Seikel (Monroe) vs Bilstein

[TassieT6]

G'Day,

I'm planning to shortly install a lift kit on my 2016 4Motion Multivan (3080).
Current choices were I am in the world (Australia) are:

1. Kings Springs with Bilstein Struts/Shock absorbers.
2. Seikel kit with Monroe Struts/Shock absorbers.

I'm sure they are both good quality and fairly similar in terms of ride.

My question is more about the longevity of the Struts/Shock absorbers and whether any anybody has had reason to replace any of these aftermarket components and if it was easy or difficult.
I am also interested to hear if anybody has had any experience in obtaining parts like this outside of core T5/T6 areas, like Africa or Asia as I plan to travel abroad at some stage.

 

[CRS Performance]

G'Day,

I'm planning to shortly install a lift kit on my 2016 4Motion Multivan (3080).
Current choices were I am in the world (Australia) are:

1. Kings Springs with Bilstein Struts/Shock absorbers.
2. Seikel kit with Monroe Struts/Shock absorbers.

I'm sure they are both good quality and fairly similar in terms of ride.

My question is more about the longevity of the Struts/Shock absorbers and whether any anybody has had reason to replace any of these aftermarket components and if it was easy or difficult.
I am also interested to hear if anybody has had any experience in obtaining parts like this outside of core T5/T6 areas, like Africa or Asia as I plan to travel abroad at some stage.

Hi there .
Many of the Seikel kits use KONI shocks which would be better than the other 2 mentions dampers . Better quality than MOnroe and more comfortable than the Bilstein . Howeveer to throw a cat in with the pidgeons have a think about another method of lifting the vehicle

I prefer to put a Lift spacer kit which is aluminium construction and fits above the rear spring and on top of the front spring . The advantages of this are as follows
1 The shock spring relationship is maintained as per original chassis ,
2 Uprated springs ( stiffer ) often push the suspension to its upper limits and the suspension tops out over bad bumps ,Hump back bridges etc .
3 If you intend to travel over land to foreign, places it will be easier to get standard size parts than special lift parts ( the spacers cant wear or break )
4 I used to recommend to my clients to carry a spare front and rear shock on board when doing trips over continents

I can send pictures of this if needed

 

[lucian_dinu]

Hi there .
Many of the Seikel kits use KONI shocks which would be better than the other 2 mentions dampers . Better quality than MOnroe and more comfortable than the Bilstein . Howeveer to throw a cat in with the pidgeons have a think about another method of lifting the vehicle

I prefer to put a Lift spacer kit which is aluminium construction and fits above the rear spring and on top of the front spring . The advantages of this are as follows
1 The shock spring relationship is maintained as per original chassis ,
2 Uprated springs ( stiffer ) often push the suspension to its upper limits and the suspension tops out over bad bumps ,Hump back bridges etc .
3 If you intend to travel over land to foreign, places it will be easier to get standard size parts than special lift parts ( the spacers cant wear or break )
4 I used to recommend to my clients to carry a spare front and rear shock on board when doing trips over continents

I can send pictures of this if needed

That’s an awesome idea and makes so much sense! But some questions pop into my mid:

- where can we get the right spacers for a 30mm lift? Any recommendations?
- is 30-35mm lift with spacers or lift kit going to void the warranty?
- any considerations to take into account regarding the weight, if bullbar & van conversion is done?

Some pictures of the spacers and van would be fantastic!

Thanks heaps!

 

[TassieT6]

I opted not to use spacers. Although they give lift they do not give additional travel, which was important for the type of driving I do. The same suspension travel criteria required the replacement of the original dampeners.
The other issue I had was that the original suspension couldn't carry the load (teenagers on the back seat) so spring replacement was necessary anyway.
In the end, I went with the Monroe version, Koni just wasn't available. The Bilsteins didn't give enough dampening.

I have fitted the full Seikel bash plate system as well. I have driven it on some fairly rough roads and I'm happy with the result.

 

[CRS Performance]

I opted not to use spacers. Although they give lift they do not give additional travel, which was important for the type of driving I do. The same suspension travel criteria required the replacement of the original dampeners.
The other issue I had was that the original suspension couldn't carry the load (teenagers on the back seat) so spring replacement was necessary anyway.
In the end, I went with the Monroe version, Koni just wasn't available. The Bilsteins didn't give enough dampening.

I have fitted the full Seikel bash plate system as well. I have driven it on some fairly rough roads and I'm happy with the result.

If travel and articulation is needed. Think about removing the anti roll bars , more unrestricted travel will increase. Grip and traction.

 

[Robert RIGG]

If travel and articulation is needed. Think about removing the anti roll bars , more unrestricted travel will increase. Grip and traction.

The best addition to our Trakkadu 2015 T5.1 TDi400 4motion was the heavy duty sway bars!


Fully agree with your comments at #2, the way we went.

For a vehicle that is only ever going to have a realistic usable maximum 280mm ground clearance how rough a roads is TassieT6 travelling on?

 

[CRS Performance]

The best addition to our Trakkadu 2015 T5.1 TDi400 4motion was the heavy duty sway bars!
View attachment 139041

Fully agree with your comments at #2, the way we went.

For a vehicle that is only ever going to have a realistic usable maximum 280mm ground clearance how rough a roads is TassieT6 travelling on?

I fully agree ARB are a good addition to a Camper convert Van , BUT for serious off road use the roll bars don't help as they limit articulation of course .
Hence my comment