Disco 2 Facelift TD5 - Wrong Shocks?!?!?!

I don't post much as I use the search function a lot and most of my answers are there. However, got a strange problem. I've been reading posts about the ride quality of the Disco and felt that there is something wrong with mine. Seems to be a bit too harsh on thumps and bumps on the county roads around here.

First I put it down to my 255/55 R18's but it can't make that much difference over R16's can it? So I thought it might be the shocks. I have no way of knowing how long they've been on the Disco. The Disco sits very well and I thought it might have raised suspension but the overall height is still 1940cm so I'm guessing not.

Finally found some time and a dry day and crawled under to see what the shocks are. They're Britpart Cellular Dynamic. Checking the web reveals they are for the Disco 1, RR Classic and Defender. No mention anywhere that they are for the Disco 2. Whilst it would appear at first hand they they are wrong for this Disco, would it be so wrong as to mess up the ride quality?

I tried measuring them too see which version they are , standard, 50mm or 125 but how do you measure a shock?

Any help appreciated.

Oooops, just found them on First Four for the Disco 2. Still don't know wether they are standard or not though.

I use both 16 and 18 inch wheels on my Disco 2.

The normal "summer" tyres are on the 18's and I have a set of winter tyres on the 16's.

The difference in ride quality is quite marked, the 16's give a much softer ride, even with the tyres at the book recommended pressures.

Well "how do you measure a shock?" Easy with a tape measure
And then search Britpart's site for the damper specification, u may find that standard is 375mm and 125 is 455mm are the dampers closed lengths.

Thanks brian47, investing in a set of 16's might have to wait a while. Thanks Discool, I get the tape measure part , I didn't realise that I'd actually have to remove the shocks to measure them though. However, wait for it, dumb question coming up, if I jack up the axle will I get a close enough measurement? They measure about 545mm at the moment from centre eye to eye.