KONA Shock Absorbers May 12, 2021, 12:57:42 am I put them on my stock shocked '95TK and another world opened up. Mainly because of the stark difference in the ride and the handling. That's expected with worn out shocks to that upgrade.Nevertheless these were quality shocks a few short years ago. I don't know if the company has degraded or not but I really appreciate what they did for my E-350 chassis.I'm pondering what they can do for Khaleesi. I had read back then that the Konas were like Bilsteins but less "harsh".My steering dampner was replaced also back then with a Rancho. That helped. That '95 was a nice ride.* ON EDIT... It's the "KONI" brand not Kona. 1 Likes
Re: KONA Shock Absorbers Reply #1 – May 12, 2021, 08:38:47 am I didn't see Koni FSD shocks available for the E-450 past the 2014 model year. If one is interested in installing Konis on the E-450 for later-than-2014 model years, a call to Koni would provide information on what, if anything, is available.
Re: KONA Shock Absorbers Reply #2 – May 12, 2021, 09:52:42 am Quote from: Joan - May 12, 2021, 08:38:47 amI didn't see Koni FSD shocks available for the E-450 past the 2014 model year. If one is interested in installing Konis on the E-450 for later-than-2014 model years, a call to Koni would provide information on what, if anything, is available.Yes, "Koni".I must of has coffee on my mind. 😄
Re: KONA Shock Absorbers Reply #3 – May 12, 2021, 09:58:33 am One of the first things I did after purchasing our 2007 coach in 2017 was install Koni FSD shocks. I am pleased with how they perform. FSD's for the E350/450 are listed in their RV application brochure below as fitting years from 1992 to 2021.KONI RV ApplicationsHowever, there is conflicting information as to applicable years so do take Joan's advice and call them.They do sell direct.Contact info - KONI North America | 1961 International Way | Hebron, KY 41048 | Telephone: (859) 586-4100 | Fax:(859) 334-3340Charles
Re: KONA Shock Absorbers Reply #4 – May 12, 2021, 10:27:08 am Quote from: Charles & Donna - May 12, 2021, 09:58:33 amOne of the first things I did after purchasing our 2007 coach in 2017 was install Koni FSD shocks. I am pleased with how they perform. FSD's for the E350/450 are listed in their RV application brochure below as fitting years from 1992 to 2021.KONI RV ApplicationsHowever, there is conflicting information as to applicable years so do take Joan's advice and call them.They do sell direct.Contact info - KONI North America | 1961 International Way | Hebron, KY 41048 | Telephone: (859) 586-4100 | Fax:(859) 334-3340CharlesDid you install them yourself?Any special compression needed or is it a straight forward bolt off the old and bolt on the new?
Re: KONA Shock Absorbers Reply #5 – May 12, 2021, 10:42:37 am Thanks, Charles; I've saved this link, as the Koni websites, Summit Racing, and another "authorized dealer" website that I looked at didn't list applicable shocks for 2015-2021 E-450s.
Re: KONA Shock Absorbers Reply #6 – May 12, 2021, 11:17:32 am Quote from: tedeboy - May 12, 2021, 10:27:08 amDid you install them yourself?Any special compression needed or is it a straight forward bolt off the old and bolt on the new?Yes I did install them myself along with Hellwig sway bars and a Bilstein steering damper.The FSDs are not gas-pressurized shocks so compression is not an issue. The rears were a simple remove-and-replace operation. The fronts were another story. The front of the MH must be lifted and the wheels removed to gain access to the front shock mountings. The front shock top mountings are a stud with bushings and a top nut. Access is is very restricted. There are many YouTube videos showing different methods to remove and replace the fronts. I would think that most owners would prefer to have someone else remove and replace the front shocks.Charles 1 Likes
Re: KONA Shock Absorbers Reply #7 – May 12, 2021, 11:26:28 am Quote from: Charles & Donna - May 12, 2021, 11:17:32 amYes I did install them myself along with Hellwig sway bars and a Bilstein steering damper.The FSDs are not gas-pressurized shocks so compression is not an issue. The rears were a simple remove-and-replace operation. The fronts were another story. The front of the MH must be lifted and the wheels removed to gain access to the front shock mountings. The front shock top mountings are a stud with bushings and a top nut. Access is is very restricted. There are many YouTube videos showing different methods to remove and replace the fronts. I would think that most owners would prefer to have someone else remove and replace the front shocks.CharlesHow was the difference with the upgraded sway bar? Noticeable?I know the shocks can make a huge difference.
Re: KONA Shock Absorbers Reply #8 – May 12, 2021, 12:29:09 pm Quote from: tedeboy - May 12, 2021, 11:26:28 amHow was the difference with the upgraded sway bar? Noticeable?I know the shocks can make a huge difference. I installed these upgrades together in one day so I cannot offer an individual assessment. I can tell you the factory steering damper and the front sway bar bushings were pretty worn out after 33K miles. The end result was much less wandering and swaying in crosswinds and when passing other large vehicles at speed. I would do it again. But it still a big heavy slab-sided box with an ancient and relatively simple suspension system. Charles 1 Likes
Re: KONA Shock Absorbers Reply #9 – May 12, 2021, 12:34:36 pm Quote from: Charles & Donna - May 12, 2021, 12:29:09 pmI installed these upgrades together in one day so I cannot offer an individual assessment. I can tell you the factory steering damper and the front sway bar bushings were pretty worn out after 33K miles. The end result was much less wandering and swaying in crosswinds and when passing other large vehicles at speed. I would do it again. But it still a big heavy slab-sided box with an ancient and relatively simple suspension system. CharlesTodd described the stock Ford shocks as being better than they were. My LD is a demo model so I had no choice.I still am wondering what an upgrade would do for the ride and handling. It's pretty good now but it's a little harsh considering she only has 900 miles on her. I attribute this to new parts. I prefer a smoother ride over the bumps and a tighter dampening affect as far as body sway and roll are concerned. My last LD achieved that with the Konis and Rancho steering dampener. I think at the 5 year mark when these tires need replacing I'll look into replacing the stock shocks.
Re: KONA Shock Absorbers Reply #10 – May 12, 2021, 01:12:12 pm Quote from: tedeboy - May 12, 2021, 12:34:36 pmTodd described the stock Ford shocks as being better than they were. My LD is a demo model so I had no choice.I still am wondering what an upgrade would do for the ride and handling. It's pretty good now but it's a little harsh considering she only has 900 miles on her. I attribute this to new parts. I prefer a smoother ride over the bumps and a tighter dampening affect as far as body sway and roll are concerned. My last LD achieved that with the Konis and Rancho steering dampener. I think at the 5 year mark when these tires need replacing I'll look into replacing the stock shocks.I think with yours being new before doing anything else I would let the suspension "settle" after traveling a few thousand miles and then have it aligned at a competent shop that does fleet/ambulance work. Don't know if or what changes Ford may have made in the last few years.Charles 1 Likes
Re: KONA Shock Absorbers Reply #11 – May 12, 2021, 03:13:16 pm Redlands Truck and RV in southern California does Koni shocks if you are not looking to install them yourself. A bonus is they have a campground on-site with full hookups. 2 Likes
Re: KONA Shock Absorbers Reply #12 – May 13, 2021, 01:16:35 am Quote from: Charles & Donna - May 12, 2021, 12:29:09 pmI installed these upgrades together in one day so I cannot offer an individual assessment. I can tell you the factory steering damper and the front in sway bar bushings were pretty worn out after 33K miles. At around 50,000 miles, I replaced the front and rear sway bar bushings with polyurethane, it made a noticeable difference.The stock bushings were already blown.A Bilstein stabilizer replaced the stock steering stabilizer.Larry
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