2005 Freightliner DP SHOCK RECOMMENDATOIN
Time to replace the OEM shocks; Bilsteins or Koni's?
Forum Discussion
I never really did a review, but I've been reading posts on this forum and another for ten years. I've found from my reading and my personal experience that the most were happier with the Bilsteins on gassers and the Koni FSD's on the DP's.
I replaced the shocks on my Dutch Star (2014 Freightliner XCR tag axle chassis with IFS) with Koni FSD's, but they were not available for the front, only the Koni Adjustables. I was pleased with the rears, but still didn't like the performance on the front. I also changed my tag shocks which there was no listing. I called Koni and they said they needed the measurements of the OEM Sachs tag shock. After measuring and conferring with Koni, the tag used the same as the rear shock (8055-1022).
Several months ago, I decided to pop for some Road Kings for the front of my coach. I called Road King and they said they install them all the time on the Freightliner IFS chassis and they work great, yet they didn't have a listing and needed me to give them shock measurements. I decided to try them and gave them the measurements. The shocks arrived and were too short, and didn't match the measurements (length I gave them). I called the salesman and he acted like he would lose his job if I returned them and he lost the sale. This went on for several days, even after talking to a supervisor. I was just about to dispute the charge when they finally agreed to take the WRONG shocks back. Then it took another ten days to get my refund.
I've talked to Koni and asked about FSD's for IFS. They have no intention on making them, at least not now. The problem is, the IFS front ends don't have enough room or travel to fit an FSD. Recently though, they've come out with a new shock called the Evo that will fit the IFS front end. It's using a larger diameter shaft. I have a set arriving next week for the front, but probably won't drive the coach for a few weeks after that.
I replaced the shocks on my Dutch Star (2014 Freightliner XCR tag axle chassis with IFS) with Koni FSD's, but they were not available for the front, only the Koni Adjustables. I was pleased with the rears, but still didn't like the performance on the front. I also changed my tag shocks which there was no listing. I called Koni and they said they needed the measurements of the OEM Sachs tag shock. After measuring and conferring with Koni, the tag used the same as the rear shock (8055-1022).
Several months ago, I decided to pop for some Road Kings for the front of my coach. I called Road King and they said they install them all the time on the Freightliner IFS chassis and they work great, yet they didn't have a listing and needed me to give them shock measurements. I decided to try them and gave them the measurements. The shocks arrived and were too short, and didn't match the measurements (length I gave them). I called the salesman and he acted like he would lose his job if I returned them and he lost the sale. This went on for several days, even after talking to a supervisor. I was just about to dispute the charge when they finally agreed to take the WRONG shocks back. Then it took another ten days to get my refund.
I've talked to Koni and asked about FSD's for IFS. They have no intention on making them, at least not now. The problem is, the IFS front ends don't have enough room or travel to fit an FSD. Recently though, they've come out with a new shock called the Evo that will fit the IFS front end. It's using a larger diameter shaft. I have a set arriving next week for the front, but probably won't drive the coach for a few weeks after that.
