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Topic: Quad front shock interest?  (Read 569 times) previous topic - next topic

Quad front shock interest?

 If I am going to keep my Oshkosh chassis FT, I will have to like driving it. It needs more front shock.  I am looking to increase  the motion ratio  of the shock to wheel closer to 1/1  .
 My plan is to make a bolt on to the end of the axle shock mount, and  a weld on upper mount, above and clear of the air bag.
 The OE Billys are fresh but the design lacks control.  They will stay  .
 I use Bilsteins in every thing that I drive and will add 2 new Bilsteins.
 If anyone could take the time to send me a pic of the Unihome  front suspension. That would tell me if the problem is Just the Oshkosh or  covers all of the busses. Thanks,MM

 Huge sway bar to follow.

Re: Quad front shock interest?

Reply #1 –
 I could duplicate this for cost  plus 10% . 

Re: Quad front shock interest?

Reply #2 –
Yes the Oshkosh 917 250 cat was undershocked.

Those same years the 300 ored with its 10r tires was overshocked.

So I switched them.  Both fixed.

Someone showed a Gabriel?  For the ored.

Not sure if they were different for the 250 vs the 300 but they are cheap and may have been oem?

Cheap to test. 
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Quad front shock interest?

Reply #3 –
Great idea to get closer to a 1:1 dampner to wheel movement. Heck add some rocker arms to translate the vertical impact to longitudinal movement. I'm thinking nitrogen charged Bilstein's can be mounted horizontally. Even better counter act the air springs uplift by a compressing the dampner downwards with a rocker arm. I like the way you think, rules of thumb are great if are only designing thumbs.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: Quad front shock interest?

Reply #4 –
The bump steer of the trailing arm front suspension was lessened by stiffer dampening.

Drop the air.  Watch the steering wheel unwind then rewind when the air comes back.

Lots of small movements result in steering wander.

Coach needs to come back to exact ride height every time. 

Dump and measure bumper height three times.

If you are serious and want this as good as possible then the spicer 710 steering box internal spool needs centering.

Three hour shop removal and bench centering and reinstall then reattach the Pittman arm.

Symptom of off center was that the coach would take a run for the edge of the road for no reason.

Every chassis in the biz had the same issue.

Chassis manual said to remove the box after 400 miles and center the spool.

Stiff shocks helped the bump steer.

Smooth ground.  Same ride height always makes these less tiring to drive.

Unihomes steering box location almost eliminated the bump steer.

My 97 has the box moved out more to eliminate any bump steer as did all the models afterwards.

King pin angle went to near zero down in the suspension travel.





"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Quad front shock interest?

Reply #5 –
Additionally look in to sumo shocks. I had put them on my previous FT (94/U225) made such difference.
Former 2003 GV U295 (6230) (2015 - 2025)
Former 94 GV U225 (2013-2016)
 

Re: Quad front shock interest?

Reply #6 –
The extra set of Bilsteins will mount right inside the king pin on the lower point  and just above the air bag on the top point.
 The upper mounts will be weld on to the air bag bracket  , the lower will clamp to the axle. 
  The motion ratio should be about 95% .  If there is any interest I will make a few kits.