koni heavy track shocks

[noogie]

Hi all
I'm considering getting a set of the 30 series koni heavy tracks plus 2" for my deefer.
I know the raids are better but they are double the price.

Do many people run these on their defender & what's the opinion?
I use my car for both touring and getting dirty.

Your thoughts are appreciated.
Cheers
Mick

[newhue]

Do you mean 80 series?. Raids are the 90 series. I am not aware of a 30 series.
If you do mean 80 series then I think you would do well. I would put them in a class of any decent aftermarket shock. I have had OME in the past and would favour the Koni as they can be tuned a bit to the vehicle over their life time.

The 90 are perhaps over kill, but depending what you are doing, and how long you want to do it for then the Riads may come into there own. I have 90 and consider the $1000 spent good value for money compared to the rest of the trucks cost. The way it handles those long days of dirt roads is good enough for me.
Both are rebuildable, but I have heard it will cost the price of a new shock so don't get too wound up about that side of things. Personally I'd expect a rebuild around 100K with the 80's, where as the 90's being a truck shock, I'd expect two if not three time that.

[noogie]

Looks like I can get the 82 series for 76lbs from paddocks but just wondering whether they'd be Ok with my 1.5" lift?

[newhue]

yeh not sure, would have to get some open and closed figures to make sure they are 40mm longer than standard. You will have to extend the bump stops as well so they don't bottom out.

[inside]

Try here for specs http://www.aulro.com/afvb/modified-zone/169866-koni-shock-absorbers.html

[slug_burner]

I have Raids which I am yet to fit. When I got them they came in two lengths, one to do standard through to 50mm lift and then ones for over 50mm. If the same applies for the 80 series then you should be ok. Google is you friend, I am sure that you should be able to locate a Koni catalogue. Koni have one shock for a lifted defender said to suit 40-60mm lift.

I think you should be ok for your 1.5" lift with standard length Konis.

[Red90]

Get the 8240SPX series. They will be fine with the 1.5" lift. Wonderful shocks.

[clive22]

Hi

I've got Koni 80- series. 2 inch lift. Front is 646mm Open/383mmC, Rear is 650mm/401mm

Run Raised shock towers front and raised bump stops rear.

They are in my opinion a lovely shock with a soft smooth dampening action, it gives a nice ride - particularly over the start of the stroke. They have worn well over the 4 years I've had them. Never faded oevr corrugated roads fully loaded

I've run Bilsteins and they are much harder on the compression stroke and give a much jigglier ride. (check them out of the car with your hands you'll see). That said they do give the County a much sportier feel (??) and do limit, well relative, to the Konis that lurch on the front outside spring before the suspension settles the weight shift when initiating a turn.

I much prefer the konis really suit the vehicle. Billisteins may be the go for IFS I'd guess.

I run County spring rates and no rear sway bar except on long trips, so its very soft, I'd guess yours will be a stiffer set up.


Clive

[noogie]

Get the 8240SPX series. They will be fine with the 1.5" lift. Wonderful shocks.

Yeah they're the ones I want to get.
Cheers
Mick

[Blade74]

Hey Noogie,
Just going through the same thing now and tried to order koni raids from paddocks.
They let you order then send you an email 4-5 days later saying they can't ship them due to pressurized gas.
I've been waiting still to geta refund a week later.

I have a post down further you can check out.

I got put onto wholesale suspension here in Sydney and they seem to have ok pricing.

[noogie]

You must have ordered the 30 series model which is a gas shock. I emailed them & they told me the same thing. That's why I'm getting the 8240 model as they are oil filled. Only a little more expensive but a better shocker & less susceptible to fade.

Having said that a mate ordered the gas shockers & he got them.

[noogie]

yeh not sure, would have to get some open and closed figures to make sure they are 40mm longer than standard. You will have to extend the bump stops as well so they don't bottom out.

I got the measurements.
Opened they are 63.5 cm
Closed 40.64cm
Would they go ok with the 1.5" lift?
Cheers
Mick

[Red90]

You must have ordered the 30 series model which is a gas shock. I emailed them & they told me the same thing. That's why I'm getting the 8240 model as they are oil filled.
The 8240SPX is a pressurized twin tube shock.

[Blade74]

I ordered the heavy track raid series.
I believe all Konis we are talking about are oil/gas.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[noogie]

Well I'm gonna order the 8240 series. Looks like the raids might be too hd for my needs. Yes they are oil & gas but defender bits don't appear to have an issue shipping them perhaps because there isn't as much gas in them.
I was on the phone to them last night.
They are having problems with their email so call them direct.
Just under 600 landed.
Happy with that.
:D

[Blade74]

Hey Noogie,

That was my next option.
I sent defender bits an email a few days ago and am waiting. Maybe i should call them.

Did you get raised shocks(extra length) or normal?

[noogie]

Going off their website there doesn't appear to be a raised one. I'm gonna call them again Monday night & check whether there is a plus 2" in the 8240 series.
Ask for Andrew if you call.

According to previous replies they will be Ok with a 1.5 " lift. And if I go to a2 " lift I'll need to change to raised shock towers and rear bump stops.

[Dougal]

Going off their website there doesn't appear to be a raised one. I'm gonna call them again Monday night & check whether there is a plus 2" in the 8240 series.
Ask for Andrew if you call.

According to previous replies they will be Ok with a 1.5 " lift. And if I go to a2 " lift I'll need to change to raised shock towers and rear bump stops.

Shock requirements all depend on what you mean by "lift".

A spring lift just changes the ride height. Shock lengths and bump stops remain the same as does clearance at full compression.
A suspension lift where you move everything down by a certain amount (including bump-stops) is taken care of by using the same shocks and moving the upper mounting point down by the same amount.

If you want to increase travel, then you're into a custom solution with a lot of measuring and calculating required.

[Blade74]

Hey Noogie,

Did you end up getting the shocks?

I've been. Waiting 4 weeks and when I rang them tonight I got the answer that they are looking for someone who will ship them and having issues.
Far out I wish I knew this 4 weeks ago..

[uninformed]

I was under the impression that the Koni Raids (the big buggers based on the 90 series truck shock) are oil only, no nitrogen??

anyway most of the 82 88 etc are only 70psi low volume Nitrogen which I was also under the impression could be shipped??

[mools]

Bump.

Anyone any joy getting these shipped? I'm thinking I might go this way but want to price stuff up.

Cheers,

Ian.

[Drover]

I emailed Defender Bits and have just received their reply -


Grant,
as these shocks are gas filled they cannot be shipped by air and therefore our shippers won't accept them so unfortunately we can't send them to Australia.
Regards
Andrew



On 02/12/2013 22:56,
Hi,
Looking to buy a set of rear Koni Heavy Track Raids 8240's for my 2008 SVX Defender.
Will you / can you freight to New South Wales Australia.
If possible can provide a total cost (inc freight)
I will order from you if confirmed.
Regards
Grant

Sent from my iPad

[uninformed]

I thought the Koni HT raids only had about 70psi of Nitrogen in them, and that depending on volume/pressure "x" amount of nitrogen could be shipped??

probably useless info as if a company wont sell them to you then its irrelevant.

[Psimpson7]

There must be some inconsistency here as we have had 14 Bilstein 7100 reservoir shocks shipped over from the US in 4 orders in the last 3/4 months. (3 sets of 4) and (1 pair) with no problems. These are pressurised somewhere between 180-220psi.

[Drover]

Just purchased at set of Raids from these guys -

Wholesale Suspension - Shock Absorbers, Lowering, King Springs, Lift Kits, Coilovers (http://www.wholesalesuspension.com.au)

They had them On the shelf and now on the way, too easy :BigThumb:

(Part No 90-5375SP1)

[uninformed]

Just purchased at set of Raids from these guys -

Wholesale Suspension - Shock Absorbers, Lowering, King Springs, Lift Kits, Coilovers (http://www.wholesalesuspension.com.au)

They had them On the shelf and now on the way, too easy :BigThumb:

(Part No 90-5375SP1)

If they are the true Raids and not just the heavy track raids, I thought they had no nitrogen???

[Drover]

Just for clarification, Koni make

-"Heavy Track" shocks part No 8240-1182SPX
-"Raids" shocks part No 90-5375SP1

Heavy Track's are not Raids or visa versa.

Not sure if they have gas in them or not.

[uninformed]

Yes I agree. Some of the confusion may come from Konis own packaging. When I bought my Heavy Tracks a few years ago now, the box was maked Heavy Track but also had the word Raid on it.

[steane]

I thought the Raids were a hydraulic damper. No gas and not pressurised. When I fitted mine they were quite different to a gas pressurised shock. You could open and close them easily enough, there was no constant pressure forcing them to extend to push against. Much easier to work with when fitting them.

[uninformed]

AFAIK the Raids AND the Heavy Track are both "twin tube" dampeners. If they have any nitrogen, it is only small pressures when compared to monotube dampeners like Bilstein.

[steane]

AFAIK the Raids AND the Heavy Track are both "twin tube" dampeners. If they have any nitrogen, it is only small pressures when compared to monotube dampeners like Bilstein.

Koni's site isn't much use but I did manage to find an online reference to the Raids being a low pressure gas damper. So there you go! Makes me feel a bit better about what they cost:o

[mools]

I've recently dealt with this outfit...

Extreme 4x4 - Quality parts for Land Rovers! (http://www.extreme4x4.co.uk)

Will ship Konis (heavy track and raids) to Aus, service was fantastic. Payment Thursday arrived Tuesday.

Although they are cheaper I'm not convinced that there is a massive saving to be had over more local suppliers unless you need other ancillaries. The biggest difference being that they will most probably turn up quicker if ordered from the UK.

I just fitted heavy tracks, new +2" springs and re bushed with super pro. First impressions are good.

Ian.

[newhue]

Koni = Land Rover
Heavy Track = Defender
Raid = HD upgrade

there is 80 and 90 series in the heavy track range.

As far as I know all Heavy Track Raids 90 series are only oil.
Heavy Track 80 series are oil and gas.

I have mates who have sourced 90 series from paddocks. just order and no questions. I bought my 90's through Shox.com in the USA. The yanks ship anything.

The poms seem inconsistent in what they will and wont ship. I ask if they have some no ship gas policy in the UK and got nothing. So it could just be Chinese whispers in the paddocks staff room as to which and what ships. Or just one mis guided salesperson.

Personally I think the 80s are fine for normal 4x4ng and use, and are very good The heavier 90's are good for heavy touring and a desire to do it regularly and over several years.

I have the standard +40mm 90s in a truck with a 2" front, and 1.5 rear lift. I run cut down poly bump stops at standard height. By my calks, the internal shock rubbers will kiss the same time as the poly bottoms on the diff. Poly is not very giving, and does have a terrible sound when bottoms out. I could soften the whole show by extending the standard rubbers by 30mm. I'm not sure I have the best set up as suspension is really confusing to get the best from to. But mine had done two pounding and bottoming out desert runs and still work fine.

hope some of this helps.

[carlosbeldia]

I'm just feeling so robbed right now..... I bought Heavy Tracks for my Defender last week and was contacted about this gas police...... the only option they offered me was Britpart Cellular Dynamic. As long as here in Colombia we only can get Armstrong or normal Britpart's, I went that way. Now I find this Extreme store can ship them to me..... it´s just not fair..

[Jode]

I'm just feeling so robbed right now..... I bought Heavy Tracks for my Defender last week and was contacted about this gas police...... the only option they offered me was Britpart Cellular Dynamic. As long as here in Colombia we only can get Armstrong or normal Britpart's, I went that way. Now I find this Extreme store can ship them to me..... it´s just not fair..
Carlos, it's Sod's luck....

It's a bummer how that works. We get a lot of that kind of thing here: you look for a part (or tool) for the landie, finally give up and buy something close, only to find next week that every shop you pass has what you were originally looking for....