need new shocks

[jboroxpo]

I am putting new shocks on my '91 ,4 door and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on which brand i should use. i ride mostly on road with an occasional off road trip.

 

[Anime]

shocking experience

Theres quite a few options for shocks. What you choose should probably be based on what kind of ride your looking for (smooth and comfortable / firm and sporty) and of course, price.

Standard OE replacements are available from Monroe and Gabriel at auto parts stores. The Monroe Sensatracs are a good shock for the price and offer a good compromise of a decent ride and performance. The Monroe Reflex are their top of the line and are probably what you want for an easy-to-get sporty shock.

Theres a few other performance options from Rancho, Eldebrock, Tokico, and Bilstein. These shocks tend to ride firmer and can be somewhat more expensive, but for all-around control they are a great upgrade. You can get Rancho RS5000's at Sears, Bilsteins and Eldebrocks can usually be sourced through parts stores that sell their product lines, and Tokicos through performance shops. Online stores also sell most of these products at some good discount prices.

If you want a soft ride and aren't too concerned with performance, you can just go with one of the Monroe options from a local parts store and be done with it. If you didn't mind a firm ride and feeling some bumps, the Eldebrock IAS or Bilsteins are some of the best performing shocks there are for the Explorer.

 

[thewishkah]

kyb gas-a-just have them on my 94 and boy its it a comfy ride compared to before

 

[smiley1]

I use the edelbrock IAS and love them. I didnt notice if it was that much firmer than OEM, just handles SO much better. A little expensive but worth every penny.

 

[celly]

I went through this same decision making process a month or so ago and narrowed down between Monroe Sensatrac and Reflex. Found lots of great press on both models. Decided on the Reflex. Slightly firmer ride than the Sensatracs. My X was reborn when I put them on. Mind you, I had an EE swaybar installed at the same time. I highly recommend that upgrade in addition to shocks. My X handles so much better and almost too good. I find myself going into corners much faster than perhaps I should. My last car before the X was a Ford Contour SVT and I almost rolled the X a few times when I first got it because I was used to the SVT's cornering. They're still top heavy SUVs after all! (I have no plans to lower mine).

Anyhow, have a serious look at the Monroes. They're cheaper than a lot of the chi-chi brands and will serve you well I'm sure.

 

[dsfii93sport]

Silly question but do springs go bad? Is there ever a time to replace the springs too? Mine are all rusted, what about the seating the springs sits on?

 

[thewishkah]

yes springs go bad they havent in my ex but in my brothers jetta they have

 

[spta97]

I put in the Gabriel VSTs (also branded as "Ultras") from Autozone. They are not the best shock out there (I hear the Ranchero 9000s are) but at $100 for all 4 they are a great shock on a budget. I had only 30k on my 2000 and the shocks were shot already. Putting in the VSTs were a big improvement over my harsh ride. Handling seems better but ride harshness has gone down. I used to cringe whenever I saw a pot hole but now it doesn't bother me as much.

If you are looking for cheap, the Gabrial VSTs are the ticket.

 

[jboroxpo]

I've decided to go with the monroe reflex shocks for my explorer.ive done some research on them and they sound like they would do a really good job. Now the question is where can i get some for a decent price.