2005 Explorer replacement shock suggestions

[alexofc69]

I am looking for shock suggestions for a 2005 Explorer XLT 4.0 with 87k miles. I purchased 2.5 years ago with 20k mi.
The stock ride has always seemed a little stiff to me. I just put a new set of Yokohama Geolandar HT-S on and seem s a little smoother. I run Bilsteins on all of my other vehicles, but they dont make them for the Explorer.
Any suggestions?

 

[EasyRhino]

Don't know the answer, with 90K on my '02 Limited, I am looking at replacements as well.

But I will give your thread the bump.

 

[lilwolfgirl]

Same here...looking for shock suggestions for all the way around. 2002 Ford Explorer Sport with 85K miles. Thanks all!

 

[EasyRhino]

I'll add a few specifics to my case: No lift and not lowered, no towing, very rarely carries a heavy load. Never go off-road. Need shocks that help with the poor roads (tons of pot holes and washboard surfaces) over here.

 

[jrford]

I can add a little. Mine was a stock '04 (stock tires too) blown strut somewhere. Could feel the paint on the road in the seat and steering wheel.

on the replacements Struts i went with OEM only thing available at the time for the fronts - they are firm/stiff but at 25k mi they are still strong, truck rolls flat in corners, rough roads, washboards, good solid truck ride with the stock tires. If it wasn't for the 'special' I would have gone with Monroe SensaTrac (about the same price), i have had them on two jeeps, over 150k mi combined (highway, street, two tracks, trails) and still great; soft ride, yet stable on rough roads.
Jim

 

[E.B. Cornburner]

I am looking for shock suggestions for a 2005 Explorer XLT 4.0 with 87k miles. I purchased 2.5 years ago with 20k mi.
The stock ride has always seemed a little stiff to me. I just put a new set of Yokohama Geolandar HT-S on and seem s a little smoother. I run Bilsteins on all of my other vehicles, but they dont make them for the Explorer.
Any suggestions?

With that low of miles, leave them alone. Mine still rides fine (though a little stiff) at 94k with the original shocks (er, struts?) on it. These vehicles do ride quite stiff for a IFS/IRS setup. I just chalked it up to being the nature of the beast.

Monroe makes some replacements for our vehicles, but since they're kind of a PITA to change, and I can't see them improving ride quality much, if at all, I'm going to leave mine alone till they fail.

Bilstein or KYB would be a great choice if they existed, but unfortunately they don't. I think Gabriel makes some, but they're not even as good as Monroes, IMHO.

 

[ArcticGabe]

I just had Monroe Sensa-Trac shocks put on at all 4 corners, and it mad a big improvement over the well worn stockers after 75k miles.

I did the fronts myself, but the rears were a PITA, so I took it in for those.

 

[Donner]

I have KYBs on the front end, and soon for the rear - smooth as silk!

 

[gforceman]

will i get a better ride from KYB`s or Monroes i have monroes in the front and i do not like them i get a bouncy ride in the front even tho i know monroes have a fitting problem with the 03`s . didnt replace the rears as of yet

 

[rogerh]

If yours is still on the stockers with anything over 80k. I think it's safe to say that anything will be an improvement. I didn't even realize that mine were worn until I installed new ones. I just went with KYBs, IIRC. I'm happy with them. Nice plush ride.

 

[Thelt]

I have 120k on mine and I have not noticed a poor ride quality. Of course I might tell a big difference if I replaced them. It had over 80k on it when I bought it so they may have already been worn out.

 

[Donner]

KYBs are terrific! There are many brands, but I chose KYBs.... you might want to look into other brands also, I just think KYBs do their job well

And oem struts are a good way to go also.

 

[gforceman]

will i get a firmer ride from KYB`s sheese as of now with monroes in front and old stockers in back my ride rolls and bounces all over the road kinda scary . and i have a set of 4 NEW bfgoodriches .

anyone know where i can get a set of 4 for a decent price , ??

 

[Donner]

You'll like the KYBs, I think. My body is too "mature" to be bounced around by soft or poor shocks/struts. I only have fronts, which I got from CarQuest (CA). I reeaaly do think Mons are smooth, but they don't fit the vehicle for some reason (fitment issue).

I only know:
1. OEM
2. Monroe (by Tenneco)
3. KYB
4. Rancho QL (by Tenneco)

 

[Capt'n Morgan]

I am looking for shock suggestions for a 2005 Explorer XLT 4.0 with 87k miles. I purchased 2.5 years ago with 20k mi.
The stock ride has always seemed a little stiff to me. I just put a new set of Yokohama Geolandar HT-S on and seem s a little smoother. I run Bilsteins on all of my other vehicles, but they dont make them for the Explorer.
Any suggestions?

Any update on what you ended up using, alex?
I have a very similar situation except I haven't change the rubber and my limited has 71,000 miles on it. But it does feel every bump.