Need shock reference

[jremington59]

I've been going through my 97 explorer 5.0 XLT AWD and have gotten to the shocks. I'm clueless what to buy. I prefer something with a nice road ride as I do very little off roading.

I have 16 in Continental Contitrac tires on aluminum rims. What do you guys use and how do you like them? I'm not looking to go cheap but don't need the best on the market.... At least I don't think I do, lol.

 

[Brandon96]

1 vote for Bilsteins!

 

[jremington59]

1 vote for Bilsteins!

Do you have these?

 

[Joe Dirt]

I've had both the Monroe SensaTrac and Reflex on my Ex's, as well as Superlift shocks on my current one. I know people that had Bilsteins on their Explorers, and I rode in one of them quite a bit. Of all of them, the SensaTrac is too tippy. The Superlift shocks aren't bad, but I think they're more specialized. The Bilsteins were ok, but they were too firm riding for me and too expensive for what they were, for a DD Ex, IMHO. Of all of them, for a DD, I'd put Reflex shocks on there. They're not expensive, and the valving is more set up for a top-heavy SUV, and a few evasive maneuvers on the highway proved they handled very well. If I was buying shocks, that's what I would buy without question.

Purely my own opinion though. I do think Brandon has the Bilsteins...

 

[jremington59]

Thx for the replies..

What's your opinion of the Gabriel Hijackers air adjustable shocks? Would they be to stiff for a daily driver?

 

[Joe Dirt]

I don't have any experience with them, I do know some guys use Monroe air shocks in the back, and regular gas in the front. Mainly for towing though...

 

[ranger7ltr]

I run KYB GR-2 shocks on my Sport...

And it sees 99.9% asphalt...The ride is firm but compliant...Handling is tight and road imperfections are dealt with firmly yet under control...

I replaced them 2 yrs ago and I feel they are in great shape still...I check them for leaks monthly and do a bounce test as well to see if any one of them is losing its control and so far, after 30k miles, they are as good as they were new...

I will replace them with another set of GR-2s when these go bad...

BTW I used air shocks on the rear of my Ranger and while I used air to raise or lower the rear i always felt the rear of the truck was a little on the squirrelly side...Just a little loose for me..