Carl Nall

I need to replace OEM Boge rear shocks and found a pair of new old stock adjustable Konis #80-2649's, hydraulic, not gas shocks. The normal Koni for my car would be the gas 26-1209's which, I assume, superceded the hydraulics. Is anyone familiar with the Koni hydraulics and if so, are the old hydraulics comparable in ride and performance characteristics to gas shocks? Would they improve/enhance handling over the OEM Boges? TIA

Jason @ Paragon Products

80-2649 is a current rear shock for some European Fords (Escort and Orion). If possible, you might recheck the part number as 80-2349 which is an old 924/944 rear that is still used in Europe as an alternative to the 26-1209 Sport. The 80-2349 Sport was discontinued several years ago for the US market and has not been imported since at least 1997.

Carl Nall

Thanks, Jason. You're absolutely right, as usual. The shocks are 80-2349's which I wanted to use with Koni 8641-1038's in front. Do you see any reason why I should forego the use of this old design shock and use the 26-1209S instead? Presumably, the gas sport shock will be 15-20% stiffer? Also, do you know why the Europeans still use the hydraulic shock as an alternative? Thanks, again. BTW, how's the weather in my old hometown? (Carroll'63)

Jason @ Paragon Products

Carl, if you have the red 8641-1038 units in the front...and the 80-2349's are $free and in good condition, I can't think of any reason not to use them. The 26-1209 Sport unit will be stiffer no doubt. Put them on and see what you think. Now if they're not free, I'd compare costs and consider that the new unit will also come with a warranty.

As to the hydraulic/gas thing, Europeans tend to be less hung up with with the gas is best mentality so you'll see a lot of hydraulic applications in the European Koni catalog. A good hydraulic shock is still a very good shock.

Weather in Corpus Christi...muggy, we just turned on the AC! I think we have a cold front coming in on Saturday night so I'm sure it'll be a bone chilling 60 or so ;-)

Skip

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by Jason @ Paragon Products:
<strong>Weather in Corpus Christi...muggy, we just turned on the AC! I think we have a cold front coming in on Saturday night so I'm sure it'll be a bone chilling 60 or so ;-)</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">There's one in every crowd, isn't there.

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