Monroe shocks?

[JimM68]

Shopping for new shocks on a budget. Chassis is a 99 F53 V10, 29000 miles, original shocks. Yes, she rides like she has no springs at all. bumpity bump.

New konis are $172...
Bilstiens are gonna be a hundred or better.

Monroe Gas Magnums are $58 each at rockauto.com

Part numbers are 557001 and 557007 for 99-thru I think 06 F53's.

Anyone use these, any comments on their ride?

[John Hilley]

I have them and am very happy with them. I also installed AirLift air bags and the combination works well for me. I also have a 1999 chassis

[LVJ58]

Jim M, do yourself a favor and spend the extra $$$ on the Koni FSD shocks, at least on the front suspension.

I replaced the OEM factory shocks on our coach with Monroe HD Gas Magnum RV Shocks which improved he ride significantly. However when I became aware of the Koni FSD shocks I replaced my monroe's with the Koni's and there was a world of difference resulting in an even more comfortable ride in the passenger area.

Before the FSD's were available on the market, I replaced my rear shocks with Koni adjustable shocks which seem to work pretty well.

If I were you, taking cost into consideration, I would replace the rear shocks with the Monroe's but definitely replace the front with Koni FSD's

Good luck with your decision,

[bill dean1]

Hi:

FYI: Have 2004 w22 with Monroe shocks, terrible ride,. unit only had 300 miles on it and WH agreed to replace, service center in Coburg, Oregon told me not to waste time and I upgraded to Bilstein shocks on front and back. tremendous difference.

[DriVer]

I wore out a set Monroe RV Magnum in 30,000 miles so consider a better shock now and save yourself the trouble of changing them later. The Koni FSD is an excellent choice!

[Wizard]

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Hilley I have them and am very happy with them. I also installed AirLift air bags and the combination works well for me. I also have a 1999 chassis

John, please tell me more about the Air Lift bags. Are they on front, rear or both. How are they mounted if on the front. Do you have any pictures or know where i can view. I've been thinking about adding a Kelderman system but that may be much cheaper.

I've already added Koni's and they didn't seem to help much.

[John Hilley]

[QUOTE=Wizard;624483]John, please tell me more about the Air Lift bags. Are they on front, rear or both. How are they mounted if on the front. Do you have any pictures or know where i can view. I've been thinking about adding a Kelderman system but that may be much cheaper. Here is a link

AirLift air bags

Here is a link to the f53 specific parts

I payed a lot less than the price on the AirLift WEB site at Camping World.

Camping World AirLift kit

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wizard I've already added Koni's and they didn't seem to help much.

Mor-Ryde makes an excellent suspension upgrade for the Ford Chassis. Perhaps you should call them and find out. One of our members and our founder Bill, had a Ford and he went with the Mor-Ryde and they reported it made a big difference.

[hdossett]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimM68 . Monroe Gas Magnums are $58 each at rockauto.com Part numbers are 557001 and 557007 for 99-thru I think 06 F53's.

I just ordered the 557001 & 557007, 2x, from ::-- wUnder Car Parts --:: for about $246, but they had free shipping ('bout $32 @ Rock).

Installed them myself, not fun, but not that bad!

I had one front that had totally blown out! About 3" of free play! Heard it "klunking" on last outing. The other front had no spring in it's step any more! Rears looked pretty good still.

We live on a "Primitive Road, not regularly maintained by the county" according to the sign, and they mean it!

I know the "feel" of the ride is a pretty subjective thing, and I went from blown out shocks to new ones, but I, and more importantly my SO, was very happy with the results! Drove to Laughlin,NV for a test drive, but was amazed before we got to the highway. Getting ready for the Big AK Trip, just glad to have the new shocks!

Note to self: Laughlin may not be the best place to go for a test drive!

[RUNDLC]

I just installed 6 monroes today along with ride rite rear bags, I will give a report when I hit the road next week. I plan on running around 50-70lbs in the helpers. I am hoping to have a pretty good ride.

I had the front leaf springs re-arched about 6 months ago, so with the addition of new monroes it should be a good ride.

34.5' tag f53

Side note, I had the monroes installed purely on cost, money is tight and IMHO thought I needed to replace them right now. I pray I get 20K miles out of them.

[pkunk1]

I put new Monroe RV Magnum's on mine last year and felt a noticable difference in ride quality. I already had air lifts on the rear to equalize some of the weight forward, which really helps. Sans water I'll run 45psi and with 1/2 a tank run 'em up to 60psi. All my batteries are right behind the front bumper and I'm still 1000 lbs light on the front. Most of the F53's I've had knowledge of are really light up front which translates to harsh spring action.

[RUNDLC]

Well I just returned from a short 5 day trip to Marina Ca. After installing the Monroe's I did notice a big difference in ride quality. With the addition of the ride-rite bags and new shocks she actually rode really nice, not DP nice but nice.

Now some things will never change and I know this, it's still an f53! It does not and will not ride like a DP, I accept this for now. Even my wife told me during the trip how much of an improvement was made.

Adding the trans-command, bags & shocks for this trip made it at least enjoyable. As I said in an earlier post I added the Monroe's purely on price point, I got my monies worth and when the time comes for the next owner to replace them I will give my opinion to them, if they last for 30k miles then that will be a plus, the darn thing only has 35k miles on it so at this rate they should last for awhile.

If money is tight get the Monroe's

JMHO

[YO-Vista, Ca]

Hi, seems most of us with the f53 chassis have the same issue. My rig came with the Monroes on them, tried Belstiens better finally went to Koni's BEST. Put them on myself. here is where I purchased mine from, great prices at the time and free shipping when I did this a couple of years ago. Currently about 4000 miles into a 8-10000mile trip, have had some rough roads but the rig rode nice.
http://www.shox.com/home

Ed

[Topflite51]

I have a '97 chassis, I replaced 1 y.o. RVMagnums with FSD's in the front (not made for rear). In hindsight, I wasted my money. They may offer a significant and justifiable improvement for old and worn out shocks, but not for relatively new shocks in my opinion. The price I paid for the FSD's would have paid for front air bags, which is what I am considering now. It has been suggested that MorRydes are the answer, but that is just a little to pricey for me. It has also been suggested that RV Mag's wear out faster, that might be, but then on the otherhand they are approximately 1/3 the cost of Koni FSD's. If you can get 30K out of them each time, then probably by the time you have used up your 3 sets of Magnum's, you will probably have finsihed with that particular RV anyway. Whatever shock you choose, I believe in the long run you will be adding something else in addition in the front end for better control and comfort. Some will definitely stop with FSD's and consider that is the best it will be, and others will continue on spending money like it grows on trees. I believe, as does my wife, that am in that latter group.