FYI: New Koni Shock for Western Alpine

[wolfe10]

Installed the new Konis (99's in front, 88FSD's in back) on our coach last week-- will be hitting the road next week and will report.

Getting too old to do this without air tools-- 200 ft-lbs on all mounting bolts. But, I did have excellent supervision from the DW-- made all the difference.

Brett
2003 Alpine 38'

[Rich and Cork]

Why 200 ft lbs? The nut only has to stay on the bolt.

[wolfe10]

Originally Posted by Rich and Cork

Why 200 ft lbs? The nut only has to stay on the bolt.

Proper torque for 3/4" bolt (1 1/8" head). Also was the OE torque.

[Rich and Cork]

Well, installed them today. The compression on the old Koni ' s was pretty low. Looking forward to a road test. I would guess the rears are shot also.

[hartk1]

Anybody know what model of Konis for a 1999 36 sds?

[wolfe10]

Originally Posted by hartk1

Anybody know what model of Konis for a 1999 36 sds?

Justin McCoy is head of Koni, North America for RV's.

Give him a call and ask: 800 922-2616 ext 314.

[EngineerMike]

I got 99's on the front at the Quartzsite Desert Rat Rally, fitted by Redlands Truck & RV. My FSD's were porpoising nicely after ~14,000.

99's killed the porpoise (sorry Flipper). I stayed in the right lane coming home northbound on I-5 in the Central Valley. The sectiuon from Buttonwillow (west of Bakersfield) to maybe 40 miles north of Kettleman City is broken up nicely and even trucks (which are not supposed to) get into the left lane to keep from beating their chassis to death. My driver's side electric black shade dropped loose on one side, and it was not a comfortable ride. But there was no porpoise action, 99's took the dips w/out rebound and quieted some of the chatter.

Real test will be longevity. the front FSD's died w/regularity, as did the Bilsteins. The 99's are obviously heavier, thicker piston rod, larger piston. They are about $100 more each than the FSDs, and $200 ea less than Kings. I'm hoping for long life.

[wolfe10]

OK results of first road test on the new 99 series Koni front shocks:

Just made a quick trip across all of Texas, New Mexico and most of Arizona. Quite a lot on I 10, but old U.S. 90 from San Antonio to Van Horn. So a good mix of the good, the bad and the ugly, two lane and 4.

OK, they WORK-- no increase in ride harshness, but excellent control over the big dips.

And the thing I like is that with piston area almost exactly TWICE that of the standard 88 series shocks, these should last a long time. Said another way, they are way under-stressed in offering the same dampening as the 88 series.

Brett
2003 Alpine 38'

[Rich and Cork]

I have put about 300 miles on the new shocks and I really like how well they are working. The front end is well controlled. Recommend purchasing. Now the decision to replace the rears also.

[ralph0808]

My 05 is like riding Flipper when driving on interstate. DW says get the shocks replaced no matter what!! I think they are the original shocks worn out long ago! The Koni's are expensive, how do the Bilstein's compare in price and quality?


Ralph

[Rich and Cork]

Originally Posted by ralph0808

My 05 is like riding Flipper when driving on interstate. DW says get the shocks replaced no matter what!! I think they are the original shocks worn out long ago! The Koni's are expensive, how do the Bilstein's compare in price and quality?


Ralph

Get the Koni's. You will not regret. The original's were Bilstine's and the first gen Koni's were better than those.

[Jeff and Cheryl]

Get the Koni's.

[ralph0808]

I have tried to contact Koni from website # but no one answers. Does anyone have a working phone #??


Ralph

[Old Scout]

Just enter the Alpine chassis in the website Koni selection menu.....