Gabriel heavy-duty shocks with overload springs

[sdriza]

Just thought I'd post some pics of my old mountaineer in case someone is on the fence about these gabriel spring shocks. I figured after 180K it was about time to replace the factory shocks and came across these shocks at jcwhitney (and found them for $40 less at autozone later....). They restored a nice, more aggressive stance to the car.

 

[slackgt]

wow! Thats a big difference!

 

[sdriza]

Thanks

Thanks - it made much more difference than I expected. This is a weekend car, but it has served me well and rather than unload, I'm going to slowly start bringing it back to life. Lots of good weekend projects ahead.

 

[BubbaFL]

Very nice! I just ordered a set of the Monroe shocks with coil springs today, we'll see how they work out.

 

[storlied]

Careful, you don't want your shock to take the load the springs are supposed to take.. the mounts aren't heavy duty and aren't meant for full weight. Nice shocks though. Get new leaf springs next.

 

[SoNic67]

How is the ride? I was looking to those (or Monroe load ones) to replace the Monroe Sensatrac that I have now - I think that the leaf springs are too harsh even with good shocks and the springs might help the ride.

 

[BubbaFL]

Careful, you don't want your shock to take the load the springs are supposed to take.. the mounts aren't heavy duty and aren't meant for full weight. Nice shocks though. Get new leaf springs next.

I thought about that - but as far as I can tell, the spring plates / shock mounts for air ride and non-air-ride Ex's are the same, so it shouldn't be an issue.

 

[sdriza]

Careful, you don't want your shock to take the load the springs are supposed to take.. the mounts aren't heavy duty and aren't meant for full weight. Nice shocks though. Get new leaf springs next.

Thanks for the heads up. I was thinking about going the "leaf helper" route... At least at this point (unless I hear some terrible things about them)?

How is the ride? I was looking to those (or Monroe load ones) to replace the Monroe Sensatrac that I have now - I think that the leaf springs are too harsh even with good shocks and the springs might help the ride.

I haven't driven it enough to give you a complete review yet, but after ~60 or so miles, I'd say it's firm, but not too stiff. It's a night and day difference over the dead shocks that were in there (kids liked the bouncing, but it made the dogs sick), but I still have to do the fronts and the axle damper, so I'm hoping for much more all around improvement. I wouldn't hesitate to go this route again if I had to do it all over.