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tpi's avatar
tpi
Explorer
Jun 25, 2015

Koni FSD first impressions E450

Short drive today 40 miles speeds up to 70 MPH. Tires should have heated well with temps pushing 90 degrees. 24' 11,300 lb E450 class C. Compared with stock Ford shocks.

1. Ride is very good. I think the shocks do help some with impact harshness-but more on that later. I would not call it overdamped (too much shock absorber) on my E450 in any way. In no way is the ride inferior to the stock Ford shocks.

2. Driveway rocking seems to be better damped. There is still a little rock but fewer repetitions.

3. Damping control. Definitely improvement. Seems to have more compression damping than the stock Ford. Less floaty at speeds up to 70 MPH-perhaps not floaty at all. Much less bounding (shock loses control high speed bumps). Does not yell "underdamped" like the stock Ford shocks at high speed. Pushed through two fairly brisk 60 MPH corners without red flags.

Summary- These dampers seem to accomplish what they advertise. Very possibly less ride harshness with better control. Can't emphasize enough the ride is comfy-you're not giving up anything here from going from stock Ford shock. First impressions very positive.

Disclaimer: It is still a box truck. There's only so much shock can do. It is noticeable improvement but whether it is worth the $ will be in the eye of the beholder. Some impressions will take longer to form and I will post them later. Long trips when tires heat up and ride tends to get more harsh. Broken concrete freeways which can cause porpoising in some RVs. Control on high speed curving roads. Shocks may change characteristics slightly as they break in.
Class C
  • ron_dittmer's avatar
    ron_dittmer
    Explorer II
    Aug 04, 2015
    Great followup tpi. Thanks for that one.

    pnichols, I am glad you were able to get tangible relief with the FSDs in the rear of your light-load E450. Even our E350 24 footer can feel the expansion joints some. I will always wonder if FSDs would help, but I already have money tied up in the Koni adjustable shocks. I wished the FSDs were available back in 2007 for the E350/E450. I can't justify the expense at this time.
  • pnichols's avatar
    pnichols
    Explorer II
    Aug 04, 2015
    Last Thursday we completed a 1991 mile journey through Nevada and Utah to Wyoming and back to Central California.

    Before the trip I had FSD shocks installed in only the rear and I have to agree with tpi, above. Even though our Class C is only 24 feet long, I could still feel improved and very solid side-to-side sway control over what the stock Ford shocks provided. However, the main reason for the FSD shocks in the rear was to tame the pounding from highway cracks and expansion joints being transferred through by the stiff Ford OEM shocks. The high frequency mode of the FSD shocks in the rear definitely "rounded off" the jolting and were well worth if for us. The DW noticed the improved ride, too.

    FWIW, we have a worse case situation ... light Class C, E450 heavy duty chassis, and 65lb./80lb. front/rear Load Range E tire pressures. Probably next year some time I'll have FSD shocks installed in the front.
  • Oldme's avatar
    Oldme
    Explorer
    Aug 04, 2015
    Sounds like a winner in every respect.
    Thanks for giving us a followup.

    I like a suspension that works like it should and these seem to fill the bill.
  • tpi's avatar
    tpi
    Explorer
    Aug 03, 2015
    Longer trip this week on the FSDs. One thing for sure.. the control of these shocks is night and day better than the low mileage stock Ford shocks. Without damaging the ride. Five stars!

    I feel good about the handling at this point..Far higher percentage actual pleasurable driving than when new. Tracks through corners with less (or no) correction, less rock and roll, easier to locate vehicle on road, better damping control.

    If I was doing it over, I'd do my mods in this order:

    1. Tire pressure to weight. No excess pressure in front tires.
    2. Alignment-towards max positive caster
    3. Shocks-IMO Ford shocks inadequate even on small class C motorhomes like mine. FSD doesn't hurt ride
    4, Heavier than stock E450 sway bars front and rear. Notable improvement.
    5. Rear track bar-have it, perhaps the one accessory I didn't notice immediate improvement. It would be interesting to have it on and off right now and see what difference is.
  • tpi's avatar
    tpi
    Explorer
    Jun 30, 2015
    Another short drive in motorhome today.

    1. Big deal here vs. Ford shocks is control. The level of control seems perfect. Less spring oscillations and the resulting floaty floppy ride.

    2. Because damping control is better, to me handling seems better. Because the rig tracks though corners without as much bobbing, it feels better connected to road. To me it gives more confident cornering, although this input may be interpreted differently by each driver. I think by result some of the roll steer of the chassis is minimized.

    3. Ride-Still of the opinion ride is good. How much better than the Ford shocks is within my noise level at this time. It may be a bit better than Ford shocks. I have no thought it is worse.

    Three best handling upgrades (no particular order)
    1. Roadmaster anti roll bars front and rear.
    2. Tire pressure adjusted by weight in front tires.
    3. Koni FSD shocks
  • tpi's avatar
    tpi
    Explorer
    Jun 26, 2015
    You're welcome :) When I get more miles on them I'll report some more.
  • Oldme's avatar
    Oldme
    Explorer
    Jun 25, 2015
    Thank ypu for the review.
    The new FDS seem to do what a should should do.
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    Jun 25, 2015
    I'm glad you two have installed these FSD and started to evaluate them. And not from a "better you than me" standpoint. From knowing you'll both evaluate and report thoughtfully.

    I'm already re-considering what I was going to do:

    From: HD Bilstein Front and Rear

    To: New Ford Shocks Front and FSD Rear - my "axle kit" came with a pair of unused 2012 front shocks from E450 that Quigley was converting to 4WD for Jayco. From your comments so far, seems the Rear would benefit most from FSD's. We hear the Rear more than we feel it, with that 218-inch WB.

    Again, THANKS!
  • tpi's avatar
    tpi
    Explorer
    Jun 25, 2015
    Phil my initial feeling is they do seem to tame the cracks and holes but like you, haven't driven it enough to know completely. In an old post I reported the difference between the front and rear impacts on a bump-with the rear being more intense. Today with new shocks I didn't think the difference was as great. Time will tell-maybe tomorrow I can get out and run it some more. I have about 70 PSI in rears.

    Sorry about the manifold bolt.. I'll keep an eye out for that too..
  • pnichols's avatar
    pnichols
    Explorer II
    Jun 25, 2015
    Tom,

    Last Thursday I finally had FSD shocks installed on only rear of our E450 24 foot Class C, as we're getting ready for a major long camping/road trip to Maine and back late summer/early fall.

    I went with only FSD on the rear specifically to calm down road cracks and potholes. I use a medium/heavy duty truck repair shop for all RV mechanical work who kindof know what they're talking about around trucks and they said there was no need to replace the stock Ford front shocks yet due merely to wear-out concerns. Since day-one the front cab area seems to be a much smoother ride anyway.

    I haven't driven the rig enough yet for any extensive reporting. The shocks seem to have quieted things down back there a bit with only the drive home from the shop as a trial. They may need some break-in too. I'm trying to stick with a full 80 lbs. pressure in the rear duallies, hoping that the FSD shocks change things regardless of the high tire pressure.

    However as an aside, the shop noticed a broken exhaust manifold bolt on the passenger side of the V10! I had them remove the manifold, regrind it flat, and replace all bolts. $$$$ I didn't count on. Studying the Ford V10 truck forums .... this seems to be not too unusual for the engine after some miles.

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