Shocks/Struts

9

96xploderFTW

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August 24, 2010

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City, State

Panama City, Florida

Year, Model & Trim Level

1996 Limited

• March 26, 2011

• #1

I have a 96 ford explorer thats been lowered 3 in in rear and 2.75 in front. However, because of ride quality and camber issues I am reverting back to stock height. I figured i might as well replace my 15 year old shocks/struts in the process. Im leaning towards monroe sensatracs simply because of price. Any suggestions on alternative shocks, brands, pros or cons would be awesome though because i have never worked with suspension minus leaf springs. Thanks!

 

B

BlakeGordon

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April 22, 2009

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City, State

Tarpon springs FL

Year, Model & Trim Level

'01 XLT

• March 27, 2011

• #2

im looking for some new shocks to man. intrested to see some answers

 

V

Varsity

Don't need no stinkin 4WD...yet

Joined

January 4, 2011

Messages

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City, State

Chicago, IL

Year, Model & Trim Level

'00 Sport

• March 27, 2011

• #3

Looking at Sensa-Tracs myself since all of my passengers complain of the bouncy ride. Plus theres numerous sales going on around, so I may just pick myself up some within a few weeks. Monroe is a great name, so I doubt you can go wrong with those.

 

turboexplorer

Elite Explorer

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August 23, 2008

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City, State

Eagle Mountain, UT

Year, Model & Trim Level

98' XLT 5.0L 4X4

Callsign

Turbo

• March 27, 2011

• #4

Only shocks no struts. All are really easy to replace!

But the best ones that I have had experience with (Not on the Explorer) are the Monroe sensatracs, great shock good prices. And the Bilsteins. Both are a good product, vary in price think the Bilsteins are $85 per shock area I think. Also stay away from the Monroe Reflex's they are a SUPER cheap shock and aren't worth the little you pay.

BTW - Had sensatracs put on 4 rigs and been VERY happy with all four.
2003 F-150, (similar suspension to the 2nd gens), 97 Thunderbird, 95 Contour, and my 79 Trans Am. Probably what I am going to put on my 98 V8 Explorer to.

 

9

96xploderFTW

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City, State

Panama City, Florida

Year, Model & Trim Level

1996 Limited

• March 27, 2011

• #5

The reflex's at my local parts store and online cost more than the sensatracs. Around 50-55 each. I guess anything will be better than stock though.

 

turboexplorer

Elite Explorer

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August 23, 2008

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City, State

Eagle Mountain, UT

Year, Model & Trim Level

98' XLT 5.0L 4X4

Callsign

Turbo

• March 27, 2011

• #6

Interesting. I thought for sure the reflexs where the bottom end shock. Anyways even if they aren't (I'll have to check tomorrow that suprises me) I have hard the best reviews on them.

I have read others using one of the rancho shocks or whatever with good luck, but I haven't had anyone I know use those.

 

Keeper0311

Explorer Addict

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April 30, 2010

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City, State

Riverside, CA

Year, Model & Trim Level

2000 XLT 4x4

• March 30, 2011

• #7

I've got a Rancho 5000's on my 2000, and they're a massive improvement over the worn out stock ones. The prices are generally pretty good, I think I got mine for $50 a piece. Eventually I'd like to upgrade to a set of Bilstiens.

 

L

LONO100

Explorer Addict

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March 23, 2011

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City, State

Bay Area CA

Year, Model & Trim Level

03 sport trac XLT

• March 30, 2011

• #8

ive been on a search for some shocks myself. ive narrowed it down to monroe sensa tracs and procomp es1000's. if you decide to go with either of these, i left some links to the cheapest places ive found them online.

monroe sensa tracs

http://www.amazon.com/Monroe-37044-..._7?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1301410873&sr=1-7

procomp es1000

http://www.4wheelparts.com/Lift-Kit...0&t_pt=101006&t_pl=101369&t_pn=ShockingES1000

 

E

eazyasone23

Active Member

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September 22, 2010

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City, State

Effort, PA

Year, Model & Trim Level

99 XLT

• March 30, 2011

• #9

i have sensatrac up front and the sensatrac with overload springs on the rear. the front drives really smooth and the rear is smooth but gets bumpy due to the overload springs, but it makes the rear of my truck level. i like them. if your looking for a smooth floaty ride then get them. if you want a firmer with a better handling get another shock

 

B

beach

Well-Known Member

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May 15, 2006

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City, State

south florida

Year, Model & Trim Level

Coyote F150

• April 13, 2011

• #10

I've had Sensatracs before, didn't like them compared to the Reflex's. The Reflex is designed and valved for heavier vehicles (trucks), while the Sensatracs are for cars. Sensatracs wear out faster (can just look at other forums with other vehicles), and are more bouncy and floaty compared to the Reflex's which are firm but smooth and controlled. I have Reflex's in the front and Monroe Air-Max shocks in the rear, and the truck rides much better and handles better than when the Sensatracs were on.

 

S

shockguys

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City, State

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

• April 15, 2011

• #11

Bilsteins FTW

Generally, whenever I recommend a shock to a customer I tell them that the Sensatrac and the Reflex are generally the same. They really are. The Sensatracs are a bit softer than the Reflex, but not by much. These Monroe shocks are fine for those that wish to retain a soft ride. **Rancho is owned by Monroe(Tenneco Automotive)**

The KYB Gasajust is a bit more robust than the Monroe/Rancho shocks, and then the Bilsteins are the best if you want a firmer/safe ride. Both the Gasajust and the Bilsteins are Monotubes, and provide better performance for that reason. They both have higher pressure gas(which only reduces aeration) and larger piston diameters(which actually affects dampening performance).

These recommendations are based off of the amount that we sell vs the amount that we warranty/return. Also taken into account is the layout of the shock (mono, vs twin) as well as personal preference(what do YOU want).

Whenever selecting a shocks it's best to take your own ACTUAL needs into account. Do you tow, haul, or load up heavy? Do you only do local commutes? Are you off-roading? Do I want/need a stiffer ride? Do you have a lift? Etc, etc.

 

R

Rich-

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City, State

Sioux Falls SD

Year, Model & Trim Level

99 EB

• April 16, 2011

• #12

i am in the market also!
the explorer is my winter ride
i want a nice ride with great handling,
i drive 2 GTI's which handle amazing, and i ave owned several sports cars, from highly modded fieros and Corvettes to GTI's i get in the explorer and obviously it handles like crap in comparison.

what would you recommend for a good ride and good handling?

 

S

shooterdude199

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May 28, 2009

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City, State

Irmo, South Carolina

Year, Model & Trim Level

01 Sport Trac

• April 19, 2011

• #13

ill have to add that the rancho 5000's are a nice ride.

 

U

unpredictable1

Well-Known Member

Joined

July 16, 2001

Messages

740

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9

City, State

AB, Canada

Year, Model & Trim Level

99 Explorer Sport

• April 21, 2011

• #14

Bilstein HDs for me, love em. Bit firm but it tightens up the handling a bit too.

 

turboexplorer

Elite Explorer

Joined

August 23, 2008

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City, State

Eagle Mountain, UT

Year, Model & Trim Level

98' XLT 5.0L 4X4

Callsign

Turbo

• April 21, 2011

• #15

Ibrowne, do you go off road at all? Curious if they are firmer, how a washboard road would feel.

 

U

unpredictable1

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July 16, 2001

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City, State

AB, Canada

Year, Model & Trim Level

99 Explorer Sport

• April 21, 2011

• #16

Haven't gone offroad with this X yet - however in previous experience the washboard effect has more to do with air pressure in the tires. If you got your tires at max pressure - it's quite the teeth chattering experience.