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Koni 82,88 or 90

26K views 65 replies 25 participants last post by  DenisJ 
#1 ·
Spoke to a suspension specialist (Koni dealer) yesterday regarding a 2 inch lift for the GU & asked for their recommendation on what Koni shock to use (82,88 or 90) for my application (always loaded to gvm & touring)

The chap i spoke to said that they recommend the 82's as they had fitted 88's to a number of vehicles & that the shockabsorber valving resulted in excessive body movement in everyday driving & that they had to retrofit the 82's to satisfy the owners

He did say that for sustained corrugations such as the Canning the 88's would be a better choice though

I would have assumed the valving for the 3 different types would have been the same (assuming they were the correct shockabsorber for the application) and that the increased oil volume of the larger 88's & 90's would have made them a superior shockabsorber in all conditions or am i missing something

Anyone using Koni's have any thoughts on this

Regards Don
 
#3 ·
I'd steer well away from the 82s if you are heavy loaded touring. They should only be fitted to vehicles that don't do prolonged hard work.

I bought 90s a couple of years ago and absolutely love them. Have probably done 20,000km offroad with them and reckon they are well worth the outlay. With a fully loaded wagon I can really feel the dampers doing their thing at times. They don't get too hot either so will go hard all day when you need them to.

Ensure you pair them up with adequately rated springs too.
 
#4 ·
Which Konis?

I run the 82's on mine (after removing the crap dobson shocks) and have them adjusted to 3/4 setting, they are great for my aplication which is predominantly city driving with no pay load apart form once a month. They seem to show wear and fatigue after 30k. Body roll is more evident when compared to when I first fitted them, but are still better than the old Dobsons that were removed after 10k use.

On heavy corrugated roads with 6-7 inch pot holes, they work a treat, but again this is unloaded, with heat being generated as per normal. Shocks should get warm as this indicates the valving is working, unless you have large oil capacity shocks like the 88-90's or the LTRs.

When I buy the konis again I will run the 88's for larger oil capacity & just adjust them until I am happy with the set up.

Konis all the way...what ever model you choose.

I have a Brand new set of 82's for sale for $800 pick up if your interested?
 
#6 ·
Thanks for the feedback so far

On the Koni website there doesn't seem to be part numbers for the 90's for a aust spec Patrol but searching the net i have come up with 90-5370 for the fronts & 90-5371 for the rears

Can anyone using 90's confirm this is correct

Also i have been quoted around $210 each for the 82's,$330 for the 88's but haven't been quoted on the 90's (has anyone recent bought a set & can give me a ballpark figure)

Regards Don
 
#16 ·
Thanks for the feedback so far

On the Koni website there doesn't seem to be part numbers for the 90's for a aust spec Patrol but searching the net i have come up with 90-5370 for the fronts & 90-5371 for the rears

Can anyone using 90's confirm this is correct
Those codes are correct Don. I bought mine from Outlaw Speed Equipment in Adelaide in Feb 08. They were very keen to do business unlike some other Koni outlets I encountered in Vic (their "take it or p!ss off" attitudes didn't see my money pass over their counters). I bought via card over the phone from OSE and then picked them up from a Vic outlet for much less than the two Vic outlets I called were prepared to sell them for. Needless to say I was very happy to deal with them.

I matched them with King springs (KDFR-42HD and DKPR-58LP) and am very happy with my suspension setup.

As for castor correction, try without first. I didn't install and have had zero problems.
 
#7 ·
DDRs 90 series from Top Performance in Vermont Vic.. Awesome service he had.


You wanna be LAYING down when you get a price.. from the outerlimits thread -> 900pr...


 
#8 ·
I spoke to another Koni agent today & was quoted around $930 a pair for the 90's

They also gave me a brochure on the Koni 4wd range & it states that the 88's & the 90's have a dampening characteristic that is specific to 4wding where as the 82's & the 30's are tuned to work with typical driving in mind (for vehicles that spend most of their time on the bitumen) so it sounds like what the first guy told me was correct

For the last couple of days i have been doing the rounds of the local 4wd & suspension shops looking at what options i have & there is a lot of different opinions about whether caster correction is needed with a 50mm lift

Regards Don
 
#9 ·
This is timely - I am awaiting a price for a set of Koni's on my GU 4.8 petrol.
Not sure what series he will end up getting me.
I have also asked for a set of Lovell springs - info should be through tomorrow I hope.

The dealer actually asked the good questions ... whats on it what are wanting to do with it - what will carry as a regular load etc etc .......

Let me know what you end up with.
 
#11 ·
I totally agree with you truckster ..... and having said that ...
We have installed ...
Bull Bar
Winch
Tow Bar
Full Roof Rack
Recovery Gear
Radio
Tent and Space Box

To go we have :
ORS Two Draw System and 45 Ltr H2O Tank
Goes into it in 3 weeks.

I do have to admit the Gas system goes on in 3 months but I am sure we can allow for it to some degree ... then its done.

So I got close ....

.... dammit forgot the dual Battery System ... !!!!
 
#24 · (Edited)
In any case I am still interested ....
Now that's listed and truckster makes a good point ....

... Don what do have installed on your Rig and which set will you go for ?
Doc

We are on the road full time & our Patrol is loaded to gvm (max allowable weight) constantly http://forums.overlander.com.au/viewtopic.php?t=65324 as we have a ARB Bar,Warn 9.5 xp winch,tow bar,ORS 3 drawer (one full of tools) setup,60l stainless water tank,cargo barrier,45L Engel,Thumper 75ah battery pack,Tandem Kayak & assoc crap,11 foot achillies inflatable on the back seat with plywood section floor,9x9 centre pole canvas tent & all our camping gear & a 23 foot van behind when we travel between places

I have been looking around the last couple of days at what options are available & this is a couple of prices i have been quoted to supply & fit

Kings & 88's $1830
Kings & 90's $2552
Lovells & 82's $1600
Lovells & 88's $2050
Lovells & Bilsteins $1640
OME & Nitrochargers $1503
OME & Nitrocharger Sport,steering damper,sway bar extension bracket,caster bushes & alignment $2093

These prices are just from walking in off the street

Looking at what is available i would probably go with Kings & 88's (88's because of the weight) along with a sway bar link extention bracket & drive the thing & see how it feels and check the caster specs on a aligner (spec is min 3 degrees + & max 4 degrees + unladen) in regards to whether i would do the caster bushes (complete replacement arms with genuine o degrees bushes would be nice if money was no object as opposed to offset bushes in original arms)

The 90's would be nice if money was no object but i dont know if i can justify the extra $700 for what i intend to do with it

Regardless of which way you go you would probably be happy as i have had complete OME kit on my last hilux & on my previous vehicle to that i had Lovells & Koni's & had a good run out of both but i would probably go Koni this time as they are possibly the better quality shock of the two

Regards Don
 
#13 · (Edited)
Are there any other shocks to look at - with a better price ?

ARB offered me an Old Man Emu setup similar price, to the "estimated" Koni price.

Est 50 mm Koni with Lovell Springs $1200.00
Est Old Man Emu with Nitro Sports $1600.00 including Front Cross Bar.

Literally I am still new at all this and am learning fast - I was steered towards Koni / Lovell combo from the 4x4 club I joined.
The Patrol guys there reccomended that combo.

Hell I am still figuring out a Dual battery system ?

:O)
 
#18 · (Edited)
Sorry - my bad - steering Damper.
See I am learning .... all be it slowly ... :)

The dealer I spoke to said the 90's would be the pick but are like $900 a pair and can get over heated in some cases "Gun Barrel" type roads etc ... So maybe a look at Nitro's ?

Don have you looked at these ?

Surely even 88's wouuld be a major improvement on the original fits ?

.
 
#19 ·
Sorry - my bad - steering Damper.
See I am learning .... all be it slowly ... :)

The dealer I spoke to said the 90's would be the pick but are like $900 a pair and can get over heated in some cases "Gun Barrel" type roads etc ... So maybe a look at Nitro's ?

Don have you looked at these ?

Surely even 88's wouuld be a major improvement on the original fits ?
Anything would be in improvement on OEM. $50.00 shocks would be an improvement.

What you have to work out is, what you need from the truck and how much you can afford to have them fail in the middle of nowhere, that is if you intend to go remote with the 4b.

If the 90's are going to fail on Gunbarrell, then Nitro's wont stand a chance.. maybe LTR's with remote canister, but they are more again. Think of it as an investment, something you buy once, and forget - no matter what brand.

From DDR
"I drove 3hrs nonstop corrugations with the 90's with the van on & they were only warm to the touch, could easily hold my hand on them & a pussy is warmer"
 
#22 ·
Truckster - what do have on yours and what sort of weight / kit do you have loaded ?
We are going remote in some cases - but not a lot so trips like Gun Barrel and CSR are in planning for the future.


Doc


PS - Don - I am sorry if I seem to have hijacked your post - but I am keen to learn from all of you - and do have many questions.
 
#23 ·
Don, if you're in Perth, go and see wilkinsons suspensions in bayswater. They sell konis and they also offer good no nonsense advice. I've dealt with Brett in the past and found him to be really good.

I can't scroll back to see where you're located at the moment, so this might be absolutely useless info for you.
 
#25 ·
Thanks for the Tip Plasnart

Those codes are correct Don. I bought mine from Outlaw Speed Equipment in Adelaide in Feb 08. They were very keen to do business unlike some other Koni outlets I encountered in Vic (their "take it or p!ss off" attitudes didn't see my money pass over their counters). I bought via card over the phone from OSE and then picked them up from a Vic outlet for much less than the two Vic outlets I called were prepared to sell them for. Needless to say I was very happy to deal with them.
Plasnart, thanks for putting us onto Outlaw Speed Equipment in Adelaide. Aaron fixed me up with a set of 88 series Koni's at a "fair price" delivered to Karratha. :)
These guys know how to run a business and keep their customers happy.

The info and advice you get on this forum is just great.
 
#29 ·
IF your 4b is only new, then wait. Stock **** isnt that bad when new. Not bad enough to do no kms on and chuck away.

Fit it out with all your gear over the 12 mths, and then change it. Dont be so eager to spend yet grasshopper...
 
#30 ·
Thankyou "Master truckster" I shall heed your infinite wisdom ..... ;)

Seriously thanks - I will certainly be doing so - the trip is next week

- Draws go into the back in about 4 weeks or so.
- Gas is on in about two months.

Will be measuring the "Gap" as we go.

Pretty much all thats left is the Front lights - and some more destinations.
...... oh yeah and the time to do it :)


.
 
#32 ·
.... not really .. I sort of did some quick math 1ltr H2O = ~1kg
So its 15kg lighter not including the stainless used to make it as well.
I do have a 20ltr Jerry with water in it so its more portable than the stainless tank in the car. So it can be used around the campsite. Thats 65ltr anyway.
I sorta figured that would do it.

Also - have decided to go the 88's and Lovells after we get back from the trip ... boss lady has ok'd the next round of upgrades ....

.
 
#33 · (Edited)
Doc

Have you tried here http://www.capitalsteering.com.au/products.htm
for the Lovells & Koni's as they are listed as the Koni distributor for the ACT & they also sell Lovells springs

The price you have been quoted is a fair bit more (around $330) than the one i was quoted in WA (stuff is normally dearer over here than the eastern states) and it might be worth speaking to them if you haven't done so

Also if you have the work carried out by a suspension specialist they will probably have the different rated springs instock & if they do the install & the thing is not level afterwards they will possibly try another spring rate instead of levelling it with coil spacers

Good luck

Regards Don
 
#35 ·
Doc

Are the prices quoted just for springs & shocks or do they also include caster bushes as well
In the lovells chart they recommend caster bushes & front & rear ajustable panhard rods when their lifted springs are installed
The difference in cost between what i was quoted & your quote would be close to the cost of the caster bushes & installation (but not panhards)
As i said in my earlier posts with the people i asked their seems to be divided opinion over whether caster bushes are needed with a 50mm lift but no one has suggested panhards (to centralise the diff housings under the chassis after the lift) to me

With my question of the 45 or 60 litre tank i went the 60 because i figured there was not a lot of difference in the cost between the two & the extra 15 litres might come in handy one day

Rgards Don
 
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