Pro Ryder VST?

[rfexplorer]

Pep Boys has the Gabriel Pro ryder truck VST on special this month. 19.99 and FREE installation. Just wondering if upgrading to these shocks on my 98 Sport would give me a smoother ride? Anybody try the VST's?

 

[jjue]

Actually, I have a set of Gabriel Terrain Tamer LT (I guess similar to the Pro Ryder LT since I got mine at Auto Discount Parts. The chart on the wall there said one thing although the Terrain Tamer was sitting in its place. All the other shocks were as they were supposed to be.) with VST, and I think that they seem to be pretty good for $20 a piece. Talk about doing a whole truck for the price of 1 Edelbrock. Anyway, they are better than stock. I have done some offroading & a lot of highway driving with them, and they seem fine. Mississippi potholes are greatly exagerated; therefore, I didn't expect them to be super smooth here. However, on some of the light ruts & bumps, I almost don't feel a thing. Maybe the VST does work afterall.



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Jeffrey L. Jue
1997 Mountaineer V8 4x2

 

[AgExplorer]

Jeff,
Thank you for the feedback. Like RFExplorer, I am also considering the Gabriel VST's because of the price.

Anyone else out there using the Gabriels? We would appreciate your thoughts and opinions.

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AgExplorer
95 XLT 4X2 4.0L OHV
AMSOIL Synthetic Lubricants & Filters
NGK Platinum Plugs
Jacobs Electronics Wires

 

[bcorff]

I've got the Gabriel Pro Ryder VST's and they are great. I've had 'em for 20,000 miles. Sway and nose dive are virtually eliminated (the torsion bar lift helps out too, but I did that after 12,000 miles after the shocks) and they have eliminated the weird tire wear I was getting with the stock shocks. The inside tread on the front tires was wearing out twice as fast as the outside. Also, they perform very well off road, even goin' 50 mph over washboard, and haven't limited my travel even with 2" of lift. I can't compare them to the Rancho's or Edelbrocks because I've never had either, but the VST's are only $20 apiece and they work great. Also, there has been some speculation in other posts that the VST's are the same shock as the Edelbrocks, only under a different name. If this is true, what a steal and haha Dead Link Removed to all you IAS suckers. VST = IAS? Who knows, but for $20 apiece, go for it.

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Brian Corff
Dead Link Removed
"Beware the lollipop of mediocrity. Lick it once and you suck forever."

[This message has been edited by bcorff (edited 04-19-2000).]

 

[bcorff]

I forgot to mention that they also have a lifetime warranty.

 

[AgExplorer]

Thanks for the comments bcorff and Reb. Sounds like this may be the way to go. I'm looking for an improvement over the ride the stock shocks give. I don't do any offroading, I'm strictly highway.

Anyone else running with the Gabriel VST's?

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AgExplorer
95 XLT 4X2 4.0L OHV
AMSOIL Synthetic Lubricants & Filters
NGK Platinum Plugs
Jacobs Electronics Wires

 

[Pendarus]

I bought the Gabriels last week at PEP boys with the free install. Total $86.20. I love the ride as compared to the stock shocks. I did a bit of light off-roading this last weekend and found them to be very smooth across rough terrian. The VST valve is mounted in the top of the shock according to the picture on the display. The Edelbrock has the valve on the piston I believe. The look completely different on the outside too. The Gabriels look like a normal dual tube shock.

 

[Hank]

Hey,

In my area the fronts are 19.99 and the rears are 17.99. Free install on both. Will get them tonight and let you know.

hg

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'91 EB, 4dr, 2wd
www.grimmick.com
hank@grimmick.com

 

[rfexplorer]

Thanks for all of the replies. I decided to get the Pro ryder's probably this weekend. For $80 you can't go wrong.

 

[David S.]

I was looking at the VST shock as well. Then I saw the new Monroe shock. I ordered the Monroe Reflex for $38 a piece from carparts.com Total with shipping and the 33% off was $117. I will be putting them on this weekend. Easy job to do.

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Ogden, Utah
1992 XLT

[This message has been edited by David S. (edited 04-19-2000).]

 

[Tommy2000]

I paid about $20 for mine, and put them on last week-a huge improvement over stock. Wish I had known that Pep Boys had free install-the last one took me 2 hours to get off!

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93 Sport 4X4, 150k Mi, Llumar Metallic Tinted Windows, GTS Taillight Covers, Sony CD and Boston Acoustics drivers
Bosch +4's. Modified Airbox, Allied 8.5mm wires (Splitfire wires on order) 31x10.5's

 

[Reb]

I also have the gabriel Pro Ryder VST's. I haven't gone off road yet(very new to 4 wheeling)but as far as highway and around town they're great. I've only had my explorer for a little over a month now and was expecting a rough ride,but was very surprised at how smooth the ride is.

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Randy
92 EB 4x4 4dr Explorer
4.0 V6 EFI
K&N Drop-in filter
modified air box
Bosch 4+'s

 

[AgExplorer]

Hey guys, thanks for all the feedback. I'll be heading down to Pep Boys this weekend for the Gabriel VST's. I think the free install offer is good until May 6 for those interested.

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AgExplorer
95 XLT 4X2 4.0L OHV
AMSOIL Synthetic Lubricants & Filters
NGK Platinum Plugs
Jacobs Electronics Wires

 

[Hank]

It took an extra day but I finally was able to install the VST's this morning. Pep Boys was too busy to do it until the weekend.

So far here is my two cents:

1.Someone on a recent spark plug wire post made a comment which basically said that components wear out over time and until you change them you really do not notice how bad your car is running. (Not an exact quote but you get the idea) With that in mind, of course there is a dramatic improvement over the old shocks. This does not mean that I am jumping up and down with joy over the Gabriels and am going to be a Gabriel zellot but I can say that I am pleased.

2.There is a noticible improvement over the ride of the stock shocks. I no longer have that hobby horse ride and that side to side sway. The ride is firmer but not too harsh. Cornering is a bit nicer and I do not notice as much dive when braking. And I don't feel like I am always fighting to keep the truck in the lane.

3.I had just rented a 2000 XLT while in San Francisco and the ride with the Gabriels is better than the new XLT. I noticed the hobby horse ride and side to side swaying in the 2000 also. This indicated to me that the factory shocks are way too soft to begin with.

4.I drive down a lousy dirt road every day. After installing the Gabriels, it is still lousy. Someone above made a dirt road comment.

5.I recall someone saying on a post that after installing the Gabriels the Explorer rides as good as their Lincoln. I would not go that far. I would say it still rides like a big top heavy truck with good firm shocks.

6.I have much more control at highway speeds. No more floating and side to side sway.

For $20.00 a shock and free install I would say this is the way to go if you are at stock height or a 1"-2" lift and planning to stick with street driving. If you are lowered or a road racer I'd get the KYB's or Eddlebrock's. If you are going off-road then get a better shock designed for your lift kit or off road preferance.

Best regards.
hg

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'91 EB, 4dr, 2wd
www.grimmick.com
hank@grimmick.com

 

[Rooster]

David S.
Impatiently waiting to hear your review on the Monroe's.

 

[MarkB]

I called PepBoys about the Gabriels & asked them what the manufacturer's part # was for the ProRyder shocks. The woman who answered the phone said the special was the "T" series and "8000" series and gave me these part #'s: T60162 & T60161 for my 91 Explorer. I called from work so didn't question her about it, but did check out Garbriel's site when I got home. The correct part #'s are G63608 & G63607 for the ProRyders. Is it possible I completely misunderstood what she said or that she misunderstood me & gave #'s for another vehicle? The price looks good on the Gabriels, but I'm hesitant to deal with people that don't know what they are doing. Anyone give a clue about the type of service PepBoys gave them?

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91 Explorer
4.0 4WD

 

[Hank]

Hello Mark,

Those look like the same item numbers that Pep Boys gave me for mine. The box has Premium ProRyder with VST all over it so you should be in good shape.

So far I am still happy. They are well worth the $20.00 but don't expect miracles.

Best regards.
hg

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'91 EB, 4dr, 2wd
www.grimmick.com
hank@grimmick.com

 

[David S.]

Rooster,

Put the Monroe Reflex on over the weekend. So far so good. Body roll appears to be a thing of the past and dips eliminated while breaking. Rides well and does a good job of taking the bumps. Have not had the vehicle off-road yet. 99% of my driving is on the road. I would tell anyone to buy them since I am happy with them. Saved around $75 from carparts.com over buying them at Checker Auto or NAPA.

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Ogden, Utah
1992 XLT
Monroe Reflex
Autolite Platinum
Modified Airbox

 

[Pendarus]

Those are the correct part numbers. I think the "T" stands for "truck". What is the URL for Gabriels site? As for service, my rear shocks had to be retightened after a week, they stated to clunk.

Part #'s
T60162 & T60161

 

[AgExplorer]

Put the Monroe Reflex shocks on this weekend. I agree with David on the performance of them. Firm but more refined ride than the stock shocks. Body roll and dip eliminated. Well worth the change.

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AgExplorer
95 XLT 4X2 4.0L OHV
AMSOIL Synthetic Lubricants & Filters
NGK Platinum Plugs
Jacobs Electronics Wires
Monroe Reflex Shocks
PIAA 9007 Headlight Bulbs
Info and Ordering for AMSOIL Synthetic Lubricants - Dead Link Removed