shocks

[TheDubs]

How difficult is it to change the shocks on a mh? I have a 82 winnie brave 22 ft. never done shocks before but am pretty handy. Any kind of shocks you guys would suggest? Is it a pretty big project?

Justin

[whem2fish]

it wont be that hard basicly 2 bolts on each shock not sure on your weight im around 16,000 lbs i didnt have to jack up rv on brand every one has thier opinion i was on a budget so around $50 each is what i spent.
job can be done i 4 hours drinking coffee and goofing off. worst part i shocks are gas pressurised so the want to expand so watch wher your fingers are. you can do it. bilsteens are koni is what people will tell you
i didnt have that much keep us informed
dave

[JimElliott]

On the front end of my 83 Itasca I run "KYB gas adjust" and they are VERY smooth and on the back are those teeth jarring "Bills"....
When a number can be found the rear shocks will be replaced....

Jim

[TheDubs]

What about the steering dampner how hard is that to replace?

[whem2fish]

jim you are the man i follow your responces in vintage. anyway i see your coach is 33 ft on a workhorse or p-32 if p-32 i can help on rear as i had a cross refrence #
dave

[soberjoe]

I went to a heavy truck shop and they changed my shocks for $20 bucks each. Seemed to be a cheap price to have it done in less then an hour and no damage done to the coach or me.

[TheDubs]

Well im going to try and find the shocks and damper today, and do the install once the auto stores open up. I'll keep you posted, thanks for the help

Justin

[speed racer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by whem2fish jim you are the man i follow your responces in vintage. anyway i see your coach is 33 ft on a workhorse or p-32 if p-32 i can help on rear as i had a cross refrence # dave

The first Workhorse chassis came along in about 1999 or 2000 pryer to that it was the GM p30 chassis.

[Nutmeg]

Changed mine on a 97 P-30. Used Bilsteins that I got from Local Autozone which I found had the best price. Only difficulty I had, was that I used ramps to get the front end up and the new shocks, being gas charged, were longer than the hole to hole distance with the front end on the ramps, so I had to jack up the frame to install. Used my 1/2 impact gun to remove would suggest using Kano or PB Blaster the day before to allow good soak before removal. Replaced the front stabilizer at the same time, Bilstein same source. No problems. FYI my ramps are 2x10's made up on their flats, jack is 20 ton, jack stands are 12 ton. Be safe.

[whem2fish]

what i thought on workhorse i guess i missed something i thought jims sig. said workhorse ill pm him
dave

[DriVer]

This is what is available as information as to when Workhorse Custom Chassis began making chassis in Union City.

On these chassis the VIN# would have shown an "X" as the 10th digit. The VIN# would have also began with "5B4."

1999
P Series
12,300–16,500
7.4L Vortec
454 CID
290 horsepower @ 4000 rpm
410 ft-lb torque @ 3200 rpm
GM 4L80E 4 Speed

1999
(optional)
P Series
12,300–16,500
6.5L Turbo Diesel
190 horsepower @ 3400 rpm

385 ft-lb torque @ 1700 rpm
GM 4L80E 4 Speed

You can see as far back as 1999 Workhorse was the FIRST RV Chassis to bring to market a Front Engine Diesel! Now in 2009 we're seeing it come back again and although it would seem to have been out paced by the FCCC's FRED, WCC has been there and done that 1st and before!

[JimElliott]

Quote:

Originally Posted by whem2fish what i thought on workhorse i guess i missed something i thought jims sig. said workhorse ill pm him dave

Dave, Something changed on my sig for whatever reason but indeed my rig is a P-30 (83 Itasca)

The "Bill's" on the rear are very pogo stick like on certain sections on the I-10 while the front shocks (KYB gas adjust) or smooth, Air bags on all 4 corners are generally setup between 50-60 PSI and can be increased/decreased by the driver (me) while rolling along.

Tires are 225-70-19.5 (Goodyear) and I run the pressures between 85-90 PSI with the max pressure being 95 PSI.....

Would still like to know why I lost my "Vintage sig" but it ain't no big deal.

Jim

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimElliott Dave, Something changed on my sig for whatever reason but indeed my rig is a P-30 (83 Itasca)

JimElliott, Simply as an FYI The only chassis that GM made for motorhome use has always been a P32. GM I believe did make a P30 Commercial Chassis and from what I have been told the steering column is closer to the left side wall on these vehicles due to seat placement, sliding doors etc. on the commercial bodies.

If you look in the VIN# chart, the 6th digit, "5" identifies all P series as a P32. This was carried over from GM when Andrew Taitz bought the business.

Workhorse has never brought to market a vehicle labeled P30. There have been only 2 WCC RV front engine chassis configurations, the P series and the W series. The numbers were added for marketing purposes.

[JimElliott]

Thank you Driver for that information...

Jim