Koni shocks

[Alan Brase]

A couple decades ago, I put a set of Bilsteins on the rear of my 1980 Westy. I felt they were a little too firm, so I bought some stock spec Sachs shocks. (I put the Bilsteins on my 1982 diesel that I used in my business and very often it was loaded fully and sometimes a little overloaded. They controlled it well.)
Next shocks I buy will likely be Konis.
I think Bilsteins are by far the best for racing.
For normal long life good performance, I think the Konis are a good choice.
_________________
Al Brase
Projects: 67 sunroof bug, 67 Porsche 912 Targa, 70 Westy
Dec 1955 Single Cab pickup WANT 15" BUS RIMS dated 8/55, thru 12/55
To New owners: 1969 doublecab, 1971 Dormobile
Vanagons:
80 P27 Westy JUL 1979, 3rd oldest known US
83 1.6TD Vanagon, 87 Wolfie Westy daily driver, swap meet home

[nilloc]

[dougass]

Hey r39o, the sway bar and shocks address different things... sway bar is actually anti-sway and improves handling, especially cornering and steering response. Shocks dampen the springs to keep a smooth ride.
_________________
'91 GL - 2.1 automatic named Klaus for weekend adventures.

#klausvan & @thisisklausvan

[r39o]

#MeToo

I am on stock Carat springs in my 1990 MV and have Konis in. Been in for a long time. They seem stiff these days.

So since all soft is like stock.

And the above thinks half way is OK for a weekender, I guess I go half way.

Next fly in the ointment, though is I have Addco front and rear anti sway bars laying around.

If I adjust the shocks to my liking, might I not like them after the bars are added or what?????
_________________
"Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!

1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....

Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently)

[dougass]

My guestimate would be about half way through the range.

From my understanding, Koni's softest setting is about equal to factory shocks. I am running Weitec Springs and have the shocks nearly at max.

Note - I expected "clicks" for each setting on the shocks, found that they are "infinitely adjustable" between min and max.
_________________
'91 GL - 2.1 automatic named Klaus for weekend adventures.

#klausvan & @thisisklausvan

[ThankYouJerry]

[takeiteasy]

I am about to install koni reds and gowesty 0 lift on the rear of and '85 weekender. Anybody have a koni setting they like on their weekender?
_________________
'85 Weekender 1.9L

"With your past and your future precisely divided.
Am I at that moment? I haven't decided."

[ChristophtheGerman]

Okay, thank you very much!!!

[eeebee]

They come with the nut but not the bushing. Bushing and washer is available from van cafe.
_________________
Eric

1987 Vanagon Wolfsburg Special Edition
GoWesty 2.3

Democracy is the recurrent suspicion that more than half of the people are right more than half of the time.

[ChristophtheGerman]

Hey guys,

quick off topic question:
Do the Konis come with the upper rubber bushings and nuts for the front shocks?

Mine are shot and I need new ones.
If not - where do I get those best?

Thanks for your help.

Are there yellow and red Konis??? This is how I know them from my other cars. Red was gas, Yellow oil.

Thanks

Best
Christoph

[0to60in6min]

I have the Koni Classic Red on my '90 Carat w. highest setting and I like them...

my other '90 Carat has Bilstein HD they are good but I feel they're a bit soft to my liking...

well... you need to adjust to your taste... but the Koni Red are not easy to adjust once they are on the van...

[oldhuldy67]

Riiiiiight...learn something everyday if I'm not careful...thanks
_________________
Currently:1980 Westy Westfalia Poptop (a total stock-look rebuild with all my favorite camping mods)
1967 stock Sunroof Beetle
Formerly:
1978 Westy Campmobile, the"EM50 Urban Assault Vehicle" code named "The Pickle"
1973 Squareback (sold on a lark)
1973 Super Beetle (crashed..walked away without a scratch)
1972 Standard Beetle (lost in a relationship..)
1966 Beetle (the Black Beauty, my Dad's)
1964 Beetle (the Beige Bug, my beginning beater, also my Dad's) Thanks, Dad.

[oldhuldy67]

Riiiiiight...learn something everyday if I'm not careful...thanks
_________________
Currently:1980 Westy Westfalia Poptop (a total stock-look rebuild with all my favorite camping mods)
1967 stock Sunroof Beetle
Formerly:
1978 Westy Campmobile, the"EM50 Urban Assault Vehicle" code named "The Pickle"
1973 Squareback (sold on a lark)
1973 Super Beetle (crashed..walked away without a scratch)
1972 Standard Beetle (lost in a relationship..)
1966 Beetle (the Black Beauty, my Dad's)
1964 Beetle (the Beige Bug, my beginning beater, also my Dad's) Thanks, Dad.

[70coupyel]

[oldhuldy67]

Stock 2WD 1980 Westy...Replaced my OG 33 year old shocks with Konis and guess what..it drove and handled so much better...duh..
I set them on their softest setting and the plan is to stiffen them up as needed.

Also, tires...Vanco D rated
_________________
Currently:1980 Westy Westfalia Poptop (a total stock-look rebuild with all my favorite camping mods)
1967 stock Sunroof Beetle
Formerly:
1978 Westy Campmobile, the"EM50 Urban Assault Vehicle" code named "The Pickle"
1973 Squareback (sold on a lark)
1973 Super Beetle (crashed..walked away without a scratch)
1972 Standard Beetle (lost in a relationship..)
1966 Beetle (the Black Beauty, my Dad's)
1964 Beetle (the Beige Bug, my beginning beater, also my Dad's) Thanks, Dad.

[pdxleaf]

[Kombi///M3]

Thanks..wheels are 15", I have to check my tires.. Can't remember.

[ame]

Thanks for the reply. Your van looks great. What size are your wheels and tires?

[Kombi///M3]

[ame]

Just bought a 2WD Doka and want to lower it. Is the Dokas suspension the same as a vanagon? Was hoping to go with Weitec springs and koni shocks.

Thanks.