Recomendations on Shocks please.....

[Jason94sport]

I need new shocks. What are good shocks for a 94 sport. I do not go offroading much, maybe a little mud here & there, HW most of the time. Ride harshness isn't much of a concern for me, I want shocks that will be able to handle future upgrades like more power, may a skyjacker 2" lift, or some mild offroading if I feel like it. Any suggestions???? Those shocks from sears are out. I had them on another truck once, they lasted less then a year. I think they were gabreial? I can get a good deal on Explorer Pro comp ES 9000 shocks with black boots. How are those?
Thanks

 

[mrboyle]

Haven't used the ES3000's before, but if you want a good shock that can handle just about anything (short of Baja racing) you can't beat thr Rancho RS5000's. They are (IMHO) the best shock out there in their price range. The set I have on my X have over 120K on them and are still working fine. They do ride a little harsher than stock, but it isn't anything you can't get use to.

 

[BoatsRcool]

I have some monroe magnum plus I will almost much give away if you pay shipping, they are a good sort of soft ride, i got rid of them because I got a lift.

 

[tbomb]

i dont have either of these, but a lot of people are in love with the edelbrocks and the bilsteins. try a search and check em out.

 

[BoatsRcool]

if you get edlebrock or blistien, you are gonna put a lot ofmoney into shocks.

 

[mdrut]

Hey Jason, this is just a thought, but if you come up to the June meet..You can try them both out..I run the RS5000 and Jeremy is running the Procomps..Just think, try the ride in different conditions with different brands...JUST A THOUGHT..And Exploder 99 is loking for a carpool or caravan buddy, so maybe you guys can split the cost of the trip up...

 

[Bryan Hartman]

before buying edelbrocks check out gabriel they make the same kind of shock at a lot cheaper price. I was told that the edelbrock shock is made by gabriel. sensatracs suck though, from my experience

 

[Flounder]

I just installed Rancho RS5000s and love the ride. A little stiffer, but almost no bowing forward or back on stopping and starting. One note on shock boots, a friend of mine who used boots on a Jeep had premature rusting and wear due to the boot trapping mud inside them. He never knew it until he removed the boot and realized what had happened. I opted to go boot-less for this reason.

 

[becker69]

a question and idea re: shocks, a good buddy with an F150 raised his truck 4" and had the ES3000... he hated them, so he replaced them with Rancho RS9000s. His justification to his ride (he is extremely pleased with them) is that if you are considering replacing shocks at all 4 corners, why would you want the SAME shock in the front (with engine weight to deal with) as you would in the rear (no load or adjustable depending on load), he sets his at "5" in the front and "3" in the rear. It makes perfect sense to me also, but I do not know as much as many that are on this board. Any in-puts to this perspective? Thanks, cheers, Becker.

 

[KEbert]

Bilsteins are the best. And they have a lifetime warrenty.

 

[vang]

shocks

What did you guys pay to have a full shock job(ballpark). I went to a shop the other day and they told me about $500 for my 91 eb. Is that outragous or normal? I've never had to pay that much for any of my other cars.

 

[JDraper]

$500???? That's nuts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I bought a set of Gabriel VSX Pro Ryder shocks for my X. The shocks cost $20 each from pep boys, and installation is like $30-$50 set (I installed my own. Piece of cake).

I'd say find another shop!!

 

[vang]

installation

Is installation difficult? I know that the special tool is necessary but have never installed my own.

What does it involve? And what equipment will I have to take off in order to install shocks?

 

[97bignslow]

eddy's been good

I've had the Edelbrock IAS shock for a year now and love them. They were $240 for four and installation took about an hour and a half. It's just a couple of nuts and bolts at each shock.
I will definately put these on any truck I buy in the future.
Eric

 

[Maniak]

Vang,

changing the shocks on a First Generation (like your 91) is very easy. There are no special tools. You can even do the front ones without removing the tires.. (removing does make it a little easier). There is 1 bolt at the top.. (I think 10mm or so).. and one big one at the bottom.. Just undo the top one.. then undo the bottom bone.. pull the bottom of the shock off the mount.. and pull it down.. If your new shock is gas charged I'd put the bottom of the new shock in.. kinda align the top, then cut teh cord that is holding it together.. now just put the bolts back on and your done..

As for the rear.. it is still easy but you do have to get under the truck. If it isn't high enough.. you do need to lift it and support it by jack stands.. on my truck If I support it by the frame my shocks won't reach (too much travel with the OME springs).. You most likely won't have that problem. You still only have 1 bolt on the bottom, and 2 on the top.. remove the 2 top bolts (from the top of the cross member) and then the bottom bolt. If you keep your spare under the truck, you will need to remove it first. Installation of the rear shocks is just like the front. Install the bottom (don't torque it down).. then cut the string holding it together.. guide it to the right spot then bolt it down..

thats all there is too it.. I can do all 4 in < 1 hour.. (I don't remove the front tires or lift the truck.. just remove the spare tire)..

~Mark

 

[NoBoundaries]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=28679&highlight=twin+tube+edelbrock

 

[vang]

hey thanks guys. That sounds like a plan for this weekend. Mine if I email you guys directly if I run into trouble while doing it?

 

[Maniak]

I don't mind.. BUT.. I don't have email access from home.. only from work.. (my 14.4k cell phone connection at home just isn't cutting it)..

~Mark

 

[Ru Dawg]

I just installed my Bilsteins yesterday...they kick much a-double-s!!! Special tools needed? Just some serious elbow grease!!! Actually did the rears last weekend at my father-in-laws. Would've done the fronts too but that was when I realized Performance Products sent me 4 rears :-( . Anyway, put the rear up on stands and then used the floor jack to compress the shock into the mount. Very easy, took about 30 minutes. Then Monday got the right shocks for the front from PP's (very good service and very quick response) and put them in yesterday by myself. Mounted the top of the shock first, then compressed them by hand to mount the lower end (I've been working out a lot lately!!!).

Anyway, they handle great. Nosedive is non-existant. No more boat rides in my truck!! European suspension installed!!!

 

[JoeC5]

I got a quick question. Are the edelbrocks gas charged? And if a shock is gas charged, is there any fluid inside of it at all? Meaning could it leak fluid?? Thanks fellas