Steve replied:

you've just made my decision for me. Koni it is.

you got 4 OME shocks for $207?

Member - Paul P (Bris) replied:

Rob

I find shocks on a well used and loaded 4x4 last between 40 and 60 thousand k. Constant corrugations really give them a hard time.

Perhaps a set of gas munro's (also readily available in more remote areas) and replace every 40,000k. I run OME on my Nissan. I looked at Koni's but I can purchase 2 for the price of 1 so being rebuildable was not really an issue.

Regards

Paul

Crackles replied:

Rob $940 sounds a bit high for Biliy's as was recently quoted $800 for a 105 series but suppose there are new rubbers & fitting costs in there as well.
Although the Toyota shock is cheap I can't see how it could possibly control the rebound of your truck properly as no doubt you have upgraded springs & taking into concideration where you drive it with the loads you'd need to carry.
I just took my Koni's off to be rebuilt after about 250,000 KM (10 years old fitted to 3 separate Cruisers) & when I fitted the OE shocks for the interim I was amazed how poorly they handled despite being almost new.
Friends with Bilstiens are all having good runs with no one reporting any premature failure like yours. From what I've seen the Billy's are probably one of the best shocks for improving handling (other than getting big $ race shocks) but for long life the Koni twin tube adjustable are hard to go past.
Cheers Craig.....................

Footloose replied:

Recently replaced the whole suspension on my 80 with OME, even though the old OME shocks were OK (150K, now spares). I was told that the way I use the vehicle, (and it certainly wouldnt see a fraction as much rough stuff as yours) I was lucky to get 8 years out of a set of OE springs !

Darian (SA) replied:

Was it the Heasmans service department that said they are too buggered to rebuild or someone in between ? Re the cheapies - the economics might be right but its not much good if the fail mid trip - if my factory originals are anything to go by, they seem half the weight of the aftermarket twin tube gas jobs that are commonly available - I assume the extra weight comes from thicker tube walls etc.

120scruiser (NSW) replied:

I have always been a believer of OE Toyota shocks.
They are a good product but do struggle a bit with HD springs. I still have OE shocks in my Prado in the rear with medium springs and they are fine with Coilrites fitted. I do have the Bilsteins in the front.

Member - Phil G (SA) replied:

On desert trips, I often see aftermarket shocks fail. Don't often see factory Toyota shocks fail. They are Japanese made Tokico - bargain at the price.