Monroe Reflex Shocks

[Moron]

OK. I really wanted the Edelbrocks but I'm retired with two kids in college and another in private school so I've got to watch how I spend the dollars. Checking around town, everybody wanted $40-$45 for the Monroe Reflex shocks but I found them at Wrenchead.com for $30 and some change so I figured, what the hey? For far less than half the cost of the Edelbrocks, I'd try them. (Wrenchead didn't list these shocks by application, rather I used the Monroe website to get the shock numbers and then did a search at Wrenchead.com for those numbers). Anyway, total for all four shocks with shipping was about $129 and I got them in three days.
**So far: The Reflex shocks replaced two-year-old over the counter Ford OEM shocks and are a HUGE improvement--better tire-to-road contact at slower speeds, greatly increased slow-speed (around town) cornering, great highway cruising feel with no lane-change "wash" at high speeds and ability to exit from one freeway to another without having to kill the cruise, and all around better feel for the road with greatly reduced sway. There is a slightly harsher ride over stock in the 20-40 mph range but who drives that slowly (except in neighborhoods and school zones)?
**Satisfaction after two weeks: Highly satisfied.
**Future: I'll let you know in six months if these shocks are still performing as well.
Wish me luck

 

[Moron]

It's what my wife calls me. What kind of a name is "Gimp"?

 

[Ru Dawg]

Hey Moron, welcome to the site. Glad you like the Reflex's, I was thinking about getting them myself. The reason I don't want them now is 'cause I've heard the are actually shorter than stock length, can you confirm/deny that info?

 

[Ru Dawg]

BTW...Rick would get upset if I posted all the names my wife calls me! LOL!

 

[Moron]

Hi, Ru Dawg.
I've been called lots worse by my wife, too.
The Reflex shocks, both front and rear, were the same compressed length and extended length as the Ford shocks. They were a hair larger in diameter and heavier than the Ford shocks, too.
For my 94 (2WD,) the part numbers were 911015 (front) and 911035 (rear). Hope this helps.
Moron

 

[2001ExpSport]

I've had the Relfex shocks for about 4 months now and also been through some tough trails. So far they are as good as new. They work and handle great. Excellent choice moron!(I never thought I would use excellent and moron in the same sentence)

 

[Big Al]

Originally posted by Moron
OK. I really wanted the Edelbrocks but I'm retired with two kids in college and another in private school so I've got to watch how I spend the dollars. Checking around town, everybody wanted $40-$45 for the Monroe Reflex shocks but I found them at Wrenchead.com for $30 and some change so I figured, what the hey? For far less than half the cost of the Edelbrocks, I'd try them. (Wrenchead didn't list these shocks by application, rather I used the Monroe website to get the shock numbers and then did a search at Wrenchead.com for those numbers). Anyway, total for all four shocks with shipping was about $129 and I got them in three days.
**So far: The Reflex shocks replaced two-year-old over the counter Ford OEM shocks and are a HUGE improvement--better tire-to-road contact at slower speeds, greatly increased slow-speed (around town) cornering, great highway cruising feel with no lane-change "wash" at high speeds and ability to exit from one freeway to another without having to kill the cruise, and all around better feel for the road with greatly reduced sway. There is a slightly harsher ride over stock in the 20-40 mph range but who drives that slowly (except in neighborhoods and school zones)?
**Satisfaction after two weeks: Highly satisfied.
**Future: I'll let you know in six months if these shocks are still performing as well.
Wish me luck

Hey 'Moron' ,

First , glad I'm not married and getting great nicknames.
I put Gabriel VST on my 94 . The old shocks were OEM and pretty much rusted out and shot so I can't compare to original performance . The Gabriels seem OK .Have had them on for a year. Cheap though at $25 at JC Whitney. They were beefier than the OE ones- 1 3/8 '' dia. Super heavy duty.

 

[Big Al]

Originally posted by Gimp
I had wondered about those Gabriel VST shocks and if they were any good for a "street" Explorer. I don't need new shocks yet so I'm interested in hearing the long-term results of the Reflex shocks and the VST shocks (since they are so much less expensive).

Gimp,

After a year of street driving I have no complaints with the Gabriels. They cetainly won't let you bottom if you bounce off a sidewalk curb. Do some driving on rough gravel roads as well and they seem to hold up well. I had Monroe Sensa Tracs on my old Bronco ll( an 84 ) and that beast beat out those shocks in 2 years. Never improved the ride much either. The Gabriels are lifetime warrantied. However they are so beefy, I don't see how regular street driving could burn them out. A friend recently had them installed on his '91 Pathfinder. He will abuse them on road and off.
Recently I put Michelin L/T MS tires on ( through the recall ) That has improved the ride significantly over the Firestone ATX's I put on a year ago.
JC Whitney also sells Heckethorn for $30 a piece ( + $4 for the boot ) . Same ride control description.
I'm new to the board and have only owned the Exploder for 13 months. However I went through hell with the Bronco so I'm plenty familiar with Ford's ' quality is job 1 ' crapola.

 

[hunter]

reflex

Hey Moron, I just installed a set of reflex's myself a couple of days ago. They seemed a little firm at first, but I guess replacing five year old shock, anything would seem firm. Anyway, I'm used to them now and very happy with the change in handling. It will be interesting in comparing notes a few months from now since we both installed around the sametime.

 

[Moron]

Originally posted by Moron
**Future: I'll let you know in six months if these shocks are still performing as well.

Six months later these shocks are performing like the day they came out of the box. I am still v-e-r-y satisfied with the Reflex shocks.

 

[hunter]

reflex shocks

The man knows his shocks!.... Gotta agree, these are far superior to the stock. Great ride, great handling

 

[idrojdpj]

Monroe Shocks

I put the Reflex shocks on my '97 about 8 months ago...Best thing I have ever done (so far) to my truck. Handling has been great, ride is comfortable and smooth. Stock shocks can't even come close to these, I also checked into the Edlbrocks and Rancho shocks, they were just too exspensive for me. Thumbs up for the Reflex.

 

[guggy]

REFLEX !!!!

I just installed Monroe REFLEX shocks all around in my 98 limited and i saw a HUGH difference in the ride and overall control !! My truck has 159,000 kms and i had the stockers still on till last week ..

Anyways for anyone wanting shocks go REFLEX !!!

P.S Thanks to everyone on this site for helping me chose these shocks I love them !!

 

[Bryan Hartman]

Had sensatracs they were like riding with no shocks at all. The new reflex are better and they definitely take away the lean when turning but they seem like the softer ride i had when i put them on is going away . the ride is rough again

 

[PLRBEAR]

That's what i heard too. The Sensatracs were said to be crap. The Reflexs are supposed to be the improved version of them. I just installed a set of the Reflexs about 1 month ago, and i LURV them to death! Best damn things i ever spent on the truck. My stockers were on the truck till then, and it had 193,000kms.