Date:         Mon, 21 Jun 2004 12:11:33 -0700
Reply-To:     Ryan Press <ryan@PRESSLAB.US>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ryan Press <ryan@PRESSLAB.US>
Subject:      Re: The red or the blue
Comments: To: "Brian T." <nobleman36@YAHOO.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <20040621183859.17382.qmail@web60508.mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-8859-1

Brian T. said:
> What is the mass opinion Koni -vs- Bilstein?
>
> I am now running H&R springs and my KYB GR2 front
> shocks aren’t dealing well with rebound.  I know the
> Koni is a hydraulic shock and the Bils are gas &
> that's about all I know.
>
> What say you O' oracles of all Vanagon knowledge!
>
> BTW, the H&R's are great... no more clearance issue
> getting into my garage and I like the stiff ride, it
> isn't as bad as I had expected at all  ;-)
>
> Brian
>

I recently installed the Red - Koni Specials.  They are great shocks.  The
front ones don't seem to have rebound bump stops but it's not too bad
topping out.

They were a bit jarring at first, but after 150 miles they loosened up.
Very controlled and smooth.  I have the front rebound set at 1/2 turn, and
the rear set at 1 turn from full soft.  I have stock springs on my '86
Westy.  It handles much better than it should!

I have Bilstein on my MkIV GTi; they are good, but I replaced the fronts
under warranty once after 15k miles.  This new front set has held up well
after 20k more miles.

Ryan