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Anyone running Koni shocks? #2353055
08/13/17 02:04 AM
08/13/17 02:04 AM
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Oregon
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AndyF Offline OP
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I picked up a set of Koni shocks for my '65 B body and thought I'd check in to see if anyone else is using them on a classic Mopar.

I like the adjustability of the Koni shock which is why I wanted to use them but I was expecting them to be a bolt in. The fronts are close to a bolt in but the upper bushing that Koni sends with the shocks has no chance of fitting so I replaced it with a normal two part bushing that most everyone else uses.

The rear shock is a little more puzzling but I think I've figured it out. The lower bushing is only 5/8 diameter so no way will it fit on the 11/16 stud in the shock plate. The Koni shock is also a little too short for my car. So I'm going to build some new shock plates with a 5/8 stud and move the stud up and in a little bit. That will solve the length issue as well as the mounting issue.

This kind of stuff doesn't stop me in my tracks these days since I'm fully equipped to build my own custom parts but I feel sorry for the more typical guy working out of his garage. When you buy expensive name brand parts like Koni shocks I'd expect them to bolt on. Some engineer at Koni didn't bother to even look up the correct mounting specs for Mopar vehicles before throwing this design over the wall to production.

Re: Anyone running Koni shocks? [Re: AndyF] #2353095
08/13/17 07:53 AM
08/13/17 07:53 AM
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The Netherlands
BigBlockMopar Offline
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Did you get the Koni 'Classic' adjustable shocks?

I have a pair on the back of my '62 Chrysler NewYorker which I bought used.

Do recall there was something with the bushings indeed.
I think I was able to push out liners and replace the bushings with regular ones that fit without issues. No machining was involved.

Their length was OK in recall.

Koni is a Dutch manufacturer of shocks and they are fairly local to me.

Re: Anyone running Koni shocks? [Re: AndyF] #2353196
08/13/17 01:55 PM
08/13/17 01:55 PM
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Kings Beach, CA
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tahoechallenge Offline
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I use them on my Challenger. I don't recall any issues with the fronts. The rears are shorter, and the lower mounting hole is like you said. I pressed in 5/8" bushings that I made from some hydraulic tubing. I made some tapered boxed extensions for the top of the shock. That way they are still bolt in.
I have over 12k on them with zero issues.

Re: Anyone running Koni shocks? [Re: tahoechallenge] #2353203
08/13/17 02:07 PM
08/13/17 02:07 PM
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So Cal
autoxcuda Offline
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Originally Posted By tahoechallenge
I use them on my Challenger. I don't recall any issues with the fronts. The rears are shorter, and the lower mounting hole is like you said. I pressed in 5/8" bushings that I made from some hydraulic tubing. I made some tapered boxed extensions for the top of the shock. That way they are still bolt in.
I have over 12k on them with zero issues.


Have you run any other shocks on your challenger? How do these compare?

Re: Anyone running Koni shocks? [Re: autoxcuda] #2353211
08/13/17 02:22 PM
08/13/17 02:22 PM
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Kings Beach, CA
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Just Monroe Classics. The adjustability is nice. I have the rear backed nearly all the way off. I have never done any type of track time, just spirited driving on mountain roads.

Re: Anyone running Koni shocks? [Re: tahoechallenge] #2353218
08/13/17 02:37 PM
08/13/17 02:37 PM
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So Cal
autoxcuda Offline
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Originally Posted By tahoechallenge
Just Monroe Classics. The adjustability is nice. I have the rear backed nearly all the way off. I have never done any type of track time, just spirited driving on mountain roads.


Can you describe the differences and improvements?

What was it like with the rear not backed off?

Last edited by autoxcuda; 08/13/17 02:38 PM.
Re: Anyone running Koni shocks? [Re: AndyF] #2353228
08/13/17 02:55 PM
08/13/17 02:55 PM
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Kings Beach, CA
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tahoechallenge Offline
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When going over bumps the rear would jar badly. Backing off the rear helped. I have factory 72 Cuda re arched springs.

Re: Anyone running Koni shocks? [Re: AndyF] #2353276
08/13/17 04:18 PM
08/13/17 04:18 PM
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Colorado
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Bob J Offline
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Are they Koni yellows and if they are they build then for an one inch drop. Nice shocks I ran them on my Porsche 944 S2 and a lot of folks run them in Autocross in a bunch of different cars.


07 Porsche C2 997.1 6spd DD and SCCA Solo II SS
68 Plymouth GTX Convert. 493cu Hotkiss Wilwood Classic air, Building for Solo II Cam
65 Chrysler 300 Convert. project
57 Desoto 2dr. Firesweep 392 Hemi,Wilwood Project with son
2003 Dodge Dakota R/T "DEAD"
Re: Anyone running Koni shocks? [Re: AndyF] #2354432
08/15/17 07:59 PM
08/15/17 07:59 PM
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Posts: 1,440
NW Chicago suburban area
Mopar Mitch Offline
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I've been running the RED adjustable Konis since the late 70s on my Challenger... had the fronts replaced once due to compression (dive) and causing them to fail... 2nd front set was rebuilt stiffer, along with eventually stepping up to much stiffer TBs (1.24 eventually).

I've played with the settings alot -- car dominantly used for SCCA AX from late 70s through early ~2000... and now HSAX/HPDE track time.

The fronts are set at full stiff; rears played with pending track/AX, etc... between 1/2-2/3-3/4 stiffness. the leafs are stiff (fiberglass monoleafs FLEXAFORM... 225#/5" unsprung arch. Too stiff rear shocks and the tire will lift off the pavement.. so.. ~2/3 stiffness max. (also pending choice of 3/4" or mostly used 1" rear sway bar).

I haven't had any installation problems front or rear.

Next set (car is apart now).. will likely be double-adjustable Viking or QA1... I've heard nothing but great things about the 2x adjustable shocks from AX/HSAX/HPDE guys running them.


Mopar Mitch "Road racers and autocrossers go in deeper and come out harder!"... and rain never stops us from having fun with our cars... in fact, it makes us better drivers! Check out MOPAR ACTION MAGAZINE, August 2006 issue for feature article and specs on my autocross T/A!
Re: Anyone running Koni shocks? [Re: AndyF] #2356370
08/19/17 01:50 AM
08/19/17 01:50 AM
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AndyF Offline OP
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I have the red shocks (classics). The front went on okay once I bought different bushings. The rears wouldn't go on without changing something in the lower bushing. I decided to leave the shocks alone and I designed new rear shock plates. I'll have some pictures in a few days.

Re: Anyone running Koni shocks? [Re: AndyF] #2357210
08/20/17 06:36 PM
08/20/17 06:36 PM
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AndyF Offline OP
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My first set of shock plates came out okay but not perfect. I'll redesign and make another run of them.

DSC_1142 (Large).JPG
Re: Anyone running Koni shocks? [Re: AndyF] #2357355
08/21/17 12:18 AM
08/21/17 12:18 AM
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AndyF Offline OP
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The front Koni shocks went on without any issue once I changed the upper bushing. The bushing that came with the shock was not going to work. No idea what the engineer at Koni was thinking when he came up with that idea.

DSC_1148 (Large).JPG
Re: Anyone running Koni shocks? [Re: AndyF] #2357502
08/21/17 11:43 AM
08/21/17 11:43 AM
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Los Osos, Ca
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CKessel Offline
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Andy, are you able to run a flat hood with your setup as I see it in the photo. If so, curious to see how far the filter unit sticks up when you measure from its high point to the top edge of the inner fender.


Carl Kessel
Re: Anyone running Koni shocks? [Re: AndyF] #2357637
08/21/17 03:40 PM
08/21/17 03:40 PM
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AndyF Offline OP
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Yes it is a flat hood. I cut a hole in the hood for the air cleaner to poke thru, but the hood is flat.

Re: Anyone running Koni shocks? [Re: AndyF] #2358046
08/22/17 11:41 AM
08/22/17 11:41 AM
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Los Osos, Ca
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CKessel Offline
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Ok thank you.


Carl Kessel
Re: Anyone running Koni shocks? [Re: AndyF] #2361708
08/29/17 01:57 PM
08/29/17 01:57 PM
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AndyF Offline OP
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I think I figured out the Koni install so now I've put the Fikse rims back on. The Porsche calipers are installed and the brakes are bled. I have the new fuel system plumbed in but I need to finish the wiring and then she should be ready to drop on the ground and fire up. I was shooting for the end of the month to get it started but looks like I'll miss that by a week or two.

DSC_1169 (Large).JPG
Re: Anyone running Koni shocks? [Re: AndyF] #2361746
08/29/17 02:34 PM
08/29/17 02:34 PM
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Reno, Nevada
NV69B7RR Offline
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I'm looking forward to seeing your 65 running and driving with everything you've done to it and how it works on the track.

Do you plan to offer a kit for those brakes??

Re: Anyone running Koni shocks? [Re: AndyF] #2361781
08/29/17 04:03 PM
08/29/17 04:03 PM
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NW Chicago suburban area
Mopar Mitch Offline
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How about another new book?


Mopar Mitch "Road racers and autocrossers go in deeper and come out harder!"... and rain never stops us from having fun with our cars... in fact, it makes us better drivers! Check out MOPAR ACTION MAGAZINE, August 2006 issue for feature article and specs on my autocross T/A!
Re: Anyone running Koni shocks? [Re: NV69B7RR] #2361894
08/29/17 07:43 PM
08/29/17 07:43 PM
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Oregon
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AndyF Offline OP
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Originally Posted By NV69B7RR
I'm looking forward to seeing your 65 running and driving with everything you've done to it and how it works on the track.

Do you plan to offer a kit for those brakes??


No more brake kits from me! They didn't sell well enough to justify spending any time on them. Besides, the price on Porsche stuff has gone crazy. I think I paid $400 each for the calipers new from the dealer a few years back but now they want $1500 each for just the caliper! I don't think I've ever met a Mopar guy who would pay that much for a brake caliper.

Re: Anyone running Koni shocks? [Re: AndyF] #2362559
08/30/17 10:17 PM
08/30/17 10:17 PM
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AndyF Offline OP
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Here is a better picture showing the new shock plates. I made them with a D hole in the center of the spring for a tie down strap. When I go to the chassis dyno they need a tie down strap and I don't like it when they put a loop over the axle since it can crush the brake line. It was easy to just add an extra hole in the plate so now I'll have a strong place to hook the tie down straps.

DSC_1174 (Large).JPG
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