I consider replacing my shocks (original stock so far) and gain some lift:
Bilstein shocks + Aibach progressive rear springs
or
Koni shocks + Kingstone progressive rear springs (a bit more expensive)
Which way sould I go?
Thanks,
Kobi

I was considering both of them when I was shopping for replacement shock but both have travel that are slightly shorter than stock. I dont want them because IFS travel are really limited already.

If money is no object I would go with Koni. Frank/Misterbishi have Koni and he swear by them.

I disagree. I read a very thorough comparison of the Koni/Bilstein and Old Man EMu shocks on one of the pro landrover sites. In the end there was no comparison with the Old Man EMu winning by a mile. They are heavier built, double tube, and much more suitable to off roading. I think the reason is that if you 4wheel in OZ, (maybe we should get Trop and MistaBishi in here for their opinions..) there is a TON of the most serious washboard you ever saw. When I was down there, you'd go hundred's of miles driving over what felt like railroad ties...this is where Old Man Emu stuff is developed. I would suggest strongly you investigate those shocks.


seer <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

OME are just over priced Monroe. They are buid with the same technologies with cheapies Monroe or Gabriel. Don't get me wrong I still use OME rear for my Montero and LC because they are the only one that have slightly longer travel than OEM.

If you search Australian site they do not speak of OME very highly. They are good but not above average off road aftermarket shock there.

Infact a lot of 100 series LC owner reported they blow the front shock in less than a year because OME did not have rebound travel bump stop build in and they always top out in high speed use.

The only good aspect of OME that I seen is they have preselected package which help a lot preventing customer getting wrong selection.

BTW: landrover got nothing in common with Monteros. What is good for them does not automatically make it a magic solution for Monteros.

I personally would stick to a Monotube design not double tube.since a double tube has an inner and outer tube the inner tube is the one that contains the piston and is too small in my opinion, to provide enough dampening for the montero .but thats just me, take into consideration the terain your mosty likely to be driving. I had a pair of monroes on my old SR for about a day...way too squishy for me. If I wanted a ride like that I would of bought an escalade <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

So, Bilstein or Koni?
these are my only available choices.
Kobi

What about KYB?

I'm still a few miles from replacing my NAPA brand heavy duty shocks <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" /> , but I've been eyeing up Bilstein's 5150s:

I love my KYB monomax shocks so far. They are a little stiff right now, but I expect them to be PERFECT in a couple of thousand miles.

On my Toy i'm running 5150's in the back, 5100's in the front. 14" Travel. The shocks are amazing. They are valved perfectly for y rig and work very well even when flexed out. Little pricey but not bad. (Got mine from All Pro Offroad)

Christian