Koni 90 series shocks
- Thread starter bjowett
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Yeah, but fortunately my wife never learned about her.
gaijin
GOLD Star
Sounds like you may be confusing underinflation with understeer - and the 200 series cruisers have a LOT of understeer.
Underinflation would wear out both inner and outer edges of a tire, not just the outer edge as you describe.
In an understeer situation, increasing tire pressure will actually make the situation worse (more understeer).
In any event, there is no doubt that running the LT285/70-17 tires @50psi is going to give you a very harsh ride. When I first installed my RW's with the LT285/70-17 KO's, I ran them @46psi which is (incorrectly!) recommended in the RW poop sheet. It was the incredibly harsh ride I experienced (virtually uncontrollable at speed on a washboard road) that started me on my quest to determine the real "correct" pressure for that wheel/tire combo - 40psi.
Obviously, you are free to run whatever tire pressure you like, but you may be chasing your tail trying to soften up the ride with suspension component changes if you leave the tires @50psi.
HTH
P.S. Sorry for the late response, I somehow skipped your post the first time through this thread
Sounds like you may be confusing underinflation with understeer - and the 200 series cruisers have a LOT of understeer.
Underinflation would wear out both inner and outer edges of a tire, not just the outer edge as you describe.
In an understeer situation, increasing tire pressure will actually make the situation worse (more understeer).
In any event, there is no doubt that running the LT285/70-17 tires @50psi is going to give you a very harsh ride. When I first installed my RW's with the LT285/70-17 KO's, I ran them @46psi which is (incorrectly!) recommended in the RW poop sheet. It was the incredibly harsh ride I experienced (virtually uncontrollable at speed on a washboard road) that started me on my quest to determine the real "correct" pressure for that wheel/tire combo - 40psi.
Obviously, you are free to run whatever tire pressure you like, but you may be chasing your tail trying to soften up the ride with suspension component changes if you leave the tires @50psi.
HTH
P.S. Sorry for the late response, I somehow skipped your post the first time through this thread
Yeah 50psi isn't fun.
I don't this thing like is anything other than a tall truck so I get the understeer. The other factor might be not enough caster. I've got the SPCs set in the middle so that would be plus one degree. I've seen most of the guys in Australia running full caster of +3.
I've tried to contact a few people but no response.
With so many variables it's tough to get perfect.
One of the things that leads me to believe it's caster is at full lock the tires scrub badly and if the pavement is smooth squeal.
I don't this thing like is anything other than a tall truck so I get the understeer. The other factor might be not enough caster. I've got the SPCs set in the middle so that would be plus one degree. I've seen most of the guys in Australia running full caster of +3.
I've tried to contact a few people but no response.
With so many variables it's tough to get perfect.
One of the things that leads me to believe it's caster is at full lock the tires scrub badly and if the pavement is smooth squeal.
bjowett
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- Thread starter
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Koni North America has recently contacted me expressing interest in getting the 88 Heavy Track and 90 Series Raid shocks back on the market. They have lowered the price point, which is excellent, as these are a great performing and riding damper with exceptionally long life. Drop me a note, or post here if you are interested.
Hi Brian, I exchanged email with you about 9 months ago regarding this. I am interested but in full disclosure, it probably won't be for about 4-6 months.. thanks
Which one do you prefer? Koni's or BP51 (assuming no clunk)?
Two very different shocks at two very different price points. The 90s were/are expensive but the BP51s are more than three times the price when you consider UCAs and install costs. Both have situations were I liked one over the other. It all depends what you're trying to do. I'm an admitted non-offroader looking for the never best in ride quality, handling and comfort. That's a very difficult combination to find in one setup. (oh and it has to be quiet even in cold weather). The trick with the 90s is finding the right spring. The 90s are monsters and not every spring will fit around their bigger shock body. I even had to grind some noncritial welds to get them to fit the stock OEM springs. There are two people that I know of now testing KING springs from Australia. It's about $100 to ship a set from OZ which isn't terrible. Total of about $500 for a set. One of the tings I don't like about the Konis is that even though they are adjustable they have to be removed to be adjusted. If Brian gets this deal then hopefully Koni with valve them properly to a particular spring or spring brand. When you start messing with Suspension there are a lot of variables, it's not easy.
One of the problems with the BP51s is the front set is one spring for all levels of weight/upgrades. You adjust the spring preload based on the height. I've never really understood how this can work. I'm assuming the springs are variable and as the increase the preload on the heaviest trucks the softest part of the pring in being absorbed into a tight coil leaving the stiffer end of the spring. (this is just me trying to rationalize the design)
Anyway sorry for the rant. I'm this way with everything I own. Always trying to make good, better. Don't get me started on boat engine height and setback in relation to performance and economy. That's another project I'm working on.
Hey Brain Jowett, I haven't tried Ohlins YET.
One of the problems with the BP51s is the front set is one spring for all levels of weight/upgrades. You adjust the spring preload based on the height. I've never really understood how this can work. I'm assuming the springs are variable and as the increase the preload on the heaviest trucks the softest part of the pring in being absorbed into a tight coil leaving the stiffer end of the spring. (this is just me trying to rationalize the design)
Anyway sorry for the rant. I'm this way with everything I own. Always trying to make good, better. Don't get me started on boat engine height and setback in relation to performance and economy. That's another project I'm working on.
Hey Brain Jowett, I haven't tried Ohlins YET.
Brian,
I'm kidding about the OHLINS. I love the Koni's. Just need to find the right setting for the right springs. I'm very happy with my setup except for the lift. I'm running the Lowering Springs WITH a OEM Front Spacer.
KTFL-130 & KTRL-131 I'll post pics below comparing these to the BP51s at their lowest setting.
If I wasn't also testing the BP51s I'd order a couple more sets of Kings and find the right ones. If the BP51s clunk again that's what I'll do.
I'm sure once you have a supply chain you'll put your mind to it. Maybe Koni or King can help with this.
Happy to discuss my Koni experience anytime, give me a shout. You've got my cell.
I'm kidding about the OHLINS. I love the Koni's. Just need to find the right setting for the right springs. I'm very happy with my setup except for the lift. I'm running the Lowering Springs WITH a OEM Front Spacer.
KTFL-130 & KTRL-131 I'll post pics below comparing these to the BP51s at their lowest setting.
If I wasn't also testing the BP51s I'd order a couple more sets of Kings and find the right ones. If the BP51s clunk again that's what I'll do.
I'm sure once you have a supply chain you'll put your mind to it. Maybe Koni or King can help with this.
Happy to discuss my Koni experience anytime, give me a shout. You've got my cell.
Konis are great! No complaints from me when I had them on my 2008 200.
I'm selling my Koni 90s. Anyone interested?
For Sale - Koni 90 Raid Shocks with King Springs for 200 Land Cruiser
For Sale - Koni 90 Raid Shocks with King Springs for 200 Land Cruiser
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Those didn't last long on your rig with the new springs, huh?
Hi all - I just got a 2008 with 132k miles on it. The suspension seems to be good in it for now, but I am planning on changing it out within the next year. My uses will be similar to Anthony's, mostly highway but some off roading (95% on and 5% off roughly) however I like the looks of a 2-3" lift. We're also considering a camper so heavier duty springs would most likely be needed. I'm definitely interested in the Koni 90's but want to start planning for the costs now. Any thoughts on what the price point would be and what else would be needed for a proper lift (thinking possibly UCAs, maybe new bushings)?
You ONLY need UCAs if you lift the truck. It you just level the truck with Spacers then UCAs are not necessary. SPCs work great for the price.
It's important to take or ask for measurement from the middle of the wheel hub to the bottom of the fender size larger tires will fill the gaps and make a large lift look small. Look at @MScruiser 's "Fat Amy," that thing is a beast
The pics above are a legit 3" lift from the Koni King Combo back to the BP51s and are the lowest the BP51s can be installed. Do your research and ask questions, we're all here to help.
Consider Firestone Helper springs for a camper.
Fins some trucks you like the looks of then ask questions. Don't assume that if it looks great it rides great!
View attachment 1471294
View attachment 1471295
It's important to take or ask for measurement from the middle of the wheel hub to the bottom of the fender size larger tires will fill the gaps and make a large lift look small. Look at @MScruiser 's "Fat Amy," that thing is a beast
The pics above are a legit 3" lift from the Koni King Combo back to the BP51s and are the lowest the BP51s can be installed. Do your research and ask questions, we're all here to help.
Consider Firestone Helper springs for a camper.
Fins some trucks you like the looks of then ask questions. Don't assume that if it looks great it rides great!
View attachment 1471294
View attachment 1471295
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Thanks for that reminder! I definitely want it to be a comfortable ride which is why i was looking at these. I was trying to stay away from more of the serious off roading/racing style suspensions for this reason. I'll take a look at Fat Amy (love that name) and reach out about the ride quality, etc. I was also looking at the BP-51s but the "clunk" issue and the price point got me looking at other options as well. I see that you're selling yours in favor of the BP-51s. Are you running them without the lift also and is the ride better than the Koni's?
