Ok, Don't laugh....I'm scheduled to have my new tires put on Friday, so I'm wondering

[plance1]

Im having my mechanic do the Torsion Twist for me and while he's got the wheels off I'm thinking, while he's there, maybe I should have him put on new shocks???????

My truck's got 135,000 miles on it. I don't sense there is anything particularly wrong with the current shocks but from the posts I read people rave about replacing the stock ones....

Its a slippery slope I'm on, next thing ya know I'm going to want to replace bushings, bearings, ball joints, etc, etc.

 

[01STrunner]

You will be amazed how much better it will ride with new shocks. If you still have the originals on there, you'll probably even gain another inch of lift overall.

 

[obie]

If you offroad at all, the Rancho RS5374 shocks are excellent. Lots of people say you don't need new shocks for a TT, but these make such a huge difference in ride quality that I'm gonna plug them wherever I can to help people out. They're still stiffer than stock, but they aren't harsh and jarring at all. They do pretty well on the street, too.

The full review can be found here: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=388725

Also, Rancho RS9000s in the rear are amazing. Just installed mine last week and set them to 3 and both those shocks made my truck ride so amazing I can't believe it's the same vehicle. Well, doesn't hurt that I just replaced all four control arms too

 

[plance1]

Ok, Im embarrassed but there are 4 shocks on this truck right? i don't think I can afford the more expensive ones and I really don't go offroad but I don't want it to be "floaty" around turns.

 

[GRNMACHINE]

Agreed 4 new shocks will improve your ride. 135,000 is pretty good for stock shocks! Replaced all mine twice already.

 

[plance1]

The reason why I asked is because it was dark but I looked in to the front wheel area and what I thought I saw was a strut, which didn't make any sense.

 

[Boshka]

If Friday was not just a few days off. I would suggest going to RockAuto and getting your shocks. I would still suggest getting them there if you can have them done later.

I just replaced mine 4 weeks ago at 139k mine also had originals on it. Big difference once they got put on. I put the KYB GR-2 on the front and gave the Gabriel MonoMax a shot in the rear as they are a bit stiffer and were on sale
Got all four for $124 plus shipping(minus discount code)

No matter which shocks you go with I'm sure after 140k miles you will see an improvement.

 

[colintrax]

You will be amazed how much better it will ride with new shocks. If you still have the originals on there, you'll probably even gain another inch of lift overall.

How would shocks lift his truck? Unless he gets lift shocks

 

[Trackerforsport]

How would shocks lift his truck? Unless he gets lift shocks

The new shocks will be stiffer and not as soft therefore raising the trucks because the shocks can support the load better.

 

[Trackerforsport]

K

 

[LONO100]

New shocks should be a must with 135on the clock, especially if those are still the stock ones still on your rig. You might now think you need them because you've always been on those old crap stock shocks, but once you get new ones you will be just as happy that you got the new shocks as you are about the new tires. Forget off road, in the road new shocks will make all the difference. No more turning that feels like a boat, no more swaying back and forth, and the handling will be much more responsive, which is critical in wet weather. Oh yeah, and they will make off roaring a much better experience. Try to find a coupon for a set of rancho rs5000s, Monroe sensatracs are pretty popular and if you need to go cheaper, try the pro comp es 1000s. A set of those will be at least 80 bucks cheaper than the shocks previously mentioned. Just bite the bullet, you will be patting yourself on the back after you feel the difference.

 

[Maniak]

The new shocks will be stiffer and not as soft therefore raising the trucks because the shocks can support the load better.

Shocks, aka Shock Dampeners do not support the weight of the vehicle.

They do make lift shocks which have a spring too but the spring is what is lifting the vehicle. The same is for Struts.. The Spring portion of the strut assembly holds the weight of the vehicle. Air shocks are the exception this this but they aren't a normal shock.

In short... All a shock does is stop the osolation of the spring and the spring is what is typically holding the weight of the vehicle.

~Mark

 

[Trackerforsport]

Shocks, aka Shock Dampeners do not support the weight of the vehicle.

They do make lift shocks which have a spring too but the spring is what is lifting the vehicle. The same is for Struts.. The Spring portion of the strut assembly holds the weight of the vehicle. Air shocks are the exception this this but they aren't a normal shock.

In short... All a shock does is stop the osolation of the spring and the spring is what is typically holding the weight of the vehicle.

~Mark

Sorry but I just replaced mine at 166k and wow did it make a difference I went with a cheap option because I lost my job and can't afford the expensive ones but I went with "everybody's going to hate me for this one " Gabriel guardians from autozone they were only 20$ a piece so I couldn't pass it up

 

[Maniak]

Shocks that work do make a difference, they just dont lift a vehicle.

As for cheap shocks. Thats still better than bad shocks.

~Mark

 

[Trackerforsport]

You got that right

 

[01STrunner]

The new shocks will be stiffer and not as soft therefore raising the trucks because the shocks can support the load better.

This is my thought. I'm not saying its a way to loft a vehicle because they aren't. All I know is when I went from my crapped out OEMs to Sensa Tracs I gained around an inch up front. They don't hold the weight of the vehicle but they do have a little resistance to downward motion. It was definitely the shock because that was several years before I started any modifications to the truck.

 

[Trackerforsport]

This is my thought. I'm not saying its a way to loft a vehicle because they aren't. All I know is when I went from my crapped out OEMs to Sensa Tracs I gained around an inch up front. They don't hold the weight of the vehicle but they do have a little resistance to downward motion. It was definitely the shock because that was several years before I started any modifications to the truck.

What actually holds the are truck up in the front is it the torsion bars and keys

 

[01STrunner]

What actually holds the are truck up in the front is it the torsion bars and keys

Yes. Torsion bars are springs like leaf springs except they are a solid twisting bar and the torsional spring rate is what gives it stiffness. Which is why they have the torsion keys and why tightening will lift the truck and lossening will lower it.