Shock Replacement

[Jack]

I need to replace the OEM shocks on my 96 Explorer. 4.0L V6, Auto, 3.73 LS axle with towing package, stock tires, rims, and
suspension. Pulling a 3500# boat during the summer, little or no off-road. Any suggestions or experiences with replacement shocks would be appreciated.

 

[Keith Dugas]

It seems everyone has an opinion on this topic. I have heard good things about the edelbrocks and bilsteins but they're expensive. Some pros and cons on the Ranchos and nothing on the Sensa-Traks. The Ford Motorsports have gotten some praise from folks and you can get them cheaper than the above.
Right now the local Ford dealer has Ford Motorsports installed for $45 ea.

 

[CH]

For your purposes I bet Monroe Sens-a-Trac would fit the bill nicely.

 

[Steve M]

I too am intersted in replacing my shocks and feel the Bilsteins and Edelbrocks are too expensive. Are the Ford Motorsports a cost effective substituion for those, or should I just bite the bullet. I have heard that the Ford's are bested only by the Edelbrocks. I am mostly on road and am looking to reduce the hard jolts to the cabin that the stock shocks give me on bad roads. I would also like to ruduce to heavy body roll on tight turns.

 

[Darin]

I replaced my stock shocks with Gabriel VST's and so far I am happy. They were inexpensive and carry a life time warranty. I'm sure there not the best, but for the highway driving I do, they work well. They really improved the handling as far a body roll etc. Do the job yourself and save some $$$$. I did all four in about 1.5 hrs. late one night after the kids went to bed. I do suggest spraying penetrating oil on the bolts a couple of days in advance to avoid any undu breaking of the RA. You really have to look at the type of driving your doing before you sink a ton of cash into a shock that won't meet your needs.

Darin

 

[JoeC4]

I just put the Edelbrocks on my 93 EB. Man they are amazing. Handling is sooo much better and it delivers and smooth ride. It also got ride of the infamous 55-65mph vibration. I paid 68ea for them. Just to sum it up. I love them.

 

[Steve M]

Where did you get the Edelbrocks for $68, the cheapest I have been able to find was $80 at AutoZone. I do plan on doing the job myself, especially since most people found they didn't even have to jack it up to change them out. If I can find the Edelbrocks cheap I will go w/ those, otherwise the Bilsteins might just have to go on. I figure anything is better than the crappy stock shocks Ford puts on there.

 

['tay]

I just installed Bilsteins on my 92 XLT. The previous ones were horrible so of course the diff. is night and day. Ride is great, and not too harsh. All I can say about Bilsteins is that they are worth the money...they last FOREVER. Very high quality....