F53 Ford Chassis?

[cdl2]

I just bought a Dolphin on a F53 chassis.
I need info!!!!!
Shocks?
Sway bar bushings?
Steering damper?
Exhaust modifications?
Thanks!!!!

[cdl2]

I finally got my coach back......had a guy fix the dash A/C.
Took it to get a new tire.
I had bought Bilstein shocks & paid to have them put on, better ride now.
The front shocks were shot!!!!!
Now for the steering stabilizer!!!

[Hikerdogs]

If you have the 19.5" wheels the lug nut torque is 165 ft. lbs. In the original manual for our 2001 F53 chassis the torque was listed as 150 ft. lbs. About 2 years later we got a registered letter from Ford with the new torque spec of 165 ft lbs.

If you have a newer model with the 22.5" wheels the lug nut torque is 450 ft. lbs.

[cdl2]

The coach is not here right now.......having the dash air fixed.......holes in the suction line.
I should get it back tomorrow or the next day.
What torque for the lug nuts?
I also lost one of the wheel cover bolts....where is a place to get those?

[John_Wayne]

cdl2 your e brake is on the rear of the transmission if you lay down under the MH on the drivers side you will see it on the drivers side you'll also see the cable running to the brake shoes in the brake drum on the back of the trans. Just above this cable you will see a pipe plug ( some times you have to climb up to see it but it's there ) remove plug and check level.
If it hasn't been checked before and it's not leaking fluid may run out, when they filled them at the plant they weren't level and they were over filled. Use dextron ll or mercon V.

[Hikerdogs]

cdl2 wrote:
Five of the tires are dated 2012, I need to replace one more, & I have a new spare too.
I did put Koni's on my Safari.....that really helped.
It's got 45,000 miles on it right now.
I think the guy that had it before me took care of the mechanical stuff.
I think I need to replace at least the front brakes.......anybody do that yet?

The shocks on our 01 Adventurer on the F53 chassis were shot at about 20,000 miles. We replaced them with lifetime Bilsteins, They have been standard equipment on all the F53's since at least 2004.

If you think you need front brakes you definately need the rears. I changed ours out at 75,000 miles. The fronts had about 30% of the pads left, but the rears were down to nothing. Unlike a car the brakes on the F53 are 50/50. Meaning both axles do the same amount of braking. Since the rear axle carries double the weight of the front the pads wear faster. Both the pads and calipars are identical for the front and rear axles.

[C-Leigh_Racing]

Check the intake opening in the air filter system.
If it just has the short tube at the bottom, you"ll need to replace that, because during driving in the rain, it will suck up rain water, soak the filter element & maybe even get water into the engine, which will not be good.
Ford has a replacement tube for the air filter, one made longer which has a bend in it & will go up higher up under the hood to get out of the path of the rain.
Or you could just think up & make something yourself to mod the OEM system.
Neil

[jhilley]

I put Monroe RV shocks on ours and am happy with them. The sway bar bushings probably need to be replaced, no longer available from Ford, but are available on eBay. The brake fluid should be flushed. If you don't have maintenance records, I would change transmission fluid and anti freeze. It's easy to check the brake pads, mine were still in good shape at 50,000 miles.

[cdl2]

I sent E Mails to National RV Great Lakers.
I've got some great lube for the caliper pins.
Trans fluid for E Brake???? Where is that?
Air cleaner is in the front, round & tall. I replaced the filter.
I don't know about the other recalls.
I can check the frig online.......I think

[John_Wayne]

Yes brakes no big deal just like a car only bigger and heavier. Should make sure all the brake pins and calipers are lubed good, no rust,. brakes have a problem of hanging up if not lubed. As I recall the pads are the same number for front and rear.
You also want to make sure you keep an eye on the trans fluid level in the emergency brake unit, you need to pull the plug and check level, should be level with the bottom of the hole. Only takes a few oz. but you don't want it to go dry.
Does the MH have the update for then air cleaner they had a problem in heavy rain it would get the air cleaner filter wet and you would loose power.
Was the recall on the cruise control done, had to do with the brake system some would leak and could start a fire.
Was the frig. recall done another fire problem.

[cdl2]

Five of the tires are dated 2012, I need to replace one more, & I have a new spare too.
I did put Koni's on my Safari.....that really helped.
It's got 45,000 miles on it right now.
I think the guy that had it before me took care of the mechanical stuff.
I think I need to replace at least the front brakes.......anybody do that yet?

[427435]

Shocks-------------Koni FSD

As for the rest, if something is worn or loose, fix it, but if it has been maintained and has less than 100,000 miles, the bushings etc should be fine.

The V10 had pretty good exhausts and the bang for the buck probably won't be very good for any performance mods.

Some sound deadening material under the doghouse might be helpful (it was on mine anyway).

[desobelman]

cdl2,

First thing I recommend, join the Great Lakers, or the Noreasters. They are both FMCA Chapters with National RV (Dolphin) owners. Lots of info there!

Secondly, after driving, what do you think of the handling? Also, check the dates on the tires. If they are 5 years old, or more, then I suggest you get new ones. Michelin & FMCA have a special program which will save money on Michelin Tires. Your life rides on tires and brakes, I want the best in those categories.

Happy Trails! :W

Darryl

[cdl2]

It's a 2001.....sway bars front & rear.
It has air bags front & rear also.
35 foot long.....20,000 total .....GVWR?
I blew one tire, so I checked & I need at least one more.
Glad it wasn't the front tire!!!!

[John_Wayne]

Banks trans command, Scan Gauge II, front track bar, steer safe, poly bushing if yours are bad.