ProComp options, does anyone know if Bilstein 5100s fit at all? They claim to be the beefier version of 4600s for lifted trucks. Cheers
 
HondaBoy said:
Did this front and rear Bilstein shock setup end up working without any major modifications? Im considering it myself since the Procomp 921520 rears for a 2" shackle lift are now discontinued.
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I had placed an order for them back in April and they have been on back order since with no details on when they would get in and shipped. I will keep ya updated if Bilstein ever makes and ships them out.
 
Allular said:
Hey Manfree,
Good lookin van! I had initially gone with the cheap KYB front and rear when I first got my Delica. After a ton of reading I ended up with the ever so popular Bilstein 24-013369 up front the Monroe MA708 airs on the rear. Did the KYB get the job done(numbers mentioned in an earlier post in this thread)? Yes. Did I really need to upgrade to the current setup? No. Did it make a marked difference in the ride quality and make me happy with no regrets? Absofrankinlutely! I haven't looked for the Bilsteins, but you may get lucky and another batch will come through. Just set a product alert if they're not in stick and root around for more options while you wait to see if they show up.
Click to expand...
Did you wind up forgoing any lift? If so do you regret it? I have the Bilstein front-KYB rear combo, but my leaf springs desperately need new bushings and at least a recurve /fortification for a buildout in progress. I’m on the fence about whether I really need to add height while I’m already having the springs worked on—doing the lift would require a complete new set of shocks I assume.
 
ScatteredPrints said:
Did you wind up forgoing any lift? If so do you regret it? I have the Bilstein front-KYB rear combo, but my leaf springs desperately need new bushings and at least a recurve /fortification for a buildout in progress. I’m on the fence about whether I really need to add height while I’m already having the springs worked on—doing the lift would require a complete new set of shocks I assume.
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Doing 2" rear lift would require new, longer shackles, new longer shocks, new, longer U-bolts for the axle, and a longer flexible brake hose. Up front would require ball joint spacers, torsion bar adjustment and longer shocks.

This site illustrates it pretty well.


The MA708 air shocks lift the chassis off the flat overload leaf spring (at the bottom of the leaf stack) resulting in a less jarring ride over bumps. New bushings on shocks, shackles and front and rear sway bars also smooth out the ride.

Some people will also add an IronMan LP4 leaf spring helper to assist their flat leaf springs.

If someone would test and assemble a suitable leaf spring package for the L300s, they would make a killing, because everybody needs a set.
 
The ideal way to do it would be to have new springs made (or your old ones re-curved) to suit the van's new weight, but no camping buildout stays the same weight forever so...

Sputnik said:
...The MA708 air shocks... ...add an IronMan LP4 leaf spring helper to assist their flat leaf springs...
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^ I'd do both of these. That way you can adjust the rear ride height to suit the van's current weight: use the helper springs to get it in the ballpark, and the Monroes for quick adjustments if needed.
 
Growlerbearnz said:
The ideal way to do it would be to have new springs made (or your old ones re-curved) to suit the van's new weight, but no camping buildout stays the same weight forever so...



^ I'd do both of these. That way you can adjust the rear ride height to suit the van's current weight: use the helper springs to get it in the ballpark, and the Monroes for quick adjustments if needed.
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Without the lift right? This is definitely the most cost effective solution if I’m not being an idiot for passing on the lift.
 
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