NickS
Member
After reading through all this information. I m Curious if you ended up ordering these and how they worked out? I need to order some shocks for rig
L300 Shocks Options
- Thread starter daisy
- Start date
I did order and install them. I would put them in the "they're just shocks" category. Nothing amazing, nothing to complain about, but get the job done. I feel like for 30$ a piece and a 25$ rebate on a set of four they're serviceable until I get all the other suspension parts replaced and decide if I need or want an upgrade.
NickS
Member
Perfect. Just the answer I was looking for. Thanks
connorwhite.online
Active Member
So no one has found a rear Bilstein shock for the L300?!
Sputnik
Well-Known Member
I'm sure a Bilstein solution exists (unofficially). I contacted Bilstein and several shock vendors and no one was willing to do the research, or guarantee performance and warranty on our vans. If one of us were to compare measurements and specs with other shocks that work (like KYB KG5494) and then buy a pair of similar Bilsteins and install them as proof of concept, we'd be golden, but no one's done that yet, and many of us have opted for air adjustable shocks like Monroe MA708, to combat flattened leaf springs, so the serious research for Bilsteins has not really happened (as far as I know.). Be a guinea pig!
connorwhite.online
Active Member
On it! I have a rep at 4WheelParts on the phone with Bilstein figuring out fitment for the out-of-production rears. I'm sure someone else has gone down this rabbit hole, but if he finds anything, I'll be installing all 4 in the next week. Updates in-bound.
Sputnik
Well-Known Member
Awesome! Looking forward to the update.
FreeRangeDelica
Member
I have the yellow Bilsteins on my 93 L300 currently front and rear, they came on there from Japan, not sure what the part number is. I talked with a local 4x4 shop about doing a 2 inch lift, and they compared the part number and size from the procomp shocks that people have used for the two inch lift. I wanted to upgrade to the Bilstein 5100 series. They informed me that the Bilstein 5100 series part number 33-230405, and 33-185590 would fit for the two inch lift kit.
Sputnik
Well-Known Member
From those links, the 33-230405 looks like it might work for the rear - eye at the top, pin at the bottom with the dust boot on top (if installed upside down, the boots can fill with road crud and kill your shock piston). But the 33-185590 wouldn't work for either front or back. The front shocks require pin top and the bottom is an eye with a two bolt crosspiece.
Front:
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I might have found Bilstein rears in-stock on Amazon.de. Any reason I shouldn't pull the trigger on these? (Besides the €50 shipping!)
Bilstein 24-014670 Shock Absorber: Amazon.de: Auto
Bilstein 24-014670 Shock Absorber: Amazon.de: Auto
www.amazon.de
Sputnik
Well-Known Member
That model.numbet looks good, and the price, even with shipping, (if that shipping price is for the pair) is about equivalent to what we'd pay in the US for a pair.
The photo of the shock is not correct though (maybe it's a generic shock absorber photo?). I'd inquire what the return policy and any return shipping costs, if they turn out to be the wrong ones.
I suspect they just used a stock photo. I pulled the trigger, and apparently I got the last one, as that same link says it's no longer available! Unless that's just some Amazon inventory shenanigans happening.
connorwhite.online
Active Member
Update on the Bilsteins (production only, not Ebay finds). There are no fitments for the L300 rear 
. The rep at 4WheelParts was trying to sell me a shock that'd work upside down, but to my little knowledge of shock pistons, I believe the dust boot isn't suited for upside down operation right?
. The rep at 4WheelParts was trying to sell me a shock that'd work upside down, but to my little knowledge of shock pistons, I believe the dust boot isn't suited for upside down operation right?
Sputnik
Well-Known Member
That is also what I"ve read, upside down dust boots can't drain, so they collect crap that eats your shock pistons.Update on the Bilsteins (production only, not Ebay finds). There are no fitments for the L300 rear
Too good to be true; the seller cancelled the order. :/ The search resumes.
Sputnik
Well-Known Member
In my searches I came across Bilstein 24-022156 which looks right (top eye/lower pin). But I'm not sure about the length and weight ratings, and didn't want to spend the money to find that they don't work.
Likely the only way we'll find suitable Bilstein rears is careful comparison and cross references to shocks that work (like KYB KG5494) , and trial and error, but it could be an expensive and time consuming process.
connorwhite.online
Active Member
Amazon didn't give me too much on product dimensions and extended vs compressed length, but it looks like its only a couple inches longer than the direct fit Pro-Comps. Could be a winner. Also wanted to add some info I found from Monroe about flipping monotube shocks upside down. They seem to have no problem with it, and endorse it on their website here: https://www.monroe.com.au/trade-corner/tech-info/shock-absorbers/shock-absorber-design.html . Can anyone with bonafide experience on a negative situation with upside down shocks weigh in?
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connorwhite.online
Active Member
Also, I have a road trip coming up quick and wanted to know, are the Pro-Comps really that awful in the rear? Will I regret that purchase? Thinking of doing Bilsteins up front and Pro-Comps in the rear so at least the driver seat isn't bouncing.
I'm leaning in a similar direction.
FreeRangeDelica
Member
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.
"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.
