Gen 3 suspension: Koni vs Bilstien

[spacecowboy7777]

Looks like a lot of people want a lift with their suspension and for it to ride "better". Of course, "better" is different for everyone and lot's of online mentions of suspension for our vehicles don't compare aftermarket suspensions to each other or give good detailed descriptions of ride qualities. Also, looks like lots of people put on springs and shocks at the same time and can't tell the difference between the two. For instance, if your springs are too stiff, no matter what shocks you have, you'll have an uncomfortable ride. I'd like this thread to provide more specific descriptions of shock damper characteristics. I'll start:

Remember, in the shock world when we say "high speed" or "low speed" damping, we're referring to shock shaft speed. Not vehicle speed.

My current setup: KYB excel-g shocks front and rear, stock springs. I feel these shocks have a little too much high speed damping, pretty good low speed damping, too little rebound damping. For daily driving, they aren't great over small bumps, but not terrible (not enough give on small fast hits, aka high speed damping). Provide ok control, pretty stable on the highway and around sweeping turns, but again, I would appreciate more stability aka low speed damping and rebound damping. With a load, like a dirt bike on my hitch or a trailer, I start to feel the need for more rebound control. With a load on larger bumps I feel the rear end oscillate up and down a few times before calming down and on turns I feel the truck sway a little more than I like. I think this could be better controlled with more low speed damping and/or more rebound damping.

My wants: stock ride height, smooth/plush initial bump (high speed damping) and more control when loaded up.

My understanding of the Koni vs Bilstien:

Koni heavy track : These are a twin tube design which should offer a softer initial small bump absorption feeling. The downside of the twin tube design is it is more prone to shock fade due to fluid aeration when faced with successive cycles (washboards). Also, these have the ability to adjust rebound control. With this design, adjusting the rebound damping setting also affects the compression. So you basically get one adjustment that changes both the rebound and compression simultaneously.

Bilstien : These are a monotube and advertised as having digressive valving. Monotube shocks will have slightly more friction. Both more friction and a digressive valving curve mean that the initial bump absorption will be slightly more harsh, while successive bumps will be plusher. Also the pressurized monotube design is much less likely to experience shock fade compared to a twin tube design. These shocks are not adjustable.

My understanding here is that I'll be better off with the Koni Heavy Tracks. But, even with the basic characteristics of monotube vs twintube and adjustable vs non adjustable, it could all be moot if one of these is just valved better than the other for our rigs. So I ask the community, do ya'll mind sharing your experiences with these shocks?

 

[Michael Brown]

First, I would ask to confirm if you are running stock springs and/or plan to change springs.

The reason most replace both at the same time is the factory springs have a habit of sagging and needing replacement. Hence it becomes easier to do both in the same job since you are removing both. I know that was what I did last year when it was time.

Once the stock ones are sagging, shocks can help, but the springs will not provide enough load handling. Any springs installed will feel stiffer as they are no longer weakened from use.

In the past, most recommended OME (Old Man Emu) with great results. The progressive springs provided dual action for load carrying behavior and tuned shocks to match. This was considered a complete package as all parts are tuned by the same supplier.

Koni or Bilstein are paired with Lovells or another brand of springs. With this, they are not tuned as a complete system.
All are high quality, but may not be perfectly tuned for the vehicle out of the box. Adjustments on the Koni may be helpful with their adjustments.

Ironman 4x4 supplies springs and shocks, but there is less information about them.

 

[ChrisCosta416]

I have driven in many Gen3s with different shock and spring combos. I prefer Konis over Billies. I feel Bilsteins ride a bit harsher overall. Especially if you adjust the spring perch on them.
In regards to more control when loaded up, like Michael said - That could be attributed to weak or overladed coils. If you want a good smooth setup I would do Konis paired with Lovells or a nice progressive coil like King Springs in Aus. I don't think OME coils are progressive anymore. As for Ironman I would avoid completely for their shocks. Their coils are ok.

Regardless of what you get, you NEED to get a coil that corresponds with your weight or what you will have in the back. For example, a Heavy Duty coil might be rated for higher constant load as opposed to a OEM stock coil. King springs make progressive coils that are lifted and standard. I believe lovells do as well.

 

[plh]

I ran both KYB and Bilstiens over the years on my old '05. I would not run KYBs again. Michael & Chris are correct about the springs, replace those too, even with new stock is going to be better than 20 year old ones. I have heard good things about Konis - but have no first hand experience with them on a Gen 3.