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Adding a set of ORED front shocks

April 19, 2021, 03:31:54 pm

 I am close to adding another pair of front shocks to my ORED chassis .  The stock shocks mount  on the panhard/trailing arm brackets.
  The added set will mount to the trailing arms large bolts. A 3/4 bolt welded to the 1in trailing arm bolt head. Similar to the rear stock mount . single shear.. But it seems to work .
 The chassis bracket is a bolt on  leaf  spring mount for a ford Ranger.  The shocks are stock sizes.
 Pics next week .
 I can make up a kit if there is interest . Should be  around 200$ plus the shocks.

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Re: Adding a set of ORED front shocks

Reply #1 – April 20, 2021, 11:26:12 am

 Found a better price for stuff. The kit will be around 100$

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Re: Adding a set of ORED front shocks

Reply #2 – April 20, 2021, 11:38:09 am

Mike, I take it that your coach is NOT equipped with leaf springs? Like my ORED coach?

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Re: Adding a set of ORED front shocks

Reply #3 – April 20, 2021, 12:31:15 pm

Mine is Air .
 Send a pic of your front end to 352 4288...983

  The listed Gabriels are 89407  - 14.1 in  compressed .  with a rebound value of 652# .
 Gabriel 89440 are 15.3 in compressed with e rebound value of 1498#.  What a huge difference in rebound values .

MY eye to eye value  on the bus with no air is 13.5 in.

 So these Gabriels wont work on the ORED .  There may be a better fit available at ;  Gabriel | GasSLX® Shocks


  My Bilsteins are  12.1 compressed.      Pretty sure front and rear is the same .  I have no idea what the bounce rates are but the gas pressure is  listed at 360PSI.
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Re: Adding a set of ORED front shocks

Reply #4 – April 29, 2021, 04:24:24 pm

Pics

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Re: Adding a set of ORED front shocks

Reply #5 – April 29, 2021, 04:41:34 pm

The large double ended bolt is the trailing arm bolt with a shock mount bolt butt welded to it. Not my favorite engineering, but duplicates the OE mount for the stock shocks.
  The upper mount is a modified spring perch to accept the Billy upper end.
The retaining nut is welded to the frame side as are the spacers to facilitate install .
The bag contains the 4 frame mount bolts. Grade 10.8 with locknuts.
The final install is to mount the bracket to the frame without drilling holes in the harness and air lines.
Ratchet strap the shock, slide on axle stud, loosen until it fits the upper.

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Re: Adding a set of ORED front shocks

Reply #6 – April 29, 2021, 06:30:05 pm

Mike, I don't have any pics here. Will take some when we get the coach home mid-May.

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Re: Adding a set of ORED front shocks

Reply #7 – April 29, 2021, 09:01:48 pm

Hey Mike,
What are you working toward by doing this? Are you getting a lot of front end "float" going down the road? Body sway" I'm interested if it improves driveability.

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Re: Adding a set of ORED front shocks

Reply #8 – April 29, 2021, 11:58:33 pm

 My bus is severely under shocked. It bounces too much . The OE shocks work at a poor motion ratio and even these stiff Bilsteins allow too much wallow . The extra shocks will delay the weight transfer a little for  roll and sway, but are being added to reduce the float.  The Billys  may be too stiff and if so I will get a set of Monroes.
 I have looked at adding a sway bar but stuff gets in the way. Air tanks, steering etc.  Could be done for about 1 CB . Custom  tho.
        Simply and cheaply adding another set of  stand alone airbags would also reduce body roll as long as they dont pass air between them .( separate air fittings) .  There is room  on the trailing arms just before the axle , right above these new shock mounts.
The single ride height valve passes air between the stock bags and thus does not hinder body roll very well.
 I will post the parts sources  if they pass the stress tests. And If I like the results.

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Re: Adding a set of ORED front shocks

Reply #9 – April 30, 2021, 12:29:23 am

https://www.airforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=153279&d=1331652683

Info for Chassis Freightliner Chassis, Oshkosh, Clipper - Page 2 - Airstream Forums

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Re: Adding a set of ORED front shocks

Reply #10 – May 01, 2021, 03:54:58 pm

Done

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Re: Adding a set of ORED front shocks

Reply #11 – May 01, 2021, 05:56:11 pm

 I'd rather be lucky than smart  .  The ride is 100% improved in all ways.  Firm but not harsh with no second bounce over RR tracks .  The wind gust effect is a lot less.  Both sets of shocks measure 15.5 in stud to stud  at ride height . Full compressed with no air is about 13.7 for the new set and 13. 5 for the OE set .
 FWIW optimal air bag plate height is about 6, 3/4 in .  Full compressed is 4 in.  I think full extension is  9 ish.
 The steering damper combined with smaller  lighter tires along with adequate shock control makes it like a new bus.
 New steering box last year .
 Totally worth it  IMHO. 

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Re: Adding a set of ORED front shocks

Reply #12 – May 05, 2021, 11:58:13 pm

Like the looks and I am having the same issues you were. Could you get me the info on the kit and what shocks you actually wound up using? Besides the bounce and some sway, mine also road walks. Which steering damper did you use?

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Re: Adding a set of ORED front shocks

Reply #13 – May 06, 2021, 03:09:00 pm

NEW PAIR OF 2 REAR LEAF SPRING BRACKET KIT FOR FORD RANGER MAZDA B2300 86-11...  Upper mounts.

 Shocks ;  BILSTEIN Shocks Front F4-BE5-6078-H0 Tuthill Granning Motorhome Chassis PAIR...
 Loctitish ;Interstate Pneumatics TB750 Thread Locker - Medium Strength (Blue) 9946169153...

 Monroe  SC 2920 steering damper ;Tenneco Manufactured Monroe Steering Stabilizer SC2920 Trucks Vans and 4 x...
 I used the Safty plus install kit for the Workhorse chassis . It almost fits  . You will have to drill out the holes for the axle studs and bend the big plate about a half in.  from the tie rod . I used a portapower wedge deal between the plate and trailing arm.  Fits best on the pass side .  Drill the damper mount hole closer to the axle in the BA plate  so that the  angle is reduced .

 I made the mount bolts into studs with double nuts supporting the shock.
The Ubolts fit fine .
 
 For mounting the shocks, I butt welded the 3/4 16 GR 12 bolts to the trailing arm bolts . They don't need to be perfectly straight  and a few degrees  off  will aid their fitment .
Take the frame brackets and check for a place that results in a 13in stud to stud length. In my case it worked perfect , next to a bracket that holds the fuel fill tube .  I painted the correct spot with Chevy Orange  for reference.   
 Fit spacers to the bracket so that the shock is snug . Moving the shock away from the frame side about 1/4 in  will give decent  geometry .  I  tack welded large nuts for spacers and welded the 3/4 16 nut on the frame /blind side.

 The E bay Bilsteins are no longer made  and my email to Bilstein returned with no data other then the part number is 2011 and discontinued .  The gas pressure is 360 PSI and they are a roylal PITA to fit . Rachet strap around the ends. They are typical German Quality . Very nice .  There may be some Monroe that are stiff and easier to fit .  Eye to eye values are 12.1 and 17.5 in
  In my case the full down shock length is 13.5 in stud to stud. My bags measure just over 4in . My ride bag height is just under 7in .
  Verify that your front end look s like mine and that your shock is about 13.5 full down and near 15-16 at ride height.  If so, this stuff should work.   
 FWIW I use that blue threadlocker everywhere .

 

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Re: Adding a set of ORED front shocks

Reply #14 – May 16, 2021, 01:02:54 pm

 I've had some questions regarding the shock part #s . I use this; F4-BE5-6078-H0  Bought 3 sets on Bay.
    The number is discontinued with no update .  Last build date is 2011 .  Ibought a set this morning for 51$ shipped . Was originally over 200$.
  The extended length is  about 17.5 in
 The compressed  is about 12.1 in  .
 Fitment is 3/4  through  the eye bolt.
    Any HD truck shock that fits these measurements should fit .  If you have a choice for stiffness, get the stiffer option, IMHO.

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Re: Adding a set of ORED front shocks

Reply #15 – May 24, 2021, 12:00:20 pm

Mike, In my search for steering stabilizer parts ( I found and purchased Monroe  SC 2920 steering damper you recommended for $18.00 shipped), I couidn't find the exact bracket kit to fit my coach, After some more research, and dumb luck, I was able to locate an updated list from Safety called 2018 Update. It shows our V-917 coaches on page 14 of the list. Here is the link:
http://www.safe-t-plus.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Update-2018-STP-Motorhome-Fit-Guide-V-18.8.pdf

I ordered V-917K2 and I have received both the shock and the kit. I have had to have surgery on my left foot and ankle, and as soon as I can weight bear the foot, I will check and make sure it all fits. Right below the kit I ordered, there is listed a shimmy damper kit for the same coaches, but states it is for a unit that is air bags or leaf springs. The one I ordered is listed as air bags only. (BTW, part and shipping on the bracket kit, $90.00).
Onward and Upward!!!
John

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