New Shocks

[BigJoe1094]

okay guys i know there are a THOUSAND threads on this but i just wanna be up to date i guess. My shocks are pretty much on their last leg so for X-Mas im going to ask for new ones so i was wondering what everybody thinks is the best shock? I have a 2000 mountie STOCK. only think i might do is WAR153s but not much else. its my daily driver and the only offroading she is gona see after the last dumbass stunt i pulled is a few dirt roads to get to my hunting spot. so basically its going to be on the street just about all the time.
so to sum it up what are the best shocks for about 60 a shock or less?

 

[shooterdude199]

Rancho rs5000s are common. They're stiffer but the ride is good. I had those on for a while with cranked torsion bars and rode fine. They're pretty good bang for your buck. If you wanna be a little bit more spendy you can get the bilstiens for like 20 bucks more. Ranchos are like 45 or so a piece. You can pick both up at O'Reilly's

 

[Mr. Truckles]

Ranchos are not bad but for 2nd gen explorers the best shocks I have found (at least for the rear anyway) are the Monroe "load adjusting" coilovers. They are really heavy duty shocks with a coil spring built into them that really helps out the sagging leaf springs that I know a lot of us have and gives the truck a much better stance.

But as far as any shock purchase goes ALWAYS CHECK THE BOXES 1ST! Shock companys always like to skimp out on the hardware...

 

[orbach]

How about the Edelbrock Performer IAS? I never had them but have been thinking about getting them as they are recommended by ExplorerExpress.

 

[masospaghetti]

My 2 cents

I put Reflex shocks on my 2000 Sport about 4 years ago, they are a lot stiffer than what was on there before (probably worn out stock shocks) with significantly less float, I still have to be careful going over speed bumps at an angle though unless I want to break my side glass with my head

 

[lounge lizard]

I have Gabriel high-jackers on the rear of my 97 ex. for about $100.00 it's not bad and you can adjust the air pressure to the ride you want.

 

[BigJoe1094]

Ranchos are not bad but for 2nd gen explorers the best shocks I have found (at least for the rear anyway) are the Monroe "load adjusting" coilovers. They are really heavy duty shocks with a coil spring built into them that really helps out the sagging leaf springs that I know a lot of us have and gives the truck a much better stance.

But as far as any shock purchase goes ALWAYS CHECK THE BOXES 1ST! Shock companys always like to skimp out on the hardware...

I'm probably going to go with the ranchos but can you link me to those Monroe's?

 

[Dutch_explorer]

I've just ordered the monroe load adjustible shocks. Like Mr. Truckles, i think they will help tp keep my X's butt up. I had replaced my stock airshocks with new OEM airshocks but after putting my homemade shackles on, I couldn't keep them inflated. After a couple heavy loads they gave up. So because I sometime's have heavy load in the back, my choice would be the monroe's.

 

[sjr033]

I to have been looking at shocks. I have narrowed it down to 3.
1. Bilstiens- cheapest place I found www.sockwarehouse.com
2. Monroe- Reflex- cheapest at www.rockauto.com (vendor of the this site)
3. Rancho RS5000- cheapest at www.rockauto.com

 

[SoNic67]

I have installed on rear Monroe Sensatrac and after a short time I replace them with KYB Gas-A-Just from this store. Used a coupon code for some 5% off and free shipping for orders past $100. Now they have one for 10% off...
The KYB are monotube, high pressure shocks (same as Bilsteins) and the difference in ride quality and cornering stability compared with regular low pressure dual-tubes is night and day.
I still have the Monroe in the garage, waste of money. The coilovers from Monroe have the same Sensatrac shocks, so I assume they are the give the same mushy and vague feeling.
If your rear is sagging, the leafs are the ones that need replacement, shocks with coilovers will stiffen the ride more and stress on the shock mounts.

 

[sport97]

I have the rancho rs5000s. I like them. The ride is firmed up but to me that is a good thing. It is more stable. Its a full frame 4x4 vehicle, it is not going to ride like a car, just don't expect a new shock to make it super smooth.

I bought mine online from advance auto with a 40% coupon (i think the code i used was ccabin) not sure if that price still beats rock autos w/ the forum discount code. Monroe and rancho both offer rebates from time to time. I waited around until they had a 50 dollar rebate on a set of 4.

BTW, the ranchos came with all the hardware and bushings and such needed. Depending on how rusty your lower shock bolt is on the rear, you may want to buy one of those, as that one is not included.

 

[deadernie]

I got the monroe sensa tracks on mine and was pretty happpy with them. When I bought my Ex in 2010 it had over 200K miles on the original shocks so the difference was night and day. Got them at sears for a good price and only $20 each installed. Didn't want to fight with 14 year old rusted on hardware outside in the cold. And they really had to work for that $20 on some of those bolts too.

 

[corkey]

i put the spring over Monroe's on my 99, to help with the sag
but be warned, if you do this you have to strengthen the cross member some as it was not designed to carry a bunch of weight,,

they helped and have a good ride

 

[orbach]

I still have the Monroe in the garage, waste of money.
...
If your rear is sagging, the leafs are the ones that need replacement, shocks with coilovers will stiffen the ride more and stress on the shock mounts.

I have 4 Monroe Sensatracs on and I agree it is not a very good shock for an Ex. My Ex is not saggingi n the back, at least not that you can see, but seems to lean a bit further on turns. So I am thinking of replacing the rear shocks with Edelbrocks and see how that goes. If I really like them I'll put them in the front too.

In case you haven't already, replace the sway bar bushings and endlinks both front and rear. I did mine in steps. First I installed the Sensatracs on all 4 wheels. Drove it for a while and replaced the front sway bar bushings and endlinks. The improvement was very noticeable. I then waited for a while to get 4 new tires (Kumoh KL61) and again drove around for a few weeks. The new tires of course made a big difference in the ride quality but I could feel the rear hitting bumps harder than the front. My mechanic told me the rear sway bar bushings were not bad and they felt OK to me but I went ahead and replaced them anyways. And boy, what a difference that made, much more than I expected. The whole car now rides almost like new.

My guess is to get a new car ride I will also have to replace all of the body mounts. But that runs about $800, parts and labor, and the ride is pretty good as it is, so I won't be doing this any time soon.

Sorry for the long story, lol, just wanted to share

PS. BTW, I don't load my car or tow anything and only drive onroad. So, as I understand it, the Edelbrocks may be good for me. If you offroad and/or carry heavy loads or tow they may not be the best shock for you. The Edelbrocks sell for about $85 at Amazon.

 

[SoNic67]

Those Edelbroks are just multistage valved, dual tube, low pressure shocks. And they did sell the suspension division:

We are pleased to announce the sale of our suspension product line to QA1. Founded in 1993, QA1 is the leader in performance shocks, rod ends and suspension components for motorsports, offering the most complete line of shock absorbers for the racing / performance market of any manufacturer. QA1 is also number one in rod ends for motorsports with over 5,000 part numbers and more than a million units sold annually.
This change will allow us to focus on our core product lines for high performance engine products - where it all started back in 1938. We will continue to develop exciting new products in the coming months and years. Thank you for your patience and continued support during this time of transition.

For less price go with a monotube (high pressure) and you will have the equivalent of infinite stage valving (due to the high pressure nitrogen cusion).
KYB (Gas-A-just, MonoMax), Gabriel (MaxControl), Bilstein (B6)...

 

[orbach]

Those are just multistage valved, dual tube, low pressure shocks.
For less price go with a monotube (high pressure) and you will have the equivalent of infinite stage valving ...

What is "infinite stage valving" and why is it good for regular on road driving, no loading, offroading or towing?

The reasons I chose Edelbrock are: ExplorerExpress recommends them, Edelbrock is a quality company, and I have read a few positive reviews on these shocks, how its dual valving works well to control lean on turns, where they "stiffen", while providing a softer resistance on bumps.

I'm looking for a smooth ride, not too stiff, not too soft, and thought Edelbrocks fit the bill. Same reason I went for the Kumoh KL61 tires, nice and quiet on pavement although not the best offroad tires.

 

[SoNic67]

It's a figure of speech. Gas compresses continuously, that's why I sayd "infinite valving" as opposed with 2...9 discrete stages on the other products with dual tubes.

 

[Steeda04SVT]

Great thread with good info. Been thinking of upgrading my suspension for a smoother ride.

 

[bobflood]

I put the Monroe Sensatracs all around (including the "fifth shock") 16 months ago and have been very happy with them. Truck sits level and rides pretty well; don't notice any excessive lean while cornering. Bigger problem with the ride is the cheap-a$$ tires (WRL Radial Owl) I have on it.

 

[El Duque]

I don't know if these things can ever have a good ride. I put a set of Bilsteins on my '99 XLT, it didn't help the ride at all! Still rides really rough.