L
Longs
Not wanting to spend $69+ on Edelbrocks for my '93 Explorer, I began a search for the Monroe Sensatrac or equivalent. I ended up with a set of Monroe Gasmatic Plus shocks for $34.99 each. They are sold as a private label version of the Sensatrac, and they carry the same Part Numbers (17000 series is the Sensatrac, according to Monroe's web page). I had received a quote of $36.81 each for the Sensatracs from Shock Warehouse, and the local Napa stores wanted $42 each for their private-label version.
The new shocks improved the ride of my Explorer pretty substantially. The side-to-side rocking going over curbs, etc. was almost completely eliminated, and the ride is smooth, although I wouldn't say it's car-like, as people say with the Edelbrocks. I assume that I'd get more improvement by replacing RA bushings, which are due at 69,000 miles, and sway bar bushings, which looked a little dry and loose. The old shocks didn't show any signs of leakage, but they were easier to extend and compress than the new Monroes are.
The install did not take only 1-1/2 hours, as some have stated here. I probably had 3-1/2 to 4 hours in replacing all four shocks (no air tools used). Rear probably took 2 to 2-1/2 hours, front about 1-1/2 hours.
I didn't jack up the rear but did drop the spare. Having the 18mm socket for the rear lower bolts is key. I had to heat the lower rear bolts to get the bolts free from the shock sleeve after getting the nuts off. That was the most time consuming part of the rear changeover.
The fronts were pretty easy, except that it's tough to get a 15mm socket over the passenger side upper bolt with the wheelwell liner positioned as it is. I can't imagine doing the fronts with the wheels on the vehicle though. It's just easier to pull the wheels than to try and work around them.
Overall, I'm pretty satisfied with the results for the price.
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"Whoever said you can't fool all of the people all of the time, was a damn fool" Vince McMahon, 1999
The new shocks improved the ride of my Explorer pretty substantially. The side-to-side rocking going over curbs, etc. was almost completely eliminated, and the ride is smooth, although I wouldn't say it's car-like, as people say with the Edelbrocks. I assume that I'd get more improvement by replacing RA bushings, which are due at 69,000 miles, and sway bar bushings, which looked a little dry and loose. The old shocks didn't show any signs of leakage, but they were easier to extend and compress than the new Monroes are.
The install did not take only 1-1/2 hours, as some have stated here. I probably had 3-1/2 to 4 hours in replacing all four shocks (no air tools used). Rear probably took 2 to 2-1/2 hours, front about 1-1/2 hours.
I didn't jack up the rear but did drop the spare. Having the 18mm socket for the rear lower bolts is key. I had to heat the lower rear bolts to get the bolts free from the shock sleeve after getting the nuts off. That was the most time consuming part of the rear changeover.
The fronts were pretty easy, except that it's tough to get a 15mm socket over the passenger side upper bolt with the wheelwell liner positioned as it is. I can't imagine doing the fronts with the wheels on the vehicle though. It's just easier to pull the wheels than to try and work around them.
Overall, I'm pretty satisfied with the results for the price.
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"Whoever said you can't fool all of the people all of the time, was a damn fool" Vince McMahon, 1999
