Koni or RoadKing Shocks

historyljc · 04-05-2008, 08:10 PM

Does anyone have any experience with upgrading to Koni or RoadKing shocks on the XC chassis?

historyljc · 04-05-2008, 08:10 PM

Does anyone have any experience with upgrading to Koni or RoadKing shocks on the XC chassis?

RedT · 04-06-2008, 03:55 AM

I recently replaced the OEM shocks on my '04 Meridian ('03 XC chassis) with Koni shocks. Not a problem if you don't mind crawling around under the coach. It's a workout, though. The upper bolts on the front shocks (approx 5 inches long) were installed bact to front, so on removal, the head of the bold contacted the stabalizing jack system - had to cut the top bolts. New bolts were installed front to back, no problem.

In addition to the Koni shocks, I installed the Motion Control Units, and now the coach rides like I always wanted it to!!

If you are handy with wrenches and don't mind crawling around under the coach, you can save a bit by doing it yourself, plus have the satisfaction of the job done right.

historyljc · 04-06-2008, 02:49 PM

Red,

Thanks for comments.

If I decide to change the shocks, I'd better let someone that owns a wrench do it. With all the blood thinners the heart doc has me on, I can scrape a hand and bleed just putting it in my pants pocket.

My efforts to get mine to ride and drive well have produced some fairly good results. I had the Motion Control Units installed at the Rally in Perry. They worked wonders by themselves. Freightliner Gaffney aligned the coach and adjusted my Safety T Plus. It drove considerably better but I'm still not satisfied that it is what it can be. I had weighed and dropped the tire pressure down considerably to what is recommended by Michelin for our load. DW must be packing light. I'm 1000 lbs under max (980 lbs on the front) on each axle. I leave for a local club rally in Mississippi on Tuesday. We'll see how it rides with the lower air pressure. I was going to spring for the RoadKings in Perry also, but Henderson didn't the bring the right ones to fit my coach. They are not cheap by any stretch of the imagination. It sounds like the Konis will do the job and be easier on the purse.

historyljc · 05-30-2008, 07:04 AM

The Konis are in. My new tires for the rear (Michelin 445/50R22.5 X-One XRV) should be in anytime. I'll be able to get them on before we leave on our next trip on the 10th. Looking forward to seeing how the new combination works.

Jestme13 · 09-30-2008, 01:50 PM

Rotts, why are you getting rid of them ?

rotts4u · 10-01-2008, 08:50 AM

I am going with another brand that I prefer on my coach. Some people like the FSD but for me on my lighter 36' coach they were quite harsh over rough interstates and expansion strips.

Tagalong · 10-01-2008, 06:02 PM

I recently installed KONI FSD shocks on our Journey and the handling is much improved. Riding over expansion joints are still a jarring experince. The new Koni's did "soften" the ride a tiny bit. Next summer we are replacing the tires on the coach and I plan to go to the Michelin 255/80R 22.5 XZE tires. The OEM tires are 235/80R 22.5. I hope the larger tire will improve a rough/hard hitting ride.
Tagalong

Jestme13 · 10-02-2008, 06:19 AM

Rotts, I have heard alot about the koni's giving a harsh ride. I to have the 36' XC chassis, so I think they would not be to good for me either. I don't think my chassis is all that bad on the road, I added the motion control valves and love them. People must remember these are really modified truck chassis' and not luxo car chassis'.

historyljc · 10-04-2008, 04:26 PM

Final Report:

With the Koni shocks & Super Steer MCUs installed, Michelin 445/50R22.5 LRL X One® XRV® Super Singles on the rear and, because of a blow-out, new Michelin 275/80R22.5 LRH XZA3® on the front, all balanced with Equal, I have, an unbelievably smooth riding and quiet coach.

My only question is why wasn't it that way off the lot?

smlranger · 10-05-2008, 09:18 AM

We've been satisfied with the Koni FSD's, certainly less harsh than the Bilsteins I removed. As noted, the MCU's made the most impressive improvement in overall handling. However, nearing completion of another 5,000+ mile trip in the western US on some fairly rough roads, I still think these things are really finely-tuned garbage trucks with toilets and a color TV !! As Steve noted, this is surely a truck chassis.

historyljc · 10-06-2008, 05:54 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I still think these things are really finely-tuned garbage trucks </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I wonder how they would ride and handle going down the interstates at speeds up to 85 mph? Sometimes we just have to slow down. I think we need to hang Congress for wasting our money and not fixing our roads. There just is no excuse for the shape some of them are in.

riggarob · 10-09-2008, 07:09 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I wonder how they would ride and handle going down the interstates at speeds up to 85 mph? Sometimes we just have to slow down. I think we need to hang Congress for wasting our money and not fixing our roads. There just is no excuse for the shape some of them are in. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

What kills me is that we all pay road taxes for the interstates, to be in drivable condition, and in every state their conditions vary, by the amount of corruption w/the politicians.(check out I-95 in NC, and we can't even mention NYC !!) Aren't ALL interstates supposed to be the same condition ? (and I don't mean ALL in bad condition) Robbie