Time For New Shocks - HD Bilsteins Or Koni-FSD...Anyone Here With Experience?

I seek the opinion of people with experience with either type.

My red colored Koni-RV adjustable shocks in front are in need of replacement.  I am thinking of replacing all four, wondering if I should go with Koni-FSD shocks or the Heavy Duty Bilsteins.

Ron Dittmer

Ron, Will not be much help, I just got a set of 4 Bilsteins shocks for my 3100, Have not got them installed yet, but the service man who is installing them said the the Bilsteins were the best shock for the Ford E450 RV. They don't carry them so I had to order them, will be getting them installed first of May for a road trip to Dayton, OH. Hope this helps a little.

Jim

I put Bilsteins on a Born Free (E-450) that we had and Koni's on my previous PC 2351. Koni's were better IMHO.

Hi Jim,

Here as well as another forum, I often read of satisfied Bilsteins shock owners.  But the Koni-FSD makes so much sense to me in how they offer a soft ride under normal driving conditions, and kick into heavy-duty mode as needed.  I would blindly buy the Koni-FSD except that they cost nearly twice that of the Bilsteins.  The best on-line deal found so far on each is on the same website HERE.

Thanks for sharing your decision.

I put Bilsteins on a Born Free (E-450) that we had and Koni's on my previous PC 2351. Koni's were better IMHO.

Hi Ron,

Were the Bilsteins the heavy duty ones, or the comfort ride ones?
Were the Koni shocks the adjustable red ones, or the gold FSD shocks?

Ron, got mine at the same place, yes they are the heavy duty one

Jim

Ron, we got the gold Koni shocks installed as part of our suspension upgrade done at Champion Alignment last year.
We were pleased at how they improved the ride over the standard Ford shocks. I would recommend them.
Bud

Ron,
You might want to consider the usual travel with your rig.  If you do your share of boondocking which require serious miles on rutted roads. the Konis might be worth the additional expense.  Although, we do mostly off the grid camping, which entails its share of less than quality road surfaces, I have no complainants operating our 2100 with Bilsteins.
You're likely aware that the front driver's side shock replacement is the mechanic's definition of no fun.  I used a ratcheting box-end wrench on the top fastener.  You might be lucky enough to find a plug (generally hidden) which will give you the necessary access.  If not, a common method is to pull the lower shock fastener and have a helper hold the top fastener while the shock is turned.  A treatment of penetrating oil (I prefer Kroil or PB Blaster) will also make the task easier.

Bud, Thanks for your experience with the gold Koni-FSD.  So few people have them so the input I seek is rare.  For a true comparison, I wish I could drive my rig with the Koni-FSD and then the Bilstein.  I was hoping to communicate with someone who had experience with both.

I found the Bilsteins for sale at Tire Rack for $83 each front or rear, and free shipping.  The best deal I found with the Koni-FSD is twice the price.  Being the money misers Irene and I are, and all the endorsements of the heavy duty Bilsteins along with my own endorsement for Bilsteins on my old Toyota chassis motor home, I am having a hard time to convince myself the Koni-FSD is worth an additional $300+.  If only I knew for certain that we would notice a significant improvement going FSD.  Adding that it doesn't help reading of a few people who were actually very dissatisfied with their Koni-FSDs.

I asked the same question on another forum HERE where the overwhelming majority of people had heavy duty Bilstein shocks and loved them.

Cropduster, I do plan to change the shocks myself.  It shouldn't be too hard to remove the old ones given the over-all lack of corrosion on our rig.  I do know what that left-front shock entails, but thanks for the reminder.

you gets whatya pay for. Toni shocks are expensive no doubt. Buy dampen both ways, in and out. The HD Bilsteins on my previous Born Free were good shocks but just not as good as the Koni FSD. IMHO

Because of my experience with the red Koni-RV giving out after 36,000 miles along with some bad ratings by other people with the Koni-FSD, I decided to try the HD Bilsteins.  But I do thank you Ron & Toni for your input.

Part of my decision was the affordability factor.....$83 per HD Bilstein, no sales tax, free shipping, at Tire Rack.  I would have gone with the Koni-FSD if they were more competitively priced.  But double the cost made them a deal-breaker.

Ron, I have roughly 10,000 miles on gold Koni’s I installed. I wouldn’t do it again, next time I’d go with billsteins. I feel all I did was throw money away as in my opinion they are by no measure better than the Bilsteins.

Ron,
     Just had billsteins Shocks installed on my PC3100, Driving home ( About 5 Miles) The ride was a lot better and the sway on curves was a whole lot better. Look out for the Left front shock, you will need a bigger wrench for the nut on the billsteins and most likely need to cut off the old shock. Took my mechanic about 1 hour to replace the left one about 20 minutes or so each for the rest, On the rear right on mine I have a heat shield you will have to jack up to get the nut back on. Good luck, hope this will help

Jim

Thanks Jim for your comments.

Jim, tell your mechanic there’s a access port under the carpet behind the brake pedal. It will save him headaches and for some reason this access point doesn’t seem to be well known. It didn’t take me any longer for the front left than the right using this access.