Shockies for a GQ - Koni or Bilsteins??
Submitted: Friday, Dec 30, 2005 at 20:45
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Bryan (WA)
Hi All,
Im about to change my shockies as one of my OME's is leaking oil.
I have heard nothing but good things about Koni shocks, which is what I was thinking of putting on, but today I also heard Bilstein shocks are excellent and maybe better.
Has anyone had Bilsteins on any 4wd that can provide some
feedback on their impresions?
thanks
regards
Bryan
Reply By: MickO13 - Friday, Dec 30, 2005 at 21:47
Friday, Dec 30, 2005 at 21:47
Brian,
for what it's worth I believe that thelatest edition of 4x4 Australia has a review of all the leading brands of shocks. I haven't seen the mag yet as it gets delivered to subscribers first. Won't hit the newsagents for a week or so. A mate gave me a review over the phone today and the OME shocks didn't come up to
well. Bilsteins - glowing report. Having just fitted an ironman
suspension system, I'm keen for a read myself. Might be worth the 6 bucks.
Mick O.
AnswerID:
146038
Follow Up By: Bryan (WA) - Friday, Dec 30, 2005 at 22:03
Friday, Dec 30, 2005 at 22:03
Thanks Mick,
I'll
check out their website and see if they give anything away, then down to the newsagent it is.
regards
Bryan
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Saturday, Dec 31, 2005 at 16:46
Saturday, Dec 31, 2005 at 16:46
Did the "TEST" include full page ads from the winning brand?
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Reply By: Brew69(SA) - Friday, Dec 30, 2005 at 22:36
Friday, Dec 30, 2005 at 22:36
My Konis are member Roachies old ones off hiss GU. I had them rebuilt by Top Performance in Vic(just posted them). So far can't be faulted. They are adjustable and the fact u can rebuild them is a plus.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Outbacktourer - Saturday, Dec 31, 2005 at 09:37
Saturday, Dec 31, 2005 at 09:37
Both Koni and Bilstein are excellent shocks and I've used them both on various vehicles over the years. They are costly but are definitely a quality item. Koni are primarily a rebound shock which work
well when you have a lot of unsprung weight such as live axles. They are adjustable (manually) so you can tune them to your set-up. The Bilstein are a monotube design which will not suffer
well if stone dented. If you choose them then make sure the rear ones in particular are
well protected. The Bilstein have a speed sensitive variable valving system which works really
well with IFS. IMHO the Koni are the choice for your GQ, I've got them on my GU set one 1/2 turn from full soft on the front and 1 full turn from full soft on the rear with Kings HD progressive rate springs. Warranty support is good too if required.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Bryan (WA) - Saturday, Dec 31, 2005 at 16:33
Saturday, Dec 31, 2005 at 16:33
Hi Outback,
thanks for the info, very helpfull indeed. Is there a particular model I should be looking at? Im assuming all the Koni's that suit a Patrol will be long travel..
regards
Bryan
FollowupID:
399680
Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Saturday, Dec 31, 2005 at 16:47
Saturday, Dec 31, 2005 at 16:47
You can get Konis/Bilsteins/Tough Dog/TJM/OME etc to suit your lift.
Just mention what mods you have (accessories for weight), what truck, what sort of wheeling you do, then they will match shocks to suit
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Follow Up By: Outbacktourer - Saturday, Dec 31, 2005 at 18:06
Saturday, Dec 31, 2005 at 18:06
Hi Bryan,
Koni list two shocks for the GQ, one long travel and one for standard fitment. Part no's are 82-2347 Fr and 82-2348 Rr for the long travel. Standard fitment are the same numbers with SP-1 added to the end. As mentioned you will need to tune them to your springs, it is a little trial and error. Full soft is OK for standard rate springs but if you have HD you will need to crank up the adjustment a little.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Bryan (WA) - Monday, Jan 02, 2006 at 00:43
Monday, Jan 02, 2006 at 00:43
Thanks outback,
I've also been looking at rancho9000x shockies - while trolling the internet researching shockies :-)
So now it is eaither the ranchos or the Koni's.
once again, thanks for your
feedback.
regards
Bryan
FollowupID:
399799
Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Monday, Jan 02, 2006 at 00:48
Monday, Jan 02, 2006 at 00:48
I have had Ranchos on my GQ.. They blew (they, not 1 shock at a time)4 times, gave up on them in the end. Went with OME LTR's.
FWIW, my choice would be the Konis for quality and lasting, and TJM XGS' for budget and value.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Bryan (WA) - Wednesday, Jan 04, 2006 at 16:34
Wednesday, Jan 04, 2006 at 16:34
Hi Truckster and Outback,
I went the Koni path and installed them last night - not to hard, excpet for my 3rd party long range tank filler pipe goes past the top rear shockie eye, so that side took ages while I dismanted the filler and then put it all back together again.
thanks to both of you for your
feedback, muchly appreciated.
regards
Brayn
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Reply By: Michael_FNQ - Saturday, Dec 31, 2005 at 18:23
Saturday, Dec 31, 2005 at 18:23
How did the OME shocks perform - how long have they lasted?
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Follow Up By: Bryan (WA) - Sunday, Jan 01, 2006 at 23:19
Sunday, Jan 01, 2006 at 23:19
Hi michael,
the OME's lasted almost 120k kms, with a realisticly easly life. They have been ok for what I've done with them, cant say I wouldnt rave about them (nor can I complain as I bought them to meet a budget at the time many years ago), as my mate has Rancho9000's and felt the various settings and his have done almost 100k kms and a much harder life with trips etc..
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Reply By: fourstall2000 - Sunday, Jan 01, 2006 at 09:10
Sunday, Jan 01, 2006 at 09:10
My experience going down the Canning with a club group-
Konis eye broke off.
Ironman-seized up and others leaking.
Ome- no problems at all.
regards
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Reply By: ACDC - Sunday, Jan 01, 2006 at 14:40
Sunday, Jan 01, 2006 at 14:40
I've tried them all give me Bilstein's anytime!
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Follow Up By: Bryan (WA) - Sunday, Jan 01, 2006 at 23:21
Sunday, Jan 01, 2006 at 23:21
HI ACDC,
is there any particular Bilstein models you've had that you recommemd?
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Follow Up By: ACDC - Monday, Jan 02, 2006 at 12:50
Monday, Jan 02, 2006 at 12:50
Hi Bryan,
I can give you the part numbers when the wife gets
home with the car.
Basically i asked for comfort setting fronts std length rears 40mm longer.
had them on the car for 5 years now no problems.
Sydney shocks will build them any length and setting you want they really know there stuff.
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Reply By: Michael_FNQ - Sunday, Jan 01, 2006 at 23:47
Sunday, Jan 01, 2006 at 23:47
I would put Bilsteins on a road car any day but not on a 4x4. Mono tube shocks are just not suited to Oz conditions - if you dent them they are stuffed and they run high pressure gas so in the desert they can actually heat up so much they go solid open at full travel.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: ACDC - Monday, Jan 02, 2006 at 12:46
Monday, Jan 02, 2006 at 12:46
Why do all the off road buggies have bilsteins!
Most of the off road 4x4 bilstien's were actually developed in Australia.
If your worried about stone dents put a stone shield on them.
FollowupID:
399840