Shock Recommendation?

94xlt4x4 · 05-05-2010, 07:44 PM

Hey guys, looking for some opinions here..

It's time to replace the shocks on my 2000. Handling and ride quality have been steadily declining and the D/S rear looks like it's leaking, so I know where some of my tax return is going this year. I will also probably replace the '5th shock' in the rear. I know there's much debate as to whether or not it actually does anything, but it's not that expensive, and I plan on keeping the truck for a long time.

I'm looking for a recommendation on replacements. I've always used Monroes, but the last set I put on here haven't lasted all that long, and I was never all that happy with them. I'm looking for a bit firmer shock, as I drive the truck pretty hard - handling is more important to me than ride quality. I'm also looking to maybe help level out the rear - I've installed an add-a-leaf, but it still sags some.

I'm trying to keep the price at or around the $50/shock mark. I had looked at the KYB MonoMax, which seemed like it could be a good choice. I was also looking at the Rancho RS5000s, as well as Monroe SensaTracs (the rears have integrated springs, which I'm thinking may help to level out the rear?). Gabriel Load Carriers also have the integrated springs, so they're on the list as well. Any personal experience with any of these? Good, bad, indifferent?

Thanks in advance!

gtyates · 05-05-2010, 08:09 PM

I have Monroe Reflex on my '96. Very pleased with ride/handling.

*toypaseo* · 05-05-2010, 09:15 PM

If you opt for the KYB's, Amazon might be offering 30% off using code VIPSKYBS ...

*Joe Dirt* · 05-05-2010, 10:38 PM

I second the Reflex if you go Monroe. I had SensaTracs on my last Ex and the Reflex on this one, and I like the Reflex better- less body roll. I paid like $36/shock on RockAuto.

Explorer Junky · 05-05-2010, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94xlt4x4

Hey guys, looking for some opinions here..

It's time to replace the shocks on my 2000. Handling and ride quality have been steadily declining and the D/S rear looks like it's leaking, so I know where some of my tax return is going this year. I will also probably replace the '5th shock' in the rear. I know there's much debate as to whether or not it actually does anything, but it's not that expensive, and I plan on keeping the truck for a long time.

I'm looking for a recommendation on replacements. I've always used Monroes, but the last set I put on here haven't lasted all that long, and I was never all that happy with them. I'm looking for a bit firmer shock, as I drive the truck pretty hard - handling is more important to me than ride quality. I'm also looking to maybe help level out the rear - I've installed an add-a-leaf, but it still sags some.

I'm trying to keep the price at or around the $50/shock mark. I had looked at the KYB MonoMax, which seemed like it could be a good choice. I was also looking at the Rancho RS5000s, as well as Monroe SensaTracs (the rears have integrated springs, which I'm thinking may help to level out the rear?). Gabriel Load Carriers also have the integrated springs, so they're on the list as well. Any personal experience with any of these? Good, bad, indifferent?

Thanks in advance!

I had the same issue with the leaning after AAL. I took it to an alignment shop where the tech just so happened to be recently laid off from a Ford dealership. I told them what I had done and he said he could fix it in the alignment process. I have no idea what he did, but it sits level front to back and side to side. And the ride qaulity is still good.

*Joe Dirt* · 05-06-2010, 08:20 AM

He probably torsion twisted the opposite corner to make up for the sag, if it wasn't outrageously bad to start with. It is possible to do that.

**Turdle** · 05-06-2010, 08:23 AM

If you stay on the street the edelbrock IAS are very good, and have a pretty good warranty. You will notice the handling difference.

my98nnj · 05-06-2010, 08:26 AM

KYB GR2's ride very firm, a lot less body roll. If your looking for handling, consider them.

justinf89 · 05-06-2010, 09:07 PM

Ha, I just put on a set of monroe LT's, ya know, the nice yellow ones

*corkey* · 05-06-2010, 09:14 PM

there,

http://www.foxracingshox.com/offroad/shocks/oe

and call that done,

94xlt4x4 · 05-07-2010, 07:35 AM

Thanks for the suggestions so far!

Should have mentioned, I'm mostly on-road.

Joe Dirt, I'm leaning towards those Monroes for the front, and the sprung SensaTracs in the rear.

Turdle, I will check into those Edelbrock IAS's.

Thanks again, keep 'em coming!

*celly* · 05-07-2010, 07:48 AM

I'm surprised "Bilstein" hasn't come up. They came highly recommended to me (via this site) and I've been VERY happy with them.

*Joe Dirt* · 05-07-2010, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by celly

I'm surprised "Bilstein" hasn't come up. They came highly recommended to me (via this site) and I've been VERY happy with them.

Yeah, but you have Canadian roads. The concrete is different.

beach · 05-07-2010, 11:15 AM

I absolutely hated the Edelbrock IAS shocks, and I tried two sets, horrible shocks and you can search see people say the samething not just for Explorers but for other vehicles as well. Monroe Reflex shocks were waaaaaay better, better ride, better control etc.

94xlt4x4 · 08-21-2010, 07:41 PM

Follow-up on an old thread - I ended up going with the Monroe Reflex up front and load-leveling Sensa-Trac in the back (seeing how bad she sagged with the back loaded up made this an easy decision). I'll follow up once they arrive and I get them installed!

AeroRamer · 10-05-2010, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94xlt4x4

Follow-up on an old thread - I ended up going with the Monroe Reflex up front and load-leveling Sensa-Trac in the back (seeing how bad she sagged with the back loaded up made this an easy decision). I'll follow up once they arrive and I get them installed!

Updates?

pergolies · 11-01-2010, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94xlt4x4

Follow-up on an old thread - I ended up going with the Monroe Reflex up front and load-leveling Sensa-Trac in the back (seeing how bad she sagged with the back loaded up made this an easy decision). I'll follow up once they arrive and I get them installed!

Would love to know how the shocks are going

swetrid · 11-01-2010, 07:05 PM

Kyb gr2 definitely.

eazyasone23 · 11-02-2010, 12:26 AM

i have the sens-a-tracs with the spring on the rears and it made my rear an 1-1.5 inches higher than my front plus leveled the sag on the drivers side. they ride decent with a little bounce to them, the fronts with sens-a-tracs ride really smooth with new bushings up front.

beach · 11-02-2010, 01:50 PM

I have Reflex's in front and Monroe Max-Airs in the rear, that fixed the sag and the rear shocks are adjustable. Drives great, or about as good as a 2nd gen truck will ever drive, still an outdated truck frame and live axle, never gonna drive or handle like new trucks that still have a live axle.

05-05-2010, 07:44 PM	#1
94xlt4x4 Wannabe Elite Explorer Mertztown, PA 2000 XLT 5.0 AWD Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 319 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Shock Recommendation? Hey guys, looking for some opinions here.. It's time to replace the shocks on my 2000. Handling and ride quality have been steadily declining and the D/S rear looks like it's leaking, so I know where some of my tax return is going this year. I will also probably replace the '5th shock' in the rear. I know there's much debate as to whether or not it actually does anything, but it's not that expensive, and I plan on keeping the truck for a long time. I'm looking for a recommendation on replacements. I've always used Monroes, but the last set I put on here haven't lasted all that long, and I was never all that happy with them. I'm looking for a bit firmer shock, as I drive the truck pretty hard - handling is more important to me than ride quality. I'm also looking to maybe help level out the rear - I've installed an add-a-leaf, but it still sags some. I'm trying to keep the price at or around the $50/shock mark. I had looked at the KYB MonoMax, which seemed like it could be a good choice. I was also looking at the Rancho RS5000s, as well as Monroe SensaTracs (the rears have integrated springs, which I'm thinking may help to level out the rear?). Gabriel Load Carriers also have the integrated springs, so they're on the list as well. Any personal experience with any of these? Good, bad, indifferent? Thanks in advance! __________________ 2000 XLT 5.0 AWD. 143k miles. MAF adapter & cone filter. Custom Flowmaster 40 dual in/single out. 2.5" Dynomax tailpipe. Pro Comp AAL. Resonator delete. Rear cat delete. Pioneer Premier DEH-P360. Pioneer 6x8" in doors. Kicker C8 in stock Mach sub box. 16" OEM alloys - sanded/polished/painted/re-cleared, 255/70R16 General Grabber AT2s Last edited by 94xlt4x4; 05-05-2010 at 08:18 PM.

05-05-2010, 09:15 PM	#3
toypaseo Flunked daycare outside shovelling snow ................ 96 XLT ™ Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 5,306 Vehicle Specs	If you opt for the KYB's, Amazon might be offering 30% off using code VIPSKYBS ... __________________ Kent - 1996 XLT - Hypertech Programmer, Gibson Catback, K&N FIPK, Alpine V12 MRV-100M, 8" round 2ohm Kicker Solobaric 1992 Toyota Paseo - Tein Super Street coilovers, Whiteline swaybars 22MM(F) 20MM(R), Prothane endlinks & mounts, VVR poly control arm bushings, K&N drop-in, Dynomax Ultraflo, Gibson stainless tip, Pirelli Winter Carving Edge(F) Kumho HP4 716(R) on steelies

05-06-2010, 08:23 AM	#7
Turdle Old and in the way Humboldt, Kansas 2000 Mounty Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 23,739 Vehicle Specs	If you stay on the street the edelbrock IAS are very good, and have a pretty good warranty. You will notice the handling difference. __________________ Jon 2000 Mountaineer Turdle-gone Vitamin D Wagon Sold also

05-06-2010, 09:14 PM	#10
corkey Elite Canuck, Eh ?? In the Great White North where winter never seems to end ,Ontario,, still ice fishing,, 96xl,99xls,old Rangers Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 5,442 Vehicle Specs	there, http://www.foxracingshox.com/offroad/shocks/oe and call that done, __________________ Log Roller,, Fox Coilovers 35's and others, , Truck of the month Ranger Of Danger,,,project truck, also look for Blues Traveller Elite registry, ,

05-07-2010, 07:35 AM	#11
94xlt4x4 Wannabe Elite Explorer Mertztown, PA 2000 XLT 5.0 AWD Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 319 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Thanks for the suggestions so far! Should have mentioned, I'm mostly on-road. Joe Dirt, I'm leaning towards those Monroes for the front, and the sprung SensaTracs in the rear. Turdle, I will check into those Edelbrock IAS's. Thanks again, keep 'em coming! __________________ 2000 XLT 5.0 AWD. 143k miles. MAF adapter & cone filter. Custom Flowmaster 40 dual in/single out. 2.5" Dynomax tailpipe. Pro Comp AAL. Resonator delete. Rear cat delete. Pioneer Premier DEH-P360. Pioneer 6x8" in doors. Kicker C8 in stock Mach sub box. 16" OEM alloys - sanded/polished/painted/re-cleared, 255/70R16 General Grabber AT2s

05-05-2010, 08:09 PM	#2
gtyates Wannabe Elite Explorer Goodlettsville Tennessee '04 XLT & '05 Sport Trac Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 357 Vehicle Specs	I have Monroe Reflex on my '96. Very pleased with ride/handling.

05-06-2010, 08:26 AM	#8
my98nnj Wannabe Elite Explorer Boonton, New Jersey 1998 XLT Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,293 Vehicle Specs	KYB GR2's ride very firm, a lot less body roll. If your looking for handling, consider them.

05-06-2010, 09:07 PM	#9
justinf89 Wannabe Elite Explorer Virginia Beach, VA '97 xlt 4x4 Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 126 Vehicle Specs	Ha, I just put on a set of monroe LT's, ya know, the nice yellow ones

05-07-2010, 11:15 AM	#14
beach Wannabe Elite Explorer south florida Mountaineer Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 325 Vehicle Specs	I absolutely hated the Edelbrock IAS shocks, and I tried two sets, horrible shocks and you can search see people say the samething not just for Explorers but for other vehicles as well. Monroe Reflex shocks were waaaaaay better, better ride, better control etc.

08-21-2010, 07:41 PM	#15
94xlt4x4 Wannabe Elite Explorer Mertztown, PA 2000 XLT 5.0 AWD Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 319 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Follow-up on an old thread - I ended up going with the Monroe Reflex up front and load-leveling Sensa-Trac in the back (seeing how bad she sagged with the back loaded up made this an easy decision). I'll follow up once they arrive and I get them installed! __________________ 2000 XLT 5.0 AWD. 143k miles. MAF adapter & cone filter. Custom Flowmaster 40 dual in/single out. 2.5" Dynomax tailpipe. Pro Comp AAL. Resonator delete. Rear cat delete. Pioneer Premier DEH-P360. Pioneer 6x8" in doors. Kicker C8 in stock Mach sub box. 16" OEM alloys - sanded/polished/painted/re-cleared, 255/70R16 General Grabber AT2s

11-01-2010, 07:05 PM	#18
swetrid Wannabe Elite Explorer Reading Pa 2001 Eddie Bauer Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,883 Vehicle Specs	Kyb gr2 definitely. __________________ Resident Ford Tech for the last 17 years, 2001 Eddie Bauer 5.0L, Cherry Bomb Cat back, 2010 Ecoboost Flex

11-02-2010, 12:26 AM	#19
eazyasone23 Wannabe Elite Explorer Effort, PA 99 XLT Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 83 Vehicle Specs	i have the sens-a-tracs with the spring on the rears and it made my rear an 1-1.5 inches higher than my front plus leveled the sag on the drivers side. they ride decent with a little bounce to them, the fronts with sens-a-tracs ride really smooth with new bushings up front.

11-02-2010, 01:50 PM	#20
beach Wannabe Elite Explorer south florida Mountaineer Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 325 Vehicle Specs	I have Reflex's in front and Monroe Max-Airs in the rear, that fixed the sag and the rear shocks are adjustable. Drives great, or about as good as a 2nd gen truck will ever drive, still an outdated truck frame and live axle, never gonna drive or handle like new trucks that still have a live axle.