Shock replacement issues

[taxx]

OK, I know that shock length has already been talked about but I cannot find a thread that answers this exacty(correct me if I am wrong).

I went to change my shocks today seems the old monroe's are SHOT! I got roughly 2" out of my TT and shackles. When I went to put the new shocks on I noticed that with the truck sitting level, they are only .25" from being all the way extended, so if I am on the road or on the trail it isn't going to take much to bottom those out right? When I jack up the truck from the frame without the shocks bolted down I notice that the suspension will travel alot more than the shocks allow. Some guy at one of the online offroad places told me with 2 inches no problem to go standard lenght, however I see it differently.

Am I using the right rational on this, thinking that these are too short? if so who makes a good longer shock for our X's (that isn't going to cost me a fortune, but will last a very long time) and does anybody know the part number???

Thanks guys!

 

[rpr]

I'm also looking for an answer to this question.

 

[Jason_25]

Yes they are too short. I think explorers may even come stock that way because I can't see how a TT would cause this.

Nonetheless, Old Man Emu makes a 2 inch lift shock for us.

 

[TarHeel085]

you can get shock extenders.

 

[Jason_25]

I tried some shock extenders from Auto zone and they didn't work. They were a different type of thread and didn't screw on right. Boy was I mad.

 

[TarHeel085]

Originally posted by Jason_25
I tried some shock extenders from Auto zone and they didn't work. They were a different type of thread and didn't screw on right. Boy was I mad.

hmmm, thats interesting i would have thought theyd work. also have you looked at the thread for the winch bumper Jason?

 

[kaised]

Bilstien makes a F150 shock that will work with an X with a couple inches of lift. Rancho also does, they're having a sale (4 for the price of 3) on the 5000's and 9000's I think.

 

[JDraper]

Be careful when picking extended shocks for the front of a newer X. I had to return a set to Explorer Pro Comp because they rubbed on the front axleshaft. You have to make sure you get the ones that have the shortened hydraulic tube on them.

I put a set of Gabriel VST's (standard part # for the X, not lengthened) on my X and they have plenty of extension on the front, even with the TT. The length was also fine on the rear, until I disconnected the swaybar. I added shock extenders in the back to compensate for that. I've had mine on now for 10k and had no problems. Maybe the Monroe's have shorter travel than the Gabriels.

 

[taxx]

Maybe the Monroe's have shorter travel than the Gabriels.

Well I had bought the Gabriels to put on there and they are the same length as the Monroes. I had to put the fronts on so I could at least have something, since I cut the studs off the monroes. I am sure that everyones situation is different.

Rancho also does, they're having a sale (4 for the price of 3) on the 5000's and 9000's I think

Who is having the sale? And will these rub any?

 

[taxx]

OK. So I called offroad warehouse and they said the only shocks they can get that are for a lifted application on an explorer are Rancho's. So what I want to know is How do you fellas rank the 5000 and 9000 to each other for on and off road use, is the price difference worth it? and how do these prices look:

9000 $69/ea
5000 $40/ea

 

[kaised]

Check out www.summitracing.com for the Rancho sale, I got quoted about 225 for a set of 4 shocks for a 2.5 in lift. I looked at the catalog and its actually the 9000's and the RSX's that are on sale. A set of 4 RSX would be about 150. Plus summit has free shipping! I'd also be interested in peoples opinion of the 9000's.

 

[taxx]

OK. No one wants to help, not summit not offroad warehouse... but summit gave me the number to rancho.

I called rancho (800) 574-6257 and spoke with a tech. He tried to turn me away too. But, i wouldn't let him. I asked what he needed to know so he could find ones that fit. So I got him these measurements (only they are closed now so I will call in the AM.

Lenght of shock at ride height:
Front - 18.5" Rear - 20.5"

Length from axel to ruber bumper:
Front: - 4.5" Rear - 4.5"

Down Travel shock length:
Front: - 20.5" (2 full inches like I told them) Rear - >24".

I am going to play with the rear droop tomorrow when it is light out. There is a rock at work I can "park" on.

Will update tomorrow.
------------------------------------------
OK it is tomorrow now..
I took the measurement this morning and it is not much over 24" so in the rear the stock length shock is plenty since it is fully extended at 25". I am going to call Rancho as soon as they open to get the part numbers.

 

[taxx]

For First Gen X's they list part #'s for a 2.5" lift.

For Second Generation (my application) here are the numbers and specs:

Front:
RS9128 - 14" fully compressed, 20 5/8 full length

Rear: (same as stock)
RS9185 - 16" fully compressed, 26" full length

I ordered them and I am putting them on this weekend or as soon as I get them. I will let you all know how it goes!

 

[Robert]

Here is the answer for Sport owner's to get your rear shocks back into their intended travel range: Dead Link Removed Regarding the front, I don't think the TT should over extend them since you aren't increasing the amount of front wheel travel, only the static location.

 

[taxx]

Robert -
It should work, you are right. The front shocks serve for two purposes, one: shocks, 2: limiting droop so you don't tear anything up. However in my case I can get about 2" more droop than the factory shocks will allow without hurting anything (so I like to believe). When sitting at ride hieght I only have .25" left of travel in my front shocks causing them to bottom out very easily on ANY little bump. I wanted more!

 

[Robert]

I would hope that Ford used other means as to controlling the downward travel of my wheels than the shocks. Then again that may be why I have had to replace my front upper shock bushings a couple of times. Maybe the next time it is time for a rotation, I'll loosen one of my front shocks and see if it is what is preventing my suspension from going down further.

Removing the rear spacers does work. That's mine in the picture. I removed mine over a year ago. Basically what it does is brings the bottom of the rear shock up the 1 1/2" that the shacles put them down. They have the same travel available to them and will ride in the position that they were meant to ride in.

 

[taxx]

sounds like the spacers are a great idea for the mono leaf.

I am with you on hoping that ford uses other means, but I wouldn't bet on it. I loosened the bottom bracket on the shock last night and disconnected the sway bar. Then I proceeded to jack it up and there was a two inch gap between the shock and the mount. When sitting level it is like I said before I only have .25" compression.

I would think there has to be some other catch for the wheel travel or my CV joints at the wheel would have come apart? But the guy at Rancho said they were to limit droop. Can't shocks go bad bottoming out like that?

 

[Gonzo]

Taxxman, I have a '98 sport and am planning on getting the rancho 9000's, but the part #'s I found were different than the one's you posted. Here are the #'s I found, Front: RS9229, Rear: RS9185. Where did you get your part #'s? I just want to make sure one of us doesn't make a mistake. They can't both be right, can they?confused: I am pretty sure the #'s I found were for '95+, but I could be wrong. I will have to double check my sources. (BTW I got my #'s from the rancho website).
I guess if you have already ordered them, let us know how they fit.

 

[taxx]

The 9185s are the stock length for the rear. If the number you have for the front said it was for an explorer then that is the stock hieght for the front. The part # I got for the front, I have no idea what it is for, but it has the same mounts and 2" more travel.

I will let you all know!

 

[Gonzo]

Taxxman, I looked up the #'s again on the Rancho site. You were right, the 9128 and the 9229(for stock) have the same mounting codes. It seems like they should work, but I wonder if they have that extention shaft on the bottom to clear the front drive shaft. Anyway, here are the specs I found: 9229(for stock height) 13.625 compressed, 18.0 extended, 4.375 total travel. For the 9128: 12.75 compressed, 20.5 extended, 7.75 total travel. So to me it looks like the 9128 would work just fine for either stock height or lifted. What do you think? Oh-I looked up the 9128 under Rancho's numerical listing and it looks like they are made for the front of a lot of the big J**p wagons & Pickups and 2wd GM trucks.