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Topic: New Koni Shocks - What a difference! (Read 828 times) previous topic - next topic

New Koni Shocks - What a difference!

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.
George & Donna Ament
2002 U295 40' - 2 slide
2016 F150 - 4wd

Re: New Koni Shocks - What a difference!

Reply #1 –
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.
2001 4010 U320 build #5865 "Bluto-d-Bus" since 09/18
2006 Honda Element ESP Toad
Full timing since 2016 in Western MT
Copilot: Sitka
1975 GMC 260 Avion: sold

Re: New Koni Shocks - What a difference!

Reply #2 –
I suspect that new shocks will be the major item next year.

Re: New Koni Shocks - What a difference!

Reply #3 –
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.
George & Donna Ament
2002 U295 40' - 2 slide
2016 F150 - 4wd

Re: New Koni Shocks - What a difference!

Reply #4 –
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

Justin & Cathy Byrd
1995 U280 "Old Faithful"
36' Build #4673
C8.3 Cummins
Allison MD3060R 6 speed - retarder
Powertech 10KW  4cyl Kubota

Re: New Koni Shocks - What a difference!

Reply #5 –
Many of us have been saying the same thing for years,night and day difference.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: New Koni Shocks - What a difference!

Reply #6 –
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.
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: New Koni Shocks - What a difference!

Reply #7 –
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
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: New Koni Shocks - What a difference!

Reply #8 –
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.

Re: New Koni Shocks - What a difference!

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Tim Fiedler –
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

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.
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: New Koni Shocks - What a difference!

Reply #10 –
Agreed

Same for the power increase that comes with changing out muffler for resonator

Tim Fiedler
Gen-Pro.biz
630 240-9139
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: New Koni Shocks - What a difference!

Reply #11 –
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.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: New Koni Shocks - What a difference!

Reply #12 –
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. 
"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