Koni 82 Series Vs. Bilstein 5100: Which One Is Better For You?

Hi!
Koni Shocks and Bilstein Shocks are both great options for upgrading your suspension and we get a lot of questions about the difference between the two. In this video, the team at Alldogs Offroad Coop breaks down the difference between monotube and twin-tube design and discusses the ride quality that each of these shocks brings. Interested in trying them out for yourself? Check out the links below to the kits on our website.
Interested in trying them out for yourself? Here are the links to the kits on our website:
Koni: www.alldogsoffroad.com/search...
Bilstein: www.alldogsoffroad.com/search...

[@sepdxcracker]

The Konis are the best shocks I've ever experienced in an off road vehicle.

[@glsracer]

You sold me on the Konis. I live in the rocky mountains and my SE 4x4 has a very harsh ride on most roads in my area. My truck has low miles but I think its finally time to upgrade all the shocks.

[@ericolson7604]

Hey Guys! Just installed the Koni Suspension on my 2019 4Runner. Totally impressed with quality of product and ride. Thanks for your input on which coils were best for my application. Top notch product and service!

[@trailrunnah8886]

Just curious, I am looking at this setup for my 2013 4Runner. What is your setup as far as which springs you went with, and do you have any extra weight like a winch? Did you end up netting 2 inches of lift when you were done? And after 10 months, do you still like it? Sorry for all the questions, but thanks a lot for any info. I'm having a hard time finding other Toyota owners that are running these.

[@ahmedqaiser]

What an excellent and detailed review on both dampners. Extremely helpful.

[@raymondallo9947]

Thank you so much this is the best information and explanation. Koni will be the choice for my Land Rover Defender. Lot of bad roads around where I live.

[@mikemorgan4670]

Good presentation. Congratulations on securing a new line for ADO! Be nice to see this type of comparison with OME and Dobinson. 👍

[@AlldogsOffroadCoop]

Great suggestion!

[@SeibChris]

Another excellently informative ADO video, thanks.

[@jakehiggins5118]

This video completely sold me on the koni shocks. Will be ordering the koni lift for my 2019 SV Frontier soon!

[@Luke-de9zw]

Did u ever get them how do u like them

[@mitchkman]

Thanks for sharing!

[@AlldogsOffroadCoop]

Thanks for watching!

[@Gyppor]

Thanks for the explanation, I'm looking at getting a 2nd gen Xterra and have been wondering what system would be best for driving lots of rough washboard roads in BC. Koni sounds like the shock of choice.

[@GoogleToobUser]

Thank you for this video.

[@prockfisherman8661]

Even happier with just ordering the koni kit. Great video.

[@sepdxcracker]

Me too, ordered mine this evening.

[@Luke-de9zw]

How do u like it

[@Luke-de9zw]

​@@sepdxcrackerhow do u like it

[@sepdxcracker]

@@Luke-de9zw Best ever, I ordered the heavy springs as I have Shrockworks bumper and winch, heavy parabolics Shrockworks, rear mount spare jerry can, jack, and a ton of recovery gear in the back. The springs are supple and the dampeners are superb. I have had them for nearly a year now and would buy another set tomorrow.

[@Luke-de9zw]

​@@sepdxcracker awesome they r going on sale for the next couple days so think I will go this route did u install your self if so any hiccups

[@Sonnygetslost]

Super informative, and well presented. My one nitpick is, it's not a dampener, it's a damper lol. Otherwise, bravo. Very well laid out description between the two shocks.

[@brentp556]

Thanks for posting this video, I was just looking at these yesterday on your website. Would these work well with a heavy spring on a 2nd gen Frontier running constant max GVWR? I was originally thinking the Old Man Emu HD setup, but have heard from some people that the ride isn't the best with those.

[@AlldogsOffroadCoop]

Yes, absolutely!

[@jamesnokham9593]

By the way, how often do you change out the shock absorbers? every 100K miles? I also noticed that you mentioned Bilstein is a consumable part and Koni is a rebuildable part. Does Alldogs offroad offers Koni rebuildable service? Thanks

[@matt34003434]

Great explanation! Any availability for a GX470 with the Koni's?

[@AlldogsOffroadCoop]

Yessir, look for the 120 Series Koni kit on our website!

[@tgiannakarios]

whats the koni's setting from the factory?

[@Christian-cr5oz]

Can you recommend springs for the Koni? I was just looking at MOOG springs for my 10' Jeep GC and was wondering if those would be ideal for an every day ride with 145K miles on it.

[@AlldogsOffroadCoop]

Depends on if you’re looking for a lift or not. We have springs that would range from around 1” to the usual lift springs we pair with them get you a little over 2”

[@michaelvimazal5012]

Hi, I have a 1994 Suzuki Sidekick. It has a rough ride on washboard dirt roads. Would you recommend Koni for this truck to help smooth out ? The shocks and suspension are stock.

[@AlldogsOffroadCoop]

Hey there, It doesn't look like Koni makes shocks that fit the 90's Sidekick - but we are working on building our Samurai and we've done quite a bit of research - we'll be posting a video about the suspension in the next month or so and should have some answers and recommendations for you then!

[@frontier_etc]

Curious why the Koni requires the heavy coil spring? I thought the heavy coil spring requires the constant load from a steel front bumper or winch? What if you ran the heavy front spring on the 5100?

[@AlldogsOffroadCoop]

The D40-F-H coil serves as the medium spring option on the Koni dampener. The spring perch sits a little lower on the Koni shock body and the longer length of the F-H takes up the extra length and nets correct ride height. We have a new coil for heavy applications with Koni dampeners.Do not run the D40-F-H on a 5100 unless you have a steel bumper and winch setup. You will damage the shock otherwise.

[@JmanRx81]

Just bought a 2020 Frontier SV 4x4 and I definitely want the RCkilla kit with parabolic rear leaf springs. But I'm torn between Bilstein and Koni for shocks.

[@sepdxcracker]

I've had both and the Konis are far superior imho

[@rudedogii]

I run imported Koni Raids on my 2018 Chevy Colorado. Koni has terrible customer service when I needed replacement bushings. I sent a letter to Koni headquarters Holland for replacement bushings. Koni Holland sent my request to Koni North America and there response was, "We don't stock that part"! WTF no shit

[@riskis1793]

Hey guys, is it possible to get koni heavy tracks in the states for a jb74 jimny?

[@AlldogsOffroadCoop]

we have the ability to order them yes.

[@dislilmienboi]

Is it possible to have koni on a higher lift other than 2.5”?

[@AlldogsOffroadCoop]

Nope

[@ericproulxaudy4296]

What about koni 82 vs 90? Are 90’s more firm and really need a loaded truck?

[@AlldogsOffroadCoop]

There isn’t much difference in ride quality between the 2 products. The 90 series has more shock fluid so they’re more resistant to shock fade.

[@garyhatton9155]

Koni 82 vs fox 2.0? Around town rough roads, fire roads and light crawling. The 4600 chatter and get unsettled quickly on concrete gaps at 40 mph, etc. or should be go koni 90 on 2022 frontier pro 4x?

[@AlldogsOffroadCoop]

They're both very similar in ride quality. The 90 Raids are for extreme duty / environments and would be overkill for a lot of guys.

[@martinmontijojr9459]

@@AlldogsOffroadCoophow do the both fare off-road and long term performance?

[@matreyia]

Used both brands and Bilstein is light years BEHIND Koni Active Shocks. It ain't even close.

[@dalvman]

The one set I’ve seen of koni the lower bushings were completely blown out of the front shocks for a 4 runner. No spring adjustment. Not knocking koni but bilstein has been doing off-road forever and has done way more r&d.

[@matreyia]

@@dalvman I don't think konis are known for off roading at all. Also, activ shocks are not for off roading use, they are made specifically for street cars that run into mixed pavement use...and they are superior to anything Bilstein makes for that kind of use. Bilstein shocks, both OEM replacements and upgrades are too harsh and bouncy while the activ shocks soak up the small imperfections like a waterbed while keeping my vehicle flat in super fast curves. It's pretty weird to see in real life.

[@mandytuning]

So the bilstien still smoother ride than than oem or harsher?

[@AlldogsOffroadCoop]

Would be similar to OEM shocks as far as ride quality goes.

[@jeffalan6339]

I am looking for ride and handling, have considered... Rancho KYB Bilstein Koni For my RWD Silverado, it's an lt has excellent ride and handling. Had SS Nova with stiff F41 suspension, added Monroe gas shocks, with polyurethane bushings . It rode like grand truck in town, yet faster I drove on the highway rode controlled and comfortable. It handled very well, a highway exit I took it little faster than was posted, the downhill ramp all kinds of blackmore from others. The car stayed level whole I was pinned against the door and head on the window. My criteria handling, with reasonable in town ride not plush soft more of comfort with 65 mph ride like my SS.

[@bengleckl1877]

So you cand adjust thr rebound but even so the rod never pushes back out?

[@rudedogii]

There's no gas in the Koni.

[@bengleckl1877]

Does the koni for the 22 frontier have a lower seat height then factory?

[@rudedogii]

@@bengleckl1877 I wouldnt know. You need to get the specs from Koni and compare. What's a seat height?

[@bengleckl1877]

@@rudedogii the flange the bottom of the coil sits on

[@miker3954]

23 taco dclb which koni application for 2.5 lift?

[@AlldogsOffroadCoop]

82 series with heavy front springs if it's a crew cab long box truck. your choice on rear leaf option

[@GarrettWalters-cl2hy]

What is the major differences between the Koni 82 and the Koni 90 raids?

[@AlldogsOffroadCoop]

fluid capacity. they ride very similar. more fluid allows for more shock fade resistance.

[@husq2100]

Internal dia, piston sizes etc. they also offer a range in between called the 88 Series. Probably bugger all available over there though.

[@douglasjre]

Do either of them have digressive valving

[@AlldogsOffroadCoop]

5100s do

[@Steven-po5vs]

What size lift will the koni 82 give?

[@daywalker4029]

All depends on your application

[@rudedogii]

A shock dosent lift the vehicle the spring does that. Put in a bigger spring.

[@yetifive-oh2242]

Let's talk about the plane... 😆

[@AlldogsOffroadCoop]

ha we are 1/4 mile from a runway used by military planes. we don't have the option of telling them to be quiet lol

[@yetifive-oh2242]

@@AlldogsOffroadCoop Yeah! Sounds of Freedom!

[@kevinstarski1598]

Koni or Coney 🙂

[@dawnnadir]

In my experience Koni is always better than Bilstein.

[@oldrudedog]

If you can push them in by hand what is a 20,000 LB. motor home going to do to them. Not impressed!

[@daywalker4029]

Not hard to push a shock in that has no gas charge. Koni is a leading manufacturer for bus and train shocks…but oldrudedog apparently has more knowledge than a shock manufacturer 😂

[@Jez3134]

You're not impressed due to lack of understanding. You realise pushing fluid/gas by hand is different to high force compression. Valves are specced in their operation based on the degree of movement inertia. So, damping force increases as piston speed increases. Expecting motor home forces and valve performance from your hands isn't realistic in the slightest.

[@jemj79]

Hi, shocks do not support vehicles weight, springs does.