[got_bar_work]

Anyone ran koni struts on a gv yet. Looking for something for the gv and after reading about all the ome and dobinson struts failures I think I will try something else.

[henno]

I am pretty sure klutched runs a set of custom Koni struts that he is always getting a hard-on over. In fact, I think it's just about the only part on his car he has flat-out said he will never change.

I wish you could tag people in forum posts. Now I have to message the fool like it's 2003.

[atari4x4]

Bigrig91 built the sluts.

[got_bar_work]

They are inserts in moded stock bodys

[murcod]

I've got Koni's on my XL-7 (front and rear) with stock springs. Been on there for around 60000km and still feel as good as new. The fronts are top adjustable, the rears have to be fully compressed to adjust them.

Edit: Mine were complete replacement front struts - not inserts (part number 8741-1394Sport.) I believe they've stopped producing the XL-7 rear shocks (but they're a different fitment to a GV anyway.)

[got_bar_work]

They were the ones I was looking at. How does the car handle at speed and over corrigations.

[murcod]

I replaced the stock struts/ shocks at 49000km (shortly after I bought it.) Prior to fitting them the handling through the Adelaide Hills was plain scarey around sweeping bends. (Mainly from the rear end weight transfer mid corner.) The improvement was very noticeable - a night and day type improvement. Much better handling and an improved ride.

I've had it on some dirt roads with bad corrugations and found it very good- no rear end stepping out around rutted corners (or anything like that). The best bit is you can increase the rebound damping to suit whatever springs you're running. I think the fronts on mine are set at only slight above the softest setting. I did increase the rears a bit (to help control the rear end weight transfer around sharp corners in city driving.)

It pays to shop around and barter with the local suppliers. I was going to order from O/S but after chatting to a local distributor they dropped their price by a substantial amount. (I just said I was getting prices from O/S, but would much rather support local businesses and asked how close they could get to the O/S quote.)

I've had a few sets of Koni's and Bilsteins on different vehicles. On the odd occasion when I've been unable to justify/ find the extra $$$ I've always regretted buying cheaper shocks.

PS: I've even had 15 bags of concrete in the back (20kg ea ) for a short trip home from Bunnings. It was sitting low, but the shocks did an excellent job of controlling the rear end over the bumps.

[murcod]

Just found some comparison pictures I took when swapping them over:

[dank]

Guys we are a Koni Shocks Dealer. If you want some quotes feel free to contact me. Ship Aus wide. Pesonally I've alwys found them to be overpriced for what they are, the Dobinsons struts I've supplied over the years have proven to be a good product, I have warrantied a few and read about others on here, but the good thing is that Dobinsons back their product, and we've never had any problems warranting the shocks we have applied for.

If anyone wants quotes on the Koni gear flick me a PM.

[dank]

Hey guys just as a place holder for info Struts lengths as follows:

Koni struts: OE Length
Dobinsons Struts:
Extended 501 mm
Compressed 304 mm

Cheers
Dan

[dank]

Koni Australia only offer the insert type struts as well. However they do have the FSD Insert and Rear shocks which offers Variable velocity valve stacks (same tech as Fox, King, Radflo Etc) and these retail at $1400 for the set, Front Struts and Rear shocks, only in OE replacement length. Much better performance again on top of regular Dobinsons, koni etc.

Cheers
Dan

[murcod]

dank wrote:

Koni Australia only offer the insert type struts as well.

That's why shopping overseas can be such an attractive option. You can buy the front Sport struts for US$495 delivered http://www.ebay.com/itm/Koni-Heavy-Trac ... 7e&vxp=mtr . Set of front and rears for US$795 delivered http://www.ebay.com/itm/Koni-Yellow-Spo ... 1431324541 (feedback score isn't too good though.)

Rockauto ( www.rockauto.com ) sell Monroe, KYB and Sachs - front struts are less that US$80 per side. Freight would be the only possible problem, but I've found them very reasonable in the past.

[dank]

I should rephrase my last posts, Inserts available only for the NGV. Regular GV and Xl-7 strut full replacements are available.

$495 US turns to $640 with current exchange rate. and I could do the Heavy Track Struts for around $680 for the pair supply only. It's crazy considering the Dobinsons market price is around $340 for a pair of struts. As you are not getting double the quality or performance out of them. Buying US becomes more attractive when the exchange rate is closer to 1:1.

But i hear you, I buy all my Race Jeep XJ service items from Rock-auto, they smash my trade suppliers for price even with shipping from the states.

[murcod]

dank wrote:

. As you are not getting double the quality or performance out of them.

That would be highly debatable!

Koni's are adjustable and rebuildable to start with.

I also notice Dobinson list exactly the same rear shock (GS57-621) for everything from a 3 door 1.6l Vitara, Grand Vitara, XL-7 and SsangYong Rexton - yet there's obviously a huge difference in vehicle weight, spring rates and load capacity between all those models! Seems like they're much like Rancho - if it bolts in they list it as a fitment.... regardless of the suitability of the internal valving?!

[dank]

8741-1394Sport Koni Rear shock suits similar vehicles mate.
1988-2004 SWB Vit, LWB Vit, SWB GV, LWB GV, X-90
01-04 XL-7

Sorry if I offended your choice to install Koni. Not intended it's good gear and offers benefit above others but in my opinion, and thats all it is, the pricing doesn't necessarily reflect the performance benefits above other twin tube shocks. Go monotube, with larger piston and oil volume, high pressure gas then you are talking better performance, EG Radflo, Fox, King, or Koni's FSD range for a twin tube variable velocity valve tech shock. Unfortunately options are limited for Vitaras so Koni is about the best bolt in option there is!

Also with dobinsons, even though they don't list it in their catalogue we offer a soft damping compression shock for SWB Vits and GVs after working with mostly zookers from here who found the standard offerring too hard for SWB vehicles that do not carry much load.

[henno]

dank wrote:

Also with dobinsons, even though they don't list it in their catalogue we offer a soft damping compression shock for SWB Vits and GVs after working with mostly zookers from here who found the standard offerring too hard for SWB vehicles that do not carry much load.

Yep! It's what I run in my rear end (*boom boom tish*) and am more than happy with how they perform for my purposes.

[murcod]

dank wrote:

8741-1394Sport Koni Rear shock suits similar vehicles mate.
1988-2004 SWB Vit, LWB Vit, SWB GV, LWB GV, X-90
01-04 XL-7

I'm not offended.

Yes, the front listing is the same- but don't forget you can adjust the rebound damping on Koni's to suit different rate springs. It's a really useful feature- you can basically adjust them to suit your own handling/ ride preferences.

Koni don't list any rear shock fitment for the XL-7. www.koni.com/finder (When I purchased mine, they did actually have a separate listing just for the XL-7. I'm guessing it's since been discontinued. Probably due to not being a high selling item?) So Koni won't try and sell you a standard GV shock as suitable for the XL-7.

You also won't find the same Koni Vitara/ GV rear shocks listed as fitting a Ssang Yong Rexton! The Rexton has it's own rear shock (which would have different internal valving.)

Where are the Dobinson shocks made and who makes them? Some older info suggests they were once made by Gabriel but changed manufacturers due to quality issues?

Yes, Koni cost more - particularly in Australia .... but they are made better than your average shock and should last a lot longer. If they do start to lose damping force, you can dial up the adjustment to compensate.

[got_bar_work]

What travel is the fsd insert and will it fit a moded stock body. Really want 8in travel insert.
How much for a set of 10in radflo to suit the rear will be making new upper mount to suit

[got_bar_work]

Klutched you dont know what inserts you have do u
Other option is making mount like this with out the coils (for now)
Dank will any of radflo shocks handle the side loads like this fox air coilover

[murcod]

The FSD (2100-4077) is only listed against the 2005-> 2014 GV.

[got_bar_work]

Are the ngv fsd struts a insert or complete.
Will they fit a old gv strut body. Do u know the dimensions. Would the valving be right
After about 100mm longer then stock

[got_bar_work]

Dank can u plz get some info on the bilstein b6 struts for the ngv
Im thinking modding these to fit a gv will be the best solution

[MrRocky]

Have a look in the i made it fab section dan used some swb ngv struts i had that were 80mm longer and ride brilliant compared to others he tried.
just a little welding and grinding and they go in

[MrRocky]

Have a look in the i made it fab section dan used some stock swb ngv struts i had that were 80mm longer and ride brilliant compared to others he tried.
just a little welding and grinding and they go in

[got_bar_work]

Thats where the idea came from.

[jchomley]

I just ordered a set of Tough Dog 30mm lift struts and springs for my 04/2005 GV, see how they go.....

Cheers,

Jack