KONI Adjustable Shock Inserts for 02-03 (maybe even 03-08?) - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

manaburrn · 10-23-2007, 03:58 PM

Okay, guys, I got together with the KONI Engineers in the Netherlands, and they sent me the drwings of the European strut inserts (hack up OEM strut, insert KONI). What someone needs to do now is precisely measure the OEM struts to see if these babies will fit our US Camries.

Measurements like this need to be taken in mm:
Maximum total length (normal state)
Minimum length (fully compressed)
Diameter of body (e.g. everything but the rod)
Length of body
Diameter of rod at each step
Length of each rod step
Thread size and pitch

Honestly, the thought of taking my struts off and apart again makes me want to vomit, so if anyone would like to volunteer, please by all means. I'll post the above measurements of the KONI inserts later on tonight when I get home.

Also, as far as I know, 02-03 Camrys have different struts that 04-06, and I have no idea about 07-08, but I'm pretty sure they use the same springs as the 04-06. For all I know, the only difference is the spring seats, and if that is the case, you guys may very well be able to use these inserts also.

Netforcer · 10-23-2007, 04:06 PM

Why can't koni make their own shocks? are european specs different from us spec?

njerald · 10-23-2007, 04:17 PM

If Koni was interested in the future sales, they could buy a front and rear strut for their own examination.

manaburrn · 10-23-2007, 05:09 PM

Wow, you guys are so helpful.

JustAnotherAsian · 10-23-2007, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by njerald

If Koni was interested in the future sales, they could buy a front and rear strut for their own examination.

suspension components can't be done without sacrifice- usually in form of an interested customer willing to give up his/her car for about a week so that manufacturers can do their r&d.

i would be concerned if koni wasn't going the extra length to make sure it fits usdm gen5 camrys by not requesting these measurements. apparantly, someone in the uk already gave up their camry for a week for koni to produce the shocks- koni just wants some measurements to make sure usdm gen5 shocks are identical to the uk counterparts.

johnnyzee · 10-23-2007, 06:11 PM

an IDEA, a good one...

Buy a new stock strut from an auto parts store that allows returns with receipt (should be the majority of stores). here in canada we have canadian tire and partssource. Yankees got Autozone.

So, "Get in the zone", "Autozone", hook one up, measure it out, tell them you didn't need it and done deal.

good idea? why take your struts apart?

TRD VVTi · 10-23-2007, 09:07 PM

We have guys here that work at dealers and parts stores.

Can anybody check the different years?

That's a lot easier than taking a car apart.

manaburrn · 10-24-2007, 02:58 AM

8610-1421SPORT (Front Insert, externally adjustable)

Maximum total length (normal state): 608mm
Minimum length (fully compressed): 425mm
Diameter of body (e.g. everything but the rod): 43mm?, 38.75mm? (stepped @ 225mm from bottom)
Length of body: 359mm
Diameter of rod at each step: 14.85mm, 20mm?, 21.75mm
Length of each rod step: 38mm, 4.5mm, 206.5mm
Thread size and pitch: M14X1.5

-----------------------------------------------------------

86-2639SPORT (Rear Insert)

Maximum total length (normal state): 674mm
Minimum length (fully compressed): 461mm
Diameter of body (e.g. everything but the rod): 44mm?
Length of body: 404mm
Diameter of rod at each step: 14.85mm, 20mm?, 21.75mm
Length of each rod step: 38mm, 5mm, 227mm
Thread size and pitch: M14X1.5

manaburrn · 10-24-2007, 03:09 AM

Now, the important measurements are the max length and the body diameter, because they won't work if they are too long or won't fit inside the body of the OEM strut.

Also, if you do make any measurements, please tell us EXACTLY what you are measuring (e.g. OEM, OEM Replacement, Aftermarket), because KONI's site says explicitly "for original struts only". What I don't want to happen is for someone to go measure a KYB or Monroe and it turns out that the body is a different diameter than the OEMs or something like that.

JustAnotherAsian · 10-24-2007, 03:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRD VVTi

We have guys here that work at dealers and parts stores.

Can anybody check the different years?

That's a lot easier than taking a car apart.

bingo.

bump.

Gellenole · 10-24-2007, 08:34 PM

corcamry is affiliated I believe, if anyone, he can provide that info!

Gibson99 · 04-03-2009, 02:37 PM

old thread from the dead... did anything come of this?

JustAnotherAsian · 04-06-2009, 03:30 PM

^i second. my rears are blown, and the only decent option out there is oem/kyb.

***CharmCityES*** · 04-06-2009, 03:33 PM

i had the KYBs and they were OK...not great but OK
i had a front strut blow out within 2 months of install, and i had to get a new one sent out to me...
from now on i will only use oem's unless someone like koni would actually make something for our cars

Gellenole · 04-06-2009, 09:54 PM

I gave up -- i'm getting coils -- on snap! I said coils!!!

anyway, i purchased a set of BC racing coils, from what I heard, they are the closest to teins as you're going to get -- spring rates are almost the same and I've heard nothing but raves with them. plus they come with an external reservoir.

other words, give up on a good set of shocks -- they'll never come. get coilovers and adjust ride height and your dampening, best to just spend a bit more and get what you need/want.