Thread: D2s - how to tell different generations apart

Well, despite the criticism from everyone, whether you like them or not, D2's are definitely one of the more widely used coilover setups in the Honda (and quite a few other) scenes here.

Now not all d2's are created equal. There are 2 different types of model (first gen + second gen). First gen , aside from being older so more likely to have more km's (and therefore wear), do not go "all the way down" (Wound right down to the bottom) in the front.
Now this is fine if you want to "moderately lower" your car, but thats what Superlowz are for auu bey.

Second gen will wind right down in the front with no problems, and believe me, they can go low. Also, being newer, they are less likely to have as much wear as the first gen ones, meaning they'll be less susceptible to the dreaded oil leak.

I have had my new gen ones since brand new and love them, the ride isn't that bad if you harden up, they provide the ability to go extreeeeemely low and have a range of height adjustment in case NZ's finest deem it 'too low'

If you want to be slammed on a budget you can't go wrong with d2s.

Now, how to tell them apart. They look pretty much identical to the untrained eye, but it's in your benefit to be able to tell the difference between the 2, especially when buying off those dodgey trademe sellers selling them in "unknown" condition!

The only sure way to tell the difference I have found, is in the damper adjusting knobs at the top.



Now, in the photo above , the damper adjustment consists of 2 parts. The round knob that has the d2 logo on it, and then the knurled ring directly underneath that with white markings. I have only ever seen these on the older generation d2s.



Whereas in this picture, we can see that the damper adjustment knob consists soley of the round knob with the d2 logo on it. Again, I have only seen it like this on the newer d2s.

Please add feedback/ other ways to tell between them, if you personally have dealt with D2's before, not a story about your sisters ex-boyfriends' cousins ones in his ceffie.

I've only really heard good reports about them for the money. Cars I've driven with them have been variable, but that could depend on the setup rather than the shock. I've driven a car with about 8g of penske racing shocks that handled awful!

Im planning on getting some to get me through the year (and for cert) myself. My main questions is - who the hell sells them?

Also, from what ive been reading, im yet to find someone whos used them whos actually HAD them bend etc. Sure weve all seen the pics of the silvias with a bent d2, but what do you expect drifting on a cheap shock?

Green machine runs em in his EG too from memory

Good writeup Andrew Should be quite a help to heaps of people on here.

Sweet I have gen2 ones Believe me these go VERY low. I run mine at almost as high as they go on the front. I have only driven these on the track but have driven these and skunk2 pro c's on the road. Id def say the skunk2 is a better suspension but the d2s arent that far behind. Def dont look as strong as skunk2s though.

Sent ^^ emails a few times with no replies. Half wondering if theyre even around

And no physical address on their website. Not registered with the companies office under d2racing from what i can tell either.

Someone might also want to clear up the differences between Gen1 and Gen2 EF D2's, as I believe the Gen1 go a lot lower due to the Gen2 being EG units made for EF fitment.

I've got D2's in the civic still, haven't faulted.. aside from being fuckin stiff as a priest in a primary school but otherwise they do the job.. 2nd gen I guess they are by the adjustment knob things

Thanks for info Silent

I've had mine on for about 7 months, no issues so far. They're way too stiff for nz roads tho

colour difference aswell? looks like the gen2 is a darker purple

i got sick of my ride in d2's, bang for buck cant go wrong, but i wouldnt go back to them again as a daily driver. absolutely screwed my back.

gen1 ones, 40,000ks under me and still going strong (and lower) in another members car on here.

have seen them used in race setup and went allright for cheap, not as good as others obviously. but for entry level race car pretty good. maintenance is the key and obviously play dodge the pothole as thats never good for them.

iv got the gen 2 ones in my ef.you guys are saying they go low are the springs still trapped or are you guys using keeper springs.as iv found once you go past half way the springs are no longer trapped!

I'd consider a set of Gen 2's for my CB, just got to find a set that actually fit.

that means your adjusting them wrong. your not supposed to adjust the hieght using the rings that hold the springs in

your supposed to turn the bottom part which doesnt effect the springs....

Originally Posted by XPLOIT

I'd consider a set of Gen 2's for my CB, just got to find a set that actually fit.

dont ef ones fit cb? i read a while back that a good fix for the ef's short shock travel is to put cb front shocks in so i would assume it would work vice versa

^ Thats interesting, I will look into that a bit more.

Originally Posted by hybrid_H

that means your adjusting them wrong. your not supposed to adjust the hieght using the rings that hold the springs in

your supposed to turn the bottom part which doesnt effect the springs....

iv turned the bottom part as far as it can go but still not as low as i would like it.

Originally Posted by vtec_teg

iv turned the bottom part as far as it can go but still not as low as i would like it.

Then you need different suspension, because thats as low as its going to go

The rings u are turning are for spring pre-tension

Those lower rings just thread onto the top of the shaft before you slide the adjuster knob into the shaft. They don't come fitted, but loose in the packaging. So I would think that is not a decent identifier of gen1 or 2 as they are easily removed or maybe someone discards it from the box...

Oh, and my D2s are still going alright after about 4 years and lots of track days. They aren't great but they aren't all bad either.