Messages in Safarifriends group. Page 18 of 23.

Group: Safarifriends Message: 37334 From: TD Date: 1/3/2018
Subject: Re: front shocks
Group: Safarifriends Message: 37342 From: Ken Bates Date: 1/4/2018
Subject: Re: front shocks
Group: Safarifriends Message: 37344 From: Bill Edwards Date: 1/4/2018
Subject: Re: front shocks
Group: Safarifriends Message: 37346 From: Craig Burrell Date: 1/4/2018
Subject: Re: front shocks
Group: Safarifriends Message: 37347 From: TD Date: 1/4/2018
Subject: Re: front shocks
Group: Safarifriends Message: 37348 From: Craig Burrell Date: 1/4/2018
Subject: Re: front shocks
Group: Safarifriends Message: 37349 From: TD Date: 1/4/2018
Subject: Re: front shocks
Group: Safarifriends Message: 37378 From: fountking Date: 1/7/2018
Subject: changing my Konis
Group: Safarifriends Message: 37386 From: TD Date: 1/7/2018
Subject: Re: changing my Konis
Group: Safarifriends Message: 37735 From: TD Date: 2/25/2018
Subject: Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
Group: Safarifriends Message: 37736 From: Steve Mendive Date: 2/25/2018
Subject: Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
Group: Safarifriends Message: 37738 From: TD Date: 2/25/2018
Subject: Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
Group: Safarifriends Message: 37739 From: Steve Mendive Date: 2/25/2018
Subject: Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
Group: Safarifriends Message: 37741 From: TD Date: 2/25/2018
Subject: Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
Group: Safarifriends Message: 37745 From: TD Date: 2/25/2018
Subject: Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006 [3 Attachments]
Group: Safarifriends Message: 37747 From: Robert Lewis Date: 2/26/2018
Subject: Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
Group: Safarifriends Message: 37748 From: Robert Lewis Date: 2/26/2018
Subject: Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
Group: Safarifriends Message: 37749 From: TD Date: 2/26/2018
Subject: Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
Group: Safarifriends Message: 37750 From: Robert Lewis Date: 2/26/2018
Subject: Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
Group: Safarifriends Message: 37752 From: TD Date: 2/26/2018
Subject: Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
Group: Safarifriends Message: 37753 From: Robert Lewis Date: 2/26/2018
Subject: Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
Group: Safarifriends Message: 37766 From: Craig Burrell Date: 2/27/2018
Subject: Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
Group: Safarifriends Message: 37768 From: TD Date: 2/27/2018
Subject: Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
Group: Safarifriends Message: 37832 From: TD Date: 3/6/2018
Subject: Re: Koni shocks for '93 Continental [was] New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
Group: Safarifriends Message: 37833 From: technolog1 Date: 3/6/2018
Subject: Re: Koni shocks for '93 Continental [was] New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
Group: Safarifriends Message: 37834 From: Robert Lewis Date: 3/6/2018
Subject: Re: Koni shocks for '93 Continental [was] New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
Group: Safarifriends Message: 37837 From: TD Date: 3/6/2018
Subject: Re: Koni shocks for 8 air bag coaches [was] Koni shocks for '93 Cont
Group: Safarifriends Message: 37840 From: Robert Lewis Date: 3/7/2018
Subject: Re: Koni shocks for 8 air bag coaches [was] Koni shocks for '93 Cont
Group: Safarifriends Message: 37885 From: Robert Lewis Date: 3/18/2018
Subject: Re: Jacking
Group: Safarifriends Message: 38408 From: technolog1 Date: 5/29/2018
Subject: 93 cont. Front bottoming out each bump.
Group: Safarifriends Message: 38411 From: Lois Lopez Date: 5/29/2018
Subject: Re: 93 cont. Front bottoming out each bump.
Group: Safarifriends Message: 38412 From: Dean Date: 5/29/2018
Subject: Re: 93 cont. Front bottoming out each bump.
Group: Safarifriends Message: 38419 From: TD Date: 5/29/2018
Subject: Re: 93 cont. Front bottoming out each bump.
Group: Safarifriends Message: 38420 From: TD Date: 5/29/2018
Subject: Re: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension
Group: Safarifriends Message: 38421 From: TD Date: 5/29/2018
Subject: Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension
Group: Safarifriends Message: 38422 From: technolog1 Date: 5/30/2018
Subject: Re: Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension [14 Attac
Group: Safarifriends Message: 38436 From: technolog1 Date: 5/31/2018
Subject: Re: Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension [14 Attac
Group: Safarifriends Message: 38439 From: TD Date: 5/31/2018
Subject: Re: Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension
Group: Safarifriends Message: 38440 From: dalemaggio Date: 5/31/2018
Subject: Re: Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension
Group: Safarifriends Message: 38441 From: dalemaggio Date: 5/31/2018
Subject: Re: Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension
Group: Safarifriends Message: 38442 From: TD Date: 5/31/2018
Subject: Re: Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension
Group: Safarifriends Message: 38443 From: TD Date: 5/31/2018
Subject: Re: Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension
Group: Safarifriends Message: 38446 From: technolog1 Date: 5/31/2018
Subject: Re: Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension
Group: Safarifriends Message: 38447 From: technolog1 Date: 5/31/2018
Subject: Re: Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension
Group: Safarifriends Message: 38448 From: technolog1 Date: 5/31/2018
Subject: Re: Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension
Group: Safarifriends Message: 38449 From: technolog1 Date: 5/31/2018
Subject: Re: Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension
Group: Safarifriends Message: 38511 From: tcoside Date: 6/4/2018
Subject: Relpacing shocks
Group: Safarifriends Message: 38514 From: TD Date: 6/4/2018
Subject: Re: Relpacing shocks
Group: Safarifriends Message: 38515 From: TD Date: 6/4/2018
Subject: Re: Relpacing shocks
Group: Safarifriends Message: 38516 From: bowhunter0608 Date: 6/4/2018
Subject: Re: Relpacing shocks



Group: Safarifriends Message: 37334 From: TD Date: 1/3/2018
Subject: Re: front shocks
Ken,

Koni Shocks part numbers:

Front: 881641SP3
Make sure you order by part number not by the make of your coach, otherwise you will get the less effective shock, that won't do a good job

Rear: 881458SP2

Usually the LTB Autosports has the best price and it's free shipping.

Their link: http://www.ltbautosports.com/koni-rv-/country-coach/881641sp3/i-2440360.aspx

Again, make sure you order by part number, and yes, they will fit.


John
'95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
6spd.

On Wed, Jan 3, 2018 at 6:45 PM, Ken Bates rainwillcome2@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


Hello to all and wishing you a happy new year. My latest obsession is trying to find a compatible front shock for my '95 Sahara with Magnum Chassis and leaf springs. The shock must be approx 21 inches extended and have both top and bottom 3/4 in I.D. bushings to go over my 3/4 in bolts. The Monroe equivalent is the 65432 model but no one in Quartzsite or Lake Havasu seem to be able to get their hands on this. I don't know the equivalents in the other shock makers such as Bilstein or Koni. I have looked at previous postings for the Koni and it leads to a number that fits on the GM P30 Chassis and that does not fit on mine. If anyone has those numbers, or whatever will work for me, I would appreciate your getting back to me. I have told them what I need and so far 3 places have ordered the wrong shock and it's wearing me out...not really but it is driving my wife crazy...delaying travel to wait for shocks to come in and then them being the wrong ones. Thanks to all. Ken
'95 Sahara, 35 ft, 5.9 Cummins, 6 sp Allison.



Group: Safarifriends Message: 37342 From: Ken Bates Date: 1/4/2018
Subject: Re: front shocks
Thanks for this John. I couldn't find the specs on this but if it has 3/4 in eyelets top and bottom and adjustable length then perfect. Cheers Ken
'95 Sahara
--------------------------------------------
On Wed, 1/3/18, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Subject: Re: [Safarifriends] front shocks
To: "Dale Maggio dalemaggio@y." <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com>
Received: Wednesday, January 3, 2018, 6:49 PM


 









Ken,

Koni Shocks part numbers:



Front: 881641SP3

Make sure you order by part number not by the make of
your coach,
otherwise you will get the less effective shock, that
won't do a good
job



Rear: 881458SP2

Usually the LTB Autosports has the best
price and it's free shipping.

Their link: http://www.ltbautosports.com/koni-rv-/country-coach/881641sp3/i-2440360.aspx

Again, make sure you
order by part number, and yes, they will fit.


John

'95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA,
Allison

6spd.

On Wed, Jan 3, 2018 at 6:45
PM, Ken Bates rainwillcome2@...
[Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com>
wrote:




















Hello to all and wishing
you a happy new year. My latest obsession is trying to find
a compatible front shock for my '95 Sahara with Magnum
Chassis and leaf springs. The shock must be approx 21 inches
extended and have both top and bottom 3/4 in I.D. bushings
to go over my 3/4 in bolts. The Monroe equivalent is the
65432 model but no one in Quartzsite or Lake Havasu seem to
be able to get their hands on this. I don't know the
equivalents in the other shock makers such as Bilstein or
Koni. I have looked at previous postings for the Koni and it
leads to a number that fits on the GM P30 Chassis and that
does not fit on mine. If anyone has those numbers, or
whatever will work for me, I would appreciate your getting
back to me. I have told them what I need and so far 3 places
have ordered the wrong shock and it's wearing me
out...not really but it is driving my wife crazy...delaying
travel to wait for shocks to come in and then them being the
wrong ones. Thanks to all. Ken'95 Sahara, 35
ft, 5.9 Cummins, 6 sp Allison.





























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Group: Safarifriends Message: 37344 From: Bill Edwards Date: 1/4/2018
Subject: Re: front shocks
Ken

I just checked this site it is a great deal almost as good as I can do and I have to pay shipping so will buy the two I need here.

Bill Edwards


On Wednesday, January 3, 2018 6:49 PM, "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


 
Ken,

Koni Shocks part numbers:

Front: 881641SP3
Make sure you order by part number not by the make of your coach, otherwise you will get the less effective shock, that won't do a good job

Rear: 881458SP2

Usually the LTB Autosports has the best price and it's free shipping.

Their link: http://www.ltbautosports.com/koni-rv-/country-coach/881641sp3/i-2440360.aspx

Again, make sure you order by part number, and yes, they will fit.


John
'95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
6spd.

On Wed, Jan 3, 2018 at 6:45 PM, Ken Bates rainwillcome2@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


Hello to all and wishing you a happy new year. My latest obsession is trying to find a compatible front shock for my '95 Sahara with Magnum Chassis and leaf springs. The shock must be approx 21 inches extended and have both top and bottom 3/4 in I.D. bushings to go over my 3/4 in bolts. The Monroe equivalent is the 65432 model but no one in Quartzsite or Lake Havasu seem to be able to get their hands on this. I don't know the equivalents in the other shock makers such as Bilstein or Koni. I have looked at previous postings for the Koni and it leads to a number that fits on the GM P30 Chassis and that does not fit on mine. If anyone has those numbers, or whatever will work for me, I would appreciate your getting back to me. I have told them what I need and so far 3 places have ordered the wrong shock and it's wearing me out...not really but it is driving my wife crazy...delaying travel to wait for shocks to come in and then them being the wrong ones. Thanks to all. Ken
'95 Sahara, 35 ft, 5.9 Cummins, 6 sp Allison.





Group: Safarifriends Message: 37346 From: Craig Burrell Date: 1/4/2018
Subject: Re: front shocks
I have a 93 cont. 40 foot. I need shocks also. does anyone have the numbers for the front and back. Also the sway bar bushings. My are way bad. 
thanks
Craig 
93 cont 8.3  6sp

On Thursday, January 4, 2018, 10:50:06 AM CST, Bill Edwards billedwardsrs@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


 

Ken

I just checked this site it is a great deal almost as good as I can do and I have to pay shipping so will buy the two I need here.

Bill Edwards


On Wednesday, January 3, 2018 6:49 PM, "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


 
Ken,

Koni Shocks part numbers:

Front: 881641SP3
Make sure you order by part number not by the make of your coach, otherwise you will get the less effective shock, that won't do a good job

Rear: 881458SP2

Usually the LTB Autosports has the best price and it's free shipping.

Their link: http://www.ltbautosports.com/koni-rv-/country-coach/881641sp3/i-2440360.aspx

Again, make sure you order by part number, and yes, they will fit.


John
'95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
6spd.

On Wed, Jan 3, 2018 at 6:45 PM, Ken Bates rainwillcome2@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


Hello to all and wishing you a happy new year. My latest obsession is trying to find a compatible front shock for my '95 Sahara with Magnum Chassis and leaf springs. The shock must be approx 21 inches extended and have both top and bottom 3/4 in I.D. bushings to go over my 3/4 in bolts. The Monroe equivalent is the 65432 model but no one in Quartzsite or Lake Havasu seem to be able to get their hands on this. I don't know the equivalents in the other shock makers such as Bilstein or Koni. I have looked at previous postings for the Koni and it leads to a number that fits on the GM P30 Chassis and that does not fit on mine. If anyone has those numbers, or whatever will work for me, I would appreciate your getting back to me. I have told them what I need and so far 3 places have ordered the wrong shock and it's wearing me out...not really but it is driving my wife crazy...delaying travel to wait for shocks to come in and then them being the wrong ones. Thanks to all. Ken
'95 Sahara, 35 ft, 5.9 Cummins, 6 sp Allison.





Group: Safarifriends Message: 37347 From: TD Date: 1/4/2018
Subject: Re: front shocks
Craig,

Please let us know what chassis you have and if it is an X line or a V line chassis. As far as I recall, you year and model coach was still built on the John Deere chassis, which was bought out by Freightliner around that time. To complicate things more, Safari put their own torsional suspension on, so I'm not sure if looking up a Freightliner chassis will get you the right shocks, do to this oddity.

I will attempt to get more info as time allows.

John
'95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
6spd.

On Thu, Jan 4, 2018 at 12:02 PM, Craig Burrell technolog1@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


I have a 93 cont. 40 foot. I need shocks also. does anyone have the numbers for the front and back. Also the sway bar bushings. My are way bad. 
thanks
Craig 
93 cont 8.3  6sp

On Thursday, January 4, 2018, 10:50:06 AM CST, Bill Edwards billedwardsrs@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


 

Ken

I just checked this site it is a great deal almost as good as I can do and I have to pay shipping so will buy the two I need here.

Bill Edwards


On Wednesday, January 3, 2018 6:49 PM, "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


 
Ken,

Koni Shocks part numbers:

Front: 881641SP3
Make sure you order by part number not by the make of your coach, otherwise you will get the less effective shock, that won't do a good job

Rear: 881458SP2

Usually the LTB Autosports has the best price and it's free shipping.

Their link: http://www.ltbautosports.com/ koni-rv-/country-coach/ 881641sp3/i-2440360.aspx

Again, make sure you order by part number, and yes, they will fit.


John
'95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
6spd.

On Wed, Jan 3, 2018 at 6:45 PM, Ken Bates rainwillcome2@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


Hello to all and wishing you a happy new year. My latest obsession is trying to find a compatible front shock for my '95 Sahara with Magnum Chassis and leaf springs. The shock must be approx 21 inches extended and have both top and bottom 3/4 in I.D. bushings to go over my 3/4 in bolts. The Monroe equivalent is the 65432 model but no one in Quartzsite or Lake Havasu seem to be able to get their hands on this. I don't know the equivalents in the other shock makers such as Bilstein or Koni. I have looked at previous postings for the Koni and it leads to a number that fits on the GM P30 Chassis and that does not fit on mine. If anyone has those numbers, or whatever will work for me, I would appreciate your getting back to me. I have told them what I need and so far 3 places have ordered the wrong shock and it's wearing me out...not really but it is driving my wife crazy...delaying travel to wait for shocks to come in and then them being the wrong ones. Thanks to all. Ken
'95 Sahara, 35 ft, 5.9 Cummins, 6 sp Allison.








Group: Safarifriends Message: 37348 From: Craig Burrell Date: 1/4/2018
Subject: Re: front shocks
I do know its has a ochkosh(SP) but I do not what a v or x. line
Tell me what to look for and I will be glad to let you know. It does have the weird torsion springs, the u shaped part the moves. What a weird design. I had contacted freightliner adn they had no idea what to look for. could not find a thing. Thanks for helping.
On Thursday, January 4, 2018, 1:05:37 PM CST, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


 

Craig,

Please let us know what chassis you have and if it is an X line or a V line chassis. As far as I recall, you year and model coach was still built on the John Deere chassis, which was bought out by Freightliner around that time. To complicate things more, Safari put their own torsional suspension on, so I'm not sure if looking up a Freightliner chassis will get you the right shocks, do to this oddity.

I will attempt to get more info as time allows.

John
'95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
6spd.

On Thu, Jan 4, 2018 at 12:02 PM, Craig Burrell technolog1@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


I have a 93 cont. 40 foot. I need shocks also. does anyone have the numbers for the front and back. Also the sway bar bushings. My are way bad. 
thanks
Craig 
93 cont 8..3  6sp

On Thursday, January 4, 2018, 10:50:06 AM CST, Bill Edwards billedwardsrs@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


 

Ken

I just checked this site it is a great deal almost as good as I can do and I have to pay shipping so will buy the two I need here.

Bill Edwards


On Wednesday, January 3, 2018 6:49 PM, "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


 
Ken,

Koni Shocks part numbers:

Front: 881641SP3
Make sure you order by part number not by the make of your coach, otherwise you will get the less effective shock, that won't do a good job

Rear: 881458SP2

Usually the LTB Autosports has the best price and it's free shipping.

Their link: http://www.ltbautosports.com/ koni-rv-/country-coach/ 881641sp3/i-2440360.aspx

Again, make sure you order by part number, and yes, they will fit.


John
'95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
6spd.

On Wed, Jan 3, 2018 at 6:45 PM, Ken Bates rainwillcome2@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


Hello to all and wishing you a happy new year. My latest obsession is trying to find a compatible front shock for my '95 Sahara with Magnum Chassis and leaf springs. The shock must be approx 21 inches extended and have both top and bottom 3/4 in I.D. bushings to go over my 3/4 in bolts. The Monroe equivalent is the 65432 model but no one in Quartzsite or Lake Havasu seem to be able to get their hands on this. I don't know the equivalents in the other shock makers such as Bilstein or Koni. I have looked at previous postings for the Koni and it leads to a number that fits on the GM P30 Chassis and that does not fit on mine. If anyone has those numbers, or whatever will work for me, I would appreciate your getting back to me. I have told them what I need and so far 3 places have ordered the wrong shock and it's wearing me out...not really but it is driving my wife crazy...delaying travel to wait for shocks to come in and then them being the wrong ones. Thanks to all. Ken
'95 Sahara, 35 ft, 5.9 Cummins, 6 sp Allison.








Group: Safarifriends Message: 37349 From: TD Date: 1/4/2018
Subject: Re: front shocks
Craig,

Your chassis manual should say which line it is, maybe the place card by the drivers wall will have the information too.

See if you can get any part numbers off of the shocks that you currently have.

Do you know what brand shocks you have on right now, or at least what color they are?

I'm searching for info, will pass it on if I find anything. In the mean time, try to get me as much info as possible.

John
'95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
6spd.

On Thu, Jan 4, 2018 at 3:12 PM, Craig Burrell technolog1@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


I do know its has a ochkosh(SP) but I do not what a v or x. line
Tell me what to look for and I will be glad to let you know. It does have the weird torsion springs, the u shaped part the moves. What a weird design. I had contacted freightliner adn they had no idea what to look for. could not find a thing. Thanks for helping.
On Thursday, January 4, 2018, 1:05:37 PM CST, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


 

Craig,

Please let us know what chassis you have and if it is an X line or a V line chassis. As far as I recall, you year and model coach was still built on the John Deere chassis, which was bought out by Freightliner around that time. To complicate things more, Safari put their own torsional suspension on, so I'm not sure if looking up a Freightliner chassis will get you the right shocks, do to this oddity.

I will attempt to get more info as time allows.

John
'95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
6spd.

On Thu, Jan 4, 2018 at 12:02 PM, Craig Burrell technolog1@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


I have a 93 cont. 40 foot. I need shocks also. does anyone have the numbers for the front and back. Also the sway bar bushings. My are way bad. 
thanks
Craig 
93 cont 8..3  6sp

On Thursday, January 4, 2018, 10:50:06 AM CST, Bill Edwards billedwardsrs@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


 

Ken

I just checked this site it is a great deal almost as good as I can do and I have to pay shipping so will buy the two I need here.

Bill Edwards


On Wednesday, January 3, 2018 6:49 PM, "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


 
Ken,

Koni Shocks part numbers:

Front: 881641SP3
Make sure you order by part number not by the make of your coach, otherwise you will get the less effective shock, that won't do a good job

Rear: 881458SP2

Usually the LTB Autosports has the best price and it's free shipping.

Their link: http://www.ltbautosports.com/ koni-rv-/country-coach/ 881641sp3/i-2440360.aspx

Again, make sure you order by part number, and yes, they will fit.


John
'95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
6spd.

On Wed, Jan 3, 2018 at 6:45 PM, Ken Bates rainwillcome2@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


Hello to all and wishing you a happy new year. My latest obsession is trying to find a compatible front shock for my '95 Sahara with Magnum Chassis and leaf springs. The shock must be approx 21 inches extended and have both top and bottom 3/4 in I.D. bushings to go over my 3/4 in bolts. The Monroe equivalent is the 65432 model but no one in Quartzsite or Lake Havasu seem to be able to get their hands on this. I don't know the equivalents in the other shock makers such as Bilstein or Koni. I have looked at previous postings for the Koni and it leads to a number that fits on the GM P30 Chassis and that does not fit on mine. If anyone has those numbers, or whatever will work for me, I would appreciate your getting back to me. I have told them what I need and so far 3 places have ordered the wrong shock and it's wearing me out...not really but it is driving my wife crazy...delaying travel to wait for shocks to come in and then them being the wrong ones. Thanks to all. Ken
'95 Sahara, 35 ft, 5.9 Cummins, 6 sp Allison.











Group: Safarifriends Message: 37378 From: fountking Date: 1/7/2018
Subject: changing my Konis
I have been thinking about changing front shocks (presently88-1490sp2) to the recomended (John) 881641sp3




Bob 96 Serengeti

Group: Safarifriends Message: 37386 From: TD Date: 1/7/2018
Subject: Re: changing my Konis
Bob,

Correct, 881641 SP3 is the number you want. Order by part number not by vehicle make.
You will find a huge improvement to what you currently have. As far as I'm concerned the old 1490 is useless for our coach needs...

As stated before, LTB Autosports has the best prices and shipping is free.

Here is their link: http://www.ltbautosports.com/koni-rv-/country-coach/881641sp3/i-2440360.aspx


John
'95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
6spd.

On Sun, Jan 7, 2018 at 12:14 PM, fountking@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


I have been thinking about changing front shocks (presently88-1490sp2) to the recomended (John) 881641sp3




Bob 96 Serengeti




Group: Safarifriends Message: 37735 From: TD Date: 2/25/2018
Subject: Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
Steve,

Welcome!

Do you have any ride height shims left on the front suspension, if yes, how many are left, (left side and right side)?

What is your ride height (measured at each corner, front and back)?

Be aware, replacing the torsion tubes is very expensive, if they aren't collapsed, you can add and air bag kit, to bring the coach height up to specs (presuming that your shackles are ok). The good news is, the torsion tubes and shackles are still made (at one point they were out of production).
Important: If you plan to install new shocks, your best bet is Koni shocks, but don't order them by make and model, as you will get the less effective ones (useless torsional suspension), instead do a search on this group under "Koni shocks part number" and you will find the info, or ask and I will re-post the information for you.

As for the roof, has it leaked?
Is the sub-roof ok, or is it soft/rotted?  If the sub-roof is ok, and only the Filon roof needs repair, you could anchor the bad areas down and than seal it with Eternabond tape. This product is superb, and can be ordered  in widths from 2'' to 48", and can make the repair very simple and easy. 

Is the camera and TV truly shot, or are they just disconnected, and/or botched wiring???

As for the road wander: The Sahara models are known to be light on the front end (have the coach weighed, preferably at each corner), and this alone will make them a handful. If the tires are over inflated (pressure should be according to weight on the axle), and/or if your King Pins are worn, this will exacerbate the problem. So I would definitely have a shop check for any play in the king pins. You also will need to check your alignment, a minimum Caster of 4.5 degrees, preferably 5 to 5.5 is a must for the coach to handle well. Pioneer Metal Works sells a good quality TigerTrak kit that also helps with road wander, if one has not been installed yet.
If you have a generous budget, go set up an appointment with Henderson's Line-Up, they are very experienced with Safari handling issues, have an air bag kit, and know how to align these coaches properly. They are located in Grants Pass, OR, which should be on your way to AK.

Here is their link:https://www.hendersonslineup.com/

John
'95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
6spd.




On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 5:58 PM, osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


The beams of the suspension based on the review of the inspection are out of tolerance and need to be replaced.  They seem that sitting in the desert got the best of them.  I drove the coach about an hour to Lakeside Ca and it was a bit of a hand full wanted to wonder a lot in the lane.  The guys at the shop attributed that to a couple of items, the suspension, the fact that the prior owner replace the tires with lower end Hercules tires on the fron that are not drive tires and more of a low-boy trailer tire.  The suspension is out in the front only, the rear is not in as bad shape.




Group: Safarifriends Message: 37736 From: Steve Mendive Date: 2/25/2018
Subject: Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
Attachments :
    John,

    Thank you, for the reply, the interior rubber of the torsion is shot, I am not sure on the height as I am back in Alaska now and the coach is in California.  From what I saw I would rather start with a good foundation and replace them.  As for the roof, there is no apparent evidence of leaks, the rook is still crisp white with no staining.  There is some apparent area that may have leaked in the skylight in the shower but, that seemed well repaired.  

    The repairs that we are planning with Barney and team at Discount RV is geared toward ensuring that we have a sound rig to come north with.  The prior owner used a low grade caulk that is going to have to be removed and done properly.  We have concerns on taking this desert deweller north but, with a little work and some right decision we think we are off to a good start.

    We will look into the tiger trax and airbag systems once we move the rig from California to Washington to get the seals in the windows done.  

    As for the camera and TV, we have power to the TV the camera is not sending a signal, that we can tell but, we are holding off on spending any effort on that as of yet.  I think the better money and effort maybe to update the whole system to side and rear cameras and place a 7” monitor in the dash area and forgo the whole 20” original TV system.  All of the wiring seems solid except the trailer braking system that the prior owner installed.  It works, but was not installed well they twisted the wire through the frame in some areas and wrapped it around other wires.  Plus it was installed so far back from the driver seat it is nearly to the slide out.  Not sure how you’d ever reach it if you needed to, that so far is the only poorly done installation.  The Cat motor with >25K tested without any concerns as did the transmission.

    I really appreciate all the insights and advice.  Attached are 2 photos...  Steve Inline image

    Inline image




    Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

    On Sunday, February 25, 2018, 3:42 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

     

    Steve,

    Welcome!

    Do you have any ride height shims left on the front suspension, if yes, how many are left, (left side and right side)?

    What is your ride height (measured at each corner, front and back)?

    Be aware, replacing the torsion tubes is very expensive, if they aren't collapsed, you can add and air bag kit, to bring the coach height up to specs (presuming that your shackles are ok). The good news is, the torsion tubes and shackles are still made (at one point they were out of production).
    Important: If you plan to install new shocks, your best bet is Koni shocks, but don't order them by make and model, as you will get the less effective ones (useless torsional suspension), instead do a search on this group under "Koni shocks part number" and you will find the info, or ask and I will re-post the information for you.

    As for the roof, has it leaked?
    Is the sub-roof ok, or is it soft/rotted?  If the sub-roof is ok, and only the Filon roof needs repair, you could anchor the bad areas down and than seal it with Eternabond tape. This product is superb, and can be ordered  in widths from 2'' to 48", and can make the repair very simple and easy. 

    Is the camera and TV truly shot, or are they just disconnected, and/or botched wiring???

    As for the road wander: The Sahara models are known to be light on the front end (have the coach weighed, preferably at each corner), and this alone will make them a handful. If the tires are over inflated (pressure should be according to weight on the axle), and/or if your King Pins are worn, this will exacerbate the problem. So I would definitely have a shop check for any play in the king pins. You also will need to check your alignment, a minimum Caster of 4.5 degrees, preferably 5 to 5.5 is a must for the coach to handle well. Pioneer Metal Works sells a good quality TigerTrak kit that also helps with road wander, if one has not been installed yet.
    If you have a generous budget, go set up an appointment with Henderson's Line-Up, they are very experienced with Safari handling issues, have an air bag kit, and know how to align these coaches properly. They are located in Grants Pass, OR, which should be on your way to AK.

    Here is their link:https://www.hendersonslineup.com/

    John
    '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
    6spd.




    On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 5:58 PM, osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


    The beams of the suspension based on the review of the inspection are out of tolerance and need to be replaced.  They seem that sitting in the desert got the best of them.  I drove the coach about an hour to Lakeside Ca and it was a bit of a hand full wanted to wonder a lot in the lane.  The guys at the shop attributed that to a couple of items, the suspension, the fact that the prior owner replace the tires with lower end Hercules tires on the fron that are not drive tires and more of a low-boy trailer tire.  The suspension is out in the front only, the rear is not in as bad shape.




    Group: Safarifriends Message: 37738 From: TD Date: 2/25/2018
    Subject: Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
    Attachments :
      Steve,

      Be aware that the torsion tubes do not need replacing, unless you are out of ride height shims, as in there is none left to remove, or the torsion spring collapsed, as in total failure. This "rubber" suspension is very durable and has a long life. Very many buses in Mexico use this type of suspension on rough Mexican roads, and are know to easily exceed one million miles. Failures are extremely rare, there were a few models that had issues because they had the very heavy large CAT C12 engine and the heavy Allison 4000 series transmission, and your coach does not fall in that catagory. The rubber on the edges of the torsion tubes normally looks cracked and gnarly because the edges are exposed to ozone, etc. for 20+ years. The rubber inside is preserved, and this in no way means the springs are bad. Speaking frankly, to replace them just for their looks is an error and a big waste of money. All four torsion tubes and shackles, will run you about $6000, just for the parts, and who know how much for labor.
      See if the rv repair shop can take some photos of the torsion tubes in question and have them email them to you, and then post them so we could look at them. If they know Safaris, like they claim, the first thing they should have done is check the ride height. Have them check it and post the numbers at all for wheels. You measure from the center of the wheel, to the bottom of the belt line. Proper height is 25 inches (+/- 1/4). Removing one shim on both sides of the torsion tube raises the coach by 1/4 inch. Example, removing four shims will raise the coach one inch.
      Your coach, and also ride comfort would benefit from a supplemental air bag kit on all four corner, considering the type of terrain you have back home, this will also help take some of the stress off of the springs, further preserving them and giving a nicer ride on poor roads.

      As for the rear view camera, are you aware that there is a switch on the dash that turns it on? It does not turn on automatically when you are reversing.

      Roof: you stated that the roof is delaminated, but yet you say the roof is shiny white, so I'm a bit confused. The filon roof is a very thin fiberglass hybrid type roof that is designed to float, as in, it is not supposed to be attached to the sub-roof. If your roof appears in good shape I would suggest to remove all caulk, especially if a silicon based caulk was used, and tape the end caps (they are very prone to leaking) and other straight joints, like the sky light, with Eternabond tape, and the rest, caulk with Dicor self leveling caulk. Then have the whole roof coated with two or three layers of elastomeric paint, this will likely give you 10yrs of leak free service being your in AK. The Eternabond tape will likely last your lifetime, if it is applied properly. Be aware that the tape will stick to anything except silicon, so all silicon MUST be removed prior to taping. I will try to email you a photo of my roof, so you can see how the joints are taped up.

      Pardon for being blunt, but if this place does not know that most Safari Coaches have a floating filon roof, and want to screw it down or glue it down, they don't know squat about Safari Coaches and are going to botch it up and empty your wallet in the process. Same goes for replacing the springs.
      Honestly, you are much better off spending the money at Henderson's, at least you will get your moneys worth. If they don't do other RV work like roofs, I'm sure they know a place they could recommend. Honestly, knowing enough about these coaches, I do not get a good feeling about this place, they seem at a minimum to lack Safari knowledge and likely also after your wallet, knowing by the time you realize that things are botched up, you are in AK, far away. Just my two pennies...

      Also, looking at the picture of your engine, I would have someone shine a bright light between the fan blades to see if the if the charge air cooler/radiator are dirty. Dirt is a common issue that causes the engine to run hot and de-power to prevent overheating. This is most evident when climbing long steep grades, especially in hot weather.

      John
      '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
      6spd.


      On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 8:14 PM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


      John,

      Thank you, for the reply, the interior rubber of the torsion is shot, I am not sure on the height as I am back in Alaska now and the coach is in California.  From what I saw I would rather start with a good foundation and replace them.  As for the roof, there is no apparent evidence of leaks, the rook is still crisp white with no staining..  There is some apparent area that may have leaked in the skylight in the shower but, that seemed well repaired.  

      The repairs that we are planning with Barney and team at Discount RV is geared toward ensuring that we have a sound rig to come north with.  The prior owner used a low grade caulk that is going to have to be removed and done properly.  We have concerns on taking this desert deweller north but, with a little work and some right decision we think we are off to a good start.

      We will look into the tiger trax and airbag systems once we move the rig from California to Washington to get the seals in the windows done.  

      As for the camera and TV, we have power to the TV the camera is not sending a signal, that we can tell but, we are holding off on spending any effort on that as of yet.  I think the better money and effort maybe to update the whole system to side and rear cameras and place a 7” monitor in the dash area and forgo the whole 20” original TV system.  All of the wiring seems solid except the trailer braking system that the prior owner installed.  It works, but was not installed well they twisted the wire through the frame in some areas and wrapped it around other wires.  Plus it was installed so far back from the driver seat it is nearly to the slide out.  Not sure how you’d ever reach it if you needed to, that so far is the only poorly done installation.  The Cat motor with >25K tested without any concerns as did the transmission.

      I really appreciate all the insights and advice.  Attached are 2 photos...  Steve Inline image

      Inline image




      Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

      On Sunday, February 25, 2018, 3:42 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

       

      Steve,

      Welcome!

      Do you have any ride height shims left on the front suspension, if yes, how many are left, (left side and right side)?

      What is your ride height (measured at each corner, front and back)?

      Be aware, replacing the torsion tubes is very expensive, if they aren't collapsed, you can add and air bag kit, to bring the coach height up to specs (presuming that your shackles are ok). The good news is, the torsion tubes and shackles are still made (at one point they were out of production).
      Important: If you plan to install new shocks, your best bet is Koni shocks, but don't order them by make and model, as you will get the less effective ones (useless torsional suspension), instead do a search on this group under "Koni shocks part number" and you will find the info, or ask and I will re-post the information for you.

      As for the roof, has it leaked?
      Is the sub-roof ok, or is it soft/rotted?  If the sub-roof is ok, and only the Filon roof needs repair, you could anchor the bad areas down and than seal it with Eternabond tape. This product is superb, and can be ordered  in widths from 2'' to 48", and can make the repair very simple and easy. 

      Is the camera and TV truly shot, or are they just disconnected, and/or botched wiring???

      As for the road wander: The Sahara models are known to be light on the front end (have the coach weighed, preferably at each corner), and this alone will make them a handful. If the tires are over inflated (pressure should be according to weight on the axle), and/or if your King Pins are worn, this will exacerbate the problem. So I would definitely have a shop check for any play in the king pins. You also will need to check your alignment, a minimum Caster of 4.5 degrees, preferably 5 to 5.5 is a must for the coach to handle well. Pioneer Metal Works sells a good quality TigerTrak kit that also helps with road wander, if one has not been installed yet.
      If you have a generous budget, go set up an appointment with Henderson's Line-Up, they are very experienced with Safari handling issues, have an air bag kit, and know how to align these coaches properly. They are located in Grants Pass, OR, which should be on your way to AK.

      Here is their link:https://www. hendersonslineup.com/

      John
      '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
      6spd.




      On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 5:58 PM, osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


      The beams of the suspension based on the review of the inspection are out of tolerance and need to be replaced.  They seem that sitting in the desert got the best of them.  I drove the coach about an hour to Lakeside Ca and it was a bit of a hand full wanted to wonder a lot in the lane.  The guys at the shop attributed that to a couple of items, the suspension, the fact that the prior owner replace the tires with lower end Hercules tires on the fron that are not drive tires and more of a low-boy trailer tire.  The suspension is out in the front only, the rear is not in as bad shape.







      Group: Safarifriends Message: 37739 From: Steve Mendive Date: 2/25/2018
      Subject: Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
      Attachments :
        John,

        Thank you very much for the foundation on the springs and the roof.  I will call them in the morning and see if I can get some clear measurements and answers.  I was under the coach and remember there still being quite a bit of shim still there.   Unfortunately I did not get a good photo I took a short video but, I’m not sure it will help.  

        As for the roof I will speak with the team there on that too.  I will let you know as soon as I hear something back.

        Steve 


        Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

        On Sunday, February 25, 2018, 5:42 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

         

        Steve,

        Be aware that the torsion tubes do not need replacing, unless you are out of ride height shims, as in there is none left to remove, or the torsion spring collapsed, as in total failure. This "rubber" suspension is very durable and has a long life. Very many buses in Mexico use this type of suspension on rough Mexican roads, and are know to easily exceed one million miles. Failures are extremely rare, there were a few models that had issues because they had the very heavy large CAT C12 engine and the heavy Allison 4000 series transmission, and your coach does not fall in that catagory. The rubber on the edges of the torsion tubes normally looks cracked and gnarly because the edges are exposed to ozone, etc. for 20+ years. The rubber inside is preserved, and this in no way means the springs are bad. Speaking frankly, to replace them just for their looks is an error and a big waste of money. All four torsion tubes and shackles, will run you about $6000, just for the parts, and who know how much for labor.
        See if the rv repair shop can take some photos of the torsion tubes in question and have them email them to you, and then post them so we could look at them. If they know Safaris, like they claim, the first thing they should have done is check the ride height. Have them check it and post the numbers at all for wheels. You measure from the center of the wheel, to the bottom of the belt line. Proper height is 25 inches (+/- 1/4). Removing one shim on both sides of the torsion tube raises the coach by 1/4 inch. Example, removing four shims will raise the coach one inch.
        Your coach, and also ride comfort would benefit from a supplemental air bag kit on all four corner, considering the type of terrain you have back home, this will also help take some of the stress off of the springs, further preserving them and giving a nicer ride on poor roads.

        As for the rear view camera, are you aware that there is a switch on the dash that turns it on? It does not turn on automatically when you are reversing.

        Roof: you stated that the roof is delaminated, but yet you say the roof is shiny white, so I'm a bit confused. The filon roof is a very thin fiberglass hybrid type roof that is designed to float, as in, it is not supposed to be attached to the sub-roof. If your roof appears in good shape I would suggest to remove all caulk, especially if a silicon based caulk was used, and tape the end caps (they are very prone to leaking) and other straight joints, like the sky light, with Eternabond tape, and the rest, caulk with Dicor self leveling caulk. Then have the whole roof coated with two or three layers of elastomeric paint, this will likely give you 10yrs of leak free service being your in AK. The Eternabond tape will likely last your lifetime, if it is applied properly. Be aware that the tape will stick to anything except silicon, so all silicon MUST be removed prior to taping. I will try to email you a photo of my roof, so you can see how the joints are taped up.

        Pardon for being blunt, but if this place does not know that most Safari Coaches have a floating filon roof, and want to screw it down or glue it down, they don't know squat about Safari Coaches and are going to botch it up and empty your wallet in the process. Same goes for replacing the springs.
        Honestly, you are much better off spending the money at Henderson's, at least you will get your moneys worth. If they don't do other RV work like roofs, I'm sure they know a place they could recommend. Honestly, knowing enough about these coaches, I do not get a good feeling about this place, they seem at a minimum to lack Safari knowledge and likely also after your wallet, knowing by the time you realize that things are botched up, you are in AK, far away. Just my two pennies...

        Also, looking at the picture of your engine, I would have someone shine a bright light between the fan blades to see if the if the charge air cooler/radiator are dirty. Dirt is a common issue that causes the engine to run hot and de-power to prevent overheating. This is most evident when climbing long steep grades, especially in hot weather.

        John
        '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
        6spd.


        On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 8:14 PM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


        John,

        Thank you, for the reply, the interior rubber of the torsion is shot, I am not sure on the height as I am back in Alaska now and the coach is in California.  From what I saw I would rather start with a good foundation and replace them.  As for the roof, there is no apparent evidence of leaks, the rook is still crisp white with no staining...  There is some apparent area that may have leaked in the skylight in the shower but, that seemed well repaired.  

        The repairs that we are planning with Barney and team at Discount RV is geared toward ensuring that we have a sound rig to come north with.  The prior owner used a low grade caulk that is going to have to be removed and done properly.  We have concerns on taking this desert deweller north but, with a little work and some right decision we think we are off to a good start.

        We will look into the tiger trax and airbag systems once we move the rig from California to Washington to get the seals in the windows done.  

        As for the camera and TV, we have power to the TV the camera is not sending a signal, that we can tell but, we are holding off on spending any effort on that as of yet.  I think the better money and effort maybe to update the whole system to side and rear cameras and place a 7” monitor in the dash area and forgo the whole 20” original TV system.  All of the wiring seems solid except the trailer braking system that the prior owner installed.  It works, but was not installed well they twisted the wire through the frame in some areas and wrapped it around other wires.  Plus it was installed so far back from the driver seat it is nearly to the slide out.  Not sure how you’d ever reach it if you needed to, that so far is the only poorly done installation.  The Cat motor with >25K tested without any concerns as did the transmission.

        I really appreciate all the insights and advice.  Attached are 2 photos...  Steve Inline image

        Inline image




        Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

        On Sunday, February 25, 2018, 3:42 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

         

        Steve,

        Welcome!

        Do you have any ride height shims left on the front suspension, if yes, how many are left, (left side and right side)?

        What is your ride height (measured at each corner, front and back)?

        Be aware, replacing the torsion tubes is very expensive, if they aren't collapsed, you can add and air bag kit, to bring the coach height up to specs (presuming that your shackles are ok). The good news is, the torsion tubes and shackles are still made (at one point they were out of production).
        Important: If you plan to install new shocks, your best bet is Koni shocks, but don't order them by make and model, as you will get the less effective ones (useless torsional suspension), instead do a search on this group under "Koni shocks part number" and you will find the info, or ask and I will re-post the information for you.

        As for the roof, has it leaked?
        Is the sub-roof ok, or is it soft/rotted?  If the sub-roof is ok, and only the Filon roof needs repair, you could anchor the bad areas down and than seal it with Eternabond tape. This product is superb, and can be ordered  in widths from 2'' to 48", and can make the repair very simple and easy. 

        Is the camera and TV truly shot, or are they just disconnected, and/or botched wiring???

        As for the road wander: The Sahara models are known to be light on the front end (have the coach weighed, preferably at each corner), and this alone will make them a handful. If the tires are over inflated (pressure should be according to weight on the axle), and/or if your King Pins are worn, this will exacerbate the problem. So I would definitely have a shop check for any play in the king pins. You also will need to check your alignment, a minimum Caster of 4.5 degrees, preferably 5 to 5.5 is a must for the coach to handle well. Pioneer Metal Works sells a good quality TigerTrak kit that also helps with road wander, if one has not been installed yet.
        If you have a generous budget, go set up an appointment with Henderson's Line-Up, they are very experienced with Safari handling issues, have an air bag kit, and know how to align these coaches properly. They are located in Grants Pass, OR, which should be on your way to AK.

        Here is their link:https://www. hendersonslineup.com/

        John
        '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
        6spd.




        On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 5:58 PM, osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


        The beams of the suspension based on the review of the inspection are out of tolerance and need to be replaced.  They seem that sitting in the desert got the best of them.  I drove the coach about an hour to Lakeside Ca and it was a bit of a hand full wanted to wonder a lot in the lane.  The guys at the shop attributed that to a couple of items, the suspension, the fact that the prior owner replace the tires with lower end Hercules tires on the fron that are not drive tires and more of a low-boy trailer tire.  The suspension is out in the front only, the rear is not in as bad shape.







        Group: Safarifriends Message: 37741 From: TD Date: 2/25/2018
        Subject: Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
        Attachments :
          Steve,

          Glad to help.

          I emailed you some photos, let me know if they didn't come through.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 11:31 PM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


          John,

          Thank you very much for the foundation on the springs and the roof.  I will call them in the morning and see if I can get some clear measurements and answers.  I was under the coach and remember there still being quite a bit of shim still there.   Unfortunately I did not get a good photo I took a short video but, I’m not sure it will help.  

          As for the roof I will speak with the team there on that too.  I will let you know as soon as I hear something back.

          Steve 


          Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

          On Sunday, February 25, 2018, 5:42 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Be aware that the torsion tubes do not need replacing, unless you are out of ride height shims, as in there is none left to remove, or the torsion spring collapsed, as in total failure. This "rubber" suspension is very durable and has a long life. Very many buses in Mexico use this type of suspension on rough Mexican roads, and are know to easily exceed one million miles. Failures are extremely rare, there were a few models that had issues because they had the very heavy large CAT C12 engine and the heavy Allison 4000 series transmission, and your coach does not fall in that catagory. The rubber on the edges of the torsion tubes normally looks cracked and gnarly because the edges are exposed to ozone, etc. for 20+ years. The rubber inside is preserved, and this in no way means the springs are bad. Speaking frankly, to replace them just for their looks is an error and a big waste of money. All four torsion tubes and shackles, will run you about $6000, just for the parts, and who know how much for labor.
          See if the rv repair shop can take some photos of the torsion tubes in question and have them email them to you, and then post them so we could look at them. If they know Safaris, like they claim, the first thing they should have done is check the ride height. Have them check it and post the numbers at all for wheels. You measure from the center of the wheel, to the bottom of the belt line. Proper height is 25 inches (+/- 1/4). Removing one shim on both sides of the torsion tube raises the coach by 1/4 inch. Example, removing four shims will raise the coach one inch.
          Your coach, and also ride comfort would benefit from a supplemental air bag kit on all four corner, considering the type of terrain you have back home, this will also help take some of the stress off of the springs, further preserving them and giving a nicer ride on poor roads.

          As for the rear view camera, are you aware that there is a switch on the dash that turns it on? It does not turn on automatically when you are reversing..

          Roof: you stated that the roof is delaminated, but yet you say the roof is shiny white, so I'm a bit confused. The filon roof is a very thin fiberglass hybrid type roof that is designed to float, as in, it is not supposed to be attached to the sub-roof. If your roof appears in good shape I would suggest to remove all caulk, especially if a silicon based caulk was used, and tape the end caps (they are very prone to leaking) and other straight joints, like the sky light, with Eternabond tape, and the rest, caulk with Dicor self leveling caulk. Then have the whole roof coated with two or three layers of elastomeric paint, this will likely give you 10yrs of leak free service being your in AK. The Eternabond tape will likely last your lifetime, if it is applied properly. Be aware that the tape will stick to anything except silicon, so all silicon MUST be removed prior to taping. I will try to email you a photo of my roof, so you can see how the joints are taped up.

          Pardon for being blunt, but if this place does not know that most Safari Coaches have a floating filon roof, and want to screw it down or glue it down, they don't know squat about Safari Coaches and are going to botch it up and empty your wallet in the process. Same goes for replacing the springs.
          Honestly, you are much better off spending the money at Henderson's, at least you will get your moneys worth. If they don't do other RV work like roofs, I'm sure they know a place they could recommend. Honestly, knowing enough about these coaches, I do not get a good feeling about this place, they seem at a minimum to lack Safari knowledge and likely also after your wallet, knowing by the time you realize that things are botched up, you are in AK, far away. Just my two pennies...

          Also, looking at the picture of your engine, I would have someone shine a bright light between the fan blades to see if the if the charge air cooler/radiator are dirty. Dirt is a common issue that causes the engine to run hot and de-power to prevent overheating. This is most evident when climbing long steep grades, especially in hot weather.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.


          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 8:14 PM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          John,

          Thank you, for the reply, the interior rubber of the torsion is shot, I am not sure on the height as I am back in Alaska now and the coach is in California.  From what I saw I would rather start with a good foundation and replace them.  As for the roof, there is no apparent evidence of leaks, the rook is still crisp white with no staining...  There is some apparent area that may have leaked in the skylight in the shower but, that seemed well repaired.  

          The repairs that we are planning with Barney and team at Discount RV is geared toward ensuring that we have a sound rig to come north with.  The prior owner used a low grade caulk that is going to have to be removed and done properly.  We have concerns on taking this desert deweller north but, with a little work and some right decision we think we are off to a good start.

          We will look into the tiger trax and airbag systems once we move the rig from California to Washington to get the seals in the windows done.  

          As for the camera and TV, we have power to the TV the camera is not sending a signal, that we can tell but, we are holding off on spending any effort on that as of yet.  I think the better money and effort maybe to update the whole system to side and rear cameras and place a 7” monitor in the dash area and forgo the whole 20” original TV system.  All of the wiring seems solid except the trailer braking system that the prior owner installed.  It works, but was not installed well they twisted the wire through the frame in some areas and wrapped it around other wires.  Plus it was installed so far back from the driver seat it is nearly to the slide out.  Not sure how you’d ever reach it if you needed to, that so far is the only poorly done installation.  The Cat motor with >25K tested without any concerns as did the transmission.

          I really appreciate all the insights and advice.  Attached are 2 photos...  Steve Inline image

          Inline image




          Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

          On Sunday, February 25, 2018, 3:42 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Welcome!

          Do you have any ride height shims left on the front suspension, if yes, how many are left, (left side and right side)?

          What is your ride height (measured at each corner, front and back)?

          Be aware, replacing the torsion tubes is very expensive, if they aren't collapsed, you can add and air bag kit, to bring the coach height up to specs (presuming that your shackles are ok). The good news is, the torsion tubes and shackles are still made (at one point they were out of production).
          Important: If you plan to install new shocks, your best bet is Koni shocks, but don't order them by make and model, as you will get the less effective ones (useless torsional suspension), instead do a search on this group under "Koni shocks part number" and you will find the info, or ask and I will re-post the information for you.

          As for the roof, has it leaked?
          Is the sub-roof ok, or is it soft/rotted?  If the sub-roof is ok, and only the Filon roof needs repair, you could anchor the bad areas down and than seal it with Eternabond tape. This product is superb, and can be ordered  in widths from 2'' to 48", and can make the repair very simple and easy. 

          Is the camera and TV truly shot, or are they just disconnected, and/or botched wiring???

          As for the road wander: The Sahara models are known to be light on the front end (have the coach weighed, preferably at each corner), and this alone will make them a handful. If the tires are over inflated (pressure should be according to weight on the axle), and/or if your King Pins are worn, this will exacerbate the problem. So I would definitely have a shop check for any play in the king pins. You also will need to check your alignment, a minimum Caster of 4.5 degrees, preferably 5 to 5.5 is a must for the coach to handle well. Pioneer Metal Works sells a good quality TigerTrak kit that also helps with road wander, if one has not been installed yet.
          If you have a generous budget, go set up an appointment with Henderson's Line-Up, they are very experienced with Safari handling issues, have an air bag kit, and know how to align these coaches properly. They are located in Grants Pass, OR, which should be on your way to AK.

          Here is their link:https://www. hendersonslineup.com/

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.




          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 5:58 PM, osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          The beams of the suspension based on the review of the inspection are out of tolerance and need to be replaced.  They seem that sitting in the desert got the best of them.  I drove the coach about an hour to Lakeside Ca and it was a bit of a hand full wanted to wonder a lot in the lane.  The guys at the shop attributed that to a couple of items, the suspension, the fact that the prior owner replace the tires with lower end Hercules tires on the fron that are not drive tires and more of a low-boy trailer tire.  The suspension is out in the front only, the rear is not in as bad shape.










          Group: Safarifriends Message: 37745 From: TD Date: 2/25/2018
          Subject: Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006 [3 Attachments]
          Steve,

          Those torsion springs look to be in very good shape. I wish I had photos of mine to show you, as they look a hundred times worse and the coach rides well and has plenty of shims. The front actually has a full stack of shims. The rear is heavier, so its missing a few.

          Check you spam folder just in case, both emails should have gone through.

          I can see that your coach does not have Koni shocks. It will ride much smoother with no porpoising/bouncing if you install Koni shocks, they are  the best shocks for torsion spring suspension. These shocks are adjustable. Being that you will be traveling on rough CA roads and the ALCAN highway, I would recommend to set the front shocks to maximum dampening, or set both, front and back.

          Koni Shocks part numbers for your coach:

          Front: 881641SP3
          Make sure you order by part number not by the make of your coach, otherwise you will get the less effective shock, that won't do a good job

          Rear: 881458SP2

          LTB Autosports has the best prices and free shipping to boot.

          Here is the link:

          Front shocks: http://www.ltbautosports.com/koni-rv-/country-coach/881641sp3/i-2440360.aspx

          Rear shocks: http://www.ltbautosports.com/koni-rv-/safari/881458sp2/i-2440564.aspx


          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Mon, Feb 26, 2018 at 12:31 AM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
          John,

          As soon as I see them I will let you know.  So far they have not come in.  This is the best shot I have of the torsion bar on the 

          passenger side.  I have requested the shop measure the heights.  Barney and his crew really have a good reputation, though most of their work is newer coaches.  They seem very invested and knowledgeable on the needs of our coach.  

          One point of clarity when I said the roof looked bright white, I meant the headliner of the coach.  The exterior roof is clean but, there was a lot of prior owner silicon up there.  I believe that the Barney and his crew are on top of those needs to seal correctly the seams.  Not sure if we are on the same page in using expanding screws to tie the roof together after hearing from you in the type of roof on our coach.

          Thank you again.  I really appreciate the help, we really want this coach to work for us and give us a coach to care for, and not change needless problems.  I believe we have great bones and very few problems at this point.

          Steve 

          On Feb 25, 2018, at 7:53 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Glad to help.

          I emailed you some photos, let me know if they didn't come through.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 11:31 PM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          John,

          Thank you very much for the foundation on the springs and the roof.  I will call them in the morning and see if I can get some clear measurements and answers.  I was under the coach and remember there still being quite a bit of shim still there.   Unfortunately I did not get a good photo I took a short video but, I’m not sure it will help.  

          As for the roof I will speak with the team there on that too.  I will let you know as soon as I hear something back.

          Steve 


          Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

          On Sunday, February 25, 2018, 5:42 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Be aware that the torsion tubes do not need replacing, unless you are out of ride height shims, as in there is none left to remove, or the torsion spring collapsed, as in total failure. This "rubber" suspension is very durable and has a long life. Very many buses in Mexico use this type of suspension on rough Mexican roads, and are know to easily exceed one million miles. Failures are extremely rare, there were a few models that had issues because they had the very heavy large CAT C12 engine and the heavy Allison 4000 series transmission, and your coach does not fall in that catagory. The rubber on the edges of the torsion tubes normally looks cracked and gnarly because the edges are exposed to ozone, etc. for 20+ years. The rubber inside is preserved, and this in no way means the springs are bad. Speaking frankly, to replace them just for their looks is an error and a big waste of money. All four torsion tubes and shackles, will run you about $6000, just for the parts, and who know how much for labor.
          See if the rv repair shop can take some photos of the torsion tubes in question and have them email them to you, and then post them so we could look at them. If they know Safaris, like they claim, the first thing they should have done is check the ride height. Have them check it and post the numbers at all for wheels. You measure from the center of the wheel, to the bottom of the belt line. Proper height is 25 inches (+/- 1/4). Removing one shim on both sides of the torsion tube raises the coach by 1/4 inch. Example, removing four shims will raise the coach one inch.
          Your coach, and also ride comfort would benefit from a supplemental air bag kit on all four corner, considering the type of terrain you have back home, this will also help take some of the stress off of the springs, further preserving them and giving a nicer ride on poor roads.

          As for the rear view camera, are you aware that there is a switch on the dash that turns it on? It does not turn on automatically when you are reversing...

          Roof: you stated that the roof is delaminated, but yet you say the roof is shiny white, so I'm a bit confused. The filon roof is a very thin fiberglass hybrid type roof that is designed to float, as in, it is not supposed to be attached to the sub-roof. If your roof appears in good shape I would suggest to remove all caulk, especially if a silicon based caulk was used, and tape the end caps (they are very prone to leaking) and other straight joints, like the sky light, with Eternabond tape, and the rest, caulk with Dicor self leveling caulk. Then have the whole roof coated with two or three layers of elastomeric paint, this will likely give you 10yrs of leak free service being your in AK. The Eternabond tape will likely last your lifetime, if it is applied properly. Be aware that the tape will stick to anything except silicon, so all silicon MUST be removed prior to taping. I will try to email you a photo of my roof, so you can see how the joints are taped up.

          Pardon for being blunt, but if this place does not know that most Safari Coaches have a floating filon roof, and want to screw it down or glue it down, they don't know squat about Safari Coaches and are going to botch it up and empty your wallet in the process. Same goes for replacing the springs.
          Honestly, you are much better off spending the money at Henderson's, at least you will get your moneys worth. If they don't do other RV work like roofs, I'm sure they know a place they could recommend. Honestly, knowing enough about these coaches, I do not get a good feeling about this place, they seem at a minimum to lack Safari knowledge and likely also after your wallet, knowing by the time you realize that things are botched up, you are in AK, far away. Just my two pennies...

          Also, looking at the picture of your engine, I would have someone shine a bright light between the fan blades to see if the if the charge air cooler/radiator are dirty. Dirt is a common issue that causes the engine to run hot and de-power to prevent overheating. This is most evident when climbing long steep grades, especially in hot weather.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.


          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 8:14 PM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          John,

          Thank you, for the reply, the interior rubber of the torsion is shot, I am not sure on the height as I am back in Alaska now and the coach is in California.  From what I saw I would rather start with a good foundation and replace them.  As for the roof, there is no apparent evidence of leaks, the rook is still crisp white with no staining...  There is some apparent area that may have leaked in the skylight in the shower but, that seemed well repaired.  

          The repairs that we are planning with Barney and team at Discount RV is geared toward ensuring that we have a sound rig to come north with.  The prior owner used a low grade caulk that is going to have to be removed and done properly.  We have concerns on taking this desert deweller north but, with a little work and some right decision we think we are off to a good start.

          We will look into the tiger trax and airbag systems once we move the rig from California to Washington to get the seals in the windows done.  

          As for the camera and TV, we have power to the TV the camera is not sending a signal, that we can tell but, we are holding off on spending any effort on that as of yet.  I think the better money and effort maybe to update the whole system to side and rear cameras and place a 7” monitor in the dash area and forgo the whole 20” original TV system.  All of the wiring seems solid except the trailer braking system that the prior owner installed.  It works, but was not installed well they twisted the wire through the frame in some areas and wrapped it around other wires.  Plus it was installed so far back from the driver seat it is nearly to the slide out.  Not sure how you’d ever reach it if you needed to, that so far is the only poorly done installation.  The Cat motor with >25K tested without any concerns as did the transmission.

          I really appreciate all the insights and advice.  Attached are 2 photos...  Steve 







          Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

          On Sunday, February 25, 2018, 3:42 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Welcome!

          Do you have any ride height shims left on the front suspension, if yes, how many are left, (left side and right side)?

          What is your ride height (measured at each corner, front and back)?

          Be aware, replacing the torsion tubes is very expensive, if they aren't collapsed, you can add and air bag kit, to bring the coach height up to specs (presuming that your shackles are ok). The good news is, the torsion tubes and shackles are still made (at one point they were out of production).
          Important: If you plan to install new shocks, your best bet is Koni shocks, but don't order them by make and model, as you will get the less effective ones (useless torsional suspension), instead do a search on this group under "Koni shocks part number" and you will find the info, or ask and I will re-post the information for you.

          As for the roof, has it leaked?
          Is the sub-roof ok, or is it soft/rotted?  If the sub-roof is ok, and only the Filon roof needs repair, you could anchor the bad areas down and than seal it with Eternabond tape. This product is superb, and can be ordered  in widths from 2'' to 48", and can make the repair very simple and easy. 

          Is the camera and TV truly shot, or are they just disconnected, and/or botched wiring???

          As for the road wander: The Sahara models are known to be light on the front end (have the coach weighed, preferably at each corner), and this alone will make them a handful. If the tires are over inflated (pressure should be according to weight on the axle), and/or if your King Pins are worn, this will exacerbate the problem. So I would definitely have a shop check for any play in the king pins. You also will need to check your alignment, a minimum Caster of 4.5 degrees, preferably 5 to 5.5 is a must for the coach to handle well. Pioneer Metal Works sells a good quality TigerTrak kit that also helps with road wander, if one has not been installed yet.
          If you have a generous budget, go set up an appointment with Henderson's Line-Up, they are very experienced with Safari handling issues, have an air bag kit, and know how to align these coaches properly. They are located in Grants Pass, OR, which should be on your way to AK.

          Here is their link:https://www. hendersonslineup.com/

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.




          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 5:58 PM, osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          The beams of the suspension based on the review of the inspection are out of tolerance and need to be replaced.  They seem that sitting in the desert got the best of them.  I drove the coach about an hour to Lakeside Ca and it was a bit of a hand full wanted to wonder a lot in the lane.  The guys at the shop attributed that to a couple of items, the suspension, the fact that the prior owner replace the tires with lower end Hercules tires on the fron that are not drive tires and more of a low-boy trailer tire.  The suspension is out in the front only, the rear is not in as bad shape.












          Group: Safarifriends Message: 37747 From: Robert Lewis Date: 2/26/2018
          Subject: Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006

          Very good advice John,... Good technical facts not just opinion.

          Robert and Bev Lewis
          2000 Continental
          3126B Cat, 330hp
          MD3060 Allison

          On February 25, 2018 6:42:25 PM "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Be aware that the torsion tubes do not need replacing, unless you are out of ride height shims, as in there is none left to remove, or the torsion spring collapsed, as in total failure. This "rubber" suspension is very durable and has a long life. Very many buses in Mexico use this type of suspension on rough Mexican roads, and are know to easily exceed one million miles. Failures are extremely rare, there were a few models that had issues because they had the very heavy large CAT C12 engine and the heavy Allison 4000 series transmission, and your coach does not fall in that catagory. The rubber on the edges of the torsion tubes normally looks cracked and gnarly because the edges are exposed to ozone, etc. for 20+ years. The rubber inside is preserved, and this in no way means the springs are bad. Speaking frankly, to replace them just for their looks is an error and a big waste of money. All four torsion tubes and shackles, will run you about $6000, just for the parts, and who know how much for labor.
          See if the rv repair shop can take some photos of the torsion tubes in question and have them email them to you, and then post them so we could look at them. If they know Safaris, like they claim, the first thing they should have done is check the ride height. Have them check it and post the numbers at all for wheels. You measure from the center of the wheel, to the bottom of the belt line. Proper height is 25 inches (+/- 1/4). Removing one shim on both sides of the torsion tube raises the coach by 1/4 inch. Example, removing four shims will raise the coach one inch.
          Your coach, and also ride comfort would benefit from a supplemental air bag kit on all four corner, considering the type of terrain you have back home, this will also help take some of the stress off of the springs, further preserving them and giving a nicer ride on poor roads.

          As for the rear view camera, are you aware that there is a switch on the dash that turns it on? It does not turn on automatically when you are reversing.

          Roof: you stated that the roof is delaminated, but yet you say the roof is shiny white, so I'm a bit confused. The filon roof is a very thin fiberglass hybrid type roof that is designed to float, as in, it is not supposed to be attached to the sub-roof. If your roof appears in good shape I would suggest to remove all caulk, especially if a silicon based caulk was used, and tape the end caps (they are very prone to leaking) and other straight joints, like the sky light, with Eternabond tape, and the rest, caulk with Dicor self leveling caulk. Then have the whole roof coated with two or three layers of elastomeric paint, this will likely give you 10yrs of leak free service being your in AK. The Eternabond tape will likely last your lifetime, if it is applied properly. Be aware that the tape will stick to anything except silicon, so all silicon MUST be removed prior to taping. I will try to email you a photo of my roof, so you can see how the joints are taped up.

          Pardon for being blunt, but if this place does not know that most Safari Coaches have a floating filon roof, and want to screw it down or glue it down, they don't know squat about Safari Coaches and are going to botch it up and empty your wallet in the process. Same goes for replacing the springs.
          Honestly, you are much better off spending the money at Henderson's, at least you will get your moneys worth. If they don't do other RV work like roofs, I'm sure they know a place they could recommend. Honestly, knowing enough about these coaches, I do not get a good feeling about this place, they seem at a minimum to lack Safari knowledge and likely also after your wallet, knowing by the time you realize that things are botched up, you are in AK, far away. Just my two pennies...

          Also, looking at the picture of your engine, I would have someone shine a bright light between the fan blades to see if the if the charge air cooler/radiator are dirty. Dirt is a common issue that causes the engine to run hot and de-power to prevent overheating. This is most evident when climbing long steep grades, especially in hot weather.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.


          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 8:14 PM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


          John,

          Thank you, for the reply, the interior rubber of the torsion is shot, I am not sure on the height as I am back in Alaska now and the coach is in California.  From what I saw I would rather start with a good foundation and replace them.  As for the roof, there is no apparent evidence of leaks, the rook is still crisp white with no staining..  There is some apparent area that may have leaked in the skylight in the shower but, that seemed well repaired.  

          The repairs that we are planning with Barney and team at Discount RV is geared toward ensuring that we have a sound rig to come north with.  The prior owner used a low grade caulk that is going to have to be removed and done properly.  We have concerns on taking this desert deweller north but, with a little work and some right decision we think we are off to a good start.

          We will look into the tiger trax and airbag systems once we move the rig from California to Washington to get the seals in the windows done.  

          As for the camera and TV, we have power to the TV the camera is not sending a signal, that we can tell but, we are holding off on spending any effort on that as of yet.  I think the better money and effort maybe to update the whole system to side and rear cameras and place a 7” monitor in the dash area and forgo the whole 20” original TV system.  All of the wiring seems solid except the trailer braking system that the prior owner installed.  It works, but was not installed well they twisted the wire through the frame in some areas and wrapped it around other wires.  Plus it was installed so far back from the driver seat it is nearly to the slide out.  Not sure how you’d ever reach it if you needed to, that so far is the only poorly done installation.  The Cat motor with >25K tested without any concerns as did the transmission.

          I really appreciate all the insights and advice.  Attached are 2 photos...  Steve Inline image

          Inline image




          Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

          On Sunday, February 25, 2018, 3:42 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Welcome!

          Do you have any ride height shims left on the front suspension, if yes, how many are left, (left side and right side)?

          What is your ride height (measured at each corner, front and back)?

          Be aware, replacing the torsion tubes is very expensive, if they aren't collapsed, you can add and air bag kit, to bring the coach height up to specs (presuming that your shackles are ok). The good news is, the torsion tubes and shackles are still made (at one point they were out of production).
          Important: If you plan to install new shocks, your best bet is Koni shocks, but don't order them by make and model, as you will get the less effective ones (useless torsional suspension), instead do a search on this group under "Koni shocks part number" and you will find the info, or ask and I will re-post the information for you.

          As for the roof, has it leaked?
          Is the sub-roof ok, or is it soft/rotted?  If the sub-roof is ok, and only the Filon roof needs repair, you could anchor the bad areas down and than seal it with Eternabond tape. This product is superb, and can be ordered  in widths from 2'' to 48", and can make the repair very simple and easy. 

          Is the camera and TV truly shot, or are they just disconnected, and/or botched wiring???

          As for the road wander: The Sahara models are known to be light on the front end (have the coach weighed, preferably at each corner), and this alone will make them a handful. If the tires are over inflated (pressure should be according to weight on the axle), and/or if your King Pins are worn, this will exacerbate the problem. So I would definitely have a shop check for any play in the king pins. You also will need to check your alignment, a minimum Caster of 4.5 degrees, preferably 5 to 5.5 is a must for the coach to handle well. Pioneer Metal Works sells a good quality TigerTrak kit that also helps with road wander, if one has not been installed yet.
          If you have a generous budget, go set up an appointment with Henderson's Line-Up, they are very experienced with Safari handling issues, have an air bag kit, and know how to align these coaches properly. They are located in Grants Pass, OR, which should be on your way to AK.

          Here is their link:https://www. hendersonslineup.com/

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.




          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 5:58 PM, osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          The beams of the suspension based on the review of the inspection are out of tolerance and need to be replaced.  They seem that sitting in the desert got the best of them.  I drove the coach about an hour to Lakeside Ca and it was a bit of a hand full wanted to wonder a lot in the lane.  The guys at the shop attributed that to a couple of items, the suspension, the fact that the prior owner replace the tires with lower end Hercules tires on the fron that are not drive tires and more of a low-boy trailer tire.  The suspension is out in the front only, the rear is not in as bad shape.







          Group: Safarifriends Message: 37748 From: Robert Lewis Date: 2/26/2018
          Subject: Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006

          Can anyone tell me if there is the same rubber torsion system on a 2000 Safari Continental? I am buried in snow right now and can't get under there to look. My focus hasn't been on the suspension but may have to be soon.

          After a speed bump or similar should the coach bounce be 1 1/2 times or something else? ... to see if the shocks are ok, or can you recommend another check ?

          Thanks
          Robert and Bev Lewis
          2000 Continental
          3126B Cat, 330hp
          MD3060 Allison

          On February 25, 2018 11:27:27 PM "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Those torsion springs look to be in very good shape. I wish I had photos of mine to show you, as they look a hundred times worse and the coach rides well and has plenty of shims. The front actually has a full stack of shims. The rear is heavier, so its missing a few.

          Check you spam folder just in case, both emails should have gone through.

          I can see that your coach does not have Koni shocks. It will ride much smoother with no porpoising/bouncing if you install Koni shocks, they are  the best shocks for torsion spring suspension. These shocks are adjustable. Being that you will be traveling on rough CA roads and the ALCAN highway, I would recommend to set the front shocks to maximum dampening, or set both, front and back.

          Koni Shocks part numbers for your coach:

          Front: 881641SP3
          Make sure you order by part number not by the make of your coach, otherwise you will get the less effective shock, that won't do a good job

          Rear: 881458SP2

          LTB Autosports has the best prices and free shipping to boot.

          Here is the link:

          Front shocks: http://www.ltbautosports.com/koni-rv-/country-coach/881641sp3/i-2440360.aspx

          Rear shocks: http://www.ltbautosports.com/koni-rv-/safari/881458sp2/i-2440564.aspx


          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Mon, Feb 26, 2018 at 12:31 AM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
          John,

          As soon as I see them I will let you know.  So far they have not come in.  This is the best shot I have of the torsion bar on the 

          passenger side.  I have requested the shop measure the heights.  Barney and his crew really have a good reputation, though most of their work is newer coaches.  They seem very invested and knowledgeable on the needs of our coach.  

          One point of clarity when I said the roof looked bright white, I meant the headliner of the coach.  The exterior roof is clean but, there was a lot of prior owner silicon up there.  I believe that the Barney and his crew are on top of those needs to seal correctly the seams.  Not sure if we are on the same page in using expanding screws to tie the roof together after hearing from you in the type of roof on our coach.

          Thank you again.  I really appreciate the help, we really want this coach to work for us and give us a coach to care for, and not change needless problems.  I believe we have great bones and very few problems at this point.

          Steve 

          On Feb 25, 2018, at 7:53 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Glad to help.

          I emailed you some photos, let me know if they didn't come through.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 11:31 PM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          John,

          Thank you very much for the foundation on the springs and the roof.  I will call them in the morning and see if I can get some clear measurements and answers.  I was under the coach and remember there still being quite a bit of shim still there.   Unfortunately I did not get a good photo I took a short video but, I’m not sure it will help.  

          As for the roof I will speak with the team there on that too.  I will let you know as soon as I hear something back.

          Steve 


          Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

          On Sunday, February 25, 2018, 5:42 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Be aware that the torsion tubes do not need replacing, unless you are out of ride height shims, as in there is none left to remove, or the torsion spring collapsed, as in total failure. This "rubber" suspension is very durable and has a long life. Very many buses in Mexico use this type of suspension on rough Mexican roads, and are know to easily exceed one million miles. Failures are extremely rare, there were a few models that had issues because they had the very heavy large CAT C12 engine and the heavy Allison 4000 series transmission, and your coach does not fall in that catagory. The rubber on the edges of the torsion tubes normally looks cracked and gnarly because the edges are exposed to ozone, etc. for 20+ years. The rubber inside is preserved, and this in no way means the springs are bad. Speaking frankly, to replace them just for their looks is an error and a big waste of money. All four torsion tubes and shackles, will run you about $6000, just for the parts, and who know how much for labor.
          See if the rv repair shop can take some photos of the torsion tubes in question and have them email them to you, and then post them so we could look at them. If they know Safaris, like they claim, the first thing they should have done is check the ride height. Have them check it and post the numbers at all for wheels. You measure from the center of the wheel, to the bottom of the belt line. Proper height is 25 inches (+/- 1/4). Removing one shim on both sides of the torsion tube raises the coach by 1/4 inch. Example, removing four shims will raise the coach one inch.
          Your coach, and also ride comfort would benefit from a supplemental air bag kit on all four corner, considering the type of terrain you have back home, this will also help take some of the stress off of the springs, further preserving them and giving a nicer ride on poor roads.

          As for the rear view camera, are you aware that there is a switch on the dash that turns it on? It does not turn on automatically when you are reversing...

          Roof: you stated that the roof is delaminated, but yet you say the roof is shiny white, so I'm a bit confused. The filon roof is a very thin fiberglass hybrid type roof that is designed to float, as in, it is not supposed to be attached to the sub-roof. If your roof appears in good shape I would suggest to remove all caulk, especially if a silicon based caulk was used, and tape the end caps (they are very prone to leaking) and other straight joints, like the sky light, with Eternabond tape, and the rest, caulk with Dicor self leveling caulk. Then have the whole roof coated with two or three layers of elastomeric paint, this will likely give you 10yrs of leak free service being your in AK. The Eternabond tape will likely last your lifetime, if it is applied properly. Be aware that the tape will stick to anything except silicon, so all silicon MUST be removed prior to taping. I will try to email you a photo of my roof, so you can see how the joints are taped up.

          Pardon for being blunt, but if this place does not know that most Safari Coaches have a floating filon roof, and want to screw it down or glue it down, they don't know squat about Safari Coaches and are going to botch it up and empty your wallet in the process. Same goes for replacing the springs.
          Honestly, you are much better off spending the money at Henderson's, at least you will get your moneys worth. If they don't do other RV work like roofs, I'm sure they know a place they could recommend. Honestly, knowing enough about these coaches, I do not get a good feeling about this place, they seem at a minimum to lack Safari knowledge and likely also after your wallet, knowing by the time you realize that things are botched up, you are in AK, far away. Just my two pennies...

          Also, looking at the picture of your engine, I would have someone shine a bright light between the fan blades to see if the if the charge air cooler/radiator are dirty. Dirt is a common issue that causes the engine to run hot and de-power to prevent overheating. This is most evident when climbing long steep grades, especially in hot weather.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.


          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 8:14 PM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          John,

          Thank you, for the reply, the interior rubber of the torsion is shot, I am not sure on the height as I am back in Alaska now and the coach is in California.  From what I saw I would rather start with a good foundation and replace them.  As for the roof, there is no apparent evidence of leaks, the rook is still crisp white with no staining...  There is some apparent area that may have leaked in the skylight in the shower but, that seemed well repaired.  

          The repairs that we are planning with Barney and team at Discount RV is geared toward ensuring that we have a sound rig to come north with.  The prior owner used a low grade caulk that is going to have to be removed and done properly.  We have concerns on taking this desert deweller north but, with a little work and some right decision we think we are off to a good start.

          We will look into the tiger trax and airbag systems once we move the rig from California to Washington to get the seals in the windows done.  

          As for the camera and TV, we have power to the TV the camera is not sending a signal, that we can tell but, we are holding off on spending any effort on that as of yet.  I think the better money and effort maybe to update the whole system to side and rear cameras and place a 7” monitor in the dash area and forgo the whole 20” original TV system.  All of the wiring seems solid except the trailer braking system that the prior owner installed.  It works, but was not installed well they twisted the wire through the frame in some areas and wrapped it around other wires.  Plus it was installed so far back from the driver seat it is nearly to the slide out.  Not sure how you’d ever reach it if you needed to, that so far is the only poorly done installation.  The Cat motor with >25K tested without any concerns as did the transmission.

          I really appreciate all the insights and advice.  Attached are 2 photos...  Steve 







          Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

          On Sunday, February 25, 2018, 3:42 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Welcome!

          Do you have any ride height shims left on the front suspension, if yes, how many are left, (left side and right side)?

          What is your ride height (measured at each corner, front and back)?

          Be aware, replacing the torsion tubes is very expensive, if they aren't collapsed, you can add and air bag kit, to bring the coach height up to specs (presuming that your shackles are ok). The good news is, the torsion tubes and shackles are still made (at one point they were out of production).
          Important: If you plan to install new shocks, your best bet is Koni shocks, but don't order them by make and model, as you will get the less effective ones (useless torsional suspension), instead do a search on this group under "Koni shocks part number" and you will find the info, or ask and I will re-post the information for you.

          As for the roof, has it leaked?
          Is the sub-roof ok, or is it soft/rotted?  If the sub-roof is ok, and only the Filon roof needs repair, you could anchor the bad areas down and than seal it with Eternabond tape. This product is superb, and can be ordered  in widths from 2'' to 48", and can make the repair very simple and easy. 

          Is the camera and TV truly shot, or are they just disconnected, and/or botched wiring???

          As for the road wander: The Sahara models are known to be light on the front end (have the coach weighed, preferably at each corner), and this alone will make them a handful. If the tires are over inflated (pressure should be according to weight on the axle), and/or if your King Pins are worn, this will exacerbate the problem. So I would definitely have a shop check for any play in the king pins. You also will need to check your alignment, a minimum Caster of 4.5 degrees, preferably 5 to 5.5 is a must for the coach to handle well. Pioneer Metal Works sells a good quality TigerTrak kit that also helps with road wander, if one has not been installed yet.
          If you have a generous budget, go set up an appointment with Henderson's Line-Up, they are very experienced with Safari handling issues, have an air bag kit, and know how to align these coaches properly. They are located in Grants Pass, OR, which should be on your way to AK.

          Here is their link:https://www. hendersonslineup.com/

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.




          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 5:58 PM, osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          The beams of the suspension based on the review of the inspection are out of tolerance and need to be replaced.  They seem that sitting in the desert got the best of them.  I drove the coach about an hour to Lakeside Ca and it was a bit of a hand full wanted to wonder a lot in the lane.  The guys at the shop attributed that to a couple of items, the suspension, the fact that the prior owner replace the tires with lower end Hercules tires on the fron that are not drive tires and more of a low-boy trailer tire.  The suspension is out in the front only, the rear is not in as bad shape.












          Group: Safarifriends Message: 37749 From: TD Date: 2/26/2018
          Subject: Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
          Robert,

          You coach will be either an air ride coach, likely with 8 air bags, or a VelvetRide, with the torsion springs, like you see in Steve's video.

          As for bouncing, depends how fast you go over the speed bump. Lol. 1.5 sounds ok. If you have the torsional suspension, and you notice a lot of bouncing and especially porpoising, then it time to upgrade to Koni shocks. Make sure you order by part number not by make and model, otherwise you will get the less effective (useless) shocks. Also, if you tow a toad, or trailer and is seems to be bopping up and down all the time, this means you need rear shocks, as the camera is bouncing with the coach, making it look like the toad is bouncing.

          BTW, unless your snow is above the coach wheels, just stick a camera over the top of the front wheel and snap a few shots with a slightly downward angle, this should give you and idea which suspension you have.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Mon, Feb 26, 2018 at 3:16 PM, Robert Lewis robert.lewis.tl@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


          Can anyone tell me if there is the same rubber torsion system on a 2000 Safari Continental? I am buried in snow right now and can't get under there to look. My focus hasn't been on the suspension but may have to be soon.

          After a speed bump or similar should the coach bounce be 1 1/2 times or something else? ... to see if the shocks are ok, or can you recommend another check ?

          Thanks
          Robert and Bev Lewis
          2000 Continental
          3126B Cat, 330hp
          MD3060 Allison

          On February 25, 2018 11:27:27 PM "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Those torsion springs look to be in very good shape. I wish I had photos of mine to show you, as they look a hundred times worse and the coach rides well and has plenty of shims. The front actually has a full stack of shims. The rear is heavier, so its missing a few.

          Check you spam folder just in case, both emails should have gone through.

          I can see that your coach does not have Koni shocks. It will ride much smoother with no porpoising/bouncing if you install Koni shocks, they are  the best shocks for torsion spring suspension. These shocks are adjustable. Being that you will be traveling on rough CA roads and the ALCAN highway, I would recommend to set the front shocks to maximum dampening, or set both, front and back.

          Koni Shocks part numbers for your coach:

          Front: 881641SP3
          Make sure you order by part number not by the make of your coach, otherwise you will get the less effective shock, that won't do a good job

          Rear: 881458SP2

          LTB Autosports has the best prices and free shipping to boot.

          Here is the link:

          Front shocks: http://www.ltbautosports.com/ koni-rv-/country-coach/ 881641sp3/i-2440360.aspx

          Rear shocks: http://www.ltbautosports.com/ koni-rv-/safari/881458sp2/i- 2440564.aspx


          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Mon, Feb 26, 2018 at 12:31 AM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:
          John,

          As soon as I see them I will let you know.  So far they have not come in.  This is the best shot I have of the torsion bar on the 

          passenger side..  I have requested the shop measure the heights.  Barney and his crew really have a good reputation, though most of their work is newer coaches.  They seem very invested and knowledgeable on the needs of our coach.  

          One point of clarity when I said the roof looked bright white, I meant the headliner of the coach.  The exterior roof is clean but, there was a lot of prior owner silicon up there.  I believe that the Barney and his crew are on top of those needs to seal correctly the seams.  Not sure if we are on the same page in using expanding screws to tie the roof together after hearing from you in the type of roof on our coach.

          Thank you again.  I really appreciate the help, we really want this coach to work for us and give us a coach to care for, and not change needless problems.  I believe we have great bones and very few problems at this point.

          Steve 

          On Feb 25, 2018, at 7:53 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Glad to help.

          I emailed you some photos, let me know if they didn't come through.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 11:31 PM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          John,

          Thank you very much for the foundation on the springs and the roof.  I will call them in the morning and see if I can get some clear measurements and answers.  I was under the coach and remember there still being quite a bit of shim still there.   Unfortunately I did not get a good photo I took a short video but, I’m not sure it will help.  

          As for the roof I will speak with the team there on that too.  I will let you know as soon as I hear something back.

          Steve 


          Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

          On Sunday, February 25, 2018, 5:42 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Be aware that the torsion tubes do not need replacing, unless you are out of ride height shims, as in there is none left to remove, or the torsion spring collapsed, as in total failure. This "rubber" suspension is very durable and has a long life. Very many buses in Mexico use this type of suspension on rough Mexican roads, and are know to easily exceed one million miles. Failures are extremely rare, there were a few models that had issues because they had the very heavy large CAT C12 engine and the heavy Allison 4000 series transmission, and your coach does not fall in that catagory. The rubber on the edges of the torsion tubes normally looks cracked and gnarly because the edges are exposed to ozone, etc. for 20+ years. The rubber inside is preserved, and this in no way means the springs are bad. Speaking frankly, to replace them just for their looks is an error and a big waste of money. All four torsion tubes and shackles, will run you about $6000, just for the parts, and who know how much for labor.
          See if the rv repair shop can take some photos of the torsion tubes in question and have them email them to you, and then post them so we could look at them. If they know Safaris, like they claim, the first thing they should have done is check the ride height. Have them check it and post the numbers at all for wheels. You measure from the center of the wheel, to the bottom of the belt line. Proper height is 25 inches (+/- 1/4). Removing one shim on both sides of the torsion tube raises the coach by 1/4 inch. Example, removing four shims will raise the coach one inch.
          Your coach, and also ride comfort would benefit from a supplemental air bag kit on all four corner, considering the type of terrain you have back home, this will also help take some of the stress off of the springs, further preserving them and giving a nicer ride on poor roads.

          As for the rear view camera, are you aware that there is a switch on the dash that turns it on? It does not turn on automatically when you are reversing...

          Roof: you stated that the roof is delaminated, but yet you say the roof is shiny white, so I'm a bit confused. The filon roof is a very thin fiberglass hybrid type roof that is designed to float, as in, it is not supposed to be attached to the sub-roof. If your roof appears in good shape I would suggest to remove all caulk, especially if a silicon based caulk was used, and tape the end caps (they are very prone to leaking) and other straight joints, like the sky light, with Eternabond tape, and the rest, caulk with Dicor self leveling caulk. Then have the whole roof coated with two or three layers of elastomeric paint, this will likely give you 10yrs of leak free service being your in AK. The Eternabond tape will likely last your lifetime, if it is applied properly. Be aware that the tape will stick to anything except silicon, so all silicon MUST be removed prior to taping. I will try to email you a photo of my roof, so you can see how the joints are taped up.

          Pardon for being blunt, but if this place does not know that most Safari Coaches have a floating filon roof, and want to screw it down or glue it down, they don't know squat about Safari Coaches and are going to botch it up and empty your wallet in the process. Same goes for replacing the springs.
          Honestly, you are much better off spending the money at Henderson's, at least you will get your moneys worth. If they don't do other RV work like roofs, I'm sure they know a place they could recommend. Honestly, knowing enough about these coaches, I do not get a good feeling about this place, they seem at a minimum to lack Safari knowledge and likely also after your wallet, knowing by the time you realize that things are botched up, you are in AK, far away. Just my two pennies...

          Also, looking at the picture of your engine, I would have someone shine a bright light between the fan blades to see if the if the charge air cooler/radiator are dirty. Dirt is a common issue that causes the engine to run hot and de-power to prevent overheating. This is most evident when climbing long steep grades, especially in hot weather.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.


          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 8:14 PM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.. com> wrote:


          John,

          Thank you, for the reply, the interior rubber of the torsion is shot, I am not sure on the height as I am back in Alaska now and the coach is in California.  From what I saw I would rather start with a good foundation and replace them.  As for the roof, there is no apparent evidence of leaks, the rook is still crisp white with no staining...  There is some apparent area that may have leaked in the skylight in the shower but, that seemed well repaired.  

          The repairs that we are planning with Barney and team at Discount RV is geared toward ensuring that we have a sound rig to come north with.  The prior owner used a low grade caulk that is going to have to be removed and done properly.  We have concerns on taking this desert deweller north but, with a little work and some right decision we think we are off to a good start.

          We will look into the tiger trax and airbag systems once we move the rig from California to Washington to get the seals in the windows done.  

          As for the camera and TV, we have power to the TV the camera is not sending a signal, that we can tell but, we are holding off on spending any effort on that as of yet.  I think the better money and effort maybe to update the whole system to side and rear cameras and place a 7” monitor in the dash area and forgo the whole 20” original TV system.  All of the wiring seems solid except the trailer braking system that the prior owner installed.  It works, but was not installed well they twisted the wire through the frame in some areas and wrapped it around other wires.  Plus it was installed so far back from the driver seat it is nearly to the slide out.  Not sure how you’d ever reach it if you needed to, that so far is the only poorly done installation.  The Cat motor with >25K tested without any concerns as did the transmission.

          I really appreciate all the insights and advice.  Attached are 2 photos...  Steve 







          Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

          On Sunday, February 25, 2018, 3:42 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Welcome!

          Do you have any ride height shims left on the front suspension, if yes, how many are left, (left side and right side)?

          What is your ride height (measured at each corner, front and back)?

          Be aware, replacing the torsion tubes is very expensive, if they aren't collapsed, you can add and air bag kit, to bring the coach height up to specs (presuming that your shackles are ok). The good news is, the torsion tubes and shackles are still made (at one point they were out of production).
          Important: If you plan to install new shocks, your best bet is Koni shocks, but don't order them by make and model, as you will get the less effective ones (useless torsional suspension), instead do a search on this group under "Koni shocks part number" and you will find the info, or ask and I will re-post the information for you.

          As for the roof, has it leaked?
          Is the sub-roof ok, or is it soft/rotted?  If the sub-roof is ok, and only the Filon roof needs repair, you could anchor the bad areas down and than seal it with Eternabond tape. This product is superb, and can be ordered  in widths from 2'' to 48", and can make the repair very simple and easy. 

          Is the camera and TV truly shot, or are they just disconnected, and/or botched wiring???

          As for the road wander: The Sahara models are known to be light on the front end (have the coach weighed, preferably at each corner), and this alone will make them a handful. If the tires are over inflated (pressure should be according to weight on the axle), and/or if your King Pins are worn, this will exacerbate the problem. So I would definitely have a shop check for any play in the king pins. You also will need to check your alignment, a minimum Caster of 4.5 degrees, preferably 5 to 5.5 is a must for the coach to handle well. Pioneer Metal Works sells a good quality TigerTrak kit that also helps with road wander, if one has not been installed yet.
          If you have a generous budget, go set up an appointment with Henderson's Line-Up, they are very experienced with Safari handling issues, have an air bag kit, and know how to align these coaches properly. They are located in Grants Pass, OR, which should be on your way to AK.

          Here is their link:https://www. hendersonslineup.com/

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.




          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 5:58 PM, osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          The beams of the suspension based on the review of the inspection are out of tolerance and need to be replaced.  They seem that sitting in the desert got the best of them.  I drove the coach about an hour to Lakeside Ca and it was a bit of a hand full wanted to wonder a lot in the lane.  The guys at the shop attributed that to a couple of items, the suspension, the fact that the prior owner replace the tires with lower end Hercules tires on the fron that are not drive tires and more of a low-boy trailer tire.  The suspension is out in the front only, the rear is not in as bad shape.















          Group: Safarifriends Message: 37750 From: Robert Lewis Date: 2/26/2018
          Subject: Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
          Hi John

          Thanks for the advice.

          I know I have air bags, does that mean there would not be any torsion bars?

          Robert and Bev Lewis
          2000 Continental
          3126B Cat, 330hp
          MD3060 Allison


          From: Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> on behalf of TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com>
          Sent: Monday, February 26, 2018 1:15:48 PM
          To: Dale Maggio dalemaggio@y.
          Subject: Re: [Safarifriends] Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
           
           

          Robert,

          You coach will be either an air ride coach, likely with 8 air bags, or a VelvetRide, with the torsion springs, like you see in Steve's video.

          As for bouncing, depends how fast you go over the speed bump. Lol. 1.5 sounds ok. If you have the torsional suspension, and you notice a lot of bouncing and especially porpoising, then it time to upgrade to Koni shocks. Make sure you order by part number not by make and model, otherwise you will get the less effective (useless) shocks. Also, if you tow a toad, or trailer and is seems to be bopping up and down all the time, this means you need rear shocks, as the camera is bouncing with the coach, making it look like the toad is bouncing.

          BTW, unless your snow is above the coach wheels, just stick a camera over the top of the front wheel and snap a few shots with a slightly downward angle, this should give you and idea which suspension you have.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Mon, Feb 26, 2018 at 3:16 PM, Robert Lewis robert.lewis.tl@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


          Can anyone tell me if there is the same rubber torsion system on a 2000 Safari Continental? I am buried in snow right now and can't get under there to look. My focus hasn't been on the suspension but may have to be soon.

          After a speed bump or similar should the coach bounce be 1 1/2 times or something else? ... to see if the shocks are ok, or can you recommend another check ?

          Thanks
          Robert and Bev Lewis
          2000 Continental
          3126B Cat, 330hp
          MD3060 Allison

          On February 25, 2018 11:27:27 PM "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Those torsion springs look to be in very good shape. I wish I had photos of mine to show you, as they look a hundred times worse and the coach rides well and has plenty of shims. The front actually has a full stack of shims. The rear is heavier, so its missing a few.

          Check you spam folder just in case, both emails should have gone through.

          I can see that your coach does not have Koni shocks. It will ride much smoother with no porpoising/bouncing if you install Koni shocks, they are  the best shocks for torsion spring suspension. These shocks are adjustable. Being that you will be traveling on rough CA roads and the ALCAN highway, I would recommend to set the front shocks to maximum dampening, or set both, front and back.

          Koni Shocks part numbers for your coach:

          Front: 881641SP3
          Make sure you order by part number not by the make of your coach, otherwise you will get the less effective shock, that won't do a good job

          Rear: 881458SP2

          LTB Autosports has the best prices and free shipping to boot.

          Here is the link:

          Front shocks: http://www.ltbautosports.com/ koni-rv-/country-coach/ 881641sp3/i-2440360.aspx

          Rear shocks: http://www.ltbautosports.com/ koni-rv-/safari/881458sp2/i- 2440564.aspx


          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Mon, Feb 26, 2018 at 12:31 AM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:
          John,

          As soon as I see them I will let you know.  So far they have not come in.  This is the best shot I have of the torsion bar on the 

          passenger side..  I have requested the shop measure the heights.  Barney and his crew really have a good reputation, though most of their work is newer coaches.  They seem very invested and knowledgeable on the needs of our coach.  

          One point of clarity when I said the roof looked bright white, I meant the headliner of the coach.  The exterior roof is clean but, there was a lot of prior owner silicon up there.  I believe that the Barney and his crew are on top of those needs to seal correctly the seams.  Not sure if we are on the same page in using expanding screws to tie the roof together after hearing from you in the type of roof on our coach.

          Thank you again.  I really appreciate the help, we really want this coach to work for us and give us a coach to care for, and not change needless problems.  I believe we have great bones and very few problems at this point.

          Steve 

          On Feb 25, 2018, at 7:53 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Glad to help.

          I emailed you some photos, let me know if they didn't come through.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 11:31 PM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          John,

          Thank you very much for the foundation on the springs and the roof.  I will call them in the morning and see if I can get some clear measurements and answers.  I was under the coach and remember there still being quite a bit of shim still there.   Unfortunately I did not get a good photo I took a short video but, I’m not sure it will help.  

          As for the roof I will speak with the team there on that too.  I will let you know as soon as I hear something back.

          Steve 


          Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

          On Sunday, February 25, 2018, 5:42 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Be aware that the torsion tubes do not need replacing, unless you are out of ride height shims, as in there is none left to remove, or the torsion spring collapsed, as in total failure. This "rubber" suspension is very durable and has a long life. Very many buses in Mexico use this type of suspension on rough Mexican roads, and are know to easily exceed one million miles. Failures are extremely rare, there were a few models that had issues because they had the very heavy large CAT C12 engine and the heavy Allison 4000 series transmission, and your coach does not fall in that catagory. The rubber on the edges of the torsion tubes normally looks cracked and gnarly because the edges are exposed to ozone, etc. for 20+ years. The rubber inside is preserved, and this in no way means the springs are bad. Speaking frankly, to replace them just for their looks is an error and a big waste of money. All four torsion tubes and shackles, will run you about $6000, just for the parts, and who know how much for labor.
          See if the rv repair shop can take some photos of the torsion tubes in question and have them email them to you, and then post them so we could look at them. If they know Safaris, like they claim, the first thing they should have done is check the ride height. Have them check it and post the numbers at all for wheels. You measure from the center of the wheel, to the bottom of the belt line. Proper height is 25 inches (+/- 1/4). Removing one shim on both sides of the torsion tube raises the coach by 1/4 inch. Example, removing four shims will raise the coach one inch.
          Your coach, and also ride comfort would benefit from a supplemental air bag kit on all four corner, considering the type of terrain you have back home, this will also help take some of the stress off of the springs, further preserving them and giving a nicer ride on poor roads.

          As for the rear view camera, are you aware that there is a switch on the dash that turns it on? It does not turn on automatically when you are reversing...

          Roof: you stated that the roof is delaminated, but yet you say the roof is shiny white, so I'm a bit confused. The filon roof is a very thin fiberglass hybrid type roof that is designed to float, as in, it is not supposed to be attached to the sub-roof. If your roof appears in good shape I would suggest to remove all caulk, especially if a silicon based caulk was used, and tape the end caps (they are very prone to leaking) and other straight joints, like the sky light, with Eternabond tape, and the rest, caulk with Dicor self leveling caulk. Then have the whole roof coated with two or three layers of elastomeric paint, this will likely give you 10yrs of leak free service being your in AK. The Eternabond tape will likely last your lifetime, if it is applied properly. Be aware that the tape will stick to anything except silicon, so all silicon MUST be removed prior to taping. I will try to email you a photo of my roof, so you can see how the joints are taped up.

          Pardon for being blunt, but if this place does not know that most Safari Coaches have a floating filon roof, and want to screw it down or glue it down, they don't know squat about Safari Coaches and are going to botch it up and empty your wallet in the process. Same goes for replacing the springs.
          Honestly, you are much better off spending the money at Henderson's, at least you will get your moneys worth. If they don't do other RV work like roofs, I'm sure they know a place they could recommend. Honestly, knowing enough about these coaches, I do not get a good feeling about this place, they seem at a minimum to lack Safari knowledge and likely also after your wallet, knowing by the time you realize that things are botched up, you are in AK, far away. Just my two pennies...

          Also, looking at the picture of your engine, I would have someone shine a bright light between the fan blades to see if the if the charge air cooler/radiator are dirty. Dirt is a common issue that causes the engine to run hot and de-power to prevent overheating. This is most evident when climbing long steep grades, especially in hot weather.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.


          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 8:14 PM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.. com> wrote:


          John,

          Thank you, for the reply, the interior rubber of the torsion is shot, I am not sure on the height as I am back in Alaska now and the coach is in California.  From what I saw I would rather start with a good foundation and replace them.  As for the roof, there is no apparent evidence of leaks, the rook is still crisp white with no staining...  There is some apparent area that may have leaked in the skylight in the shower but, that seemed well repaired.  

          The repairs that we are planning with Barney and team at Discount RV is geared toward ensuring that we have a sound rig to come north with.  The prior owner used a low grade caulk that is going to have to be removed and done properly.  We have concerns on taking this desert deweller north but, with a little work and some right decision we think we are off to a good start.

          We will look into the tiger trax and airbag systems once we move the rig from California to Washington to get the seals in the windows done.  

          As for the camera and TV, we have power to the TV the camera is not sending a signal, that we can tell but, we are holding off on spending any effort on that as of yet.  I think the better money and effort maybe to update the whole system to side and rear cameras and place a 7” monitor in the dash area and forgo the whole 20” original TV system.  All of the wiring seems solid except the trailer braking system that the prior owner installed.  It works, but was not installed well they twisted the wire through the frame in some areas and wrapped it around other wires.  Plus it was installed so far back from the driver seat it is nearly to the slide out.  Not sure how you’d ever reach it if you needed to, that so far is the only poorly done installation.  The Cat motor with >25K tested without any concerns as did the transmission.

          I really appreciate all the insights and advice.  Attached are 2 photos...  Steve 







          Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

          On Sunday, February 25, 2018, 3:42 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Welcome!

          Do you have any ride height shims left on the front suspension, if yes, how many are left, (left side and right side)?

          What is your ride height (measured at each corner, front and back)?

          Be aware, replacing the torsion tubes is very expensive, if they aren't collapsed, you can add and air bag kit, to bring the coach height up to specs (presuming that your shackles are ok). The good news is, the torsion tubes and shackles are still made (at one point they were out of production).
          Important: If you plan to install new shocks, your best bet is Koni shocks, but don't order them by make and model, as you will get the less effective ones (useless torsional suspension), instead do a search on this group under "Koni shocks part number" and you will find the info, or ask and I will re-post the information for you.

          As for the roof, has it leaked?
          Is the sub-roof ok, or is it soft/rotted?  If the sub-roof is ok, and only the Filon roof needs repair, you could anchor the bad areas down and than seal it with Eternabond tape. This product is superb, and can be ordered  in widths from 2'' to 48", and can make the repair very simple and easy. 

          Is the camera and TV truly shot, or are they just disconnected, and/or botched wiring???

          As for the road wander: The Sahara models are known to be light on the front end (have the coach weighed, preferably at each corner), and this alone will make them a handful. If the tires are over inflated (pressure should be according to weight on the axle), and/or if your King Pins are worn, this will exacerbate the problem. So I would definitely have a shop check for any play in the king pins. You also will need to check your alignment, a minimum Caster of 4.5 degrees, preferably 5 to 5.5 is a must for the coach to handle well. Pioneer Metal Works sells a good quality TigerTrak kit that also helps with road wander, if one has not been installed yet.
          If you have a generous budget, go set up an appointment with Henderson's Line-Up, they are very experienced with Safari handling issues, have an air bag kit, and know how to align these coaches properly. They are located in Grants Pass, OR, which should be on your way to AK.

          Here is their link:https://www. hendersonslineup.com/

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.




          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 5:58 PM, osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          The beams of the suspension based on the review of the inspection are out of tolerance and need to be replaced.  They seem that sitting in the desert got the best of them.  I drove the coach about an hour to Lakeside Ca and it was a bit of a hand full wanted to wonder a lot in the lane.  The guys at the shop attributed that to a couple of items, the suspension, the fact that the prior owner replace the tires with lower end Hercules tires on the fron that are not drive tires and more of a low-boy trailer tire.  The suspension is out in the front only, the rear is not in as bad shape.















          Group: Safarifriends Message: 37752 From: TD Date: 2/26/2018
          Subject: Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
          Robert,

          If you have air ride, as in you have to wait for the coach to air up and level out, and/or you have a dump valve to level you coach, then you do not have a torsional suspension.

          On the other hand, there are some Safaris out there that have the torsional suspension and also have small air bags installed aftermarket, to help supplement the torsion springs. Those type of air bags are very small, and the controls to adjust the pressure are noticeably "aftermarket" and manually adjusted. The size of an air bag on an air ride coach is considerably larger, similar to the air bags the semi trucks have.


          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Mon, Feb 26, 2018 at 4:32 PM, Robert Lewis robert.lewis.tl@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


          Hi John

          Thanks for the advice.

          I know I have air bags, does that mean there would not be any torsion bars?

          Robert and Bev Lewis
          2000 Continental
          3126B Cat, 330hp
          MD3060 Allison


          From: Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > on behalf of TD sdjhtm@gmail..com [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com >
          Sent: Monday, February 26, 2018 1:15:48 PM
          To: Dale Maggio dalemaggio@y.
          Subject: Re: [Safarifriends] Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
           
           

          Robert,

          You coach will be either an air ride coach, likely with 8 air bags, or a VelvetRide, with the torsion springs, like you see in Steve's video.

          As for bouncing, depends how fast you go over the speed bump. Lol. 1.5 sounds ok. If you have the torsional suspension, and you notice a lot of bouncing and especially porpoising, then it time to upgrade to Koni shocks. Make sure you order by part number not by make and model, otherwise you will get the less effective (useless) shocks. Also, if you tow a toad, or trailer and is seems to be bopping up and down all the time, this means you need rear shocks, as the camera is bouncing with the coach, making it look like the toad is bouncing.

          BTW, unless your snow is above the coach wheels, just stick a camera over the top of the front wheel and snap a few shots with a slightly downward angle, this should give you and idea which suspension you have.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Mon, Feb 26, 2018 at 3:16 PM, Robert Lewis robert.lewis.tl@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          Can anyone tell me if there is the same rubber torsion system on a 2000 Safari Continental? I am buried in snow right now and can't get under there to look. My focus hasn't been on the suspension but may have to be soon.

          After a speed bump or similar should the coach bounce be 1 1/2 times or something else? ... to see if the shocks are ok, or can you recommend another check ?

          Thanks
          Robert and Bev Lewis
          2000 Continental
          3126B Cat, 330hp
          MD3060 Allison

          On February 25, 2018 11:27:27 PM "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Those torsion springs look to be in very good shape. I wish I had photos of mine to show you, as they look a hundred times worse and the coach rides well and has plenty of shims. The front actually has a full stack of shims. The rear is heavier, so its missing a few.

          Check you spam folder just in case, both emails should have gone through.

          I can see that your coach does not have Koni shocks. It will ride much smoother with no porpoising/bouncing if you install Koni shocks, they are  the best shocks for torsion spring suspension. These shocks are adjustable.. Being that you will be traveling on rough CA roads and the ALCAN highway, I would recommend to set the front shocks to maximum dampening, or set both, front and back.

          Koni Shocks part numbers for your coach:

          Front: 881641SP3
          Make sure you order by part number not by the make of your coach, otherwise you will get the less effective shock, that won't do a good job

          Rear: 881458SP2

          LTB Autosports has the best prices and free shipping to boot.

          Here is the link:

          Front shocks: http://www.ltbautosports.com/k oni-rv-/country-coach/881641sp 3/i-2440360.aspx

          Rear shocks: http://www.ltbautosports.com/k oni-rv-/safari/881458sp2/i-244 0564.aspx


          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Mon, Feb 26, 2018 at 12:31 AM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:
          John,

          As soon as I see them I will let you know.  So far they have not come in.  This is the best shot I have of the torsion bar on the 

          passenger side..  I have requested the shop measure the heights.  Barney and his crew really have a good reputation, though most of their work is newer coaches.  They seem very invested and knowledgeable on the needs of our coach.  

          One point of clarity when I said the roof looked bright white, I meant the headliner of the coach.  The exterior roof is clean but, there was a lot of prior owner silicon up there.  I believe that the Barney and his crew are on top of those needs to seal correctly the seams.  Not sure if we are on the same page in using expanding screws to tie the roof together after hearing from you in the type of roof on our coach.

          Thank you again.  I really appreciate the help, we really want this coach to work for us and give us a coach to care for, and not change needless problems.  I believe we have great bones and very few problems at this point.

          Steve 

          On Feb 25, 2018, at 7:53 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Glad to help.

          I emailed you some photos, let me know if they didn't come through.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 11:31 PM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          John,

          Thank you very much for the foundation on the springs and the roof.  I will call them in the morning and see if I can get some clear measurements and answers.  I was under the coach and remember there still being quite a bit of shim still there.   Unfortunately I did not get a good photo I took a short video but, I’m not sure it will help.  

          As for the roof I will speak with the team there on that too.  I will let you know as soon as I hear something back.

          Steve 


          Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

          On Sunday, February 25, 2018, 5:42 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Be aware that the torsion tubes do not need replacing, unless you are out of ride height shims, as in there is none left to remove, or the torsion spring collapsed, as in total failure. This "rubber" suspension is very durable and has a long life. Very many buses in Mexico use this type of suspension on rough Mexican roads, and are know to easily exceed one million miles. Failures are extremely rare, there were a few models that had issues because they had the very heavy large CAT C12 engine and the heavy Allison 4000 series transmission, and your coach does not fall in that catagory. The rubber on the edges of the torsion tubes normally looks cracked and gnarly because the edges are exposed to ozone, etc. for 20+ years. The rubber inside is preserved, and this in no way means the springs are bad. Speaking frankly, to replace them just for their looks is an error and a big waste of money. All four torsion tubes and shackles, will run you about $6000, just for the parts, and who know how much for labor.
          See if the rv repair shop can take some photos of the torsion tubes in question and have them email them to you, and then post them so we could look at them. If they know Safaris, like they claim, the first thing they should have done is check the ride height. Have them check it and post the numbers at all for wheels. You measure from the center of the wheel, to the bottom of the belt line. Proper height is 25 inches (+/- 1/4). Removing one shim on both sides of the torsion tube raises the coach by 1/4 inch. Example, removing four shims will raise the coach one inch.
          Your coach, and also ride comfort would benefit from a supplemental air bag kit on all four corner, considering the type of terrain you have back home, this will also help take some of the stress off of the springs, further preserving them and giving a nicer ride on poor roads.

          As for the rear view camera, are you aware that there is a switch on the dash that turns it on? It does not turn on automatically when you are reversing...

          Roof: you stated that the roof is delaminated, but yet you say the roof is shiny white, so I'm a bit confused. The filon roof is a very thin fiberglass hybrid type roof that is designed to float, as in, it is not supposed to be attached to the sub-roof. If your roof appears in good shape I would suggest to remove all caulk, especially if a silicon based caulk was used, and tape the end caps (they are very prone to leaking) and other straight joints, like the sky light, with Eternabond tape, and the rest, caulk with Dicor self leveling caulk. Then have the whole roof coated with two or three layers of elastomeric paint, this will likely give you 10yrs of leak free service being your in AK. The Eternabond tape will likely last your lifetime, if it is applied properly. Be aware that the tape will stick to anything except silicon, so all silicon MUST be removed prior to taping. I will try to email you a photo of my roof, so you can see how the joints are taped up.

          Pardon for being blunt, but if this place does not know that most Safari Coaches have a floating filon roof, and want to screw it down or glue it down, they don't know squat about Safari Coaches and are going to botch it up and empty your wallet in the process. Same goes for replacing the springs.
          Honestly, you are much better off spending the money at Henderson's, at least you will get your moneys worth. If they don't do other RV work like roofs, I'm sure they know a place they could recommend. Honestly, knowing enough about these coaches, I do not get a good feeling about this place, they seem at a minimum to lack Safari knowledge and likely also after your wallet, knowing by the time you realize that things are botched up, you are in AK, far away. Just my two pennies...

          Also, looking at the picture of your engine, I would have someone shine a bright light between the fan blades to see if the if the charge air cooler/radiator are dirty. Dirt is a common issue that causes the engine to run hot and de-power to prevent overheating. This is most evident when climbing long steep grades, especially in hot weather.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.


          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 8:14 PM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups..co m> wrote:


          John,

          Thank you, for the reply, the interior rubber of the torsion is shot, I am not sure on the height as I am back in Alaska now and the coach is in California.  From what I saw I would rather start with a good foundation and replace them.  As for the roof, there is no apparent evidence of leaks, the rook is still crisp white with no staining...  There is some apparent area that may have leaked in the skylight in the shower but, that seemed well repaired.  

          The repairs that we are planning with Barney and team at Discount RV is geared toward ensuring that we have a sound rig to come north with.  The prior owner used a low grade caulk that is going to have to be removed and done properly.  We have concerns on taking this desert deweller north but, with a little work and some right decision we think we are off to a good start.

          We will look into the tiger trax and airbag systems once we move the rig from California to Washington to get the seals in the windows done.  

          As for the camera and TV, we have power to the TV the camera is not sending a signal, that we can tell but, we are holding off on spending any effort on that as of yet.  I think the better money and effort maybe to update the whole system to side and rear cameras and place a 7” monitor in the dash area and forgo the whole 20” original TV system.  All of the wiring seems solid except the trailer braking system that the prior owner installed.  It works, but was not installed well they twisted the wire through the frame in some areas and wrapped it around other wires.  Plus it was installed so far back from the driver seat it is nearly to the slide out..  Not sure how you’d ever reach it if you needed to, that so far is the only poorly done installation.  The Cat motor with >25K tested without any concerns as did the transmission.

          I really appreciate all the insights and advice.  Attached are 2 photos...  Steve 







          Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

          On Sunday, February 25, 2018, 3:42 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Welcome!

          Do you have any ride height shims left on the front suspension, if yes, how many are left, (left side and right side)?

          What is your ride height (measured at each corner, front and back)?

          Be aware, replacing the torsion tubes is very expensive, if they aren't collapsed, you can add and air bag kit, to bring the coach height up to specs (presuming that your shackles are ok). The good news is, the torsion tubes and shackles are still made (at one point they were out of production).
          Important: If you plan to install new shocks, your best bet is Koni shocks, but don't order them by make and model, as you will get the less effective ones (useless torsional suspension), instead do a search on this group under "Koni shocks part number" and you will find the info, or ask and I will re-post the information for you.

          As for the roof, has it leaked?
          Is the sub-roof ok, or is it soft/rotted?  If the sub-roof is ok, and only the Filon roof needs repair, you could anchor the bad areas down and than seal it with Eternabond tape. This product is superb, and can be ordered  in widths from 2'' to 48", and can make the repair very simple and easy. 

          Is the camera and TV truly shot, or are they just disconnected, and/or botched wiring???

          As for the road wander: The Sahara models are known to be light on the front end (have the coach weighed, preferably at each corner), and this alone will make them a handful. If the tires are over inflated (pressure should be according to weight on the axle), and/or if your King Pins are worn, this will exacerbate the problem. So I would definitely have a shop check for any play in the king pins. You also will need to check your alignment, a minimum Caster of 4.5 degrees, preferably 5 to 5.5 is a must for the coach to handle well. Pioneer Metal Works sells a good quality TigerTrak kit that also helps with road wander, if one has not been installed yet.
          If you have a generous budget, go set up an appointment with Henderson's Line-Up, they are very experienced with Safari handling issues, have an air bag kit, and know how to align these coaches properly. They are located in Grants Pass, OR, which should be on your way to AK.

          Here is their link:https://www. hendersonslineup.com/

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.




          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 5:58 PM, osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          The beams of the suspension based on the review of the inspection are out of tolerance and need to be replaced.  They seem that sitting in the desert got the best of them.  I drove the coach about an hour to Lakeside Ca and it was a bit of a hand full wanted to wonder a lot in the lane.  The guys at the shop attributed that to a couple of items, the suspension, the fact that the prior owner replace the tires with lower end Hercules tires on the fron that are not drive tires and more of a low-boy trailer tire.  The suspension is out in the front only, the rear is not in as bad shape.


















          Group: Safarifriends Message: 37753 From: Robert Lewis Date: 2/26/2018
          Subject: Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006

          Hi John

          the bags are like on a semi, thanks for the help.

          Robert and Bev Lewis
          2000 Continental
          3126B Cat, 330hp
          MD3060 Allison

          On February 26, 2018 2:14:40 PM "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

           

          Robert,

          If you have air ride, as in you have to wait for the coach to air up and level out, and/or you have a dump valve to level you coach, then you do not have a torsional suspension.

          On the other hand, there are some Safaris out there that have the torsional suspension and also have small air bags installed aftermarket, to help supplement the torsion springs. Those type of air bags are very small, and the controls to adjust the pressure are noticeably "aftermarket" and manually adjusted. The size of an air bag on an air ride coach is considerably larger, similar to the air bags the semi trucks have.


          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Mon, Feb 26, 2018 at 4:32 PM, Robert Lewis robert.lewis.tl@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


          Hi John

          Thanks for the advice.

          I know I have air bags, does that mean there would not be any torsion bars?

          Robert and Bev Lewis
          2000 Continental
          3126B Cat, 330hp
          MD3060 Allison


          From: Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > on behalf of TD sdjhtm@gmail..com [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com >
          Sent: Monday, February 26, 2018 1:15:48 PM
          To: Dale Maggio dalemaggio@y.
          Subject: Re: [Safarifriends] Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
           
           

          Robert,

          You coach will be either an air ride coach, likely with 8 air bags, or a VelvetRide, with the torsion springs, like you see in Steve's video.

          As for bouncing, depends how fast you go over the speed bump. Lol. 1.5 sounds ok. If you have the torsional suspension, and you notice a lot of bouncing and especially porpoising, then it time to upgrade to Koni shocks. Make sure you order by part number not by make and model, otherwise you will get the less effective (useless) shocks. Also, if you tow a toad, or trailer and is seems to be bopping up and down all the time, this means you need rear shocks, as the camera is bouncing with the coach, making it look like the toad is bouncing.

          BTW, unless your snow is above the coach wheels, just stick a camera over the top of the front wheel and snap a few shots with a slightly downward angle, this should give you and idea which suspension you have.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Mon, Feb 26, 2018 at 3:16 PM, Robert Lewis robert.lewis.tl@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          Can anyone tell me if there is the same rubber torsion system on a 2000 Safari Continental? I am buried in snow right now and can't get under there to look. My focus hasn't been on the suspension but may have to be soon.

          After a speed bump or similar should the coach bounce be 1 1/2 times or something else? ... to see if the shocks are ok, or can you recommend another check ?

          Thanks
          Robert and Bev Lewis
          2000 Continental
          3126B Cat, 330hp
          MD3060 Allison

          On February 25, 2018 11:27:27 PM "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Those torsion springs look to be in very good shape. I wish I had photos of mine to show you, as they look a hundred times worse and the coach rides well and has plenty of shims. The front actually has a full stack of shims. The rear is heavier, so its missing a few.

          Check you spam folder just in case, both emails should have gone through.

          I can see that your coach does not have Koni shocks. It will ride much smoother with no porpoising/bouncing if you install Koni shocks, they are  the best shocks for torsion spring suspension. These shocks are adjustable.. Being that you will be traveling on rough CA roads and the ALCAN highway, I would recommend to set the front shocks to maximum dampening, or set both, front and back.

          Koni Shocks part numbers for your coach:

          Front: 881641SP3
          Make sure you order by part number not by the make of your coach, otherwise you will get the less effective shock, that won't do a good job

          Rear: 881458SP2

          LTB Autosports has the best prices and free shipping to boot.

          Here is the link:

          Front shocks: http://www.ltbautosports.com/k oni-rv-/country-coach/881641sp 3/i-2440360.aspx

          Rear shocks: http://www.ltbautosports.com/k oni-rv-/safari/881458sp2/i-244 0564.aspx


          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Mon, Feb 26, 2018 at 12:31 AM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:
          John,

          As soon as I see them I will let you know.  So far they have not come in.  This is the best shot I have of the torsion bar on the 

          passenger side..  I have requested the shop measure the heights.  Barney and his crew really have a good reputation, though most of their work is newer coaches.  They seem very invested and knowledgeable on the needs of our coach.  

          One point of clarity when I said the roof looked bright white, I meant the headliner of the coach.  The exterior roof is clean but, there was a lot of prior owner silicon up there.  I believe that the Barney and his crew are on top of those needs to seal correctly the seams.  Not sure if we are on the same page in using expanding screws to tie the roof together after hearing from you in the type of roof on our coach.

          Thank you again.  I really appreciate the help, we really want this coach to work for us and give us a coach to care for, and not change needless problems.  I believe we have great bones and very few problems at this point.

          Steve 

          On Feb 25, 2018, at 7:53 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Glad to help.

          I emailed you some photos, let me know if they didn't come through.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 11:31 PM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          John,

          Thank you very much for the foundation on the springs and the roof.  I will call them in the morning and see if I can get some clear measurements and answers.  I was under the coach and remember there still being quite a bit of shim still there.   Unfortunately I did not get a good photo I took a short video but, I’m not sure it will help.  

          As for the roof I will speak with the team there on that too.  I will let you know as soon as I hear something back.

          Steve 


          Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

          On Sunday, February 25, 2018, 5:42 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Be aware that the torsion tubes do not need replacing, unless you are out of ride height shims, as in there is none left to remove, or the torsion spring collapsed, as in total failure. This "rubber" suspension is very durable and has a long life. Very many buses in Mexico use this type of suspension on rough Mexican roads, and are know to easily exceed one million miles. Failures are extremely rare, there were a few models that had issues because they had the very heavy large CAT C12 engine and the heavy Allison 4000 series transmission, and your coach does not fall in that catagory. The rubber on the edges of the torsion tubes normally looks cracked and gnarly because the edges are exposed to ozone, etc. for 20+ years. The rubber inside is preserved, and this in no way means the springs are bad. Speaking frankly, to replace them just for their looks is an error and a big waste of money. All four torsion tubes and shackles, will run you about $6000, just for the parts, and who know how much for labor.
          See if the rv repair shop can take some photos of the torsion tubes in question and have them email them to you, and then post them so we could look at them. If they know Safaris, like they claim, the first thing they should have done is check the ride height. Have them check it and post the numbers at all for wheels. You measure from the center of the wheel, to the bottom of the belt line. Proper height is 25 inches (+/- 1/4). Removing one shim on both sides of the torsion tube raises the coach by 1/4 inch. Example, removing four shims will raise the coach one inch.
          Your coach, and also ride comfort would benefit from a supplemental air bag kit on all four corner, considering the type of terrain you have back home, this will also help take some of the stress off of the springs, further preserving them and giving a nicer ride on poor roads.

          As for the rear view camera, are you aware that there is a switch on the dash that turns it on? It does not turn on automatically when you are reversing...

          Roof: you stated that the roof is delaminated, but yet you say the roof is shiny white, so I'm a bit confused. The filon roof is a very thin fiberglass hybrid type roof that is designed to float, as in, it is not supposed to be attached to the sub-roof. If your roof appears in good shape I would suggest to remove all caulk, especially if a silicon based caulk was used, and tape the end caps (they are very prone to leaking) and other straight joints, like the sky light, with Eternabond tape, and the rest, caulk with Dicor self leveling caulk. Then have the whole roof coated with two or three layers of elastomeric paint, this will likely give you 10yrs of leak free service being your in AK. The Eternabond tape will likely last your lifetime, if it is applied properly. Be aware that the tape will stick to anything except silicon, so all silicon MUST be removed prior to taping. I will try to email you a photo of my roof, so you can see how the joints are taped up.

          Pardon for being blunt, but if this place does not know that most Safari Coaches have a floating filon roof, and want to screw it down or glue it down, they don't know squat about Safari Coaches and are going to botch it up and empty your wallet in the process. Same goes for replacing the springs.
          Honestly, you are much better off spending the money at Henderson's, at least you will get your moneys worth. If they don't do other RV work like roofs, I'm sure they know a place they could recommend. Honestly, knowing enough about these coaches, I do not get a good feeling about this place, they seem at a minimum to lack Safari knowledge and likely also after your wallet, knowing by the time you realize that things are botched up, you are in AK, far away. Just my two pennies...

          Also, looking at the picture of your engine, I would have someone shine a bright light between the fan blades to see if the if the charge air cooler/radiator are dirty. Dirt is a common issue that causes the engine to run hot and de-power to prevent overheating. This is most evident when climbing long steep grades, especially in hot weather.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.


          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 8:14 PM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups..co m> wrote:


          John,

          Thank you, for the reply, the interior rubber of the torsion is shot, I am not sure on the height as I am back in Alaska now and the coach is in California.  From what I saw I would rather start with a good foundation and replace them.  As for the roof, there is no apparent evidence of leaks, the rook is still crisp white with no staining...  There is some apparent area that may have leaked in the skylight in the shower but, that seemed well repaired.  

          The repairs that we are planning with Barney and team at Discount RV is geared toward ensuring that we have a sound rig to come north with.  The prior owner used a low grade caulk that is going to have to be removed and done properly.  We have concerns on taking this desert deweller north but, with a little work and some right decision we think we are off to a good start.

          We will look into the tiger trax and airbag systems once we move the rig from California to Washington to get the seals in the windows done.  

          As for the camera and TV, we have power to the TV the camera is not sending a signal, that we can tell but, we are holding off on spending any effort on that as of yet.  I think the better money and effort maybe to update the whole system to side and rear cameras and place a 7” monitor in the dash area and forgo the whole 20” original TV system.  All of the wiring seems solid except the trailer braking system that the prior owner installed.  It works, but was not installed well they twisted the wire through the frame in some areas and wrapped it around other wires.  Plus it was installed so far back from the driver seat it is nearly to the slide out..  Not sure how you’d ever reach it if you needed to, that so far is the only poorly done installation.  The Cat motor with >25K tested without any concerns as did the transmission.

          I really appreciate all the insights and advice.  Attached are 2 photos...  Steve 







          Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

          On Sunday, February 25, 2018, 3:42 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Welcome!

          Do you have any ride height shims left on the front suspension, if yes, how many are left, (left side and right side)?

          What is your ride height (measured at each corner, front and back)?

          Be aware, replacing the torsion tubes is very expensive, if they aren't collapsed, you can add and air bag kit, to bring the coach height up to specs (presuming that your shackles are ok). The good news is, the torsion tubes and shackles are still made (at one point they were out of production).
          Important: If you plan to install new shocks, your best bet is Koni shocks, but don't order them by make and model, as you will get the less effective ones (useless torsional suspension), instead do a search on this group under "Koni shocks part number" and you will find the info, or ask and I will re-post the information for you.

          As for the roof, has it leaked?
          Is the sub-roof ok, or is it soft/rotted?  If the sub-roof is ok, and only the Filon roof needs repair, you could anchor the bad areas down and than seal it with Eternabond tape. This product is superb, and can be ordered  in widths from 2'' to 48", and can make the repair very simple and easy. 

          Is the camera and TV truly shot, or are they just disconnected, and/or botched wiring???

          As for the road wander: The Sahara models are known to be light on the front end (have the coach weighed, preferably at each corner), and this alone will make them a handful. If the tires are over inflated (pressure should be according to weight on the axle), and/or if your King Pins are worn, this will exacerbate the problem. So I would definitely have a shop check for any play in the king pins. You also will need to check your alignment, a minimum Caster of 4.5 degrees, preferably 5 to 5.5 is a must for the coach to handle well. Pioneer Metal Works sells a good quality TigerTrak kit that also helps with road wander, if one has not been installed yet.
          If you have a generous budget, go set up an appointment with Henderson's Line-Up, they are very experienced with Safari handling issues, have an air bag kit, and know how to align these coaches properly. They are located in Grants Pass, OR, which should be on your way to AK.

          Here is their link:https://www. hendersonslineup.com/

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.




          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 5:58 PM, osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          The beams of the suspension based on the review of the inspection are out of tolerance and need to be replaced.  They seem that sitting in the desert got the best of them.  I drove the coach about an hour to Lakeside Ca and it was a bit of a hand full wanted to wonder a lot in the lane.  The guys at the shop attributed that to a couple of items, the suspension, the fact that the prior owner replace the tires with lower end Hercules tires on the fron that are not drive tires and more of a low-boy trailer tire.  The suspension is out in the front only, the rear is not in as bad shape.


















          Group: Safarifriends Message: 37766 From: Craig Burrell Date: 2/27/2018
          Subject: Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
          any idea about the air bags that are after market? I have a 93 cont. 40 ft and need shocks and would like to add airbags. also the shocks listed, will they fit the bus??? when I go to the link it does not say they are for that year.
          thanks.
          Craig
          93 cont. 8.3 6sp

          On ‎Monday‎, ‎February‎ ‎26‎, ‎2018‎ ‎05‎:‎49‎:‎18‎ ‎PM, Robert Lewis robert.lewis.tl@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


           

          Hi John

          the bags are like on a semi, thanks for the help.

          Robert and Bev Lewis
          2000 Continental
          3126B Cat, 330hp
          MD3060 Allison

          On February 26, 2018 2:14:40 PM "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

           

          Robert,

          If you have air ride, as in you have to wait for the coach to air up and level out, and/or you have a dump valve to level you coach, then you do not have a torsional suspension.

          On the other hand, there are some Safaris out there that have the torsional suspension and also have small air bags installed aftermarket, to help supplement the torsion springs. Those type of air bags are very small, and the controls to adjust the pressure are noticeably "aftermarket" and manually adjusted. The size of an air bag on an air ride coach is considerably larger, similar to the air bags the semi trucks have.


          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Mon, Feb 26, 2018 at 4:32 PM, Robert Lewis robert.lewis.tl@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


          Hi John

          Thanks for the advice.

          I know I have air bags, does that mean there would not be any torsion bars?

          Robert and Bev Lewis
          2000 Continental
          3126B Cat, 330hp
          MD3060 Allison


          From: Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > on behalf of TD sdjhtm@gmail..com [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com >
          Sent: Monday, February 26, 2018 1:15:48 PM
          To: Dale Maggio dalemaggio@y.
          Subject: Re: [Safarifriends] Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
           
           

          Robert,

          You coach will be either an air ride coach, likely with 8 air bags, or a VelvetRide, with the torsion springs, like you see in Steve's video.

          As for bouncing, depends how fast you go over the speed bump. Lol. 1.5 sounds ok. If you have the torsional suspension, and you notice a lot of bouncing and especially porpoising, then it time to upgrade to Koni shocks. Make sure you order by part number not by make and model, otherwise you will get the less effective (useless) shocks. Also, if you tow a toad, or trailer and is seems to be bopping up and down all the time, this means you need rear shocks, as the camera is bouncing with the coach, making it look like the toad is bouncing.

          BTW, unless your snow is above the coach wheels, just stick a camera over the top of the front wheel and snap a few shots with a slightly downward angle, this should give you and idea which suspension you have.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Mon, Feb 26, 2018 at 3:16 PM, Robert Lewis robert.lewis.tl@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          Can anyone tell me if there is the same rubber torsion system on a 2000 Safari Continental? I am buried in snow right now and can't get under there to look. My focus hasn't been on the suspension but may have to be soon.

          After a speed bump or similar should the coach bounce be 1 1/2 times or something else? ... to see if the shocks are ok, or can you recommend another check ?

          Thanks
          Robert and Bev Lewis
          2000 Continental
          3126B Cat, 330hp
          MD3060 Allison

          On February 25, 2018 11:27:27 PM "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Those torsion springs look to be in very good shape. I wish I had photos of mine to show you, as they look a hundred times worse and the coach rides well and has plenty of shims. The front actually has a full stack of shims. The rear is heavier, so its missing a few.

          Check you spam folder just in case, both emails should have gone through.

          I can see that your coach does not have Koni shocks. It will ride much smoother with no porpoising/bouncing if you install Koni shocks, they are  the best shocks for torsion spring suspension. These shocks are adjustable... Being that you will be traveling on rough CA roads and the ALCAN highway, I would recommend to set the front shocks to maximum dampening, or set both, front and back.

          Koni Shocks part numbers for your coach:

          Front: 881641SP3
          Make sure you order by part number not by the make of your coach, otherwise you will get the less effective shock, that won't do a good job

          Rear: 881458SP2

          LTB Autosports has the best prices and free shipping to boot.

          Here is the link:

          Front shocks: http://www.ltbautosports.com/k oni-rv-/country-coach/881641sp 3/i-2440360.aspx

          Rear shocks: http://www.ltbautosports.com/k oni-rv-/safari/881458sp2/i-244 0564.aspx


          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Mon, Feb 26, 2018 at 12:31 AM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:
          John,

          As soon as I see them I will let you know.  So far they have not come in.  This is the best shot I have of the torsion bar on the 

          passenger side..  I have requested the shop measure the heights.  Barney and his crew really have a good reputation, though most of their work is newer coaches.  They seem very invested and knowledgeable on the needs of our coach.  

          One point of clarity when I said the roof looked bright white, I meant the headliner of the coach.  The exterior roof is clean but, there was a lot of prior owner silicon up there.  I believe that the Barney and his crew are on top of those needs to seal correctly the seams.  Not sure if we are on the same page in using expanding screws to tie the roof together after hearing from you in the type of roof on our coach.

          Thank you again.  I really appreciate the help, we really want this coach to work for us and give us a coach to care for, and not change needless problems.  I believe we have great bones and very few problems at this point.

          Steve 

          On Feb 25, 2018, at 7:53 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Glad to help.

          I emailed you some photos, let me know if they didn't come through.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 11:31 PM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          John,

          Thank you very much for the foundation on the springs and the roof.  I will call them in the morning and see if I can get some clear measurements and answers.  I was under the coach and remember there still being quite a bit of shim still there.   Unfortunately I did not get a good photo I took a short video but, I’m not sure it will help.  

          As for the roof I will speak with the team there on that too.  I will let you know as soon as I hear something back.

          Steve 


          Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

          On Sunday, February 25, 2018, 5:42 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Be aware that the torsion tubes do not need replacing, unless you are out of ride height shims, as in there is none left to remove, or the torsion spring collapsed, as in total failure. This "rubber" suspension is very durable and has a long life. Very many buses in Mexico use this type of suspension on rough Mexican roads, and are know to easily exceed one million miles. Failures are extremely rare, there were a few models that had issues because they had the very heavy large CAT C12 engine and the heavy Allison 4000 series transmission, and your coach does not fall in that catagory. The rubber on the edges of the torsion tubes normally looks cracked and gnarly because the edges are exposed to ozone, etc. for 20+ years.. The rubber inside is preserved, and this in no way means the springs are bad. Speaking frankly, to replace them just for their looks is an error and a big waste of money. All four torsion tubes and shackles, will run you about $6000, just for the parts, and who know how much for labor.
          See if the rv repair shop can take some photos of the torsion tubes in question and have them email them to you, and then post them so we could look at them. If they know Safaris, like they claim, the first thing they should have done is check the ride height. Have them check it and post the numbers at all for wheels. You measure from the center of the wheel, to the bottom of the belt line. Proper height is 25 inches (+/- 1/4). Removing one shim on both sides of the torsion tube raises the coach by 1/4 inch. Example, removing four shims will raise the coach one inch.
          Your coach, and also ride comfort would benefit from a supplemental air bag kit on all four corner, considering the type of terrain you have back home, this will also help take some of the stress off of the springs, further preserving them and giving a nicer ride on poor roads.

          As for the rear view camera, are you aware that there is a switch on the dash that turns it on? It does not turn on automatically when you are reversing...

          Roof: you stated that the roof is delaminated, but yet you say the roof is shiny white, so I'm a bit confused. The filon roof is a very thin fiberglass hybrid type roof that is designed to float, as in, it is not supposed to be attached to the sub-roof. If your roof appears in good shape I would suggest to remove all caulk, especially if a silicon based caulk was used, and tape the end caps (they are very prone to leaking) and other straight joints, like the sky light, with Eternabond tape, and the rest, caulk with Dicor self leveling caulk. Then have the whole roof coated with two or three layers of elastomeric paint, this will likely give you 10yrs of leak free service being your in AK. The Eternabond tape will likely last your lifetime, if it is applied properly. Be aware that the tape will stick to anything except silicon, so all silicon MUST be removed prior to taping. I will try to email you a photo of my roof, so you can see how the joints are taped up.

          Pardon for being blunt, but if this place does not know that most Safari Coaches have a floating filon roof, and want to screw it down or glue it down, they don't know squat about Safari Coaches and are going to botch it up and empty your wallet in the process. Same goes for replacing the springs.
          Honestly, you are much better off spending the money at Henderson's, at least you will get your moneys worth. If they don't do other RV work like roofs, I'm sure they know a place they could recommend. Honestly, knowing enough about these coaches, I do not get a good feeling about this place, they seem at a minimum to lack Safari knowledge and likely also after your wallet, knowing by the time you realize that things are botched up, you are in AK, far away. Just my two pennies...

          Also, looking at the picture of your engine, I would have someone shine a bright light between the fan blades to see if the if the charge air cooler/radiator are dirty. Dirt is a common issue that causes the engine to run hot and de-power to prevent overheating. This is most evident when climbing long steep grades, especially in hot weather.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.


          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 8:14 PM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups..co m> wrote:


          John,

          Thank you, for the reply, the interior rubber of the torsion is shot, I am not sure on the height as I am back in Alaska now and the coach is in California.  From what I saw I would rather start with a good foundation and replace them.  As for the roof, there is no apparent evidence of leaks, the rook is still crisp white with no staining...  There is some apparent area that may have leaked in the skylight in the shower but, that seemed well repaired.  

          The repairs that we are planning with Barney and team at Discount RV is geared toward ensuring that we have a sound rig to come north with.  The prior owner used a low grade caulk that is going to have to be removed and done properly.  We have concerns on taking this desert deweller north but, with a little work and some right decision we think we are off to a good start.

          We will look into the tiger trax and airbag systems once we move the rig from California to Washington to get the seals in the windows done.  

          As for the camera and TV, we have power to the TV the camera is not sending a signal, that we can tell but, we are holding off on spending any effort on that as of yet.  I think the better money and effort maybe to update the whole system to side and rear cameras and place a 7” monitor in the dash area and forgo the whole 20” original TV system.  All of the wiring seems solid except the trailer braking system that the prior owner installed.  It works, but was not installed well they twisted the wire through the frame in some areas and wrapped it around other wires.  Plus it was installed so far back from the driver seat it is nearly to the slide out...  Not sure how you’d ever reach it if you needed to, that so far is the only poorly done installation.  The Cat motor with >25K tested without any concerns as did the transmission.

          I really appreciate all the insights and advice.  Attached are 2 photos...  Steve 







          Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

          On Sunday, February 25, 2018, 3:42 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Welcome!

          Do you have any ride height shims left on the front suspension, if yes, how many are left, (left side and right side)?

          What is your ride height (measured at each corner, front and back)?

          Be aware, replacing the torsion tubes is very expensive, if they aren't collapsed, you can add and air bag kit, to bring the coach height up to specs (presuming that your shackles are ok). The good news is, the torsion tubes and shackles are still made (at one point they were out of production).
          Important: If you plan to install new shocks, your best bet is Koni shocks, but don't order them by make and model, as you will get the less effective ones (useless torsional suspension), instead do a search on this group under "Koni shocks part number" and you will find the info, or ask and I will re-post the information for you.

          As for the roof, has it leaked?
          Is the sub-roof ok, or is it soft/rotted?  If the sub-roof is ok, and only the Filon roof needs repair, you could anchor the bad areas down and than seal it with Eternabond tape. This product is superb, and can be ordered  in widths from 2'' to 48", and can make the repair very simple and easy. 

          Is the camera and TV truly shot, or are they just disconnected, and/or botched wiring???

          As for the road wander: The Sahara models are known to be light on the front end (have the coach weighed, preferably at each corner), and this alone will make them a handful. If the tires are over inflated (pressure should be according to weight on the axle), and/or if your King Pins are worn, this will exacerbate the problem. So I would definitely have a shop check for any play in the king pins. You also will need to check your alignment, a minimum Caster of 4.5 degrees, preferably 5 to 5.5 is a must for the coach to handle well. Pioneer Metal Works sells a good quality TigerTrak kit that also helps with road wander, if one has not been installed yet.
          If you have a generous budget, go set up an appointment with Henderson's Line-Up, they are very experienced with Safari handling issues, have an air bag kit, and know how to align these coaches properly. They are located in Grants Pass, OR, which should be on your way to AK.

          Here is their link:https://www. hendersonslineup.com/

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.




          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 5:58 PM, osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          The beams of the suspension based on the review of the inspection are out of tolerance and need to be replaced.  They seem that sitting in the desert got the best of them.  I drove the coach about an hour to Lakeside Ca and it was a bit of a hand full wanted to wonder a lot in the lane.  The guys at the shop attributed that to a couple of items, the suspension, the fact that the prior owner replace the tires with lower end Hercules tires on the fron that are not drive tires and more of a low-boy trailer tire.  The suspension is out in the front only, the rear is not in as bad shape.


















          Group: Safarifriends Message: 37768 From: TD Date: 2/27/2018
          Subject: Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
          Craig,

          Your coach is built on an Oshkosh Chassis, so the air bags Bob installed would not be plug and play, it would likely need some fabricating.

          Are you having ride height issues???
          The reason I'm asking, is your coach is much light than the Magnum chassis coaches and I know of two '93 Continentals that have never needed a height adjustment. If you want to install air bags to attempt to make the coach smoother, than make sure you run very low pressures in the bags, probably no more than 15 psi.

          Your shock numbers are not the same as posted for Magnum, but I'm still trying to get that info for you. The fellow that has one like yours should be back in MS were his coach is, so I will reach out to him again.

          As for the Kwiki step motor, I just posted the part numbers for it yesterday, but here they are again.

          Step motor from NAPA is BK655-1395

          Autozone part number (Dorman brand): 742-277

          Advance Auto (ACI brand): ACI 83694


          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.


          On Tue, Feb 27, 2018 at 8:34 AM, Craig Burrell technolog1@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


          any idea about the air bags that are after market? I have a 93 cont. 40 ft and need shocks and would like to add airbags. also the shocks listed, will they fit the bus??? when I go to the link it does not say they are for that year.
          thanks.
          Craig
          93 cont. 8.3 6sp

          On ‎Monday‎, ‎February‎ ‎26‎, ‎2018‎ ‎05‎:‎49‎:‎18‎ ‎PM, Robert Lewis robert.lewis.tl@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


           

          Hi John

          the bags are like on a semi, thanks for the help.

          Robert and Bev Lewis
          2000 Continental
          3126B Cat, 330hp
          MD3060 Allison

          On February 26, 2018 2:14:40 PM "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Robert,

          If you have air ride, as in you have to wait for the coach to air up and level out, and/or you have a dump valve to level you coach, then you do not have a torsional suspension.

          On the other hand, there are some Safaris out there that have the torsional suspension and also have small air bags installed aftermarket, to help supplement the torsion springs. Those type of air bags are very small, and the controls to adjust the pressure are noticeably "aftermarket" and manually adjusted. The size of an air bag on an air ride coach is considerably larger, similar to the air bags the semi trucks have.


          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Mon, Feb 26, 2018 at 4:32 PM, Robert Lewis robert.lewis.tl@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          Hi John

          Thanks for the advice.

          I know I have air bags, does that mean there would not be any torsion bars?

          Robert and Bev Lewis
          2000 Continental
          3126B Cat, 330hp
          MD3060 Allison


          From: Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > on behalf of TD sdjhtm@gmail..com [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com >
          Sent: Monday, February 26, 2018 1:15:48 PM
          To: Dale Maggio dalemaggio@y.
          Subject: Re: [Safarifriends] Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
           
           

          Robert,

          You coach will be either an air ride coach, likely with 8 air bags, or a VelvetRide, with the torsion springs, like you see in Steve's video.

          As for bouncing, depends how fast you go over the speed bump. Lol. 1.5 sounds ok. If you have the torsional suspension, and you notice a lot of bouncing and especially porpoising, then it time to upgrade to Koni shocks. Make sure you order by part number not by make and model, otherwise you will get the less effective (useless) shocks. Also, if you tow a toad, or trailer and is seems to be bopping up and down all the time, this means you need rear shocks, as the camera is bouncing with the coach, making it look like the toad is bouncing.

          BTW, unless your snow is above the coach wheels, just stick a camera over the top of the front wheel and snap a few shots with a slightly downward angle, this should give you and idea which suspension you have.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Mon, Feb 26, 2018 at 3:16 PM, Robert Lewis robert.lewis.tl@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          Can anyone tell me if there is the same rubber torsion system on a 2000 Safari Continental? I am buried in snow right now and can't get under there to look. My focus hasn't been on the suspension but may have to be soon.

          After a speed bump or similar should the coach bounce be 1 1/2 times or something else? ... to see if the shocks are ok, or can you recommend another check ?

          Thanks
          Robert and Bev Lewis
          2000 Continental
          3126B Cat, 330hp
          MD3060 Allison

          On February 25, 2018 11:27:27 PM "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Those torsion springs look to be in very good shape. I wish I had photos of mine to show you, as they look a hundred times worse and the coach rides well and has plenty of shims. The front actually has a full stack of shims. The rear is heavier, so its missing a few.

          Check you spam folder just in case, both emails should have gone through.

          I can see that your coach does not have Koni shocks. It will ride much smoother with no porpoising/bouncing if you install Koni shocks, they are  the best shocks for torsion spring suspension. These shocks are adjustable.... Being that you will be traveling on rough CA roads and the ALCAN highway, I would recommend to set the front shocks to maximum dampening, or set both, front and back.

          Koni Shocks part numbers for your coach:

          Front: 881641SP3
          Make sure you order by part number not by the make of your coach, otherwise you will get the less effective shock, that won't do a good job

          Rear: 881458SP2

          LTB Autosports has the best prices and free shipping to boot.

          Here is the link:

          Front shocks: http://www.ltbautosports.com/k oni-rv-/country-coach/881641sp 3/i-2440360.aspx

          Rear shocks: http://www.ltbautosports.com/k oni-rv-/safari/881458sp2/i-244 0564.aspx


          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Mon, Feb 26, 2018 at 12:31 AM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:
          John,

          As soon as I see them I will let you know.  So far they have not come in.  This is the best shot I have of the torsion bar on the 

          passenger side..  I have requested the shop measure the heights.  Barney and his crew really have a good reputation, though most of their work is newer coaches.  They seem very invested and knowledgeable on the needs of our coach.  

          One point of clarity when I said the roof looked bright white, I meant the headliner of the coach.  The exterior roof is clean but, there was a lot of prior owner silicon up there.  I believe that the Barney and his crew are on top of those needs to seal correctly the seams.  Not sure if we are on the same page in using expanding screws to tie the roof together after hearing from you in the type of roof on our coach.

          Thank you again.  I really appreciate the help, we really want this coach to work for us and give us a coach to care for, and not change needless problems.  I believe we have great bones and very few problems at this point.

          Steve 

          On Feb 25, 2018, at 7:53 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Glad to help.

          I emailed you some photos, let me know if they didn't come through.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 11:31 PM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          John,

          Thank you very much for the foundation on the springs and the roof.  I will call them in the morning and see if I can get some clear measurements and answers.  I was under the coach and remember there still being quite a bit of shim still there.   Unfortunately I did not get a good photo I took a short video but, I’m not sure it will help.  

          As for the roof I will speak with the team there on that too.  I will let you know as soon as I hear something back.

          Steve 


          Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

          On Sunday, February 25, 2018, 5:42 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Be aware that the torsion tubes do not need replacing, unless you are out of ride height shims, as in there is none left to remove, or the torsion spring collapsed, as in total failure. This "rubber" suspension is very durable and has a long life. Very many buses in Mexico use this type of suspension on rough Mexican roads, and are know to easily exceed one million miles. Failures are extremely rare, there were a few models that had issues because they had the very heavy large CAT C12 engine and the heavy Allison 4000 series transmission, and your coach does not fall in that catagory. The rubber on the edges of the torsion tubes normally looks cracked and gnarly because the edges are exposed to ozone, etc. for 20+ years... The rubber inside is preserved, and this in no way means the springs are bad. Speaking frankly, to replace them just for their looks is an error and a big waste of money. All four torsion tubes and shackles, will run you about $6000, just for the parts, and who know how much for labor.
          See if the rv repair shop can take some photos of the torsion tubes in question and have them email them to you, and then post them so we could look at them. If they know Safaris, like they claim, the first thing they should have done is check the ride height. Have them check it and post the numbers at all for wheels. You measure from the center of the wheel, to the bottom of the belt line. Proper height is 25 inches (+/- 1/4). Removing one shim on both sides of the torsion tube raises the coach by 1/4 inch. Example, removing four shims will raise the coach one inch.
          Your coach, and also ride comfort would benefit from a supplemental air bag kit on all four corner, considering the type of terrain you have back home, this will also help take some of the stress off of the springs, further preserving them and giving a nicer ride on poor roads.

          As for the rear view camera, are you aware that there is a switch on the dash that turns it on? It does not turn on automatically when you are reversing...

          Roof: you stated that the roof is delaminated, but yet you say the roof is shiny white, so I'm a bit confused. The filon roof is a very thin fiberglass hybrid type roof that is designed to float, as in, it is not supposed to be attached to the sub-roof. If your roof appears in good shape I would suggest to remove all caulk, especially if a silicon based caulk was used, and tape the end caps (they are very prone to leaking) and other straight joints, like the sky light, with Eternabond tape, and the rest, caulk with Dicor self leveling caulk. Then have the whole roof coated with two or three layers of elastomeric paint, this will likely give you 10yrs of leak free service being your in AK. The Eternabond tape will likely last your lifetime, if it is applied properly. Be aware that the tape will stick to anything except silicon, so all silicon MUST be removed prior to taping. I will try to email you a photo of my roof, so you can see how the joints are taped up.

          Pardon for being blunt, but if this place does not know that most Safari Coaches have a floating filon roof, and want to screw it down or glue it down, they don't know squat about Safari Coaches and are going to botch it up and empty your wallet in the process. Same goes for replacing the springs.
          Honestly, you are much better off spending the money at Henderson's, at least you will get your moneys worth. If they don't do other RV work like roofs, I'm sure they know a place they could recommend. Honestly, knowing enough about these coaches, I do not get a good feeling about this place, they seem at a minimum to lack Safari knowledge and likely also after your wallet, knowing by the time you realize that things are botched up, you are in AK, far away. Just my two pennies...

          Also, looking at the picture of your engine, I would have someone shine a bright light between the fan blades to see if the if the charge air cooler/radiator are dirty. Dirt is a common issue that causes the engine to run hot and de-power to prevent overheating. This is most evident when climbing long steep grades, especially in hot weather.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.


          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 8:14 PM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups..co m> wrote:


          John,

          Thank you, for the reply, the interior rubber of the torsion is shot, I am not sure on the height as I am back in Alaska now and the coach is in California.  From what I saw I would rather start with a good foundation and replace them.  As for the roof, there is no apparent evidence of leaks, the rook is still crisp white with no staining...  There is some apparent area that may have leaked in the skylight in the shower but, that seemed well repaired.  

          The repairs that we are planning with Barney and team at Discount RV is geared toward ensuring that we have a sound rig to come north with.  The prior owner used a low grade caulk that is going to have to be removed and done properly.  We have concerns on taking this desert deweller north but, with a little work and some right decision we think we are off to a good start.

          We will look into the tiger trax and airbag systems once we move the rig from California to Washington to get the seals in the windows done.  

          As for the camera and TV, we have power to the TV the camera is not sending a signal, that we can tell but, we are holding off on spending any effort on that as of yet.  I think the better money and effort maybe to update the whole system to side and rear cameras and place a 7” monitor in the dash area and forgo the whole 20” original TV system.  All of the wiring seems solid except the trailer braking system that the prior owner installed.  It works, but was not installed well they twisted the wire through the frame in some areas and wrapped it around other wires.  Plus it was installed so far back from the driver seat it is nearly to the slide out....  Not sure how you’d ever reach it if you needed to, that so far is the only poorly done installation.  The Cat motor with >25K tested without any concerns as did the transmission.

          I really appreciate all the insights and advice.  Attached are 2 photos...  Steve 







          Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

          On Sunday, February 25, 2018, 3:42 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Welcome!

          Do you have any ride height shims left on the front suspension, if yes, how many are left, (left side and right side)?

          What is your ride height (measured at each corner, front and back)?

          Be aware, replacing the torsion tubes is very expensive, if they aren't collapsed, you can add and air bag kit, to bring the coach height up to specs (presuming that your shackles are ok). The good news is, the torsion tubes and shackles are still made (at one point they were out of production).
          Important: If you plan to install new shocks, your best bet is Koni shocks, but don't order them by make and model, as you will get the less effective ones (useless torsional suspension), instead do a search on this group under "Koni shocks part number" and you will find the info, or ask and I will re-post the information for you.

          As for the roof, has it leaked?
          Is the sub-roof ok, or is it soft/rotted?  If the sub-roof is ok, and only the Filon roof needs repair, you could anchor the bad areas down and than seal it with Eternabond tape. This product is superb, and can be ordered  in widths from 2'' to 48", and can make the repair very simple and easy. 

          Is the camera and TV truly shot, or are they just disconnected, and/or botched wiring???

          As for the road wander: The Sahara models are known to be light on the front end (have the coach weighed, preferably at each corner), and this alone will make them a handful. If the tires are over inflated (pressure should be according to weight on the axle), and/or if your King Pins are worn, this will exacerbate the problem. So I would definitely have a shop check for any play in the king pins. You also will need to check your alignment, a minimum Caster of 4.5 degrees, preferably 5 to 5.5 is a must for the coach to handle well. Pioneer Metal Works sells a good quality TigerTrak kit that also helps with road wander, if one has not been installed yet.
          If you have a generous budget, go set up an appointment with Henderson's Line-Up, they are very experienced with Safari handling issues, have an air bag kit, and know how to align these coaches properly. They are located in Grants Pass, OR, which should be on your way to AK.

          Here is their link:https://www. hendersonslineup.com/

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.




          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 5:58 PM, osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          The beams of the suspension based on the review of the inspection are out of tolerance and need to be replaced.  They seem that sitting in the desert got the best of them.  I drove the coach about an hour to Lakeside Ca and it was a bit of a hand full wanted to wonder a lot in the lane.  The guys at the shop attributed that to a couple of items, the suspension, the fact that the prior owner replace the tires with lower end Hercules tires on the fron that are not drive tires and more of a low-boy trailer tire.  The suspension is out in the front only, the rear is not in as bad shape.





















          Group: Safarifriends Message: 37832 From: TD Date: 3/6/2018
          Subject: Re: Koni shocks for '93 Continental [was] New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
          Craig,

          After exhaustive searching and creative cross referencing, I finally figured out the Koni shock part numbers you need for your '93 Continental. Ironically, all that work to find out that they are the same part numbers that the newer Magnum chassis, with the torsional suspension, but at least now you can order your shocks. These shocks are adjustable, and are factory preset to the least dampening setting. If you drive on really rough roads or find that your coach still bounces, sways or porpoises, then you can set the shocks to more aggressive dampening. I'm very confident that you will feel a huge improvement.
          What brand shocks do you have now, or what color are they?

          Koni Shocks part numbers for your coach:

          Front: 881641SP3
          Make sure you order by part number not by the make of your coach, otherwise you will get the less effective shock, that won't do a good job

          Rear: 881458SP2

          LTB Autosports has the best prices and free shipping to boot.

          Here is the link:

          Front shocks: http://www.ltbautosports.com/k oni-rv-/country-coach/881641sp 3/i-2440360.aspx

          Rear shocks: http://www.ltbautosports.com/k oni-rv-/safari/881458sp2/i-244 0564.aspx

          My brain hurts! Lol.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Tue, Feb 27, 2018 at 8:34 AM, Craig Burrell technolog1@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


          any idea about the air bags that are after market? I have a 93 cont. 40 ft and need shocks and would like to add airbags. also the shocks listed, will they fit the bus??? when I go to the link it does not say they are for that year.
          thanks.
          Craig
          93 cont. 8.3 6sp

          On ‎Monday‎, ‎February‎ ‎26‎, ‎2018‎ ‎05‎:‎49‎:‎18‎ ‎PM, Robert Lewis robert.lewis.tl@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


           

          Hi John

          the bags are like on a semi, thanks for the help.

          Robert and Bev Lewis
          2000 Continental
          3126B Cat, 330hp
          MD3060 Allison

          On February 26, 2018 2:14:40 PM "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Robert,

          If you have air ride, as in you have to wait for the coach to air up and level out, and/or you have a dump valve to level you coach, then you do not have a torsional suspension.

          On the other hand, there are some Safaris out there that have the torsional suspension and also have small air bags installed aftermarket, to help supplement the torsion springs. Those type of air bags are very small, and the controls to adjust the pressure are noticeably "aftermarket" and manually adjusted. The size of an air bag on an air ride coach is considerably larger, similar to the air bags the semi trucks have.


          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Mon, Feb 26, 2018 at 4:32 PM, Robert Lewis robert.lewis.tl@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          Hi John

          Thanks for the advice.

          I know I have air bags, does that mean there would not be any torsion bars?

          Robert and Bev Lewis
          2000 Continental
          3126B Cat, 330hp
          MD3060 Allison


          From: Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > on behalf of TD sdjhtm@gmail..com [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com >
          Sent: Monday, February 26, 2018 1:15:48 PM
          To: Dale Maggio dalemaggio@y.
          Subject: Re: [Safarifriends] Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
           
           

          Robert,

          You coach will be either an air ride coach, likely with 8 air bags, or a VelvetRide, with the torsion springs, like you see in Steve's video.

          As for bouncing, depends how fast you go over the speed bump. Lol. 1.5 sounds ok. If you have the torsional suspension, and you notice a lot of bouncing and especially porpoising, then it time to upgrade to Koni shocks. Make sure you order by part number not by make and model, otherwise you will get the less effective (useless) shocks. Also, if you tow a toad, or trailer and is seems to be bopping up and down all the time, this means you need rear shocks, as the camera is bouncing with the coach, making it look like the toad is bouncing.

          BTW, unless your snow is above the coach wheels, just stick a camera over the top of the front wheel and snap a few shots with a slightly downward angle, this should give you and idea which suspension you have.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Mon, Feb 26, 2018 at 3:16 PM, Robert Lewis robert.lewis.tl@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          Can anyone tell me if there is the same rubber torsion system on a 2000 Safari Continental? I am buried in snow right now and can't get under there to look. My focus hasn't been on the suspension but may have to be soon.

          After a speed bump or similar should the coach bounce be 1 1/2 times or something else? ... to see if the shocks are ok, or can you recommend another check ?

          Thanks
          Robert and Bev Lewis
          2000 Continental
          3126B Cat, 330hp
          MD3060 Allison

          On February 25, 2018 11:27:27 PM "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Those torsion springs look to be in very good shape. I wish I had photos of mine to show you, as they look a hundred times worse and the coach rides well and has plenty of shims. The front actually has a full stack of shims. The rear is heavier, so its missing a few.

          Check you spam folder just in case, both emails should have gone through.

          I can see that your coach does not have Koni shocks. It will ride much smoother with no porpoising/bouncing if you install Koni shocks, they are  the best shocks for torsion spring suspension. These shocks are adjustable.... Being that you will be traveling on rough CA roads and the ALCAN highway, I would recommend to set the front shocks to maximum dampening, or set both, front and back.

          Koni Shocks part numbers for your coach:

          Front: 881641SP3
          Make sure you order by part number not by the make of your coach, otherwise you will get the less effective shock, that won't do a good job

          Rear: 881458SP2

          LTB Autosports has the best prices and free shipping to boot.

          Here is the link:

          Front shocks: http://www.ltbautosports.com/k oni-rv-/country-coach/881641sp 3/i-2440360.aspx

          Rear shocks: http://www.ltbautosports.com/k oni-rv-/safari/881458sp2/i-244 0564.aspx


          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Mon, Feb 26, 2018 at 12:31 AM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:
          John,

          As soon as I see them I will let you know.  So far they have not come in.  This is the best shot I have of the torsion bar on the 

          passenger side..  I have requested the shop measure the heights.  Barney and his crew really have a good reputation, though most of their work is newer coaches.  They seem very invested and knowledgeable on the needs of our coach.  

          One point of clarity when I said the roof looked bright white, I meant the headliner of the coach.  The exterior roof is clean but, there was a lot of prior owner silicon up there.  I believe that the Barney and his crew are on top of those needs to seal correctly the seams.  Not sure if we are on the same page in using expanding screws to tie the roof together after hearing from you in the type of roof on our coach.

          Thank you again.  I really appreciate the help, we really want this coach to work for us and give us a coach to care for, and not change needless problems.  I believe we have great bones and very few problems at this point.

          Steve 

          On Feb 25, 2018, at 7:53 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Glad to help.

          I emailed you some photos, let me know if they didn't come through.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 11:31 PM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          John,

          Thank you very much for the foundation on the springs and the roof.  I will call them in the morning and see if I can get some clear measurements and answers.  I was under the coach and remember there still being quite a bit of shim still there.   Unfortunately I did not get a good photo I took a short video but, I’m not sure it will help.  

          As for the roof I will speak with the team there on that too.  I will let you know as soon as I hear something back.

          Steve 


          Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

          On Sunday, February 25, 2018, 5:42 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Be aware that the torsion tubes do not need replacing, unless you are out of ride height shims, as in there is none left to remove, or the torsion spring collapsed, as in total failure. This "rubber" suspension is very durable and has a long life. Very many buses in Mexico use this type of suspension on rough Mexican roads, and are know to easily exceed one million miles. Failures are extremely rare, there were a few models that had issues because they had the very heavy large CAT C12 engine and the heavy Allison 4000 series transmission, and your coach does not fall in that catagory. The rubber on the edges of the torsion tubes normally looks cracked and gnarly because the edges are exposed to ozone, etc. for 20+ years... The rubber inside is preserved, and this in no way means the springs are bad. Speaking frankly, to replace them just for their looks is an error and a big waste of money. All four torsion tubes and shackles, will run you about $6000, just for the parts, and who know how much for labor.
          See if the rv repair shop can take some photos of the torsion tubes in question and have them email them to you, and then post them so we could look at them. If they know Safaris, like they claim, the first thing they should have done is check the ride height. Have them check it and post the numbers at all for wheels. You measure from the center of the wheel, to the bottom of the belt line. Proper height is 25 inches (+/- 1/4). Removing one shim on both sides of the torsion tube raises the coach by 1/4 inch. Example, removing four shims will raise the coach one inch.
          Your coach, and also ride comfort would benefit from a supplemental air bag kit on all four corner, considering the type of terrain you have back home, this will also help take some of the stress off of the springs, further preserving them and giving a nicer ride on poor roads.

          As for the rear view camera, are you aware that there is a switch on the dash that turns it on? It does not turn on automatically when you are reversing...

          Roof: you stated that the roof is delaminated, but yet you say the roof is shiny white, so I'm a bit confused. The filon roof is a very thin fiberglass hybrid type roof that is designed to float, as in, it is not supposed to be attached to the sub-roof. If your roof appears in good shape I would suggest to remove all caulk, especially if a silicon based caulk was used, and tape the end caps (they are very prone to leaking) and other straight joints, like the sky light, with Eternabond tape, and the rest, caulk with Dicor self leveling caulk. Then have the whole roof coated with two or three layers of elastomeric paint, this will likely give you 10yrs of leak free service being your in AK. The Eternabond tape will likely last your lifetime, if it is applied properly. Be aware that the tape will stick to anything except silicon, so all silicon MUST be removed prior to taping. I will try to email you a photo of my roof, so you can see how the joints are taped up.

          Pardon for being blunt, but if this place does not know that most Safari Coaches have a floating filon roof, and want to screw it down or glue it down, they don't know squat about Safari Coaches and are going to botch it up and empty your wallet in the process. Same goes for replacing the springs.
          Honestly, you are much better off spending the money at Henderson's, at least you will get your moneys worth. If they don't do other RV work like roofs, I'm sure they know a place they could recommend. Honestly, knowing enough about these coaches, I do not get a good feeling about this place, they seem at a minimum to lack Safari knowledge and likely also after your wallet, knowing by the time you realize that things are botched up, you are in AK, far away. Just my two pennies...

          Also, looking at the picture of your engine, I would have someone shine a bright light between the fan blades to see if the if the charge air cooler/radiator are dirty. Dirt is a common issue that causes the engine to run hot and de-power to prevent overheating. This is most evident when climbing long steep grades, especially in hot weather.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.


          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 8:14 PM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups..co m> wrote:


          John,

          Thank you, for the reply, the interior rubber of the torsion is shot, I am not sure on the height as I am back in Alaska now and the coach is in California.  From what I saw I would rather start with a good foundation and replace them.  As for the roof, there is no apparent evidence of leaks, the rook is still crisp white with no staining...  There is some apparent area that may have leaked in the skylight in the shower but, that seemed well repaired.  

          The repairs that we are planning with Barney and team at Discount RV is geared toward ensuring that we have a sound rig to come north with.  The prior owner used a low grade caulk that is going to have to be removed and done properly.  We have concerns on taking this desert deweller north but, with a little work and some right decision we think we are off to a good start.

          We will look into the tiger trax and airbag systems once we move the rig from California to Washington to get the seals in the windows done.  

          As for the camera and TV, we have power to the TV the camera is not sending a signal, that we can tell but, we are holding off on spending any effort on that as of yet.  I think the better money and effort maybe to update the whole system to side and rear cameras and place a 7” monitor in the dash area and forgo the whole 20” original TV system.  All of the wiring seems solid except the trailer braking system that the prior owner installed.  It works, but was not installed well they twisted the wire through the frame in some areas and wrapped it around other wires.  Plus it was installed so far back from the driver seat it is nearly to the slide out....  Not sure how you’d ever reach it if you needed to, that so far is the only poorly done installation.  The Cat motor with >25K tested without any concerns as did the transmission.

          I really appreciate all the insights and advice.  Attached are 2 photos...  Steve 







          Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

          On Sunday, February 25, 2018, 3:42 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Welcome!

          Do you have any ride height shims left on the front suspension, if yes, how many are left, (left side and right side)?

          What is your ride height (measured at each corner, front and back)?

          Be aware, replacing the torsion tubes is very expensive, if they aren't collapsed, you can add and air bag kit, to bring the coach height up to specs (presuming that your shackles are ok). The good news is, the torsion tubes and shackles are still made (at one point they were out of production).
          Important: If you plan to install new shocks, your best bet is Koni shocks, but don't order them by make and model, as you will get the less effective ones (useless torsional suspension), instead do a search on this group under "Koni shocks part number" and you will find the info, or ask and I will re-post the information for you.

          As for the roof, has it leaked?
          Is the sub-roof ok, or is it soft/rotted?  If the sub-roof is ok, and only the Filon roof needs repair, you could anchor the bad areas down and than seal it with Eternabond tape. This product is superb, and can be ordered  in widths from 2'' to 48", and can make the repair very simple and easy. 

          Is the camera and TV truly shot, or are they just disconnected, and/or botched wiring???

          As for the road wander: The Sahara models are known to be light on the front end (have the coach weighed, preferably at each corner), and this alone will make them a handful. If the tires are over inflated (pressure should be according to weight on the axle), and/or if your King Pins are worn, this will exacerbate the problem. So I would definitely have a shop check for any play in the king pins. You also will need to check your alignment, a minimum Caster of 4.5 degrees, preferably 5 to 5.5 is a must for the coach to handle well. Pioneer Metal Works sells a good quality TigerTrak kit that also helps with road wander, if one has not been installed yet.
          If you have a generous budget, go set up an appointment with Henderson's Line-Up, they are very experienced with Safari handling issues, have an air bag kit, and know how to align these coaches properly. They are located in Grants Pass, OR, which should be on your way to AK.

          Here is their link:https://www. hendersonslineup.com/

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.




          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 5:58 PM, osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          The beams of the suspension based on the review of the inspection are out of tolerance and need to be replaced.  They seem that sitting in the desert got the best of them.  I drove the coach about an hour to Lakeside Ca and it was a bit of a hand full wanted to wonder a lot in the lane.  The guys at the shop attributed that to a couple of items, the suspension, the fact that the prior owner replace the tires with lower end Hercules tires on the fron that are not drive tires and more of a low-boy trailer tire.  The suspension is out in the front only, the rear is not in as bad shape.





















          Group: Safarifriends Message: 37833 From: technolog1 Date: 3/6/2018
          Subject: Re: Koni shocks for '93 Continental [was] New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
          Thank you for hurting your brain. I will order them today



          Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone


          -------- Original message --------
          From: "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com>
          Date: 3/6/18 12:08 PM (GMT-06:00)
          To: "Dale Maggio dalemaggio@y." <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com>
          Subject: Re: [Safarifriends] Re:Koni shocks for '93 Continental [was] New 98 Safari Sahara 3006

          Craig,

          After exhaustive searching and creative cross referencing, I finally
          figured out the Koni shock part numbers you need for your '93 Continental.
          Ironically, all that work to find out that they are the same part numbers
          that the newer Magnum chassis, with the torsional suspension, but at least
          now you can order your shocks. These shocks are adjustable, and are factory
          preset to the least dampening setting. If you drive on really rough roads
          or find that your coach still bounces, sways or porpoises, then you can set
          the shocks to more aggressive dampening. I'm very confident that you will
          feel a huge improvement.
          What brand shocks do you have now, or what color are they?

          Koni Shocks part numbers for your coach:

          *Front: 881641SP3 *
          Make sure you order by part number not by the make of your coach, otherwise
          you will get the less effective shock, that won't do a good job

          *Rear: 881458SP2*

          LTB Autosports has the best prices and free shipping to boot.

          Here is the link:

          Front shocks: http://www.ltbautosports.com/k oni-rv-/country-coach/881641sp
          3/i-2440360.aspx
          <http://www.ltbautosports.com/koni-rv-/country-coach/881641sp3/i-2440360.aspx>

          Rear shocks: http://www.ltbautosports.com/k oni-rv-/safari/881458sp2/i-244
          0564.aspx
          <http://www.ltbautosports.com/koni-rv-/safari/881458sp2/i-2440564.aspx>

          My brain hurts! Lol.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Tue, Feb 27, 2018 at 8:34 AM, Craig Burrell technolog1@...
          [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

          >
          >
          > any idea about the air bags that are after market? I have a 93 cont. 40 ft
          > and need shocks and would like to add airbags. also the shocks listed, will
          > they fit the bus??? when I go to the link it does not say they are for that
          > year.
          > thanks.
          > Craig
          > 93 cont. 8.3 6sp
          >
          > On ‎Monday‎, ‎February‎ ‎26‎, ‎2018‎ ‎05‎:‎49‎:‎18‎ ‎PM, Robert Lewis
          > robert.lewis.tl@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com>
          > wrote:
          >
          >
          >
          >
          > Hi John
          >
          > the bags are like on a semi, thanks for the help.
          >
          > Robert and Bev Lewis
          > 2000 Continental
          > 3126B Cat, 330hp
          > MD3060 Allison
          >
          > On February 26, 2018 2:14:40 PM "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <
          > Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
          >
          >
          >
          > Robert,
          >
          > If you have air ride, as in you have to wait for the coach to air up and
          > level out, and/or you have a dump valve to level you coach, then you do not
          > have a torsional suspension.
          >
          > On the other hand, there are some Safaris out there that have the
          > torsional suspension and also have small air bags installed aftermarket, to
          > help supplement the torsion springs. Those type of air bags are very small,
          > and the controls to adjust the pressure are noticeably "aftermarket" and
          > manually adjusted. The size of an air bag on an air ride coach is
          > considerably larger, similar to the air bags the semi trucks have.
          >
          >
          > John
          > '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          > 6spd.
          >
          > On Mon, Feb 26, 2018 at 4:32 PM, Robert Lewis robert.lewis.tl@...
          > [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
          >
          >
          >
          > Hi John
          >
          > Thanks for the advice.
          >
          > I know I have air bags, does that mean there would not be any torsion bars?
          >
          > Robert and Bev Lewis
          > 2000 Continental
          > 3126B Cat, 330hp
          > MD3060 Allison
          >
          > ------------------------------
          > *From:* Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > on
          > behalf of TD sdjhtm@gmail..com [Safarifriends] <
          > Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com >
          > *Sent:* Monday, February 26, 2018 1:15:48 PM
          > *To:* Dale Maggio dalemaggio@y.
          > *Subject:* Re: [Safarifriends] Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
          >
          >
          >
          > Robert,
          >
          > You coach will be either an air ride coach, likely with 8 air bags, or a
          > VelvetRide, with the torsion springs, like you see in Steve's video.
          >
          > As for bouncing, depends how fast you go over the speed bump. Lol. 1.5
          > sounds ok. If you have the torsional suspension, and you notice a lot of
          > bouncing and especially porpoising, then it time to upgrade to Koni shocks.
          > Make sure you order by part number not by make and model, otherwise you
          > will get the less effective (useless) shocks. Also, if you tow a toad, or
          > trailer and is seems to be bopping up and down all the time, this means you
          > need rear shocks, as the camera is bouncing with the coach, making it look
          > like the toad is bouncing.
          >
          > BTW, unless your snow is above the coach wheels, just stick a camera over
          > the top of the front wheel and snap a few shots with a slightly downward
          > angle, this should give you and idea which suspension you have.
          >
          > John
          > '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          > 6spd.
          >
          > On Mon, Feb 26, 2018 at 3:16 PM, Robert Lewis robert.lewis.tl@...
          > [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:
          >
          >
          >
          > Can anyone tell me if there is the same rubber torsion system on a 2000
          > Safari Continental? I am buried in snow right now and can't get under there
          > to look. My focus hasn't been on the suspension but may have to be soon.
          >
          > After a speed bump or similar should the coach bounce be 1 1/2 times or
          > something else? ... to see if the shocks are ok, or can you recommend
          > another check ?
          >
          > Thanks
          > Robert and Bev Lewis
          > 2000 Continental
          > 3126B Cat, 330hp
          > MD3060 Allison
          >
          > On February 25, 2018 11:27:27 PM "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <
          > Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:
          >
          >
          >
          > Steve,
          >
          > Those torsion springs look to be in very good shape. I wish I had photos
          > of mine to show you, as they look a hundred times worse and the coach rides
          > well and has plenty of shims. The front actually has a full stack of shims.
          > The rear is heavier, so its missing a few.
          >
          > Check you spam folder just in case, both emails should have gone through.
          >
          > I can see that your coach does not have Koni shocks. It will ride much
          > smoother with no porpoising/bouncing if you install Koni shocks, they are
          > the best shocks for torsion spring suspension. These shocks are
          > adjustable.... Being that you will be traveling on rough CA roads and the
          > ALCAN highway, I would recommend to set the front shocks to maximum
          > dampening, or set both, front and back.
          >
          > Koni Shocks part numbers for your coach:
          >
          > *Front: 881641SP3 *
          > Make sure you order by part number not by the make of your coach,
          > otherwise you will get the less effective shock, that won't do a good job
          >
          > *Rear: 881458SP2*
          >
          > LTB Autosports has the best prices and free shipping to boot.
          >
          > Here is the link:
          >
          > Front shocks: http://www.ltbautosports.com/k
          > oni-rv-/country-coach/881641sp 3/i-2440360.aspx
          > <http://www.ltbautosports.com/koni-rv-/country-coach/881641sp3/i-2440360.aspx>
          >
          > Rear shocks: http://www.ltbautosports.com/k
          > oni-rv-/safari/881458sp2/i-244 0564.aspx
          > <http://www.ltbautosports.com/koni-rv-/safari/881458sp2/i-2440564.aspx>
          >
          >
          > John
          > '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          > 6spd.
          >
          > On Mon, Feb 26, 2018 at 12:31 AM, Steve Mendive osoinak@...
          > [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:
          >
          > John,
          >
          > As soon as I see them I will let you know.  So far they have not come in.
          > This is the best shot I have of the torsion bar on the
          >
          > passenger side..  I have requested the shop measure the heights.  Barney
          > and his crew really have a good reputation, though most of their work is
          > newer coaches.  They seem very invested and knowledgeable on the needs of
          > our coach.
          >
          > One point of clarity when I said the roof looked bright white, I meant the
          > headliner of the coach.  The exterior roof is clean but, there was a lot of
          > prior owner silicon up there.  I believe that the Barney and his crew are
          > on top of those needs to seal correctly the seams.  Not sure if we are on
          > the same page in using expanding screws to tie the roof together after
          > hearing from you in the type of roof on our coach.
          >
          > Thank you again.  I really appreciate the help, we really want this coach
          > to work for us and give us a coach to care for, and not change needless
          > problems.  I believe we have great bones and very few problems at this
          > point.
          >
          > Steve
          >
          > On Feb 25, 2018, at 7:53 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <
          > Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:
          >
          >
          >
          > Steve,
          >
          > Glad to help.
          >
          > I emailed you some photos, let me know if they didn't come through.
          >
          > John
          > '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          > 6spd.
          >
          > On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 11:31 PM, Steve Mendive osoinak@...
          > [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:
          >
          >
          >
          > John,
          >
          > Thank you very much for the foundation on the springs and the roof.  I
          > will call them in the morning and see if I can get some clear measurements
          > and answers.  I was under the coach and remember there still being quite a
          > bit of shim still there.   Unfortunately I did not get a good photo I took
          > a short video but, I’m not sure it will help.
          >
          > As for the roof I will speak with the team there on that too.  I will let
          > you know as soon as I hear something back.
          >
          > Steve
          >
          >
          > Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad <https://overview.mail.yahoo.com/?.src=iOS>
          >
          > On Sunday, February 25, 2018, 5:42 PM, TD sdjhtm@...
          > [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:
          >
          >
          >
          > Steve,
          >
          > Be aware that the torsion tubes *do not* need replacing, *unless* you are
          > out of ride height shims, as in there is none left to remove, or the
          > torsion spring collapsed, as in total failure. This "rubber" suspension is
          > very durable and has a long life. Very many buses in Mexico use this type
          > of suspension on rough Mexican roads, and are know to easily exceed one
          > million miles. Failures are extremely rare, there were a few models that
          > had issues because they had the very heavy large CAT C12 engine and the
          > heavy Allison 4000 series transmission, and your coach does not fall in
          > that catagory. The rubber on the edges of the torsion tubes normally looks
          > cracked and gnarly because the edges are exposed to ozone, etc. for 20+
          > years... The rubber inside is preserved, and this in no way means the
          > springs are bad. Speaking frankly, to replace them just for their looks is
          > an error and a big waste of money. All four torsion tubes and shackles,
          > will run you about $6000, just for the parts, and who know how much for
          > labor.
          > See if the rv repair shop can take some photos of the torsion tubes in
          > question and have them email them to you, and then post them so we could
          > look at them. If they know Safaris, like they claim, the first thing they
          > should have done is check the ride height. Have them check it and post the
          > numbers at all for wheels. You measure from the center of the wheel, to the
          > bottom of the belt line. Proper height is 25 inches (+/- 1/4). Removing one
          > shim on both sides of the torsion tube raises the coach by 1/4 inch.
          > Example, removing four shims will raise the coach one inch.
          > Your coach, and also ride comfort would benefit from a supplemental air
          > bag kit on all four corner, considering the type of terrain you have back
          > home, this will also help take some of the stress off of the springs,
          > further preserving them and giving a nicer ride on poor roads.
          >
          > As for the rear view camera, are you aware that there is a switch on the
          > dash that turns it on? It does not turn on automatically when you are
          > reversing...
          >
          > Roof: you stated that the roof is delaminated, but yet you say the roof is
          > shiny white, so I'm a bit confused. The filon roof is a very thin
          > fiberglass hybrid type roof that is designed to float, as in, it is not
          > supposed to be attached to the sub-roof. If your roof appears in good shape
          > I would suggest to remove all caulk, especially if a silicon based caulk
          > was used, and tape the end caps (they are very prone to leaking) and other
          > straight joints, like the sky light, with Eternabond tape, and the rest,
          > caulk with Dicor self leveling caulk. Then have the whole roof coated with
          > two or three layers of elastomeric paint, this will likely give you 10yrs
          > of leak free service being your in AK. The Eternabond tape will likely last
          > your lifetime, if it is applied properly. Be aware that the tape will stick
          > to anything except silicon, so all silicon MUST be removed prior to taping.
          > I will try to email you a photo of my roof, so you can see how the joints
          > are taped up.
          >
          > Pardon for being blunt, but if this place does not know that most Safari
          > Coaches have a floating filon roof, and want to screw it down or glue it
          > down, they don't know squat about Safari Coaches and are going to botch it
          > up and empty your wallet in the process. Same goes for replacing the
          > springs.
          > Honestly, you are much better off spending the money at Henderson's, at
          > least you will get your moneys worth. If they don't do other RV work like
          > roofs, I'm sure they know a place they could recommend. Honestly, knowing
          > enough about these coaches, I do not get a good feeling about this place,
          > they seem at a minimum to lack Safari knowledge and likely also after your
          > wallet, knowing by the time you realize that things are botched up, you are
          > in AK, far away. Just my two pennies...
          >
          > Also, looking at the picture of your engine, I would have someone shine a
          > bright light between the fan blades to see if the if the charge air
          > cooler/radiator are dirty. Dirt is a common issue that causes the engine to
          > run hot and de-power to prevent overheating. This is most evident when
          > climbing long steep grades, especially in hot weather.
          >
          > John
          > '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          > 6spd.
          >
          >
          > On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 8:14 PM, Steve Mendive osoinak@...
          > [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups..co m
          > <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com>> wrote:
          >
          >
          >
          > John,
          >
          > Thank you, for the reply, the interior rubber of the torsion is shot, I am
          > not sure on the height as I am back in Alaska now and the coach is in
          > California.  From what I saw I would rather start with a good foundation
          > and replace them.  As for the roof, there is no apparent evidence of leaks,
          > the rook is still crisp white with no staining...  There is some apparent
          > area that may have leaked in the skylight in the shower but, that seemed
          > well repaired.
          >
          > The repairs that we are planning with Barney and team at Discount RV is
          > geared toward ensuring that we have a sound rig to come north with.  The
          > prior owner used a low grade caulk that is going to have to be removed and
          > done properly.  We have concerns on taking this desert deweller north but,
          > with a little work and some right decision we think we are off
          Group: Safarifriends Message: 37834 From: Robert Lewis Date: 3/6/2018
          Subject: Re: Koni shocks for '93 Continental [was] New 98 Safari Sahara 3006

          Hi John

          Would these shocks fit a 2000 Continental?

          Thanks for all your research that went into this.

          Robert and Bev Lewis
          2000 Continental
          3126B Cat, 330hp
          MD3060 Allison

          On March 6, 2018 10:20:33 AM "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

           

          Craig,

          After exhaustive searching and creative cross referencing, I finally figured out the Koni shock part numbers you need for your '93 Continental. Ironically, all that work to find out that they are the same part numbers that the newer Magnum chassis, with the torsional suspension, but at least now you can order your shocks. These shocks are adjustable, and are factory preset to the least dampening setting. If you drive on really rough roads or find that your coach still bounces, sways or porpoises, then you can set the shocks to more aggressive dampening. I'm very confident that you will feel a huge improvement.
          What brand shocks do you have now, or what color are they?

          Koni Shocks part numbers for your coach:

          Front: 881641SP3
          Make sure you order by part number not by the make of your coach, otherwise you will get the less effective shock, that won't do a good job

          Rear: 881458SP2

          LTB Autosports has the best prices and free shipping to boot.

          Here is the link:

          Front shocks: http://www.ltbautosports.com/k oni-rv-/country-coach/881641sp 3/i-2440360.aspx

          Rear shocks: http://www.ltbautosports.com/k oni-rv-/safari/881458sp2/i-244 0564.aspx

          My brain hurts! Lol.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Tue, Feb 27, 2018 at 8:34 AM, Craig Burrell technolog1@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


          any idea about the air bags that are after market? I have a 93 cont. 40 ft and need shocks and would like to add airbags. also the shocks listed, will they fit the bus??? when I go to the link it does not say they are for that year.
          thanks.
          Craig
          93 cont. 8.3 6sp

          On ‎Monday‎, ‎February‎ ‎26‎, ‎2018‎ ‎05‎:‎49‎:‎18‎ ‎PM, Robert Lewis robert.lewis.tl@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


           

          Hi John

          the bags are like on a semi, thanks for the help.

          Robert and Bev Lewis
          2000 Continental
          3126B Cat, 330hp
          MD3060 Allison

          On February 26, 2018 2:14:40 PM "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Robert,

          If you have air ride, as in you have to wait for the coach to air up and level out, and/or you have a dump valve to level you coach, then you do not have a torsional suspension.

          On the other hand, there are some Safaris out there that have the torsional suspension and also have small air bags installed aftermarket, to help supplement the torsion springs. Those type of air bags are very small, and the controls to adjust the pressure are noticeably "aftermarket" and manually adjusted. The size of an air bag on an air ride coach is considerably larger, similar to the air bags the semi trucks have.


          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Mon, Feb 26, 2018 at 4:32 PM, Robert Lewis robert.lewis.tl@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          Hi John

          Thanks for the advice.

          I know I have air bags, does that mean there would not be any torsion bars?

          Robert and Bev Lewis
          2000 Continental
          3126B Cat, 330hp
          MD3060 Allison


          From: Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > on behalf of TD sdjhtm@gmail..com [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com >
          Sent: Monday, February 26, 2018 1:15:48 PM
          To: Dale Maggio dalemaggio@y.
          Subject: Re: [Safarifriends] Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
           
           

          Robert,

          You coach will be either an air ride coach, likely with 8 air bags, or a VelvetRide, with the torsion springs, like you see in Steve's video.

          As for bouncing, depends how fast you go over the speed bump. Lol. 1.5 sounds ok. If you have the torsional suspension, and you notice a lot of bouncing and especially porpoising, then it time to upgrade to Koni shocks. Make sure you order by part number not by make and model, otherwise you will get the less effective (useless) shocks. Also, if you tow a toad, or trailer and is seems to be bopping up and down all the time, this means you need rear shocks, as the camera is bouncing with the coach, making it look like the toad is bouncing.

          BTW, unless your snow is above the coach wheels, just stick a camera over the top of the front wheel and snap a few shots with a slightly downward angle, this should give you and idea which suspension you have.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Mon, Feb 26, 2018 at 3:16 PM, Robert Lewis robert.lewis.tl@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          Can anyone tell me if there is the same rubber torsion system on a 2000 Safari Continental? I am buried in snow right now and can't get under there to look. My focus hasn't been on the suspension but may have to be soon.

          After a speed bump or similar should the coach bounce be 1 1/2 times or something else? ... to see if the shocks are ok, or can you recommend another check ?

          Thanks
          Robert and Bev Lewis
          2000 Continental
          3126B Cat, 330hp
          MD3060 Allison

          On February 25, 2018 11:27:27 PM "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Those torsion springs look to be in very good shape. I wish I had photos of mine to show you, as they look a hundred times worse and the coach rides well and has plenty of shims. The front actually has a full stack of shims. The rear is heavier, so its missing a few.

          Check you spam folder just in case, both emails should have gone through.

          I can see that your coach does not have Koni shocks. It will ride much smoother with no porpoising/bouncing if you install Koni shocks, they are  the best shocks for torsion spring suspension. These shocks are adjustable.... Being that you will be traveling on rough CA roads and the ALCAN highway, I would recommend to set the front shocks to maximum dampening, or set both, front and back.

          Koni Shocks part numbers for your coach:

          Front: 881641SP3
          Make sure you order by part number not by the make of your coach, otherwise you will get the less effective shock, that won't do a good job

          Rear: 881458SP2

          LTB Autosports has the best prices and free shipping to boot.

          Here is the link:

          Front shocks: http://www.ltbautosports.com/k oni-rv-/country-coach/881641sp 3/i-2440360.aspx

          Rear shocks: http://www.ltbautosports.com/k oni-rv-/safari/881458sp2/i-244 0564.aspx


          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Mon, Feb 26, 2018 at 12:31 AM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:
          John,

          As soon as I see them I will let you know.  So far they have not come in.  This is the best shot I have of the torsion bar on the 

          passenger side..  I have requested the shop measure the heights.  Barney and his crew really have a good reputation, though most of their work is newer coaches.  They seem very invested and knowledgeable on the needs of our coach.  

          One point of clarity when I said the roof looked bright white, I meant the headliner of the coach.  The exterior roof is clean but, there was a lot of prior owner silicon up there.  I believe that the Barney and his crew are on top of those needs to seal correctly the seams.  Not sure if we are on the same page in using expanding screws to tie the roof together after hearing from you in the type of roof on our coach.

          Thank you again.  I really appreciate the help, we really want this coach to work for us and give us a coach to care for, and not change needless problems.  I believe we have great bones and very few problems at this point.

          Steve 

          On Feb 25, 2018, at 7:53 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Glad to help.

          I emailed you some photos, let me know if they didn't come through.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 11:31 PM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          John,

          Thank you very much for the foundation on the springs and the roof.  I will call them in the morning and see if I can get some clear measurements and answers.  I was under the coach and remember there still being quite a bit of shim still there.   Unfortunately I did not get a good photo I took a short video but, I’m not sure it will help.  

          As for the roof I will speak with the team there on that too.  I will let you know as soon as I hear something back.

          Steve 


          Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

          On Sunday, February 25, 2018, 5:42 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Be aware that the torsion tubes do not need replacing, unless you are out of ride height shims, as in there is none left to remove, or the torsion spring collapsed, as in total failure. This "rubber" suspension is very durable and has a long life. Very many buses in Mexico use this type of suspension on rough Mexican roads, and are know to easily exceed one million miles. Failures are extremely rare, there were a few models that had issues because they had the very heavy large CAT C12 engine and the heavy Allison 4000 series transmission, and your coach does not fall in that catagory. The rubber on the edges of the torsion tubes normally looks cracked and gnarly because the edges are exposed to ozone, etc. for 20+ years... The rubber inside is preserved, and this in no way means the springs are bad. Speaking frankly, to replace them just for their looks is an error and a big waste of money. All four torsion tubes and shackles, will run you about $6000, just for the parts, and who know how much for labor.
          See if the rv repair shop can take some photos of the torsion tubes in question and have them email them to you, and then post them so we could look at them. If they know Safaris, like they claim, the first thing they should have done is check the ride height. Have them check it and post the numbers at all for wheels. You measure from the center of the wheel, to the bottom of the belt line. Proper height is 25 inches (+/- 1/4). Removing one shim on both sides of the torsion tube raises the coach by 1/4 inch. Example, removing four shims will raise the coach one inch.
          Your coach, and also ride comfort would benefit from a supplemental air bag kit on all four corner, considering the type of terrain you have back home, this will also help take some of the stress off of the springs, further preserving them and giving a nicer ride on poor roads.

          As for the rear view camera, are you aware that there is a switch on the dash that turns it on? It does not turn on automatically when you are reversing...

          Roof: you stated that the roof is delaminated, but yet you say the roof is shiny white, so I'm a bit confused. The filon roof is a very thin fiberglass hybrid type roof that is designed to float, as in, it is not supposed to be attached to the sub-roof. If your roof appears in good shape I would suggest to remove all caulk, especially if a silicon based caulk was used, and tape the end caps (they are very prone to leaking) and other straight joints, like the sky light, with Eternabond tape, and the rest, caulk with Dicor self leveling caulk. Then have the whole roof coated with two or three layers of elastomeric paint, this will likely give you 10yrs of leak free service being your in AK. The Eternabond tape will likely last your lifetime, if it is applied properly. Be aware that the tape will stick to anything except silicon, so all silicon MUST be removed prior to taping. I will try to email you a photo of my roof, so you can see how the joints are taped up.

          Pardon for being blunt, but if this place does not know that most Safari Coaches have a floating filon roof, and want to screw it down or glue it down, they don't know squat about Safari Coaches and are going to botch it up and empty your wallet in the process. Same goes for replacing the springs.
          Honestly, you are much better off spending the money at Henderson's, at least you will get your moneys worth. If they don't do other RV work like roofs, I'm sure they know a place they could recommend. Honestly, knowing enough about these coaches, I do not get a good feeling about this place, they seem at a minimum to lack Safari knowledge and likely also after your wallet, knowing by the time you realize that things are botched up, you are in AK, far away. Just my two pennies...

          Also, looking at the picture of your engine, I would have someone shine a bright light between the fan blades to see if the if the charge air cooler/radiator are dirty. Dirt is a common issue that causes the engine to run hot and de-power to prevent overheating. This is most evident when climbing long steep grades, especially in hot weather.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.


          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 8:14 PM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups..co m> wrote:


          John,

          Thank you, for the reply, the interior rubber of the torsion is shot, I am not sure on the height as I am back in Alaska now and the coach is in California.  From what I saw I would rather start with a good foundation and replace them.  As for the roof, there is no apparent evidence of leaks, the rook is still crisp white with no staining...  There is some apparent area that may have leaked in the skylight in the shower but, that seemed well repaired.  

          The repairs that we are planning with Barney and team at Discount RV is geared toward ensuring that we have a sound rig to come north with.  The prior owner used a low grade caulk that is going to have to be removed and done properly.  We have concerns on taking this desert deweller north but, with a little work and some right decision we think we are off to a good start.

          We will look into the tiger trax and airbag systems once we move the rig from California to Washington to get the seals in the windows done.  

          As for the camera and TV, we have power to the TV the camera is not sending a signal, that we can tell but, we are holding off on spending any effort on that as of yet.  I think the better money and effort maybe to update the whole system to side and rear cameras and place a 7” monitor in the dash area and forgo the whole 20” original TV system.  All of the wiring seems solid except the trailer braking system that the prior owner installed.  It works, but was not installed well they twisted the wire through the frame in some areas and wrapped it around other wires.  Plus it was installed so far back from the driver seat it is nearly to the slide out....  Not sure how you’d ever reach it if you needed to, that so far is the only poorly done installation.  The Cat motor with >25K tested without any concerns as did the transmission.

          I really appreciate all the insights and advice.  Attached are 2 photos...  Steve 







          Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

          On Sunday, February 25, 2018, 3:42 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Welcome!

          Do you have any ride height shims left on the front suspension, if yes, how many are left, (left side and right side)?

          What is your ride height (measured at each corner, front and back)?

          Be aware, replacing the torsion tubes is very expensive, if they aren't collapsed, you can add and air bag kit, to bring the coach height up to specs (presuming that your shackles are ok). The good news is, the torsion tubes and shackles are still made (at one point they were out of production).
          Important: If you plan to install new shocks, your best bet is Koni shocks, but don't order them by make and model, as you will get the less effective ones (useless torsional suspension), instead do a search on this group under "Koni shocks part number" and you will find the info, or ask and I will re-post the information for you.

          As for the roof, has it leaked?
          Is the sub-roof ok, or is it soft/rotted?  If the sub-roof is ok, and only the Filon roof needs repair, you could anchor the bad areas down and than seal it with Eternabond tape. This product is superb, and can be ordered  in widths from 2'' to 48", and can make the repair very simple and easy. 

          Is the camera and TV truly shot, or are they just disconnected, and/or botched wiring???

          As for the road wander: The Sahara models are known to be light on the front end (have the coach weighed, preferably at each corner), and this alone will make them a handful. If the tires are over inflated (pressure should be according to weight on the axle), and/or if your King Pins are worn, this will exacerbate the problem. So I would definitely have a shop check for any play in the king pins. You also will need to check your alignment, a minimum Caster of 4.5 degrees, preferably 5 to 5.5 is a must for the coach to handle well. Pioneer Metal Works sells a good quality TigerTrak kit that also helps with road wander, if one has not been installed yet.
          If you have a generous budget, go set up an appointment with Henderson's Line-Up, they are very experienced with Safari handling issues, have an air bag kit, and know how to align these coaches properly. They are located in Grants Pass, OR, which should be on your way to AK.

          Here is their link:https://www. hendersonslineup.com/

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.




          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 5:58 PM, osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          The beams of the suspension based on the review of the inspection are out of tolerance and need to be replaced.  They seem that sitting in the desert got the best of them.  I drove the coach about an hour to Lakeside Ca and it was a bit of a hand full wanted to wonder a lot in the lane.  The guys at the shop attributed that to a couple of items, the suspension, the fact that the prior owner replace the tires with lower end Hercules tires on the fron that are not drive tires and more of a low-boy trailer tire.  The suspension is out in the front only, the rear is not in as bad shape.





















          Group: Safarifriends Message: 37837 From: TD Date: 3/6/2018
          Subject: Re: Koni shocks for 8 air bag coaches [was] Koni shocks for '93 Cont
          Robert,

          It helps if you state what suspension you have, as it is hard to keep track of everyone's coach. Since we recently discussed your suspension, I do recall that you have the 8 bag air ride suspension.
          If you want the Koni Reds that are adjustable, the part number is:
          88-1458SP2 [front and rear]  or  88-1458SP1which  is identical (except for slight difference in dampening), the latter will give you a somewhat smoother ride as far as the small jarring bumps go, but at a small sacrifice of less dampening on rebound. Looking at their numbers the dampening on rebound is not that much different, between the SP1 and SP2, but there is much less dampening on the SP1 on the downward stroke, and this is what gives you a much smoother ride when driving on rough roads with the annoying jarring bumps. I would say that you would be better off with the SP1, you decide what your driving needs are, either will fit and work. Also, the SP1 shocks are cost $4 less per shock.

          If you happen to have a bigger budget, consider going with the Koni FSD (road sensing/non adjustable) shocks. Koni claims that they are the smoothest shock on the market, and some have tried these and really like them.
          The part numbers are:

          Front: 8805-1004SP1

          Rear:  8805-1005SP1

          Note: the FSD part numbers are different, but same shock, just slightly different dampening. Also, the FSD shocks are about $45 per shock more then the adjustable Reds.

          If you go with the Koni reds, LTB Autosports has the best deal, with free shipping. If you decide to buy the Koni FSD shocks, Shock Warehouse has the best deal on those, if they offer free shipping (I think if you exceed and x sum, the give free shipping), if not then LTB is you best bet.

          Here are the links to these shocks.

          Koni reds-front: http://www.ltbautosports.com/koni-rv-/country-coach/881641sp3/i-2440360.aspx

          Koni reds-rear: http://www.ltbautosports.com/koni-rv-/safari/881458sp2/i-2440564.aspx

                                 OR
                           


          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Tue, Mar 6, 2018 at 3:13 PM, Robert Lewis robert.lewis.tl@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


          Hi John

          Would these shocks fit a 2000 Continental?

          Thanks for all your research that went into this.

          Robert and Bev Lewis
          2000 Continental
          3126B Cat, 330hp
          MD3060 Allison

          On March 6, 2018 10:20:33 AM "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Craig,

          After exhaustive searching and creative cross referencing, I finally figured out the Koni shock part numbers you need for your '93 Continental. Ironically, all that work to find out that they are the same part numbers that the newer Magnum chassis, with the torsional suspension, but at least now you can order your shocks. These shocks are adjustable, and are factory preset to the least dampening setting. If you drive on really rough roads or find that your coach still bounces, sways or porpoises, then you can set the shocks to more aggressive dampening. I'm very confident that you will feel a huge improvement.
          What brand shocks do you have now, or what color are they?

          Koni Shocks part numbers for your coach:

          Front: 881641SP3
          Make sure you order by part number not by the make of your coach, otherwise you will get the less effective shock, that won't do a good job

          Rear: 881458SP2

          LTB Autosports has the best prices and free shipping to boot.

          Here is the link:

          Front shocks: http://www.ltbautosports.com/k oni-rv-/country-coach/881641sp 3/i-2440360.aspx

          Rear shocks: http://www.ltbautosports.com/k oni-rv-/safari/881458sp2/i-244 0564.aspx

          My brain hurts! Lol.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Tue, Feb 27, 2018 at 8:34 AM, Craig Burrell technolog1@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          any idea about the air bags that are after market? I have a 93 cont. 40 ft and need shocks and would like to add airbags. also the shocks listed, will they fit the bus??? when I go to the link it does not say they are for that year.
          thanks.
          Craig
          93 cont. 8.3 6sp

          On ‎Monday‎, ‎February‎ ‎26‎, ‎2018‎ ‎05‎:‎49‎:‎18‎ ‎PM, Robert Lewis robert.lewis.tl@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


           

          Hi John

          the bags are like on a semi, thanks for the help.

          Robert and Bev Lewis
          2000 Continental
          3126B Cat, 330hp
          MD3060 Allison

          On February 26, 2018 2:14:40 PM "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Robert,

          If you have air ride, as in you have to wait for the coach to air up and level out, and/or you have a dump valve to level you coach, then you do not have a torsional suspension.

          On the other hand, there are some Safaris out there that have the torsional suspension and also have small air bags installed aftermarket, to help supplement the torsion springs. Those type of air bags are very small, and the controls to adjust the pressure are noticeably "aftermarket" and manually adjusted. The size of an air bag on an air ride coach is considerably larger, similar to the air bags the semi trucks have.


          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Mon, Feb 26, 2018 at 4:32 PM, Robert Lewis robert.lewis.tl@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          Hi John

          Thanks for the advice.

          I know I have air bags, does that mean there would not be any torsion bars?

          Robert and Bev Lewis
          2000 Continental
          3126B Cat, 330hp
          MD3060 Allison


          From: Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > on behalf of TD sdjhtm@gmail..com [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com >
          Sent: Monday, February 26, 2018 1:15:48 PM
          To: Dale Maggio dalemaggio@y.
          Subject: Re: [Safarifriends] Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
           
           

          Robert,

          You coach will be either an air ride coach, likely with 8 air bags, or a VelvetRide, with the torsion springs, like you see in Steve's video.

          As for bouncing, depends how fast you go over the speed bump. Lol. 1.5 sounds ok. If you have the torsional suspension, and you notice a lot of bouncing and especially porpoising, then it time to upgrade to Koni shocks. Make sure you order by part number not by make and model, otherwise you will get the less effective (useless) shocks. Also, if you tow a toad, or trailer and is seems to be bopping up and down all the time, this means you need rear shocks, as the camera is bouncing with the coach, making it look like the toad is bouncing.

          BTW, unless your snow is above the coach wheels, just stick a camera over the top of the front wheel and snap a few shots with a slightly downward angle, this should give you and idea which suspension you have.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Mon, Feb 26, 2018 at 3:16 PM, Robert Lewis robert.lewis.tl@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          Can anyone tell me if there is the same rubber torsion system on a 2000 Safari Continental? I am buried in snow right now and can't get under there to look. My focus hasn't been on the suspension but may have to be soon.

          After a speed bump or similar should the coach bounce be 1 1/2 times or something else? ... to see if the shocks are ok, or can you recommend another check ?

          Thanks
          Robert and Bev Lewis
          2000 Continental
          3126B Cat, 330hp
          MD3060 Allison

          On February 25, 2018 11:27:27 PM "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Those torsion springs look to be in very good shape. I wish I had photos of mine to show you, as they look a hundred times worse and the coach rides well and has plenty of shims. The front actually has a full stack of shims. The rear is heavier, so its missing a few.

          Check you spam folder just in case, both emails should have gone through.

          I can see that your coach does not have Koni shocks. It will ride much smoother with no porpoising/bouncing if you install Koni shocks, they are  the best shocks for torsion spring suspension. These shocks are adjustable..... Being that you will be traveling on rough CA roads and the ALCAN highway, I would recommend to set the front shocks to maximum dampening, or set both, front and back.

          Koni Shocks part numbers for your coach:

          Front: 881641SP3
          Make sure you order by part number not by the make of your coach, otherwise you will get the less effective shock, that won't do a good job

          Rear: 881458SP2

          LTB Autosports has the best prices and free shipping to boot.

          Here is the link:

          Front shocks: http://www.ltbautosports.com/k oni-rv-/country-coach/881641sp 3/i-2440360.aspx

          Rear shocks: http://www.ltbautosports.com/k oni-rv-/safari/881458sp2/i-244 0564.aspx


          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Mon, Feb 26, 2018 at 12:31 AM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:
          John,

          As soon as I see them I will let you know.  So far they have not come in.  This is the best shot I have of the torsion bar on the 

          passenger side..  I have requested the shop measure the heights.  Barney and his crew really have a good reputation, though most of their work is newer coaches.  They seem very invested and knowledgeable on the needs of our coach.  

          One point of clarity when I said the roof looked bright white, I meant the headliner of the coach.  The exterior roof is clean but, there was a lot of prior owner silicon up there.  I believe that the Barney and his crew are on top of those needs to seal correctly the seams.  Not sure if we are on the same page in using expanding screws to tie the roof together after hearing from you in the type of roof on our coach.

          Thank you again.  I really appreciate the help, we really want this coach to work for us and give us a coach to care for, and not change needless problems.  I believe we have great bones and very few problems at this point.

          Steve 

          On Feb 25, 2018, at 7:53 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Glad to help.

          I emailed you some photos, let me know if they didn't come through.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 11:31 PM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          John,

          Thank you very much for the foundation on the springs and the roof.  I will call them in the morning and see if I can get some clear measurements and answers.  I was under the coach and remember there still being quite a bit of shim still there.   Unfortunately I did not get a good photo I took a short video but, I’m not sure it will help.  

          As for the roof I will speak with the team there on that too.  I will let you know as soon as I hear something back.

          Steve 


          Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

          On Sunday, February 25, 2018, 5:42 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Be aware that the torsion tubes do not need replacing, unless you are out of ride height shims, as in there is none left to remove, or the torsion spring collapsed, as in total failure. This "rubber" suspension is very durable and has a long life. Very many buses in Mexico use this type of suspension on rough Mexican roads, and are know to easily exceed one million miles. Failures are extremely rare, there were a few models that had issues because they had the very heavy large CAT C12 engine and the heavy Allison 4000 series transmission, and your coach does not fall in that catagory. The rubber on the edges of the torsion tubes normally looks cracked and gnarly because the edges are exposed to ozone, etc. for 20+ years.... The rubber inside is preserved, and this in no way means the springs are bad. Speaking frankly, to replace them just for their looks is an error and a big waste of money. All four torsion tubes and shackles, will run you about $6000, just for the parts, and who know how much for labor.
          See if the rv repair shop can take some photos of the torsion tubes in question and have them email them to you, and then post them so we could look at them. If they know Safaris, like they claim, the first thing they should have done is check the ride height. Have them check it and post the numbers at all for wheels. You measure from the center of the wheel, to the bottom of the belt line. Proper height is 25 inches (+/- 1/4). Removing one shim on both sides of the torsion tube raises the coach by 1/4 inch. Example, removing four shims will raise the coach one inch.
          Your coach, and also ride comfort would benefit from a supplemental air bag kit on all four corner, considering the type of terrain you have back home, this will also help take some of the stress off of the springs, further preserving them and giving a nicer ride on poor roads.

          As for the rear view camera, are you aware that there is a switch on the dash that turns it on? It does not turn on automatically when you are reversing...

          Roof: you stated that the roof is delaminated, but yet you say the roof is shiny white, so I'm a bit confused. The filon roof is a very thin fiberglass hybrid type roof that is designed to float, as in, it is not supposed to be attached to the sub-roof. If your roof appears in good shape I would suggest to remove all caulk, especially if a silicon based caulk was used, and tape the end caps (they are very prone to leaking) and other straight joints, like the sky light, with Eternabond tape, and the rest, caulk with Dicor self leveling caulk. Then have the whole roof coated with two or three layers of elastomeric paint, this will likely give you 10yrs of leak free service being your in AK. The Eternabond tape will likely last your lifetime, if it is applied properly. Be aware that the tape will stick to anything except silicon, so all silicon MUST be removed prior to taping. I will try to email you a photo of my roof, so you can see how the joints are taped up.

          Pardon for being blunt, but if this place does not know that most Safari Coaches have a floating filon roof, and want to screw it down or glue it down, they don't know squat about Safari Coaches and are going to botch it up and empty your wallet in the process. Same goes for replacing the springs.
          Honestly, you are much better off spending the money at Henderson's, at least you will get your moneys worth. If they don't do other RV work like roofs, I'm sure they know a place they could recommend. Honestly, knowing enough about these coaches, I do not get a good feeling about this place, they seem at a minimum to lack Safari knowledge and likely also after your wallet, knowing by the time you realize that things are botched up, you are in AK, far away. Just my two pennies...

          Also, looking at the picture of your engine, I would have someone shine a bright light between the fan blades to see if the if the charge air cooler/radiator are dirty. Dirt is a common issue that causes the engine to run hot and de-power to prevent overheating. This is most evident when climbing long steep grades, especially in hot weather.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.


          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 8:14 PM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups..co m> wrote:


          John,

          Thank you, for the reply, the interior rubber of the torsion is shot, I am not sure on the height as I am back in Alaska now and the coach is in California.  From what I saw I would rather start with a good foundation and replace them.  As for the roof, there is no apparent evidence of leaks, the rook is still crisp white with no staining...  There is some apparent area that may have leaked in the skylight in the shower but, that seemed well repaired.  

          The repairs that we are planning with Barney and team at Discount RV is geared toward ensuring that we have a sound rig to come north with.  The prior owner used a low grade caulk that is going to have to be removed and done properly.  We have concerns on taking this desert deweller north but, with a little work and some right decision we think we are off to a good start.

          We will look into the tiger trax and airbag systems once we move the rig from California to Washington to get the seals in the windows done.  

          As for the camera and TV, we have power to the TV the camera is not sending a signal, that we can tell but, we are holding off on spending any effort on that as of yet.  I think the better money and effort maybe to update the whole system to side and rear cameras and place a 7” monitor in the dash area and forgo the whole 20” original TV system.  All of the wiring seems solid except the trailer braking system that the prior owner installed.  It works, but was not installed well they twisted the wire through the frame in some areas and wrapped it around other wires.  Plus it was installed so far back from the driver seat it is nearly to the slide out.....  Not sure how you’d ever reach it if you needed to, that so far is the only poorly done installation.  The Cat motor with >25K tested without any concerns as did the transmission.

          I really appreciate all the insights and advice.  Attached are 2 photos...  Steve 







          Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

          On Sunday, February 25, 2018, 3:42 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Welcome!

          Do you have any ride height shims left on the front suspension, if yes, how many are left, (left side and right side)?

          What is your ride height (measured at each corner, front and back)?

          Be aware, replacing the torsion tubes is very expensive, if they aren't collapsed, you can add and air bag kit, to bring the coach height up to specs (presuming that your shackles are ok). The good news is, the torsion tubes and shackles are still made (at one point they were out of production).
          Important: If you plan to install new shocks, your best bet is Koni shocks, but don't order them by make and model, as you will get the less effective ones (useless torsional suspension), instead do a search on this group under "Koni shocks part number" and you will find the info, or ask and I will re-post the information for you.

          As for the roof, has it leaked?
          Is the sub-roof ok, or is it soft/rotted?  If the sub-roof is ok, and only the Filon roof needs repair, you could anchor the bad areas down and than seal it with Eternabond tape. This product is superb, and can be ordered  in widths from 2'' to 48", and can make the repair very simple and easy. 

          Is the camera and TV truly shot, or are they just disconnected, and/or botched wiring???

          As for the road wander: The Sahara models are known to be light on the front end (have the coach weighed, preferably at each corner), and this alone will make them a handful. If the tires are over inflated (pressure should be according to weight on the axle), and/or if your King Pins are worn, this will exacerbate the problem. So I would definitely have a shop check for any play in the king pins. You also will need to check your alignment, a minimum Caster of 4.5 degrees, preferably 5 to 5.5 is a must for the coach to handle well. Pioneer Metal Works sells a good quality TigerTrak kit that also helps with road wander, if one has not been installed yet.
          If you have a generous budget, go set up an appointment with Henderson's Line-Up, they are very experienced with Safari handling issues, have an air bag kit, and know how to align these coaches properly. They are located in Grants Pass, OR, which should be on your way to AK.

          Here is their link:https://www. hendersonslineup.com/

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.




          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 5:58 PM, osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          The beams of the suspension based on the review of the inspection are out of tolerance and need to be replaced.  They seem that sitting in the desert got the best of them.  I drove the coach about an hour to Lakeside Ca and it was a bit of a hand full wanted to wonder a lot in the lane.  The guys at the shop attributed that to a couple of items, the suspension, the fact that the prior owner replace the tires with lower end Hercules tires on the fron that are not drive tires and more of a low-boy trailer tire.  The suspension is out in the front only, the rear is not in as bad shape.
























          Group: Safarifriends Message: 37840 From: Robert Lewis Date: 3/7/2018
          Subject: Re: Koni shocks for 8 air bag coaches [was] Koni shocks for '93 Cont

          Hi John

          Thank you for the wealth of information. I have saved this in my technical folder. I have to deal with this. The coach is bouncing far too much on bumps.

          Robert and Bev Lewis
          2000 Continental
          3126B Cat, 330hp
          MD3060 Allison

          On March 6, 2018 10:03:39 PM "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

           

          Robert,

          It helps if you state what suspension you have, as it is hard to keep track of everyone's coach. Since we recently discussed your suspension, I do recall that you have the 8 bag air ride suspension.
          If you want the Koni Reds that are adjustable, the part number is:
          88-1458SP2 [front and rear]  or  88-1458SP1which  is identical (except for slight difference in dampening), the latter will give you a somewhat smoother ride as far as the small jarring bumps go, but at a small sacrifice of less dampening on rebound. Looking at their numbers the dampening on rebound is not that much different, between the SP1 and SP2, but there is much less dampening on the SP1 on the downward stroke, and this is what gives you a much smoother ride when driving on rough roads with the annoying jarring bumps. I would say that you would be better off with the SP1, you decide what your driving needs are, either will fit and work. Also, the SP1 shocks are cost $4 less per shock.

          If you happen to have a bigger budget, consider going with the Koni FSD (road sensing/non adjustable) shocks. Koni claims that they are the smoothest shock on the market, and some have tried these and really like them.
          The part numbers are:

          Front: 8805-1004SP1

          Rear:  8805-1005SP1

          Note: the FSD part numbers are different, but same shock, just slightly different dampening. Also, the FSD shocks are about $45 per shock more then the adjustable Reds.

          If you go with the Koni reds, LTB Autosports has the best deal, with free shipping. If you decide to buy the Koni FSD shocks, Shock Warehouse has the best deal on those, if they offer free shipping (I think if you exceed and x sum, the give free shipping), if not then LTB is you best bet.

          Here are the links to these shocks.

          Koni reds-front: http://www.ltbautosports.com/koni-rv-/country-coach/881641sp3/i-2440360.aspx

          Koni reds-rear: http://www.ltbautosports.com/koni-rv-/safari/881458sp2/i-2440564.aspx

                                 OR
                           


          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Tue, Mar 6, 2018 at 3:13 PM, Robert Lewis robert.lewis.tl@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


          Hi John

          Would these shocks fit a 2000 Continental?

          Thanks for all your research that went into this.

          Robert and Bev Lewis
          2000 Continental
          3126B Cat, 330hp
          MD3060 Allison

          On March 6, 2018 10:20:33 AM "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Craig,

          After exhaustive searching and creative cross referencing, I finally figured out the Koni shock part numbers you need for your '93 Continental. Ironically, all that work to find out that they are the same part numbers that the newer Magnum chassis, with the torsional suspension, but at least now you can order your shocks. These shocks are adjustable, and are factory preset to the least dampening setting. If you drive on really rough roads or find that your coach still bounces, sways or porpoises, then you can set the shocks to more aggressive dampening. I'm very confident that you will feel a huge improvement.
          What brand shocks do you have now, or what color are they?

          Koni Shocks part numbers for your coach:

          Front: 881641SP3
          Make sure you order by part number not by the make of your coach, otherwise you will get the less effective shock, that won't do a good job

          Rear: 881458SP2

          LTB Autosports has the best prices and free shipping to boot.

          Here is the link:

          Front shocks: http://www.ltbautosports.com/k oni-rv-/country-coach/881641sp 3/i-2440360.aspx

          Rear shocks: http://www.ltbautosports.com/k oni-rv-/safari/881458sp2/i-244 0564.aspx

          My brain hurts! Lol.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Tue, Feb 27, 2018 at 8:34 AM, Craig Burrell technolog1@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          any idea about the air bags that are after market? I have a 93 cont. 40 ft and need shocks and would like to add airbags. also the shocks listed, will they fit the bus??? when I go to the link it does not say they are for that year.
          thanks.
          Craig
          93 cont. 8.3 6sp

          On ‎Monday‎, ‎February‎ ‎26‎, ‎2018‎ ‎05‎:‎49‎:‎18‎ ‎PM, Robert Lewis robert.lewis.tl@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


           

          Hi John

          the bags are like on a semi, thanks for the help.

          Robert and Bev Lewis
          2000 Continental
          3126B Cat, 330hp
          MD3060 Allison

          On February 26, 2018 2:14:40 PM "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Robert,

          If you have air ride, as in you have to wait for the coach to air up and level out, and/or you have a dump valve to level you coach, then you do not have a torsional suspension.

          On the other hand, there are some Safaris out there that have the torsional suspension and also have small air bags installed aftermarket, to help supplement the torsion springs. Those type of air bags are very small, and the controls to adjust the pressure are noticeably "aftermarket" and manually adjusted. The size of an air bag on an air ride coach is considerably larger, similar to the air bags the semi trucks have.


          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Mon, Feb 26, 2018 at 4:32 PM, Robert Lewis robert.lewis.tl@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          Hi John

          Thanks for the advice.

          I know I have air bags, does that mean there would not be any torsion bars?

          Robert and Bev Lewis
          2000 Continental
          3126B Cat, 330hp
          MD3060 Allison


          From: Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > on behalf of TD sdjhtm@gmail..com [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com >
          Sent: Monday, February 26, 2018 1:15:48 PM
          To: Dale Maggio dalemaggio@y.
          Subject: Re: [Safarifriends] Re: New 98 Safari Sahara 3006
           
           

          Robert,

          You coach will be either an air ride coach, likely with 8 air bags, or a VelvetRide, with the torsion springs, like you see in Steve's video.

          As for bouncing, depends how fast you go over the speed bump. Lol. 1.5 sounds ok. If you have the torsional suspension, and you notice a lot of bouncing and especially porpoising, then it time to upgrade to Koni shocks. Make sure you order by part number not by make and model, otherwise you will get the less effective (useless) shocks. Also, if you tow a toad, or trailer and is seems to be bopping up and down all the time, this means you need rear shocks, as the camera is bouncing with the coach, making it look like the toad is bouncing.

          BTW, unless your snow is above the coach wheels, just stick a camera over the top of the front wheel and snap a few shots with a slightly downward angle, this should give you and idea which suspension you have.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Mon, Feb 26, 2018 at 3:16 PM, Robert Lewis robert.lewis.tl@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          Can anyone tell me if there is the same rubber torsion system on a 2000 Safari Continental? I am buried in snow right now and can't get under there to look. My focus hasn't been on the suspension but may have to be soon.

          After a speed bump or similar should the coach bounce be 1 1/2 times or something else? ... to see if the shocks are ok, or can you recommend another check ?

          Thanks
          Robert and Bev Lewis
          2000 Continental
          3126B Cat, 330hp
          MD3060 Allison

          On February 25, 2018 11:27:27 PM "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Those torsion springs look to be in very good shape. I wish I had photos of mine to show you, as they look a hundred times worse and the coach rides well and has plenty of shims. The front actually has a full stack of shims. The rear is heavier, so its missing a few.

          Check you spam folder just in case, both emails should have gone through.

          I can see that your coach does not have Koni shocks. It will ride much smoother with no porpoising/bouncing if you install Koni shocks, they are  the best shocks for torsion spring suspension. These shocks are adjustable..... Being that you will be traveling on rough CA roads and the ALCAN highway, I would recommend to set the front shocks to maximum dampening, or set both, front and back.

          Koni Shocks part numbers for your coach:

          Front: 881641SP3
          Make sure you order by part number not by the make of your coach, otherwise you will get the less effective shock, that won't do a good job

          Rear: 881458SP2

          LTB Autosports has the best prices and free shipping to boot.

          Here is the link:

          Front shocks: http://www.ltbautosports.com/k oni-rv-/country-coach/881641sp 3/i-2440360.aspx

          Rear shocks: http://www.ltbautosports.com/k oni-rv-/safari/881458sp2/i-244 0564.aspx


          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Mon, Feb 26, 2018 at 12:31 AM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:
          John,

          As soon as I see them I will let you know.  So far they have not come in.  This is the best shot I have of the torsion bar on the 

          passenger side..  I have requested the shop measure the heights.  Barney and his crew really have a good reputation, though most of their work is newer coaches.  They seem very invested and knowledgeable on the needs of our coach.  

          One point of clarity when I said the roof looked bright white, I meant the headliner of the coach.  The exterior roof is clean but, there was a lot of prior owner silicon up there.  I believe that the Barney and his crew are on top of those needs to seal correctly the seams.  Not sure if we are on the same page in using expanding screws to tie the roof together after hearing from you in the type of roof on our coach.

          Thank you again.  I really appreciate the help, we really want this coach to work for us and give us a coach to care for, and not change needless problems.  I believe we have great bones and very few problems at this point.

          Steve 

          On Feb 25, 2018, at 7:53 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Glad to help.

          I emailed you some photos, let me know if they didn't come through.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.

          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 11:31 PM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          John,

          Thank you very much for the foundation on the springs and the roof.  I will call them in the morning and see if I can get some clear measurements and answers.  I was under the coach and remember there still being quite a bit of shim still there.   Unfortunately I did not get a good photo I took a short video but, I’m not sure it will help.  

          As for the roof I will speak with the team there on that too.  I will let you know as soon as I hear something back.

          Steve 


          Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

          On Sunday, February 25, 2018, 5:42 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Be aware that the torsion tubes do not need replacing, unless you are out of ride height shims, as in there is none left to remove, or the torsion spring collapsed, as in total failure. This "rubber" suspension is very durable and has a long life. Very many buses in Mexico use this type of suspension on rough Mexican roads, and are know to easily exceed one million miles. Failures are extremely rare, there were a few models that had issues because they had the very heavy large CAT C12 engine and the heavy Allison 4000 series transmission, and your coach does not fall in that catagory. The rubber on the edges of the torsion tubes normally looks cracked and gnarly because the edges are exposed to ozone, etc. for 20+ years.... The rubber inside is preserved, and this in no way means the springs are bad. Speaking frankly, to replace them just for their looks is an error and a big waste of money. All four torsion tubes and shackles, will run you about $6000, just for the parts, and who know how much for labor.
          See if the rv repair shop can take some photos of the torsion tubes in question and have them email them to you, and then post them so we could look at them. If they know Safaris, like they claim, the first thing they should have done is check the ride height. Have them check it and post the numbers at all for wheels. You measure from the center of the wheel, to the bottom of the belt line. Proper height is 25 inches (+/- 1/4). Removing one shim on both sides of the torsion tube raises the coach by 1/4 inch. Example, removing four shims will raise the coach one inch.
          Your coach, and also ride comfort would benefit from a supplemental air bag kit on all four corner, considering the type of terrain you have back home, this will also help take some of the stress off of the springs, further preserving them and giving a nicer ride on poor roads.

          As for the rear view camera, are you aware that there is a switch on the dash that turns it on? It does not turn on automatically when you are reversing...

          Roof: you stated that the roof is delaminated, but yet you say the roof is shiny white, so I'm a bit confused. The filon roof is a very thin fiberglass hybrid type roof that is designed to float, as in, it is not supposed to be attached to the sub-roof. If your roof appears in good shape I would suggest to remove all caulk, especially if a silicon based caulk was used, and tape the end caps (they are very prone to leaking) and other straight joints, like the sky light, with Eternabond tape, and the rest, caulk with Dicor self leveling caulk. Then have the whole roof coated with two or three layers of elastomeric paint, this will likely give you 10yrs of leak free service being your in AK. The Eternabond tape will likely last your lifetime, if it is applied properly. Be aware that the tape will stick to anything except silicon, so all silicon MUST be removed prior to taping. I will try to email you a photo of my roof, so you can see how the joints are taped up.

          Pardon for being blunt, but if this place does not know that most Safari Coaches have a floating filon roof, and want to screw it down or glue it down, they don't know squat about Safari Coaches and are going to botch it up and empty your wallet in the process. Same goes for replacing the springs.
          Honestly, you are much better off spending the money at Henderson's, at least you will get your moneys worth. If they don't do other RV work like roofs, I'm sure they know a place they could recommend. Honestly, knowing enough about these coaches, I do not get a good feeling about this place, they seem at a minimum to lack Safari knowledge and likely also after your wallet, knowing by the time you realize that things are botched up, you are in AK, far away. Just my two pennies...

          Also, looking at the picture of your engine, I would have someone shine a bright light between the fan blades to see if the if the charge air cooler/radiator are dirty. Dirt is a common issue that causes the engine to run hot and de-power to prevent overheating. This is most evident when climbing long steep grades, especially in hot weather.

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.


          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 8:14 PM, Steve Mendive osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups..co m> wrote:


          John,

          Thank you, for the reply, the interior rubber of the torsion is shot, I am not sure on the height as I am back in Alaska now and the coach is in California.  From what I saw I would rather start with a good foundation and replace them.  As for the roof, there is no apparent evidence of leaks, the rook is still crisp white with no staining...  There is some apparent area that may have leaked in the skylight in the shower but, that seemed well repaired.  

          The repairs that we are planning with Barney and team at Discount RV is geared toward ensuring that we have a sound rig to come north with.  The prior owner used a low grade caulk that is going to have to be removed and done properly.  We have concerns on taking this desert deweller north but, with a little work and some right decision we think we are off to a good start.

          We will look into the tiger trax and airbag systems once we move the rig from California to Washington to get the seals in the windows done.  

          As for the camera and TV, we have power to the TV the camera is not sending a signal, that we can tell but, we are holding off on spending any effort on that as of yet.  I think the better money and effort maybe to update the whole system to side and rear cameras and place a 7” monitor in the dash area and forgo the whole 20” original TV system.  All of the wiring seems solid except the trailer braking system that the prior owner installed.  It works, but was not installed well they twisted the wire through the frame in some areas and wrapped it around other wires.  Plus it was installed so far back from the driver seat it is nearly to the slide out.....  Not sure how you’d ever reach it if you needed to, that so far is the only poorly done installation.  The Cat motor with >25K tested without any concerns as did the transmission.

          I really appreciate all the insights and advice.  Attached are 2 photos...  Steve 







          Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

          On Sunday, February 25, 2018, 3:42 PM, TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:

           

          Steve,

          Welcome!

          Do you have any ride height shims left on the front suspension, if yes, how many are left, (left side and right side)?

          What is your ride height (measured at each corner, front and back)?

          Be aware, replacing the torsion tubes is very expensive, if they aren't collapsed, you can add and air bag kit, to bring the coach height up to specs (presuming that your shackles are ok). The good news is, the torsion tubes and shackles are still made (at one point they were out of production).
          Important: If you plan to install new shocks, your best bet is Koni shocks, but don't order them by make and model, as you will get the less effective ones (useless torsional suspension), instead do a search on this group under "Koni shocks part number" and you will find the info, or ask and I will re-post the information for you.

          As for the roof, has it leaked?
          Is the sub-roof ok, or is it soft/rotted?  If the sub-roof is ok, and only the Filon roof needs repair, you could anchor the bad areas down and than seal it with Eternabond tape. This product is superb, and can be ordered  in widths from 2'' to 48", and can make the repair very simple and easy. 

          Is the camera and TV truly shot, or are they just disconnected, and/or botched wiring???

          As for the road wander: The Sahara models are known to be light on the front end (have the coach weighed, preferably at each corner), and this alone will make them a handful. If the tires are over inflated (pressure should be according to weight on the axle), and/or if your King Pins are worn, this will exacerbate the problem. So I would definitely have a shop check for any play in the king pins. You also will need to check your alignment, a minimum Caster of 4.5 degrees, preferably 5 to 5.5 is a must for the coach to handle well. Pioneer Metal Works sells a good quality TigerTrak kit that also helps with road wander, if one has not been installed yet.
          If you have a generous budget, go set up an appointment with Henderson's Line-Up, they are very experienced with Safari handling issues, have an air bag kit, and know how to align these coaches properly. They are located in Grants Pass, OR, which should be on your way to AK.

          Here is their link:https://www. hendersonslineup.com/

          John
          '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
          6spd.




          On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 5:58 PM, osoinak@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com > wrote:


          The beams of the suspension based on the review of the inspection are out of tolerance and need to be replaced.  They seem that sitting in the desert got the best of them.  I drove the coach about an hour to Lakeside Ca and it was a bit of a hand full wanted to wonder a lot in the lane.  The guys at the shop attributed that to a couple of items, the suspension, the fact that the prior owner replace the tires with lower end Hercules tires on the fron that are not drive tires and more of a low-boy trailer tire.  The suspension is out in the front only, the rear is not in as bad shape.
























          Group: Safarifriends Message: 37885 From: Robert Lewis Date: 3/18/2018
          Subject: Re: Jacking

          I have spent days... literally,  extracting my 2000 Continental from the side of a hill on soft ground and at an angle. So here is what I learned.

          You can use the leveling jack on the front to lift the body with the air dumped, then use your air over hydraulic to lift the front axle, then use 6x6 or 8x8 blocks under the front axle, lift one side at a time. Block both sides this way. I had to build a platform 1.5" at a time for some of the lift that you can see in the attached pictures. For these planks I used torex 3" wood screws and built the blocking in a cross hatch pattern to insure nothing could slip. You shouldn't have that problem on level ground. For your case lay the first blocks and rotate the second layer and so on. You probably don't need screws. Then lower the front jack so all the weight is on the blocks / axle, wheels off the ground. The front is now safe to work on. If you are doing the rear remember that the emergency only holds the rear wheels only IF BOTH WHEELS ARE ON THE GROUND. I learned this the hard way. If you are doing the rear, chock both front wheels front and back with proper shocks, don't trust your life to a rock or two by four. Personally I would never use jack stands on something this massive, especially if they are Off-shore manufactured. They block aircraft carriers with wooden blocks.

          On level ground preferably concrete, you will have no problem if you chock and block carefully. Also get an extension air hose of about 6 or 8 feet to extend the trigger then you don't need to be under when you are raising the unit. For the front extend the jack-screw to behind the I beam shackle bolts. That is, place the screw of the ram on the inside of the I beam face between the bolts, never use the bottom of the I beam.... Another mistake that nearly cost me my life. Obvious now, but under pressure and not thinking clearly I made mistakes in judgement.

          Here are a few pictures. Part of the challenge was to keep the unit from moving side ways and slipping down hill off the jack, which it did. It only had to shift about 2" down hill to fall off the jack... And it did. After that I carefully rethought the vectors and chain wraps/slippages.

          Robert and Bev Lewis
          2000 Continental
          3126B Cat, 330hp
          MD3060 Allison

          On March 18, 2018 6:15:40 PM "bowhunter0608@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

           

          I will try that, i had thought about using the leveling jack but read to may folks saying dont ever do that. I am willing to bet the bearings on this have not been inspected in well over 10 years. I juts need to get a higher rated torque wrench.

          Group: Safarifriends Message: 38408 From: technolog1 Date: 5/29/2018
          Subject: 93 cont. Front bottoming out each bump.

           I have a    93 continental and I just put on a couple  Thousand miles and having the Front end bottom out  Every time I hit a bump. I have replaced all of the sway bar bushings and I have put new koni shocks. It is so rough that it's knocking things off of counter's and out of cabinets. I know I have seen other people talking about this and I can't seem to find anything on the website. I am having a freightliner place work on it tomorrow and any information that I can get to give them would help because they have no clue on what to do.
          It does have the velvet ride any help that someone can send me would be great to give to the guys.
          Craig.


          Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone


          Group: Safarifriends Message: 38411 From: Lois Lopez Date: 5/29/2018
          Subject: Re: 93 cont. Front bottoming out each bump.
          Where are you located?  If you’re in Oregon, go to Henderson’s Lineup in Grants Pass. If you’re in Washington State, go to Brazel’s RV Performance in Centralia. We don’t recommend throwing money away at a shop that doesn’t know anything about this issue. You could spend a lot of money and not have anything resolved. We got ours fixed at Henderson’s. It cost about $11K, took 4 1/2 days, and our Velvet Ride is Velvet again, and we feel safe going down the road. 

          Good Luck!

          Lois & Darryl
          2001 Safari Serengeti w-350 Magnum Cummins

          Sent from Lois' iPhone

          On May 29, 2018, at 6:02 PM, technolog1 technolog1@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

           


           I have a    93 continental and I just put on a couple  Thousand miles and having the Front end bottom out  Every time I hit a bump. I have replaced all of the sway bar bushings and I have put new koni shocks. It is so rough that it's knocking things off of counter's and out of cabinets. I know I have seen other people talking about this and I can't seem to find anything on the website. I am having a freightliner place work on it tomorrow and any information that I can get to give them would help because they have no clue on what to do.
          It does have the velvet ride any help that someone can send me would be great to give to the guys.
          Craig.


          Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone


          Group: Safarifriends Message: 38412 From: Dean Date: 5/29/2018
          Subject: Re: 93 cont. Front bottoming out each bump.
          Attachments :

            The Koni shocks are the best, you may need to check and see if they are the adjustable shocks, they may not be set properly for the load. If some one put them on & didn’t adjust them for the load they are carrying, you need to pull them off and adjust the valve in them . I can’t remember, but, I think you collapse them all the way and turn the top half of the shock clock wise to make them hold more weight. Hope this helps, google Koni for info! Dean

             

            Sent from Mail for Windows 10

             

            From: technolog1 technolog1@... [Safarifriends]
            Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2018 7:06 PM
            To: Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com
            Subject: [Safarifriends] 93 cont. Front bottoming out each bump.

             

             

             

             I have a    93 continental and I just put on a couple  Thousand miles and having the Front end bottom out  Every time I hit a bump. I have replaced all of the sway bar bushings and I have put new koni shocks. It is so rough that it's knocking things off of counter's and out of cabinets. I know I have seen other people talking about this and I can't seem to find anything on the website. I am having a freightliner place work on it tomorrow and any information that I can get to give them would help because they have no clue on what to do.

            It does have the velvet ride any help that someone can send me would be great to give to the guys.

            Craig.

             

             

            Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

             

             

             

            Group: Safarifriends Message: 38419 From: TD Date: 5/29/2018
            Subject: Re: 93 cont. Front bottoming out each bump.
            Craig,

            What shocks are you using? If they are Koni, please provide part numbers, as this is critical information. If it is the old style shocks, they are useless.
            If you don't know what brand they are, then at least let us know what color the shocks are.

            Check and see if the suspension is making contact with your rubber bump stops (there should be clear kiss marks seen if there is contact. If there is not, than look for clearance issues, where possibly the frame and suspension are coming into contact (metal to metal).

            About 5 years ago, I was having issues similar to what you described, mine ended up being clearance issues, but my chassis is different than yours. If you do have clearance issues, it will likely be a different issue than what I had, but I will send you my write up and photos, so at least you have an idea what to possibly look for.
            Please provide as much detailed information as you can, this will help us help you.

            I will re-post my initial write up, with photos included. It will be labeled "Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension"


            John
            '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
            6spd.



            On Tue, May 29, 2018 at 9:02 PM, technolog1 technolog1@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:



             I have a    93 continental and I just put on a couple  Thousand miles and having the Front end bottom out  Every time I hit a bump. I have replaced all of the sway bar bushings and I have put new koni shocks. It is so rough that it's knocking things off of counter's and out of cabinets. I know I have seen other people talking about this and I can't seem to find anything on the website. I am having a freightliner place work on it tomorrow and any information that I can get to give them would help because they have no clue on what to do.
            It does have the velvet ride any help that someone can send me would be great to give to the guys.
            Craig.


            Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone





            Group: Safarifriends Message: 38420 From: TD Date: 5/29/2018
            Subject: Re: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension
            Craig,

            Here is my write up.

            John
            '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
            6spd.

            On Thu, Jun 5, 2014 at 3:29 PM, TD <sdjhtm@...> wrote:
            NOTE TO ALL VELVET RIDE SAFARIS OF THIS VINTAGE!!! Every one that is having issues with ride and perceived bottoming out (with a loud bang at times), should look at these photos and check their own units out!!!

            I was having ride issues with my '95 Safari Serengeti 38' 300 Cummins 8.3CTA Allison 6spd. Besides poor ride quality, I was having severe bottoming out issues. Any poor bridge transition or heaves on road would cause it to nose dive a bit and bottom out with a loud harsh and at times painful BANG! Thanks to Brett with his knowledge and wisdom, he convinced me to look very thoroughly for clearance issues, and what you see in the photos is what I, by chance, discovered. Any Safari owners with Magnum Chassis and Velvet Ride Suspension SHOULD check for this as a precaution, but especially if you are having similar issues like I have been experiencing. To remedy this clearance issue, I cut off the excess bolt that was protruding past the nut, an easy fix. I've also attached pictures of the repair.  Please note:make sure that the bolts are very tight before the ends are cut off!


            It is worth noting that by records of previous owner(s), this "ghost" issue has been chased for a very long time, and more likely was their right from the start (my opinion), and by the looks of how tight things are in that area this could very well be a hidden common issue. I hope this will help any and all Safari owners with the Velvet Ride Suspension...
             
            A few more thoughts...
            -My ride height is correct.
            -Because of this issue, I only had, at the most, 1.5 inches of downward suspension travel! That sure as heck will give you a crappy ride.
            -With out knowing what your looking for, this problem is very easy to miss, very unnoticeable, especially considering that when shops look over the suspension, the rigs are lifted, which extends the suspension and tends to hide the problem even more. I myself was convinced that it was bottoming out against the shocks! One would not even expect or think that two small bolts protruding discreetly could cause such a problem.  When a shop gets a complaint of bottoming out, the likely culprit is the shocks, if the problem doesn't get resolved, it is all to easy to blame the Torsilastic suspension.
             
            Also, I would like to put a request out to some of our Safari owners, especially with the same or similar vintage, to check out their suspensions to see how much clearance they have and if there is any similar issues, and/or if the bolts are facing the other way on newer units, thus correcting the problem. Please, it will only take a few minutes, humor me and check it out and post the results, take pictures if you can. If you do look, please note which way the bolts are facing, I'm curious if SMC resolved the issue just by installing the bolts the other way around.
             
            John
            '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison 6spd

            Group: Safarifriends Message: 38421 From: TD Date: 5/29/2018
            Subject: Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension
            Attachments :
              Craig,

              The last post didn't attach the photos, so hopefully this one will.

              Where about are you located right now???

              John
              '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
              6spd.


              ---------- Forwarded message ----------
              From: TD <sdjhtm@...>
              Date: Thu, Jun 5, 2014 at 3:29 PM
              Subject: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension
              To: Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com


              NOTE TO ALL VELVET RIDE SAFARIS OF THIS VINTAGE!!! Every one that is having issues with ride and perceived bottoming out (with a loud bang at times), should look at these photos and check their own units out!!!

              I was having ride issues with my '95 Safari Serengeti 38' 300 Cummins 8.3CTA Allison 6spd. Besides poor ride quality, I was having severe bottoming out issues. Any poor bridge transition or heaves on road would cause it to nose dive a bit and bottom out with a loud harsh and at times painful BANG! Thanks to Brett with his knowledge and wisdom, he convinced me to look very thoroughly for clearance issues, and what you see in the photos is what I, by chance, discovered. Any Safari owners with Magnum Chassis and Velvet Ride Suspension SHOULD check for this as a precaution, but especially if you are having similar issues like I have been experiencing. To remedy this clearance issue, I cut off the excess bolt that was protruding past the nut, an easy fix. I've also attached pictures of the repair.  Please note:make sure that the bolts are very tight before the ends are cut off!


              It is worth noting that by records of previous owner, this "ghost" issue has been chased for a very long time, and more likely was their right from the start (my opinion), and by the looks of how tight things are in that area this could very well be a hidden common issue. I hope this will help any and all Safari owners with the Velvet Ride Suspension...
               
              A few more thoughts...
              -My ride height is correct.
              -Because of this issue, I only had, at the most, 1.5 inches of downward suspension travel! That sure as heck will give you a crappy ride.
              -With out knowing what your looking for, this problem is very easy to miss, very unnoticeable, especially considering that when shops look over the suspension, the rigs are lifted, which extends the suspension and tends to hide the problem even more. I myself was convinced that it was bottoming out against the shocks! One would not even expect or think that two small bolts protruding discreetly could cause such a problem.  When a shop gets a complaint of bottoming out, the likely culprit is the shocks, if the problem doesn't get resolved, it is all to easy to blame the Torsilastic suspension.
               
              Also, I would like to put a request out to some of our Safari owners, especially with the same or similar vintage, to check out their suspensions to see how much clearance they have and if there is any similar issues, and/or if the bolts are facing the other way on newer units, thus correcting the problem. Please, it will only take a few minutes, humor me and check it out and post the results, take pictures if you can. If you do look, please note which way the bolts are facing, I'm curious if SMC resolved the issue just by installing the bolts the other way around.
               
              John
              '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison 6spd

              Group: Safarifriends Message: 38422 From: technolog1 Date: 5/30/2018
              Subject: Re: Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension [14 Attac
              I am in Bangor Maine. I am going to look at it today. Thanks



              Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

              -------- Original message --------
              From: "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com>
              Date: 5/30/18 1:20 AM (GMT-05:00)
              To: "Dale Maggio dalemaggio@y." <safarifriends@yahoogroups.com>
              Subject: [Safarifriends] Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension [14 Attachments]

               

              Craig,

              The last post didn't attach the photos, so hopefully this one will.

              Where about are you located right now???

              John
              '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
              6spd.


              ---------- Forwarded message ----------
              From: TD <sdjhtm@...>
              Date: Thu, Jun 5, 2014 at 3:29 PM
              Subject: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension
              To: Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com


              NOTE TO ALL VELVET RIDE SAFARIS OF THIS VINTAGE!!! Every one that is having issues with ride and perceived bottoming out (with a loud bang at times), should look at these photos and check their own units out!!!

              I was having ride issues with my '95 Safari Serengeti 38' 300 Cummins 8.3CTA Allison 6spd. Besides poor ride quality, I was having severe bottoming out issues. Any poor bridge transition or heaves on road would cause it to nose dive a bit and bottom out with a loud harsh and at times painful BANG! Thanks to Brett with his knowledge and wisdom, he convinced me to look very thoroughly for clearance issues, and what you see in the photos is what I, by chance, discovered. Any Safari owners with Magnum Chassis and Velvet Ride Suspension SHOULD check for this as a precaution, but especially if you are having similar issues like I have been experiencing. To remedy this clearance issue, I cut off the excess bolt that was protruding past the nut, an easy fix. I've also attached pictures of the repair.  Please note:make sure that the bolts are very tight before the ends are cut off!


              It is worth noting that by records of previous owner, this "ghost" issue has been chased for a very long time, and more likely was their right from the start (my opinion), and by the looks of how tight things are in that area this could very well be a hidden common issue. I hope this will help any and all Safari owners with the Velvet Ride Suspension...
               
              A few more thoughts...
              -My ride height is correct.
              -Because of this issue, I only had, at the most, 1.5 inches of downward suspension travel! That sure as heck will give you a crappy ride.
              -With out knowing what your looking for, this problem is very easy to miss, very unnoticeable, especially considering that when shops look over the suspension, the rigs are lifted, which extends the suspension and tends to hide the problem even more. I myself was convinced that it was bottoming out against the shocks! One would not even expect or think that two small bolts protruding discreetly could cause such a problem.  When a shop gets a complaint of bottoming out, the likely culprit is the shocks, if the problem doesn't get resolved, it is all to easy to blame the Torsilastic suspension.
               
              Also, I would like to put a request out to some of our Safari owners, especially with the same or similar vintage, to check out their suspensions to see how much clearance they have and if there is any similar issues, and/or if the bolts are facing the other way on newer units, thus correcting the problem. Please, it will only take a few minutes, humor me and check it out and post the results, take pictures if you can. If you do look, please note which way the bolts are facing, I'm curious if SMC resolved the issue just by installing the bolts the other way around.
               
              John
              '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison 6spd

              Group: Safarifriends Message: 38436 From: technolog1 Date: 5/31/2018
              Subject: Re: Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension [14 Attac
              I am in bangor me. I looked under there and no bolts. I just put on new koni shocks.  I have 13 shims left in each side. I checked the rubber in the does not seem to be any squishing out the sides they seem to be working correctly so we'll see if the shocks take care of it. I took The Shocks off yesterday and they were adjusted halfway for soft so I have Adjusted for pure hard and I Will check and see how that works today. 
              I have read a lot of the articles that has been on here in on my and it tells you to measure and to look at the schams but it doesn't a what to measure where to measure to or explain how the shims work so of anybody out there he knows that and can explain it to a dummy like me I would appreciate it.
              Craig   93 continental 8.Three


              Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

              -------- Original message --------
              From: "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com>
              Date: 5/30/18 1:20 AM (GMT-05:00)
              To: "Dale Maggio dalemaggio@y." <safarifriends@yahoogroups.com>
              Subject: [Safarifriends] Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension [14 Attachments]

               

              Craig,

              The last post didn't attach the photos, so hopefully this one will.

              Where about are you located right now???

              John
              '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
              6spd.


              ---------- Forwarded message ----------
              From: TD <sdjhtm@...>
              Date: Thu, Jun 5, 2014 at 3:29 PM
              Subject: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension
              To: Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com


              NOTE TO ALL VELVET RIDE SAFARIS OF THIS VINTAGE!!! Every one that is having issues with ride and perceived bottoming out (with a loud bang at times), should look at these photos and check their own units out!!!

              I was having ride issues with my '95 Safari Serengeti 38' 300 Cummins 8.3CTA Allison 6spd. Besides poor ride quality, I was having severe bottoming out issues. Any poor bridge transition or heaves on road would cause it to nose dive a bit and bottom out with a loud harsh and at times painful BANG! Thanks to Brett with his knowledge and wisdom, he convinced me to look very thoroughly for clearance issues, and what you see in the photos is what I, by chance, discovered. Any Safari owners with Magnum Chassis and Velvet Ride Suspension SHOULD check for this as a precaution, but especially if you are having similar issues like I have been experiencing. To remedy this clearance issue, I cut off the excess bolt that was protruding past the nut, an easy fix. I've also attached pictures of the repair.  Please note:make sure that the bolts are very tight before the ends are cut off!


              It is worth noting that by records of previous owner, this "ghost" issue has been chased for a very long time, and more likely was their right from the start (my opinion), and by the looks of how tight things are in that area this could very well be a hidden common issue. I hope this will help any and all Safari owners with the Velvet Ride Suspension...
               
              A few more thoughts...
              -My ride height is correct.
              -Because of this issue, I only had, at the most, 1.5 inches of downward suspension travel! That sure as heck will give you a crappy ride.
              -With out knowing what your looking for, this problem is very easy to miss, very unnoticeable, especially considering that when shops look over the suspension, the rigs are lifted, which extends the suspension and tends to hide the problem even more. I myself was convinced that it was bottoming out against the shocks! One would not even expect or think that two small bolts protruding discreetly could cause such a problem.  When a shop gets a complaint of bottoming out, the likely culprit is the shocks, if the problem doesn't get resolved, it is all to easy to blame the Torsilastic suspension.
               
              Also, I would like to put a request out to some of our Safari owners, especially with the same or similar vintage, to check out their suspensions to see how much clearance they have and if there is any similar issues, and/or if the bolts are facing the other way on newer units, thus correcting the problem. Please, it will only take a few minutes, humor me and check it out and post the results, take pictures if you can. If you do look, please note which way the bolts are facing, I'm curious if SMC resolved the issue just by installing the bolts the other way around.
               
              John
              '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison 6spd

              Group: Safarifriends Message: 38439 From: TD Date: 5/31/2018
              Subject: Re: Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension
              Craig,

              Koni shocks come from factory set at the least dampening. When the shock is completely collapsed, you turn the top of the shock clockwise to increase dampening.
              Are your front shocks  88-1641SP3 ???

              Did you check if there there is noticeable contact on the rubber bump stops and the torsion tubes? If yes, is there noticeable contact???

              Ride height is measured at each wheel, the coach as to be very level and loaded for travel with full tanks (fuel, water, propane). Ride height is supposed to be 25 inches (+/- 1/4"). The distance is measured from the bottom of the belt line, (on your coach it is where the painted body and the stainless steal meet) to the center of the wheel.  See the file on the link bellow this message, it has detailed explanation, with photos and it is in the files section also.

              As for the shims, each wheel has two stacks of shims (front and back of each wheel), the shims get removed only in pairs, as in one in front and one in back. Removal of a pair of shims will raise your coach by 1/4 inch, at the corner they were removed. For an example, if your rear left wheel measures out at 24 inches, you would remove for pairs of shims at that wheel.

              The good news is, you have all your shims, meaning you have a lot of adjustments you can make before you run out. The other good thing is you coach weighs much less than the newer Magnum chassis coaches, so the springs don't work hard, and stay in good shape. It is very rare for a '93 and older Safari that has the Oshkosh chassis to need a ride height adjustment. Most of the '93 an older Safaris still have all their original shim stacks, never needing adjustment.

              That said, have you weight you coach (fully loaded)?

              If yes, are you near or over your GVWR spec?

              Please try to do your best to answer the questions asked, as this will help us see where the issue may be.
              You have my phone number, so if you have more questions give me a call.

              John
              '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
              6spd.

              On Thu, May 31, 2018 at 8:25 AM, technolog1 technolog1@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


              I am in bangor me. I looked under there and no bolts. I just put on new koni shocks.  I have 13 shims left in each side. I checked the rubber in the does not seem to be any squishing out the sides they seem to be working correctly so we'll see if the shocks take care of it. I took The Shocks off yesterday and they were adjusted halfway for soft so I have Adjusted for pure hard and I Will check and see how that works today. 
              I have read a lot of the articles that has been on here in on my and it tells you to measure and to look at the schams but it doesn't a what to measure where to measure to or explain how the shims work so of anybody out there he knows that and can explain it to a dummy like me I would appreciate it.
              Craig   93 continental 8.Three


              Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

              -------- Original message --------
              From: "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com >
              Date: 5/30/18 1:20 AM (GMT-05:00)
              To: "Dale Maggio dalemaggio@y." <safarifriends@yahoogroups.com >
              Subject: [Safarifriends] Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension [14 Attachments]

               

              Craig,

              The last post didn't attach the photos, so hopefully this one will.

              Where about are you located right now???

              John
              '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
              6spd.


              ---------- Forwarded message ----------
              From: TD <sdjhtm@...>
              Date: Thu, Jun 5, 2014 at 3:29 PM
              Subject: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension
              To: Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com


              NOTE TO ALL VELVET RIDE SAFARIS OF THIS VINTAGE!!! Every one that is having issues with ride and perceived bottoming out (with a loud bang at times), should look at these photos and check their own units out!!!

              I was having ride issues with my '95 Safari Serengeti 38' 300 Cummins 8.3CTA Allison 6spd. Besides poor ride quality, I was having severe bottoming out issues. Any poor bridge transition or heaves on road would cause it to nose dive a bit and bottom out with a loud harsh and at times painful BANG! Thanks to Brett with his knowledge and wisdom, he convinced me to look very thoroughly for clearance issues, and what you see in the photos is what I, by chance, discovered. Any Safari owners with Magnum Chassis and Velvet Ride Suspension SHOULD check for this as a precaution, but especially if you are having similar issues like I have been experiencing. To remedy this clearance issue, I cut off the excess bolt that was protruding past the nut, an easy fix. I've also attached pictures of the repair.  Please note:make sure that the bolts are very tight before the ends are cut off!


              It is worth noting that by records of previous owner, this "ghost" issue has been chased for a very long time, and more likely was their right from the start (my opinion), and by the looks of how tight things are in that area this could very well be a hidden common issue. I hope this will help any and all Safari owners with the Velvet Ride Suspension...
               
              A few more thoughts...
              -My ride height is correct.
              -Because of this issue, I only had, at the most, 1.5 inches of downward suspension travel! That sure as heck will give you a crappy ride.
              -With out knowing what your looking for, this problem is very easy to miss, very unnoticeable, especially considering that when shops look over the suspension, the rigs are lifted, which extends the suspension and tends to hide the problem even more. I myself was convinced that it was bottoming out against the shocks! One would not even expect or think that two small bolts protruding discreetly could cause such a problem.  When a shop gets a complaint of bottoming out, the likely culprit is the shocks, if the problem doesn't get resolved, it is all to easy to blame the Torsilastic suspension.
               
              Also, I would like to put a request out to some of our Safari owners, especially with the same or similar vintage, to check out their suspensions to see how much clearance they have and if there is any similar issues, and/or if the bolts are facing the other way on newer units, thus correcting the problem. Please, it will only take a few minutes, humor me and check it out and post the results, take pictures if you can. If you do look, please note which way the bolts are facing, I'm curious if SMC resolved the issue just by installing the bolts the other way around.
               
              John
              '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison 6spd




              Group: Safarifriends Message: 38440 From: dalemaggio Date: 5/31/2018
              Subject: Re: Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension
              Craig when you say no bolts I assume you're assuming you're referring to the rivets that go into the suspension and hit the frame of the coach that's what you need to look for.  Look for scrape marks on the side of of where those bolts might be interfering and I would be both so rivets.
               On the other hand your measurement is from the center of the axle Hub to the lower edge of the waistline molding



              Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone


              -------- Original message --------
              From: "technolog1 technolog1@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com>
              Date: 05/31/2018 5:25 AM (GMT-08:00)
              To: Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com
              Subject: Re: [Safarifriends] Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension

               

              I am in bangor me. I looked under there and no bolts. I just put on new koni shocks.  I have 13 shims left in each side. I checked the rubber in the does not seem to be any squishing out the sides they seem to be working correctly so we'll see if the shocks take care of it. I took The Shocks off yesterday and they were adjusted halfway for soft so I have Adjusted for pure hard and I Will check and see how that works today. 
              I have read a lot of the articles that has been on here in on my and it tells you to measure and to look at the schams but it doesn't a what to measure where to measure to or explain how the shims work so of anybody out there he knows that and can explain it to a dummy like me I would appreciate it.
              Craig   93 continental 8.Three


              Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

              -------- Original message --------
              From: "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com>
              Date: 5/30/18 1:20 AM (GMT-05:00)
              To: "Dale Maggio dalemaggio@y." <safarifriends@yahoogroups.com>
              Subject: [Safarifriends] Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension [14 Attachments]

               

              Craig,

              The last post didn't attach the photos, so hopefully this one will.

              Where about are you located right now???

              John
              '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
              6spd.


              ---------- Forwarded message ----------
              From: TD <sdjhtm@...>
              Date: Thu, Jun 5, 2014 at 3:29 PM
              Subject: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension
              To: Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com


              NOTE TO ALL VELVET RIDE SAFARIS OF THIS VINTAGE!!! Every one that is having issues with ride and perceived bottoming out (with a loud bang at times), should look at these photos and check their own units out!!!

              I was having ride issues with my '95 Safari Serengeti 38' 300 Cummins 8.3CTA Allison 6spd. Besides poor ride quality, I was having severe bottoming out issues. Any poor bridge transition or heaves on road would cause it to nose dive a bit and bottom out with a loud harsh and at times painful BANG! Thanks to Brett with his knowledge and wisdom, he convinced me to look very thoroughly for clearance issues, and what you see in the photos is what I, by chance, discovered. Any Safari owners with Magnum Chassis and Velvet Ride Suspension SHOULD check for this as a precaution, but especially if you are having similar issues like I have been experiencing. To remedy this clearance issue, I cut off the excess bolt that was protruding past the nut, an easy fix. I've also attached pictures of the repair.  Please note:make sure that the bolts are very tight before the ends are cut off!


              It is worth noting that by records of previous owner, this "ghost" issue has been chased for a very long time, and more likely was their right from the start (my opinion), and by the looks of how tight things are in that area this could very well be a hidden common issue. I hope this will help any and all Safari owners with the Velvet Ride Suspension...
               
              A few more thoughts...
              -My ride height is correct.
              -Because of this issue, I only had, at the most, 1.5 inches of downward suspension travel! That sure as heck will give you a crappy ride.
              -With out knowing what your looking for, this problem is very easy to miss, very unnoticeable, especially considering that when shops look over the suspension, the rigs are lifted, which extends the suspension and tends to hide the problem even more. I myself was convinced that it was bottoming out against the shocks! One would not even expect or think that two small bolts protruding discreetly could cause such a problem.  When a shop gets a complaint of bottoming out, the likely culprit is the shocks, if the problem doesn't get resolved, it is all to easy to blame the Torsilastic suspension.
               
              Also, I would like to put a request out to some of our Safari owners, especially with the same or similar vintage, to check out their suspensions to see how much clearance they have and if there is any similar issues, and/or if the bolts are facing the other way on newer units, thus correcting the problem. Please, it will only take a few minutes, humor me and check it out and post the results, take pictures if you can. If you do look, please note which way the bolts are facing, I'm curious if SMC resolved the issue just by installing the bolts the other way around.
               
              John
              '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison 6spd


              Posted by: technolog1 <technolog1@...>
              Reply via web post Reply to sender Reply to group Start a New Topic Messages in this topic ()
              Group: Safarifriends Message: 38441 From: dalemaggio Date: 5/31/2018
              Subject: Re: Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension
              On secondary note Craig, the problem is the factory should have installed the rivets with the heads in bored and the Tails out towards the wheel. But a lot of coaches weren't stall the other way around with the heads out towards the wheel and the tales of the rivets in board this is what causes the interference problem. Some of the rivets were too long.



              Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone


              -------- Original message --------
              From: "technolog1 technolog1@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com>
              Date: 05/31/2018 5:25 AM (GMT-08:00)
              To: Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com
              Subject: Re: [Safarifriends] Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension

               

              I am in bangor me. I looked under there and no bolts. I just put on new koni shocks.  I have 13 shims left in each side. I checked the rubber in the does not seem to be any squishing out the sides they seem to be working correctly so we'll see if the shocks take care of it. I took The Shocks off yesterday and they were adjusted halfway for soft so I have Adjusted for pure hard and I Will check and see how that works today. 
              I have read a lot of the articles that has been on here in on my and it tells you to measure and to look at the schams but it doesn't a what to measure where to measure to or explain how the shims work so of anybody out there he knows that and can explain it to a dummy like me I would appreciate it.
              Craig   93 continental 8.Three


              Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

              -------- Original message --------
              From: "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com>
              Date: 5/30/18 1:20 AM (GMT-05:00)
              To: "Dale Maggio dalemaggio@y." <safarifriends@yahoogroups.com>
              Subject: [Safarifriends] Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension [14 Attachments]

               

              Craig,

              The last post didn't attach the photos, so hopefully this one will.

              Where about are you located right now???

              John
              '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
              6spd.


              ---------- Forwarded message ----------
              From: TD <sdjhtm@...>
              Date: Thu, Jun 5, 2014 at 3:29 PM
              Subject: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension
              To: Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com


              NOTE TO ALL VELVET RIDE SAFARIS OF THIS VINTAGE!!! Every one that is having issues with ride and perceived bottoming out (with a loud bang at times), should look at these photos and check their own units out!!!

              I was having ride issues with my '95 Safari Serengeti 38' 300 Cummins 8.3CTA Allison 6spd. Besides poor ride quality, I was having severe bottoming out issues. Any poor bridge transition or heaves on road would cause it to nose dive a bit and bottom out with a loud harsh and at times painful BANG! Thanks to Brett with his knowledge and wisdom, he convinced me to look very thoroughly for clearance issues, and what you see in the photos is what I, by chance, discovered. Any Safari owners with Magnum Chassis and Velvet Ride Suspension SHOULD check for this as a precaution, but especially if you are having similar issues like I have been experiencing. To remedy this clearance issue, I cut off the excess bolt that was protruding past the nut, an easy fix. I've also attached pictures of the repair.  Please note:make sure that the bolts are very tight before the ends are cut off!


              It is worth noting that by records of previous owner, this "ghost" issue has been chased for a very long time, and more likely was their right from the start (my opinion), and by the looks of how tight things are in that area this could very well be a hidden common issue. I hope this will help any and all Safari owners with the Velvet Ride Suspension...
               
              A few more thoughts...
              -My ride height is correct.
              -Because of this issue, I only had, at the most, 1.5 inches of downward suspension travel! That sure as heck will give you a crappy ride.
              -With out knowing what your looking for, this problem is very easy to miss, very unnoticeable, especially considering that when shops look over the suspension, the rigs are lifted, which extends the suspension and tends to hide the problem even more. I myself was convinced that it was bottoming out against the shocks! One would not even expect or think that two small bolts protruding discreetly could cause such a problem.  When a shop gets a complaint of bottoming out, the likely culprit is the shocks, if the problem doesn't get resolved, it is all to easy to blame the Torsilastic suspension.
               
              Also, I would like to put a request out to some of our Safari owners, especially with the same or similar vintage, to check out their suspensions to see how much clearance they have and if there is any similar issues, and/or if the bolts are facing the other way on newer units, thus correcting the problem. Please, it will only take a few minutes, humor me and check it out and post the results, take pictures if you can. If you do look, please note which way the bolts are facing, I'm curious if SMC resolved the issue just by installing the bolts the other way around.
               
              John
              '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison 6spd


              Posted by: technolog1 <technolog1@...>
              Reply via web post Reply to sender Reply to group Start a New Topic Messages in this topic ()
              Group: Safarifriends Message: 38442 From: TD Date: 5/31/2018
              Subject: Re: Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension
              Dale,

              I don't know about the newer coaches, but on my coach, and on my previous coach that was on an Oshkosh chassis, neither had rivets/huck bolts, they both have regular grade eight bolts and nuts. On mine, they were too long (compared to what I've seen on same year coaches), and yes, the bolts could have been put in the other way to eliminate the issue, but obviously the issue was not noticed during assembly. In Craigs case, being that he has an Oshkosh chassis, it is unlikely that he would have the same issue as mine did, but it does not mean that there could be interference elsewhere. Like you said, he will need to look for scrapes, and/or shinny marks.

              John
              '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
              6spd.

              On Thu, May 31, 2018 at 2:37 PM, dalemaggio dalemaggio@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


              On secondary note Craig, the problem is the factory should have installed the rivets with the heads in bored and the Tails out towards the wheel. But a lot of coaches weren't stall the other way around with the heads out towards the wheel and the tales of the rivets in board this is what causes the interference problem. Some of the rivets were too long.



              Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone


              -------- Original message --------
              From: "technolog1 technolog1@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com >
              Date: 05/31/2018 5:25 AM (GMT-08:00)
              To: Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com
              Subject: Re: [Safarifriends] Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension

               

              I am in bangor me. I looked under there and no bolts. I just put on new koni shocks.  I have 13 shims left in each side. I checked the rubber in the does not seem to be any squishing out the sides they seem to be working correctly so we'll see if the shocks take care of it. I took The Shocks off yesterday and they were adjusted halfway for soft so I have Adjusted for pure hard and I Will check and see how that works today. 
              I have read a lot of the articles that has been on here in on my and it tells you to measure and to look at the schams but it doesn't a what to measure where to measure to or explain how the shims work so of anybody out there he knows that and can explain it to a dummy like me I would appreciate it.
              Craig   93 continental 8.Three


              Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

              -------- Original message --------
              From: "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com >
              Date: 5/30/18 1:20 AM (GMT-05:00)
              To: "Dale Maggio dalemaggio@y." <safarifriends@yahoogroups.com >
              Subject: [Safarifriends] Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension [14 Attachments]

               

              Craig,

              The last post didn't attach the photos, so hopefully this one will.

              Where about are you located right now???

              John
              '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
              6spd.


              ---------- Forwarded message ----------
              From: TD <sdjhtm@...>
              Date: Thu, Jun 5, 2014 at 3:29 PM
              Subject: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension
              To: Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com


              NOTE TO ALL VELVET RIDE SAFARIS OF THIS VINTAGE!!! Every one that is having issues with ride and perceived bottoming out (with a loud bang at times), should look at these photos and check their own units out!!!

              I was having ride issues with my '95 Safari Serengeti 38' 300 Cummins 8.3CTA Allison 6spd. Besides poor ride quality, I was having severe bottoming out issues. Any poor bridge transition or heaves on road would cause it to nose dive a bit and bottom out with a loud harsh and at times painful BANG! Thanks to Brett with his knowledge and wisdom, he convinced me to look very thoroughly for clearance issues, and what you see in the photos is what I, by chance, discovered. Any Safari owners with Magnum Chassis and Velvet Ride Suspension SHOULD check for this as a precaution, but especially if you are having similar issues like I have been experiencing. To remedy this clearance issue, I cut off the excess bolt that was protruding past the nut, an easy fix. I've also attached pictures of the repair.  Please note:make sure that the bolts are very tight before the ends are cut off!


              It is worth noting that by records of previous owner, this "ghost" issue has been chased for a very long time, and more likely was their right from the start (my opinion), and by the looks of how tight things are in that area this could very well be a hidden common issue. I hope this will help any and all Safari owners with the Velvet Ride Suspension...
               
              A few more thoughts...
              -My ride height is correct.
              -Because of this issue, I only had, at the most, 1.5 inches of downward suspension travel! That sure as heck will give you a crappy ride.
              -With out knowing what your looking for, this problem is very easy to miss, very unnoticeable, especially considering that when shops look over the suspension, the rigs are lifted, which extends the suspension and tends to hide the problem even more. I myself was convinced that it was bottoming out against the shocks! One would not even expect or think that two small bolts protruding discreetly could cause such a problem.  When a shop gets a complaint of bottoming out, the likely culprit is the shocks, if the problem doesn't get resolved, it is all to easy to blame the Torsilastic suspension.
               
              Also, I would like to put a request out to some of our Safari owners, especially with the same or similar vintage, to check out their suspensions to see how much clearance they have and if there is any similar issues, and/or if the bolts are facing the other way on newer units, thus correcting the problem. Please, it will only take a few minutes, humor me and check it out and post the results, take pictures if you can. If you do look, please note which way the bolts are facing, I'm curious if SMC resolved the issue just by installing the bolts the other way around.
               
              John
              '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison 6spd


              Posted by: technolog1 <technolog1@...>
              Reply via web post Reply to sender Reply to group Start a New Topic Messages in this topic ()



              Group: Safarifriends Message: 38443 From: TD Date: 5/31/2018
              Subject: Re: Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension
              Craig,

              Another thought. If you had someone else install your shocks, it is possible that the installed the back ones in the front, and the front ones in the rear. These kind of mix ups can happen, because the mounts are the same. The rear shocks are longer than the front and have less dampening, so this would definitely give you symptoms like you are experiencing.

              If you have the correct shocks, the front ones are supposed to be 88-1641SP3 and the rear ones are 88-1458SP1
              If the shop did mix them up and install them incorrectly, they should buy you a new set of year shocks, because if they did bottom out hard they are likely damaged.

              I hope it is a simple fix.

              John
              '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
              6spd.

              On Thu, May 31, 2018 at 8:25 AM, technolog1 technolog1@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


              I am in bangor me. I looked under there and no bolts. I just put on new koni shocks.  I have 13 shims left in each side. I checked the rubber in the does not seem to be any squishing out the sides they seem to be working correctly so we'll see if the shocks take care of it. I took The Shocks off yesterday and they were adjusted halfway for soft so I have Adjusted for pure hard and I Will check and see how that works today. 
              I have read a lot of the articles that has been on here in on my and it tells you to measure and to look at the schams but it doesn't a what to measure where to measure to or explain how the shims work so of anybody out there he knows that and can explain it to a dummy like me I would appreciate it.
              Craig   93 continental 8.Three


              Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

              -------- Original message --------
              From: "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com >
              Date: 5/30/18 1:20 AM (GMT-05:00)
              To: "Dale Maggio dalemaggio@y." <safarifriends@yahoogroups.com >
              Subject: [Safarifriends] Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension [14 Attachments]

               

              Craig,

              The last post didn't attach the photos, so hopefully this one will.

              Where about are you located right now???

              John
              '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
              6spd.


              ---------- Forwarded message ----------
              From: TD <sdjhtm@...>
              Date: Thu, Jun 5, 2014 at 3:29 PM
              Subject: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension
              To: Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com


              NOTE TO ALL VELVET RIDE SAFARIS OF THIS VINTAGE!!! Every one that is having issues with ride and perceived bottoming out (with a loud bang at times), should look at these photos and check their own units out!!!

              I was having ride issues with my '95 Safari Serengeti 38' 300 Cummins 8.3CTA Allison 6spd. Besides poor ride quality, I was having severe bottoming out issues. Any poor bridge transition or heaves on road would cause it to nose dive a bit and bottom out with a loud harsh and at times painful BANG! Thanks to Brett with his knowledge and wisdom, he convinced me to look very thoroughly for clearance issues, and what you see in the photos is what I, by chance, discovered. Any Safari owners with Magnum Chassis and Velvet Ride Suspension SHOULD check for this as a precaution, but especially if you are having similar issues like I have been experiencing. To remedy this clearance issue, I cut off the excess bolt that was protruding past the nut, an easy fix. I've also attached pictures of the repair.  Please note:make sure that the bolts are very tight before the ends are cut off!


              It is worth noting that by records of previous owner, this "ghost" issue has been chased for a very long time, and more likely was their right from the start (my opinion), and by the looks of how tight things are in that area this could very well be a hidden common issue. I hope this will help any and all Safari owners with the Velvet Ride Suspension...
               
              A few more thoughts...
              -My ride height is correct.
              -Because of this issue, I only had, at the most, 1.5 inches of downward suspension travel! That sure as heck will give you a crappy ride.
              -With out knowing what your looking for, this problem is very easy to miss, very unnoticeable, especially considering that when shops look over the suspension, the rigs are lifted, which extends the suspension and tends to hide the problem even more. I myself was convinced that it was bottoming out against the shocks! One would not even expect or think that two small bolts protruding discreetly could cause such a problem.  When a shop gets a complaint of bottoming out, the likely culprit is the shocks, if the problem doesn't get resolved, it is all to easy to blame the Torsilastic suspension.
               
              Also, I would like to put a request out to some of our Safari owners, especially with the same or similar vintage, to check out their suspensions to see how much clearance they have and if there is any similar issues, and/or if the bolts are facing the other way on newer units, thus correcting the problem. Please, it will only take a few minutes, humor me and check it out and post the results, take pictures if you can. If you do look, please note which way the bolts are facing, I'm curious if SMC resolved the issue just by installing the bolts the other way around.
               
              John
              '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison 6spd




              Group: Safarifriends Message: 38446 From: technolog1 Date: 5/31/2018
              Subject: Re: Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension
              I could not find any scrapes,  I think it was 5he shocks bottoming out because it was not set on the high but to low pressure.  Thanks



              Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

              -------- Original message --------
              From: "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com>
              Date: 5/31/18 3:03 PM (GMT-05:00)
              To: "Dale Maggio dalemaggio@y." <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com>
              Subject: Re: [Safarifriends] Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension

               

              Dale,

              I don't know about the newer coaches, but on my coach, and on my previous coach that was on an Oshkosh chassis, neither had rivets/huck bolts, they both have regular grade eight bolts and nuts. On mine, they were too long (compared to what I've seen on same year coaches), and yes, the bolts could have been put in the other way to eliminate the issue, but obviously the issue was not noticed during assembly. In Craigs case, being that he has an Oshkosh chassis, it is unlikely that he would have the same issue as mine did, but it does not mean that there could be interference elsewhere. Like you said, he will need to look for scrapes, and/or shinny marks.

              John
              '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
              6spd.

              On Thu, May 31, 2018 at 2:37 PM, dalemaggio dalemaggio@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


              On secondary note Craig, the problem is the factory should have installed the rivets with the heads in bored and the Tails out towards the wheel. But a lot of coaches weren't stall the other way around with the heads out towards the wheel and the tales of the rivets in board this is what causes the interference problem. Some of the rivets were too long.



              Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone


              -------- Original message --------
              From: "technolog1 technolog1@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com >
              Date: 05/31/2018 5:25 AM (GMT-08:00)
              To: Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com
              Subject: Re: [Safarifriends] Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension

               

              I am in bangor me. I looked under there and no bolts. I just put on new koni shocks.  I have 13 shims left in each side. I checked the rubber in the does not seem to be any squishing out the sides they seem to be working correctly so we'll see if the shocks take care of it. I took The Shocks off yesterday and they were adjusted halfway for soft so I have Adjusted for pure hard and I Will check and see how that works today. 
              I have read a lot of the articles that has been on here in on my and it tells you to measure and to look at the schams but it doesn't a what to measure where to measure to or explain how the shims work so of anybody out there he knows that and can explain it to a dummy like me I would appreciate it.
              Craig   93 continental 8.Three


              Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

              -------- Original message --------
              From: "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com >
              Date: 5/30/18 1:20 AM (GMT-05:00)
              To: "Dale Maggio dalemaggio@y." <safarifriends@yahoogroups.com >
              Subject: [Safarifriends] Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension [14 Attachments]

               

              Craig,

              The last post didn't attach the photos, so hopefully this one will.

              Where about are you located right now???

              John
              '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
              6spd.


              ---------- Forwarded message ----------
              From: TD <sdjhtm@...>
              Date: Thu, Jun 5, 2014 at 3:29 PM
              Subject: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension
              To: Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com


              NOTE TO ALL VELVET RIDE SAFARIS OF THIS VINTAGE!!! Every one that is having issues with ride and perceived bottoming out (with a loud bang at times), should look at these photos and check their own units out!!!

              I was having ride issues with my '95 Safari Serengeti 38' 300 Cummins 8.3CTA Allison 6spd. Besides poor ride quality, I was having severe bottoming out issues. Any poor bridge transition or heaves on road would cause it to nose dive a bit and bottom out with a loud harsh and at times painful BANG! Thanks to Brett with his knowledge and wisdom, he convinced me to look very thoroughly for clearance issues, and what you see in the photos is what I, by chance, discovered. Any Safari owners with Magnum Chassis and Velvet Ride Suspension SHOULD check for this as a precaution, but especially if you are having similar issues like I have been experiencing. To remedy this clearance issue, I cut off the excess bolt that was protruding past the nut, an easy fix. I've also attached pictures of the repair.  Please note:make sure that the bolts are very tight before the ends are cut off!


              It is worth noting that by records of previous owner, this "ghost" issue has been chased for a very long time, and more likely was their right from the start (my opinion), and by the looks of how tight things are in that area this could very well be a hidden common issue. I hope this will help any and all Safari owners with the Velvet Ride Suspension...
               
              A few more thoughts...
              -My ride height is correct.
              -Because of this issue, I only had, at the most, 1.5 inches of downward suspension travel! That sure as heck will give you a crappy ride.
              -With out knowing what your looking for, this problem is very easy to miss, very unnoticeable, especially considering that when shops look over the suspension, the rigs are lifted, which extends the suspension and tends to hide the problem even more. I myself was convinced that it was bottoming out against the shocks! One would not even expect or think that two small bolts protruding discreetly could cause such a problem.  When a shop gets a complaint of bottoming out, the likely culprit is the shocks, if the problem doesn't get resolved, it is all to easy to blame the Torsilastic suspension.
               
              Also, I would like to put a request out to some of our Safari owners, especially with the same or similar vintage, to check out their suspensions to see how much clearance they have and if there is any similar issues, and/or if the bolts are facing the other way on newer units, thus correcting the problem. Please, it will only take a few minutes, humor me and check it out and post the results, take pictures if you can. If you do look, please note which way the bolts are facing, I'm curious if SMC resolved the issue just by installing the bolts the other way around.
               
              John
              '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison 6spd


              Posted by: technolog1 <technolog1@...>
              Reply via web post Reply to sender Reply to group Start a New Topic Messages in this topic ()




              Posted by: TD <sdjhtm@...>
              Reply via web post Reply to sender Reply to group Start a New Topic Messages in this topic (54)

              Check out the automatic photo album with 45 photo(s) from this topic.
              DSCN2200.jpg DSCN2142.jpg DSCN1714.jpg DSCN2164.jpg DSCN1712.jpg

              Have you tried the highest rated email app?
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              Group: Safarifriends Message: 38447 From: technolog1 Date: 5/31/2018
              Subject: Re: Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension
              I do and the are right. I drove it a little today and my wife said what a change. I have not pulled the back yet to set them stiffer but the are not bottoming out like the front. So we will travel some and co it out. Thanks
              Craig 93 cont. 8.3 6 sp



              Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

              -------- Original message --------
              From: "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com>
              Date: 5/31/18 3:14 PM (GMT-05:00)
              To: "Dale Maggio dalemaggio@y." <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com>
              Subject: Re: [Safarifriends] Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension

               

              Craig,

              Another thought. If you had someone else install your shocks, it is possible that the installed the back ones in the front, and the front ones in the rear. These kind of mix ups can happen, because the mounts are the same. The rear shocks are longer than the front and have less dampening, so this would definitely give you symptoms like you are experiencing.

              If you have the correct shocks, the front ones are supposed to be 88-1641SP3 and the rear ones are 88-1458SP1
              If the shop did mix them up and install them incorrectly, they should buy you a new set of year shocks, because if they did bottom out hard they are likely damaged.

              I hope it is a simple fix.

              John
              '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
              6spd.

              On Thu, May 31, 2018 at 8:25 AM, technolog1 technolog1@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


              I am in bangor me. I looked under there and no bolts. I just put on new koni shocks.  I have 13 shims left in each side. I checked the rubber in the does not seem to be any squishing out the sides they seem to be working correctly so we'll see if the shocks take care of it. I took The Shocks off yesterday and they were adjusted halfway for soft so I have Adjusted for pure hard and I Will check and see how that works today. 
              I have read a lot of the articles that has been on here in on my and it tells you to measure and to look at the schams but it doesn't a what to measure where to measure to or explain how the shims work so of anybody out there he knows that and can explain it to a dummy like me I would appreciate it.
              Craig   93 continental 8.Three


              Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

              -------- Original message --------
              From: "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com >
              Date: 5/30/18 1:20 AM (GMT-05:00)
              To: "Dale Maggio dalemaggio@y." <safarifriends@yahoogroups.com >
              Subject: [Safarifriends] Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension [14 Attachments]

               

              Craig,

              The last post didn't attach the photos, so hopefully this one will.

              Where about are you located right now???

              John
              '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
              6spd.


              ---------- Forwarded message ----------
              From: TD <sdjhtm@...>
              Date: Thu, Jun 5, 2014 at 3:29 PM
              Subject: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension
              To: Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com


              NOTE TO ALL VELVET RIDE SAFARIS OF THIS VINTAGE!!! Every one that is having issues with ride and perceived bottoming out (with a loud bang at times), should look at these photos and check their own units out!!!

              I was having ride issues with my '95 Safari Serengeti 38' 300 Cummins 8.3CTA Allison 6spd. Besides poor ride quality, I was having severe bottoming out issues. Any poor bridge transition or heaves on road would cause it to nose dive a bit and bottom out with a loud harsh and at times painful BANG! Thanks to Brett with his knowledge and wisdom, he convinced me to look very thoroughly for clearance issues, and what you see in the photos is what I, by chance, discovered. Any Safari owners with Magnum Chassis and Velvet Ride Suspension SHOULD check for this as a precaution, but especially if you are having similar issues like I have been experiencing. To remedy this clearance issue, I cut off the excess bolt that was protruding past the nut, an easy fix. I've also attached pictures of the repair.  Please note:make sure that the bolts are very tight before the ends are cut off!


              It is worth noting that by records of previous owner, this "ghost" issue has been chased for a very long time, and more likely was their right from the start (my opinion), and by the looks of how tight things are in that area this could very well be a hidden common issue. I hope this will help any and all Safari owners with the Velvet Ride Suspension...
               
              A few more thoughts...
              -My ride height is correct.
              -Because of this issue, I only had, at the most, 1.5 inches of downward suspension travel! That sure as heck will give you a crappy ride.
              -With out knowing what your looking for, this problem is very easy to miss, very unnoticeable, especially considering that when shops look over the suspension, the rigs are lifted, which extends the suspension and tends to hide the problem even more. I myself was convinced that it was bottoming out against the shocks! One would not even expect or think that two small bolts protruding discreetly could cause such a problem.  When a shop gets a complaint of bottoming out, the likely culprit is the shocks, if the problem doesn't get resolved, it is all to easy to blame the Torsilastic suspension.
               
              Also, I would like to put a request out to some of our Safari owners, especially with the same or similar vintage, to check out their suspensions to see how much clearance they have and if there is any similar issues, and/or if the bolts are facing the other way on newer units, thus correcting the problem. Please, it will only take a few minutes, humor me and check it out and post the results, take pictures if you can. If you do look, please note which way the bolts are facing, I'm curious if SMC resolved the issue just by installing the bolts the other way around.
               
              John
              '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison 6spd




              Group: Safarifriends Message: 38448 From: technolog1 Date: 5/31/2018
              Subject: Re: Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension
              Thank you. That is what I needed. I will work on it and let you know.



              Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

              -------- Original message --------
              From: "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com>
              Date: 5/31/18 2:25 PM (GMT-05:00)
              To: "Dale Maggio dalemaggio@y." <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com>
              Subject: Re: [Safarifriends] Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension

               

              Craig,

              Koni shocks come from factory set at the least dampening. When the shock is completely collapsed, you turn the top of the shock clockwise to increase dampening..
              Are your front shocks  88-1641SP3 ???

              Did you check if there there is noticeable contact on the rubber bump stops and the torsion tubes? If yes, is there noticeable contact???

              Ride height is measured at each wheel, the coach as to be very level and loaded for travel with full tanks (fuel, water, propane). Ride height is supposed to be 25 inches (+/- 1/4"). The distance is measured from the bottom of the belt line, (on your coach it is where the painted body and the stainless steal meet) to the center of the wheel.  See the file on the link bellow this message, it has detailed explanation, with photos and it is in the files section also.

              As for the shims, each wheel has two stacks of shims (front and back of each wheel), the shims get removed only in pairs, as in one in front and one in back. Removal of a pair of shims will raise your coach by 1/4 inch, at the corner they were removed. For an example, if your rear left wheel measures out at 24 inches, you would remove for pairs of shims at that wheel.

              The good news is, you have all your shims, meaning you have a lot of adjustments you can make before you run out. The other good thing is you coach weighs much less than the newer Magnum chassis coaches, so the springs don't work hard, and stay in good shape. It is very rare for a '93 and older Safari that has the Oshkosh chassis to need a ride height adjustment. Most of the '93 an older Safaris still have all their original shim stacks, never needing adjustment.

              That said, have you weight you coach (fully loaded)?

              If yes, are you near or over your GVWR spec?

              Please try to do your best to answer the questions asked, as this will help us see where the issue may be.
              You have my phone number, so if you have more questions give me a call.

              John
              '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
              6spd.

              On Thu, May 31, 2018 at 8:25 AM, technolog1 technolog1@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


              I am in bangor me. I looked under there and no bolts. I just put on new koni shocks.  I have 13 shims left in each side. I checked the rubber in the does not seem to be any squishing out the sides they seem to be working correctly so we'll see if the shocks take care of it. I took The Shocks off yesterday and they were adjusted halfway for soft so I have Adjusted for pure hard and I Will check and see how that works today. 
              I have read a lot of the articles that has been on here in on my and it tells you to measure and to look at the schams but it doesn't a what to measure where to measure to or explain how the shims work so of anybody out there he knows that and can explain it to a dummy like me I would appreciate it.
              Craig   93 continental 8.Three


              Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

              -------- Original message --------
              From: "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com >
              Date: 5/30/18 1:20 AM (GMT-05:00)
              To: "Dale Maggio dalemaggio@y." <safarifriends@yahoogroups.com >
              Subject: [Safarifriends] Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension [14 Attachments]

               

              Craig,

              The last post didn't attach the photos, so hopefully this one will.

              Where about are you located right now???

              John
              '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
              6spd.


              ---------- Forwarded message ----------
              From: TD <sdjhtm@...>
              Date: Thu, Jun 5, 2014 at 3:29 PM
              Subject: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension
              To: Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com


              NOTE TO ALL VELVET RIDE SAFARIS OF THIS VINTAGE!!! Every one that is having issues with ride and perceived bottoming out (with a loud bang at times), should look at these photos and check their own units out!!!

              I was having ride issues with my '95 Safari Serengeti 38' 300 Cummins 8.3CTA Allison 6spd. Besides poor ride quality, I was having severe bottoming out issues. Any poor bridge transition or heaves on road would cause it to nose dive a bit and bottom out with a loud harsh and at times painful BANG! Thanks to Brett with his knowledge and wisdom, he convinced me to look very thoroughly for clearance issues, and what you see in the photos is what I, by chance, discovered. Any Safari owners with Magnum Chassis and Velvet Ride Suspension SHOULD check for this as a precaution, but especially if you are having similar issues like I have been experiencing. To remedy this clearance issue, I cut off the excess bolt that was protruding past the nut, an easy fix. I've also attached pictures of the repair.  Please note:make sure that the bolts are very tight before the ends are cut off!


              It is worth noting that by records of previous owner, this "ghost" issue has been chased for a very long time, and more likely was their right from the start (my opinion), and by the looks of how tight things are in that area this could very well be a hidden common issue. I hope this will help any and all Safari owners with the Velvet Ride Suspension...
               
              A few more thoughts...
              -My ride height is correct.
              -Because of this issue, I only had, at the most, 1.5 inches of downward suspension travel! That sure as heck will give you a crappy ride.
              -With out knowing what your looking for, this problem is very easy to miss, very unnoticeable, especially considering that when shops look over the suspension, the rigs are lifted, which extends the suspension and tends to hide the problem even more. I myself was convinced that it was bottoming out against the shocks! One would not even expect or think that two small bolts protruding discreetly could cause such a problem.  When a shop gets a complaint of bottoming out, the likely culprit is the shocks, if the problem doesn't get resolved, it is all to easy to blame the Torsilastic suspension.
               
              Also, I would like to put a request out to some of our Safari owners, especially with the same or similar vintage, to check out their suspensions to see how much clearance they have and if there is any similar issues, and/or if the bolts are facing the other way on newer units, thus correcting the problem. Please, it will only take a few minutes, humor me and check it out and post the results, take pictures if you can. If you do look, please note which way the bolts are facing, I'm curious if SMC resolved the issue just by installing the bolts the other way around.
               
              John
              '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison 6spd




              Group: Safarifriends Message: 38449 From: technolog1 Date: 5/31/2018
              Subject: Re: Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension
              Ok. Will ck



              Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

              -------- Original message --------
              From: "dalemaggio dalemaggio@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com>
              Date: 5/31/18 2:35 PM (GMT-05:00)
              To: Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com
              Subject: Re: [Safarifriends] Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension

               

              Craig when you say no bolts I assume you're assuming you're referring to the rivets that go into the suspension and hit the frame of the coach that's what you need to look for.  Look for scrape marks on the side of of where those bolts might be interfering and I would be both so rivets.
               On the other hand your measurement is from the center of the axle Hub to the lower edge of the waistline molding



              Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone


              -------- Original message --------
              From: "technolog1 technolog1@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com>
              Date: 05/31/2018 5:25 AM (GMT-08:00)
              To: Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com
              Subject: Re: [Safarifriends] Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension

               

              I am in bangor me. I looked under there and no bolts. I just put on new koni shocks.  I have 13 shims left in each side. I checked the rubber in the does not seem to be any squishing out the sides they seem to be working correctly so we'll see if the shocks take care of it. I took The Shocks off yesterday and they were adjusted halfway for soft so I have Adjusted for pure hard and I Will check and see how that works today. 
              I have read a lot of the articles that has been on here in on my and it tells you to measure and to look at the schams but it doesn't a what to measure where to measure to or explain how the shims work so of anybody out there he knows that and can explain it to a dummy like me I would appreciate it.
              Craig   93 continental 8.Three


              Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

              -------- Original message --------
              From: "TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends]" <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com>
              Date: 5/30/18 1:20 AM (GMT-05:00)
              To: "Dale Maggio dalemaggio@y." <safarifriends@yahoogroups.com>
              Subject: [Safarifriends] Fwd: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension [14 Attachments]

               

              Craig,

              The last post didn't attach the photos, so hopefully this one will.

              Where about are you located right now???

              John
              '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
              6spd.


              ---------- Forwarded message ----------
              From: TD <sdjhtm@...>
              Date: Thu, Jun 5, 2014 at 3:29 PM
              Subject: Clearance Issues on Safari Velvet Ride Suspension
              To: Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com


              NOTE TO ALL VELVET RIDE SAFARIS OF THIS VINTAGE!!! Every one that is having issues with ride and perceived bottoming out (with a loud bang at times), should look at these photos and check their own units out!!!

              I was having ride issues with my '95 Safari Serengeti 38' 300 Cummins 8.3CTA Allison 6spd. Besides poor ride quality, I was having severe bottoming out issues. Any poor bridge transition or heaves on road would cause it to nose dive a bit and bottom out with a loud harsh and at times painful BANG! Thanks to Brett with his knowledge and wisdom, he convinced me to look very thoroughly for clearance issues, and what you see in the photos is what I, by chance, discovered. Any Safari owners with Magnum Chassis and Velvet Ride Suspension SHOULD check for this as a precaution, but especially if you are having similar issues like I have been experiencing. To remedy this clearance issue, I cut off the excess bolt that was protruding past the nut, an easy fix. I've also attached pictures of the repair.  Please note:make sure that the bolts are very tight before the ends are cut off!


              It is worth noting that by records of previous owner, this "ghost" issue has been chased for a very long time, and more likely was their right from the start (my opinion), and by the looks of how tight things are in that area this could very well be a hidden common issue. I hope this will help any and all Safari owners with the Velvet Ride Suspension...
               
              A few more thoughts...
              -My ride height is correct.
              -Because of this issue, I only had, at the most, 1.5 inches of downward suspension travel! That sure as heck will give you a crappy ride.
              -With out knowing what your looking for, this problem is very easy to miss, very unnoticeable, especially considering that when shops look over the suspension, the rigs are lifted, which extends the suspension and tends to hide the problem even more. I myself was convinced that it was bottoming out against the shocks! One would not even expect or think that two small bolts protruding discreetly could cause such a problem.  When a shop gets a complaint of bottoming out, the likely culprit is the shocks, if the problem doesn't get resolved, it is all to easy to blame the Torsilastic suspension.
               
              Also, I would like to put a request out to some of our Safari owners, especially with the same or similar vintage, to check out their suspensions to see how much clearance they have and if there is any similar issues, and/or if the bolts are facing the other way on newer units, thus correcting the problem. Please, it will only take a few minutes, humor me and check it out and post the results, take pictures if you can. If you do look, please note which way the bolts are facing, I'm curious if SMC resolved the issue just by installing the bolts the other way around.
               
              John
              '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison 6spd


              Posted by: technolog1 <technolog1@...>
              Reply via web post Reply to sender Reply to group Start a New Topic Messages in this topic ()


              Posted by: dalemaggio <dalemaggio@...>
              Reply via web post Reply to sender Reply to group Start a New Topic Messages in this topic (52)

              Check out the automatic photo album with 45 photo(s) from this topic.
              DSCN2200.jpg DSCN2142.jpg DSCN1714.jpg DSCN2164.jpg DSCN1712.jpg

              Have you tried the highest rated email app?
              With 4.5 stars in iTunes, the Yahoo Mail app is the highest rated email app on the market. What are you waiting for? Now you can access all your inboxes (Gmail, Outlook, AOL and more) in one place. Never delete an email again with 1000GB of free cloud storage.

              Community email addresses:
              Group: Safarifriends Message: 38511 From: tcoside Date: 6/4/2018
              Subject: Relpacing shocks
              Hi, new owner of 1999 safari Sahara 3506. Getting a fresh start in everything and starting with the shocks. I ordered two 881458SP2 for the rear and two 881641SP3 for the front. The order was through ultra rv products. The problem is they sent me four 881458sp2 shocks. Not a big deal I'll contact them in the morning about that. But I got to thinking, why not run all four corners with the 881641sp3?
              Group: Safarifriends Message: 38514 From: TD Date: 6/4/2018
              Subject: Re: Relpacing shocks
              tcoside, ???

              The front shocks 88-1641SP1 and the rear shocks 88-1458SP1 are different length and valving, so they should not be mixed up front to back. It is critical to make sure that you have the 88-1641SP3 for the front. It is also critical, that you order the shocks by part number and not by year, make model of your coach.

              I would also strongly suggest to order 88-1458SP1 instead of the 88-1458SP2 for the rear, as they are much smoother on the jarring bumps without compromising control for the big swaying dips/bridges. I actually just switched mine over from the SP2 to SP1, if you don't care to much about soft ride, I will be putting my lightly used Koni 88-1458SP2 shocks for sale. $150 for the pair, plus what ever the shipping will be.
              If you want to go with the smoother shock for the rear, and since they screwed up part of the order and you still need the 88-1641SP3 for the front, maybe just tell them that you ordered a pair of 88-1641SP3 and a pair of 88-1458SP1, but got four 88-1458SP2 instead, this way they will likely pay to ship all four shocks back and get you the correct ones.

              Also, when you do get the correct shocks for the front, if you plan to drive on very rough roads, I would suggest to set the front shocks for maximum dampening.

              John
              '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
              6spd.

              On Mon, Jun 4, 2018 at 10:16 PM, tcoside@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
              Hi, new owner of 1999 safari Sahara 3506. Getting a fresh start in everything and starting with the shocks. I ordered two 881458SP2 for the rear and two 881641SP3 for the front. The order was through ultra rv products. The problem is they sent me four 881458sp2 shocks. Not a big deal I'll contact them in the morning about that. But I got to thinking, why not run all four corners with the 881641sp3?

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              Group: Safarifriends Message: 38515 From: TD Date: 6/4/2018
              Subject: Re: Relpacing shocks
              That is incorrect, they are not the same dimensions. The 88-1641SP3 are shorter than the 88-1458, even though the mounts are the same. Also, the Koni shocks will not blow do to weight, they just will be ineffective. They can get damaged if they bottom out or top out internally with enough force, but this kind of damage happens when the incorrect length is used.

              Jerry, if your coach has air ride, your shock numbers are a bit different than the VelvetRide (torsional springs) and EliptiRide (leaf spring) call for. If you need the numbers let me know and i will provide them for you.

              John
              '95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, 300 Cummins 8.3CTA, Allison
              6spd.

              On Mon, Jun 4, 2018 at 11:13 PM, bowhunter0608@... [Safarifriends] <Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


              Has to do with the weight on the front versus the rear. They may look the same, have the same dimensions, but one is set up for a certain weight, if you stuck the lighter ones mall around, they could blow from the extra weight. If you stick the other mall around they could be to stiff and cause damage.

              Jerry
              99 Continental Panther 425 C12



              Group: Safarifriends Message: 38516 From: bowhunter0608 Date: 6/4/2018
              Subject: Re: Relpacing shocks
              I am not familiar with the Koni, one of the idiots i worked with at the Bus shop put the wrong shocks on the rear of one of our Pusher buses, first hard bump the bus took the stocks blew. The students at the back of the bius said they could feel the bus go real stiff. 

              My shocks are still good, but yes, i have air ride as well. Thank you though.

              Jerry
              99 Continental Panther 425 C12