So I've noticed some suspension pictures show the front shocks mounted in front of the axle on some discoverys. Mine are in the spring. Is this an upgrade or just a model year thing. Mine is a 95.

 

No, they are supposed to be inside the spring.

 

Are you sure you are not referring to the steering damper? Factory location is behind the axle. You can relocate it to the front. Do you have pics for a reference?

 

here's a pic of a 96. I see that the steering stabilzer is relocated in this pictures. What I'm asking is about the location of the Fox Shocks on this. They are in front of the spring. Is this just a difference between a 95/96 or is this an aftermarket set up to increase performance.

 

Definitely aftermarket.

 

Yes, that's an aftermarket set up. There were some RRC's that had a front external mount set up, but the shock was behind the axle. To be honest I don't know how much there is to gain by mounting the front shock externally. The limiting factor on articulation for the front axle is the radius arms. Even even when Jake was running his 3-link I think his shocks were mounted inside the springs.
Maybe Jake can weigh in as to the cost/work to benefit ratio of mounting the front shocks externally?

 

you hit the nail on the head when you said "cost to work ratio"

 

The external shock mounts are nice for longer travel suspension and 3 links because the shock will end up hitting the upper coil buckets. The 3 link lets each side of the axle articulate freely so the axle angle is greater and that means if the shock being stretched cant have space to move it's going to rub. You can run 14" shocks if you mount them lower on the axle tube and clear some room for upper mounts and have HUGE flex on a 3 link. I never ran them with the 3-link because I went with 10" shocks with RTE adjustable towers, unretained so I didnt have to deal with stupid long break hoses, limiting straps, getting the right angle on the spring perch so the coil reseats. My performed excellent off road with this set up. Some of the guys run retainers in the front with this set up as well. I'd say any more than 12" shocks on a rover and it's time for coil overs.

I should add - on radius arms it's completely pointless because your axle wont articulate on crazy angles...

Hopefully this makes sense...

Here's a pic of my truck with the 3 link.. sorry its crappy but it's the best example I could find. The drivers side tire is still on the ground here and the axle anngle is probably what 30-35*?

 

Those RRC's are the ones with air suspension, or at least as an option. I remember looking under the hood of my buddy's 1995 and thinking.... something doesn't look right here.... Another friend had a 1990, and it looks just like a disco in that area.