edelbrock vs bilstein (again...)

[Awsum97]

i have edelbrock IAS shocks in my 97 5.0 awd xlt and have had them since i bought my car (bot used at 70k miles) now has 174k. i dont have the warranty anymore. i misplaced the receipt. i didnt really think i needed them as i thought u cud jsut trn them in for new ones like craftsman tools.

Anyway - I have these shocks and they are much better than the stock ones in my moms car (she has the same exact car). her shocks have been changed but they are , or are of stock grade. Her car has been very well cared for but it shudders like crazy over the littlest bump. i dont really think her car handles poorly around turns. My car definately handles bumps, potholes better than hers but it still shakes more than i wud like. I know there is a fine line b/t handling (stiff) and soft for potholes/bumps. Edelbrock says theirs do both and are therefore the best of both worlds.

Anyway the bushings are shot on mine and i need new ones whether its edelbrock or bilsteins (the 2 seem to be the best after what ive read - not interested in other ones). There was a great thread a couple of years ago:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums//showthread.php?t=221633

but then i read someone say that the bilsteins are way stiffer than the edelbrocks. if that is the case - i will get the EBs again. however if somehow the BSs have the handling qualities that the EBs have but are miraculously more forgiving on bumps etc. - then ill go w the BSs.

Can someone speak w certainty about the merits of both. preferably from experience.

I will not be doing any real offroading so I dont really care about that.


Thank you

 

[unclemeat]

I can only speak for the Bilstiens. They are a monotube design, which means they more efficiently disipate heat than a dual tube design. Heat is th enemy of a shocks performance. Heat build up causes the oil to boil and the shock to fade or basically stop working. If you drive on a washboard road to fast you can experience the phenomomem.
I have them on my Level II Ranger (stock) and on my 91 X (6-inch lift and 33s).

Bilstiens cost more than the Edlebrocks. How are your driving habits. Are they worth the extra cost? Have you experinced shock fade on your existing vehicle? IMO if you do not need the bilstiens, it would be a waste of money to get them. But if you do need them, they are the best suspension modification for the money. I personally would not say that bilstiens are stiff. A stock replacement shock should be valved to dampen at a rate similar to a stock shock.

 

[Brandon96]

Like unclemeat, I can only speak for the Bilstiens. I bought them for the monotube design and ruggedness so I could beat up on them offroad. If you plan to stay on road and stay at the stock height, and granny drive that Explorer : it would be hard for me to suggest the Bilstiens for you. BUT, they did dramatically reduce body roll and did do a miracle for me stability-wise at highway speeds, but I am lifted about 5.5" and have 33" tires. If you get them I'd be prepared for a firm ride, but by no means harsh.

 

[Awsum97]

ha! granny ride it uh brandon96? yeah thats about what this ex will do unfortunately. its my daily driver. not using this one for off-road. both you and unclemeat have lifts and maybe then have different needs i guess? i read about the EBs online and they also have that monotube design that unclemeat talks about.

it seems that the EBs and the BSs are almost the same. like i was saying - my mom has the same 97 5.0- AWD as i do but her car shudders over any little bump/ridge etc as she has stock-grade shocks. mine def is a lot better and the fact that i want to to be firm for handling but also not shudder like hers does over bumps its seems like this is best bet.

has anyone used both EBs and BSs for on-road only and can speak from experience about any perceived difference? all things being equal ill go w the US-made ones. but if BSs truly can handle both needs better then ill go w them.

thank you

 

[unclemeat]

Sounds like your moms X need some suspension work. Perhaps some of the bushings or ball joints are shot.

Shock absorbers are only intended to dampen spring ossilation. They are not going to cure any pre-existing suspension problems.

 

[Awsum97]

yeah maybe. what are ur guys thoughts on the "5th shock" thats attached to the middle of the rear axle in the 95/01 Exs? sounds like u dont need it as i read in an old string on this website that its worthless. that it actually hurt in articulation (again this may be an issue only be relevant to off-roaders) but im not sure what its benefits are for on-road. also sounds like if u get the 4 EBs or BS shocks- you dont need it bc they are so good on their own. i dont think i have one. but as i replace my EBs bc of the bushing issue - maybe i shud get a 5th shock if it helps? toughts? thanks

 

[ford99_1979]

I've had both Billsteins on a 2001 Ranger with 33's. It was great because the shocks reduced body roll and were 10x better than the stock shocks. They did ride rougher. I now have a 1996 explorer with the Edelbrock shocks and they were a vast improvement.

So if you are on the street mainly I would not hesitate to recommend the Edelbrocks.

Another example. My old man had a 1999 lightning, which came with Billsteins, and I put on Edelbrock shocks for him and it improved the ride in that vehicle also. The billsteins were certainly good but the Edelbrocks were better in our experience.

 

[Awsum97]

thats great info ford99_1979, so when u say the ride of the EBs was better than the BSs is it bc of better handling/less roll or more forgiveness over bumps. how wud u rate each shock on a scale of 1-5 (5 being best) on 1) handling and 2) bump forgiveness.

also what are ur thoughts on the "5th shock?" did you replace yours? do u think u need one? on the below eshocks.com page it looks like they offer one for the BSs and not one for the EBs. i just called them but they have left for the day:

http://www.eshocks.com/bil_veh3.asp?Model_Index=5Q61&Manf=All&SubChar=Q

appreciate the great insight. sounds like im leaning towards the EBs

 

[ford99_1979]

I found the EB were not as firm over most bumps when compared to the BS. Both were good for body roll.

On my ranger I always thought it was a birt too firm. could have been a combo of shocks and the Load D rated BFG AT's I had.

 

[SoNic67]

Just for highway use I think it is a little too much...
I have installed on mine four Monroe Sensa-Trac's and the ride is VERY smooth (for a SUV). For half of the price.
I didn't change the 5th shock on mine yet, but I am thinking that it might help.

 

[toypaseo]

If you opt for the IAS, I have a new pair of 3309's that I could sell you. PM me if interested. I was planning on using them someday, but who knows when I would actually get around to them.