Bilstein to Koni shock replacement

[Wbonsell]

We have Bilstein shocks on our 2010 with 27K miles. Would like to stiffen up the back end to minimize the body roll. Has anyone ever just replaced the rear shocks with Koni's. Thinking that might be better than adding a rear track bar.

Is shock replacement an easy DIY? Thanks.

[Wbonsell]

FYI....just checked the web and Brazel's has the best price on the Koni 8805-1002 shock! Good job Jon and still waiting for my son to install the plugs and plug wires to make my recent tune "come alive,

[Sudsy]

Hello;
I have the above camper. It's on a W22 Workhorse with the 8.1 Vortex.
I have a large stack of manuals and have been reading as much as I can. What I cannot seem to find out is if the inverter is part of the chassis or is it installed by the manufacturer of the coach. I can't find one but it's supposed to be there. The fellow I bought it from was 78 years old and not in good shape. He only put 8500 miles on it. He was the original owner. He sure did mess with the TVs and entertainment equipment though.

I also have a switch on the dash that I can't figure out the function of. I will post a picture later today.

Sudsy

[AKIQPilot]

Originally Posted by Sudsy

Hello;
I have the above camper. It's on a W22 Workhorse with the 8.1 Vortex.
I have a large stack of manuals and have been reading as much as I can. What I cannot seem to find out is if the inverter is part of the chassis or is it installed by the manufacturer of the coach. I can't find one but it's supposed to be there. The fellow I bought it from was 78 years old and not in good shape. He only put 8500 miles on it. He was the original owner. He sure did mess with the TVs and entertainment equipment though.

I also have a switch on the dash that I can't figure out the function of. I will post a picture later today.

Sudsy

A separate thread about your inverter and switch question may get more results. This thread is about swapping the Bilstein shocks with Konis.

To the OP. I don't think the shock swap is going to do all that much for body roll. A sway bar will be the most effective followed by Sumo Springs or something similar, IMO.

With that said, the Konis are a nice improvement in ride quality so that would be an added benefit. To really feel the benefit in ride quality you need to change all 4 though. The Bilsteins are very rough riding and harsh on imperfections in the road and bridge approaches and pavement breaks. I put Konis on our Itasca. Our Adventurer will be getting them this fall.

[mjleonard]

The previous owner of my P32 based Allegro put Koni shocks on all round, they seem to work well but solve a completely different issue to the rear track bar.

I am seriously thinking of adding a rear track bar, as the tail wag can get tiresome on longer drives.

If your shocks are working leave them be and get the rear track bar.

[G3G4G5]

Funny you should ask! I just swapped out my Bilsteins for Konis today on my W22. I also ordered my Konis from Ultra RV, quick delivery. Definitely an DIY project if you have the right tools. An impact air wrench will also help, but at a minimum the project will need a breaker bar to get the nuts off. Search YouTube for Kevin Caudill, he has done many DIYs on his W24, including the shocks.

Jon (Brazel's), if you're reading this thread, the rears have a torque number for the nuts, but the fronts did not. Just tighten?

[vettenuts]

See post 8 and 11

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f22/w24-s...ml#post2325534

[G3G4G5]

Great thx!

[Wbonsell]

Originally Posted by mjleonard

The previous owner of my P32 based Allegro put Koni shocks on all round, they seem to work well but solve a completely different issue to the rear track bar.

I am seriously thinking of adding a rear track bar, as the tail wag can get tiresome on longer drives.

If your shocks are working leave them be and get the rear track bar.

OEM shocks are working as they should, but Jon at Brazels noticed a very slow "rebound" when he took my rig out after the Ultra tune and recommended changing to the Koni's. Never have really thought the ride was harsh with the Bilsteins as long as tire pressures are spot on.

[George Schweikle]

You have your terms mixed up. Body roll can be reduced by installing an anti-sway bar (or changing to a heavier bar). Track bars reduce or eliminate side-to-side movement but don't affect body roll.

My understanding is that Bilstein shocks are actually stiffer than Koni's.

Originally Posted by Wbonsell

We have Bilstein shocks on our 2010 with 27K miles. Would like to stiffen up the back end to minimize the body roll. Has anyone ever just replaced the rear shocks with Koni's. Thinking that might be better than adding a rear track bar.

Is shock replacement an easy DIY? Thanks.

[AKIQPilot]

Originally Posted by George Schweikle

You have your terms mixed up. Body roll can be reduced by installing an anti-sway bar (or changing to a heavier bar). Track bars reduce or eliminate side-to-side movement but don't affect body roll.

My understanding is that Bilstein shocks are actually stiffer than Koni's.

I thought the Bilstein shocks were stiffer than the Koni's too. I will find out pretty soon when I bolt some on the Adventurer.

[skyking421]

Tom,
Please let us know about the difference in ride with the Koni's on the Adventurer.

[AKIQPilot]

Originally Posted by skyking421

Tom,
Please let us know about the difference in ride with the Koni's on the Adventurer.

I have the Koni FSD's on our Itasca. Swapped out the Bilsteins at around 6000 miles. The Koni's are much smoother and much less harsh on bridge expansion joints and breaks in the pavement. Definitely a smoother overall ride with the Koni's.

I will likely be spring before I put them on the Adventurer.

[skyking421]

Thanks, Tom.
Before I go for the pricey Koni's, I'm going to start a thread asking if people have direct experience comparing Monroes to Konis. Monroes are almost 1/3 the price and have some good ride reports over stock shocks.