JB43 Shock Question

Have you been able to find front shocks that work for your application that aren’t trail masters? Similar to what you did for the back with the grand Vitara ?

I talked to ChatGPT for awhile and this is what I came up with for a local solutionbilstein B8 shocks

• Front: B8 5125 33-186504 (stem → eye), ~469 mm / 300 mm
• Rear: B8 5125 33-186542 (eye → eye), ~511 mm / 307 mm

In  255/70 valving (softest offering). It’s a digressive shock and will feel firm on the smaller stuff. Not ideal but much better road handling. I’m seeing what the local supplier can do but it’s about $170 Canadian a shock.

If you check my thread  you'll see I've swapped mine out for APIO Roadwin ones.

I've not tested them properly yet however I can confirm they were miles better than what was on the car originally. I've got them on the highest setting (14) atm and there's a marked improvement in handling (this caught me off guard when changing lanes on the M5 a few weeks ago, didn't realise it was so snappy!). I will have a tinker around with them as I could probably get the comfort to something better, maybe even bigger springs may help.

I'm not sure what the roads are like in Canada, however around here (local roads near the England-Wales border) it is like driving on the surface of the moon. 

iac27 wrote:

Have you been able to find front shocks that work for your application that aren’t trail masters? Similar to what you did for the back with the grand Vitara ?

Still trailmasters in the front as they have not rusted thru like the rears, and i am pleased with the overall ride.

Found my shock lengths for the trailmaster lift in a german shop somewhere and find them to be correct for my lift springs and bumpstops.
I havent done much research in the front except I collapsed one of my bumpstops once from a hard landing, without damaging the shock. 

These are the trailmster comfort lengths:
Front extended shock length: 439mm
Front collapsed shock length: 275mm
Rear extended shock length: 511mm
Rear collapsed shock length: 332mm

I bought a set of black raptor 2" rear shocks but they are too short for my trailmaster kit.

I since then put 25mm spring spacers in the rear as I saw the rear springs left their seat at full flex, and the car was low in the rear when loaded for overlanding, and I needed the extra clearence under my awning
Most likely my springs also are a bit compressed and saging from aging and surface rust.