Koni Front Shocks

[RichardinNZ]

Does anyone have the part number of what Koni shocks to use on the front of a link pin Bug, lowered about 2 inches with adjusters?
Thanks
Richard

[j-dub]

80-1349 are the fronts, just in case you need them the rear are 80-1350.

I just bought a set, may put them on this week, have a few other projects to finish first.

Jeremy

[RichardinNZ]

Many thanks; so I can just use the standard length shock and don't need to find a shorter version?
Thanks
Richard

[j-dub]

The compressed length of the Koni front shock from eyelet to eyelet is 25.5 cm, or just over 10". The standard "lowered" king pin shock compressed is 9 3/4" so these should fit the bill perfectly.

Jeremy

[RichardinNZ]

Excellent.  Many thanks for the information.
Richard

[andy198712]

Wheres the best place to buy these price wise these days? i want that magic carpet ride too 

[gkeeton@zbzoom.net]

If you're not in a hurry, Koni usually has a sale once a year when they cut prices 10-20%. Do a google search on the part numbers. Watch, some places gouge you on shipping. I got a set of IRS rears delivered for less than $200, when they were on sale, from an ebay store from itbautosports. Summit Racing carries them as well.

[andy198712]

cool 

[RichardinNZ]

I found this:

http://www.ajusa.com/KONI-80-1349-Special-DClassic-Shock-Absorber-a1cde3.html

Looks a really good price.
Richard

[Bendik]

Is 80-1350 also correct for a oval window?

[gkeeton@zbzoom.net]

RichardinNZ, that's a few bucks less than the sale price I got my rears for, and is a great price with free shipping.

If you go on Koni's site, they list the 80-1349 as a front shock for 52-59 Type 1, but no rear listing. If you search for a 65 Type 1, they list the 80-1349 for the front, and 80-1350 for the rear. Then there is an IRS rear listing of 80-2149. A lot of suppliers like KYB use the same part number for all rear, and kp front shocks. Not sure what the difference from 55 to 65 in the rear would be other than the bottom shock mount in the axle tube being straight instead of turned, so I would think the 80-1350's would work. I'm not sure why Koni has two different part numbers for S/A, and IRS rears though.

[j-dub]

Is 80-1350 also correct for a oval window?

Yes

[Jos]

stupid question but are these sold in pairs or as singles? is it $88 for a pair or $176?

[Zach Gomulka]

$176/pr. Yes, expensive. But well worth it. I'll never run another shock on an ACVW.

[Jos]

Awesome, as Gene used to say "Buy once, cry once."

[volkskris]

Has anyone compared Koni's to Bilstein's?

[gkeeton@zbzoom.net]

The Koni's have 4 settings to adjust the rebound. Do the Bilstien's have any dampening adjustment? I lowered a Bay Window Bus a while back at the shop, and the owner insisted on putting Koni's on it. I thought he was out of his mind for spending $400 on a set of shocks, but it road like a Cadillac when it was all back together. I haven't got a chance to put the Koni's that I got on, but I got them to help slow down the rebound compared to a white KYB.

[Martin S.]

My Konis have 3 settings according to the instructions. I have them on the rear only (swing axle). What do you suggest I set them at? Soft, medium, or hard.

[gkeeton@zbzoom.net]

I would just experiment. The Koni's I put on the Bus had 4 half turn adjustments on them. I think the fronts were adjusted a 1/2  turn, and the rears 1 1/2 turns.

[j-dub]

So I have installed the Konis on my oval window bug and have been experimenting with the adjustable dampening. I initially set them in them in the middle of the adjustment range and then took them for a test drive. I went to a large open parking lot and did circles, think skid pad. I figured out what end skidded out first, if I was experiencing under steer or over steer, and then tightened the opposite end. I am currently set so the front is 1/4 turn from full stiff and the rear is 1/2 turn from full stiff.

Just curious how others went about adjusting them and where you ended up.
Thanks,
Jeremy

[Donny B.]

I believe that the adjustment only affects rebound damping.  If you want it to be stiffer that won't help.  I have some new Konis on my car, but haven't driven it yet with them.  I don't intend to adjust them at all in the beginning.  I am looking for a more comfortable ride.  The should be a lot better than the gas shocks I took off.

[Zach Gomulka]

I believe that the adjustment only affects rebound damping.  If you want it to be stiffer that won't help.  I have some new Konis on my car, but haven't driven it yet with them.  I don't intend to adjust them at all in the beginning.  I am looking for a more comfortable ride.  The should be a lot better than the gas shocks I took off.

In my old car the ride quality difference between gas and Koni's was night and day.

[Taylor]

I have some old koni instructions and they say to start at the softest setting and adjust them with wear.

[Zach Gomulka]

I have some old koni instructions and they say to start at the softest setting and adjust them with wear.

That's what I did. But I alos had the luxury of sway bars, IRS, etc.

[j-dub]

I believe that the adjustment only affects rebound damping.  If you want it to be stiffer that won't help.  I have some new Konis on my car, but haven't driven it yet with them.  I don't intend to adjust them at all in the beginning.  I am looking for a more comfortable ride.  The should be a lot better than the gas shocks I took off.

Donny,
I agree with your statement of the adjustments only being for rebound as far as how they are advertised but when you have them in your hands after a few tests you can tell that the adjustment has an affect on both compression and rebound. I believe in order to make a shock absorber that truly has separate rebound and compression adjustments is a complex task and is not going to happen at this price point.

The difference after even a half turn adjustment on one end of the car can be felt, give it a try after you have some miles on them at full soft.

Jeremy