Front shocks

[pfeffer1728]

Hey all, I've been searching around and I'm looking for anyone who has replaced their front shocks with something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Monroe-58628-Sensa-Trac-Adjusting-Absorber/dp/B000C53RZI/ref=pd_sbs_auto6

I'm thinking/hoping they will improve my currently devastating ride quality.

Now, they don't currently make these for explorer fronts, BUT I'm confident there is a size out there that will fit.

Does anyone know what the stock length of the front shocks should be?

 

[Dono]

Im betting these will make for a very harsh ride. You will have the springs + torsion bars. Lots of 'spring' not allowing the suspension to comress very easily.

Subscribing, seeing what others with more experience say.

 

[firepop5]

There isn't enough room in the front suspension for shocks that big. I recently changed all four shocks on my 96AWD. I used the shocks you listed on the rear and a compatible Monroe on the fronts. The new front shocks are a little heavier duty than the old ones having a larger diameter. However, the larger diameter may cause a problem. When installing the new front shocks, I noticed the clamp that holds the bellows on the outer CV joint was awfully close to making contact with the shock on every rotation of the axle. After driving a few days, I decided to take another look. I found the clamp was indeed hitting the shock on every revolution very slightly. It was enough to scratch the paint off the shock and cause a little abrasion on the metal body of the shock. My solution was to crush down the clamp with a hammer. This created a few millimeters of clearance and the problem seems to be solved.

I would think anything as massive as the shocks you want to use would never fit.

 

[pfeffer1728]

I don't think diameter is a problem just the length

 

[SoNic67]

Use Monroe Sensatrac or KYB Gas-A-Just... they will improve the ride from the OE shocks.
I have Monroe Sensatrac on front and KYB Gas-A-Just on rear. Plus a new Monroe Magnum 5-th shock.

 

[Hartman]

You do not want to use these on the front even if you found a length that fit. They would essentially make your front end solid. They are fine to use out back though.

 

[pfeffer1728]

well. i was hoping these could give my torsion bars some help, cause they are terrible. i guess not.

 

[J_C]

Agreed, another spring is only going to improve overall ride quality of there was substantial extra weight in the front. I noticed you were also thinking about struts, that your torsion bars don't seem to keep the vehicle high enough on bumps.

It would seem the vehicle height needs raised a little bit, and if your current shocks are old, replacement with normal shocks should be sufficient.

If you make the front end too stiff your tires will lose contact with the road more often in addition to a bumpy ride. If the torsion bars are truly worn out in some way which I doubt, or part of their mounting has broken, fixing that would be better than coil-over shocks.

 

[gavin]

these would be sure to rub on your half-shafts, if you're 4WD.

and, as mentioned, make the ride absoultely terrible.

 

[Awsum97]

If u are looking for a great ride. Go to eshock.com and get itself some bilsteins. I just did and the ride is amazing. Like driving a Beamer. Firm but no dash rattles etc. Like a new car

 

[bobflood]

I put Monroe #37117 front/#37035 rear on my 2WD Explorer about 14 months ago and am very happy with them.