Just got back from MOT where they installed all new Koni FSD's on our 02 U295 and what a difference a day makes!
We have only had our coach a couple of months and did get in a trip to Nashville and Branson. I wish MOT could have gotten us worked in before the trip cuz it would have sure been a nicer ride with the new shocks. I was frankly a little disappointed with the ride and handling of the coach on the trip but I will have to apologize to the old girl....she just needed some new dancing shoes.
Anyway, if you are pondering making the move I highly recommend spending the bucks to do it if possible. Rides and drives pretty much like a new one now and we couldn't be happier about it.
Merry Christmas and safe travels to all.
Am glad to hear of the improvement. I bit the bullet and bought 8 Koni's from FOT...they were delivered to Quartzsite this morning, and I started the R&R right away. The rear/rears are in...what a bear getting the bolts busted loose. Am struggling with the front rears...not much wiggle room in there. Will attack again in the morning. The original shocks were toast as was predicted on the forum. Cheers.
I suspect that new shocks will be the major item next year.
After watching the MOT techs wrestle with the old ones I was sure glad I didn't try to do it myself.
If you have the right tools and some patience I'm sure it's not that big a deal.
With the GV style and no full body paint............... it's much easier to remove the fenders, replace shocks and reattach fenders.
A good impact wrench and a long extension helps a lot. ;D
Many of us have been saying the same thing for years,night and day difference.
Does everyone order their shocks through FOT? Just wondering if anyone has used this vendor:
http://www.ltbautosports.com/koni-rv-/b-14679.aspx?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5oPXj5es3wIVh8DICh3loA-WEAAYAiAAEgIRv_D_BwE
Not sure what the price difference, but shocks do make a huge difference in your ride.
Doesn't matter where you get them from if you put them on yourself and use Komi FSD (8508-1011 I believe) Common courtesy to let shop sell them to you if they are installing - we used to charge two labor rates, one if we sold parts, $25 more an hour if we installed customer supplied parts., since we made no profit on the parts, which was part of the business model. Judgement was always applied to do what was fair for botth sides and keep customer happy
After a few days of amazing at the improved FSD ride, we soon got used to it and it quickly became the new normal, erasing the memory of the pre-FSD ride quality.
Agree Tim! Since I have done a lot of my own work over the years, I would be installing most likely on our next coach when the time came.
Agreed
Same for the power increase that comes with changing out muffler for resonator
Tim Fiedler
Gen-Pro.biz
630 240-9139
I wouldn't go back to not having a resonator or the OEM shocks, but the difference wasn't that pronounced for me.
The U295 ISL400 seems to spool up faster, but it's not faster going up a hill and seeing no improvement in fuel economy.
The Koni shocks might have improved the ride, but the roads are so BAAAD I'm not sure anymore of the improvement.
But I'm not going back to the way it was.
The combo for me was the FSD Koni's AND the Michelin XZA-3+'s in the H load rating.
The increased capacity allowed us to drop 10 psi all around versus the "G" rated previously used.
97 front/87 rear lessens the sharp edge impacts on our lovely concrete block Kalifornia freeways.
Tires themselves ride better, lower pressure that matches the exact load and the FSD's made a very noticeable difference for me.