Thread: Koni 82 Series vs Tough dog vs Bilstein shocks

Originally Posted by crispy scapes

I'm about to get a 2" lift for my 2013 Defender 110 but I can't decide what suspension to go with. Currently running 33" MT tires but may eventually go to 35". I'd love koni raids but can't justify the cost. Below are the kits I'm considering. My brother in law is a mechanic and will help me install it. Also is the steering damper worth upgrading? Thinking Tough Dog return to centre damper. I'll get the front and rear of the defender weighted and add any future mod weight before I order to make sure I get the right springs.


50MM PREMIUM KIT WITH KONI SHOCK ABSORBERS | Suspension Mega Store

50MM PREMIUM KIT WITH BILSTEIN SHOCK ABSORBERS | Suspension Mega Store

50MM PREMIUM KIT WITH TOUGH DOG SHOCK ABSORBERS | Suspension Mega Store

I really appreciate any advice.

You've got 3 different shiock designs there.

Premium shocks are the Bilstein and Koni. These ones are quality and will last.

For operation check out the propaganda videos links below, but they will give you an idea.
TD is a foam cell - note that many peoples experiences are that once overheated the foam breaks down and the shock fades and it does not recover to normal operation once cooled.
Koni is a nitrogen twin shell - when these overheat they fade but will recover once cooled down again.
Bilstein is a monotube - these do not fade due to high gas pressure. As they heat up, the gas pressure increases and the shock improves. It works or its broken. All high performance shocks across manufacturers are based on this style of design.

Twintube (eg Koni) vs foam cell (eg Toughdog)
YouTube


Twintube (eg Koni) vs monotube (eg Bilstein).
YouTube

Had Tough Dog Big Bore +2 on my 130 they did not last 15000km . Then had the Terra Firma Big Bores and they only lasted to same as the Tough Dog both faded quickly on corrugations replaced with Bilstein and have been on for over 70000km with no problems . I do still have the Tough Dog return to centre dampener on and still seems to be ok

Cheers

I had konis on my d1, nearly 200k and only replaced the bushes in the last 2k or so.

You can also get longer travel Billies, and I think Toperformance might do longer travel 82 Series too.

I'd use either and have I the past, both are quality dampers.
The other alternative is to talk to The Ultimate Suspension at Minto just south of Sydney.
They make their own mono-tubes, stock and valve twin tubes, have their own dyno so can custom valve and can advise on springs too.

Defender done 80,000km on Koni Raids, with standard springs. Brilliant.
Don’t ever expect to have to replace them. Maybe I’ll adjust them one day. Maybe a re-build ...one day.

Buy Billies, if not Billies Konis

I have killed all the supposed reputable local brands after only a couple of trips over Centre and Top end corrugatons.

With traction control and "local" shockies it goes mad around 1330 1400. With Billies good all day. :0) and they do it year after year.........................and at the end of the day if really necessary they can be rebuilt.

cheers

Rick F

If it matters to you the Koni are adjustable and the Bilstein are not.
Also from my reading , not experience the Koni a a better ride unloaded being low pressure nitrogen/oil and the bilstein are harsher on the smaller road bumps unloaded.
Hi have had a few sets of Koni on different cars and always impressed.

Originally Posted by timax

If it matters to you the Koni are adjustable and the Bilstein are not.
Also from my reading , not experience the Koni a a better ride unloaded being low pressure nitrogen/oil and the bilstein are harsher on the smaller road bumps unloaded.
Hi have had a few sets of Koni on different cars and always impressed.

HD valved Billies can be harsh as they have a lot of low speed bump valving but the comfort versions are fine.
It's the valving, not the style of damper.