Shocks: Brand and ease of install? (96)

[TRAXX]

All the local stores here have Gabriels. My Explorer is stock ride heght and I am not looking to spend alot of money. I spend all my money on the stang Just want a stock replacement cause right now it rides like crap! My other question is how hard is it to change out the front shocks? Will I have to unhook the brakes and all or can I get to it with out having to mess with anything else (aside from taking the wheels off)? Just wondering if this is a few hour job or a full day job?

Thanks,

 

[scott.475]

If you do a search for "Gabriel" you will find several threads addressing them. Mixed reviews I guess, but one guy broke three sets over the course of a year or so, so I am staying away from them. I am waiting for feedback, but I think I will either go with Trailmaster or Pro-Comp, at $33 to $39. Superlift makes shocks for $31, but I don't know how many applications they have.

I have no idea what a '96 is like, but I have done a lot of poking around under my '94 and it looks lit it should just take a few hours on mine. I don't think I would even need to take off my rear tires.

Good luck.

 

[major]

I have edelbrocks on my 98 and i really like them if you want another shock choice. The install is very simple. i assume that the 96 is like the 98's. do you have the air ride suspension or is it the regular? I didnt use any kind of jack for the front or ther rear i dont think. The edelbrocks and the stock shocks compressed in your hands pretty easy so its not hard to get them lined up. its just a simple matter of taking out four bolts total in the back and i think four in the front too. Major

 

[Dan Whitaker]

Traxx I know this is a little late but I'll pass on some info for replacing your shocks. I just instaled a set of Trailmasters on my 97 Mountaineer today (3/23/02).
Here are the tools you will need to get the factory shocks off.
2 6" extensions
1 3" extension
15MM deep well socket (For top nut on front shocks)
15MM wrench and 18MM socket (For rear shock bottom bolt)
12MM socket (For front shock bottom nuts)
18MM wrench (There is a nut welded to the top of the front shock housing taht alows you to keep the piston turning inside the shock when you remove the top nut on top of the upper A-arm)
12MM wrench (For top nuts on rear shocks)
I highly recomend that you take out the spare tire when you do the rear shocks or you will have a her time getting to the nuts on the top of the shocks.
I also recomend removing the front tires when you do the front shocks. It will be alot easier.
If you have some one to help you on the frot shocks it would be a pluss. I did all 4 shocks my self and it took me about 4 hours.
I hope this helps.

 

[aldive]

Take a look at Dead Link Removed for a write up on installing Edelbrock ISA shocks on my '99.

 

[ishichar]

Shock installation



Sure wish that this invaluable information was posted the other weekend when I installed (5) Bilsteins; it was a four hour installation not including washdown time to get grease and debris out of my hair and ears.

Use jack stands and hydralic jacks make things much easier. Yes the 5th shock is a bear.

 

[scott.475]

ishichar, what is the fifth shock for?

 

[ishichar]

5th Shock

:exp:

I'm no Ford engineer but it may be related to axle wrap. My 5.0 Mustang had 'kicker' shocks in addition to shocks and struts. My Explorer stock 5th shock was 'kaput'.

 

[scott.475]

Oh crap. I hope I don't have five shocks on my '94, I didn't acutally look underneath before I ordered mine. I don't think I remember seeing five shocks in my manual. Hmmm...I am so curious now I will have to look at it in the dark when I get home.

 

[Dan Whitaker]

Scott if you have one it will be on the right side in front of the axle. It atatches to the frame and the third member. What it is used for is keeping down axle wrap as to get better traction.

 

[scott.475]

ishichar,

I got your email. I was under the rig today and there is no fifth shock on my '94. I will putting the new shocks in tomorrow.

-Scott

 

[ishichar]

How was the instalation? Everything copaesthtic?

 

[scott.475]

For the most part things went pretty well, except...

"Sorry about all the ignorant questions, but I am new to all this after market stuff.

Anyway, I got my new shocks put on without much trouble. As I posted before, the rear shocks came with brackets that had to be pushed through the bushing, then mounted to the frame. Each shock cam with one short and one long bracket. When I sized up the short ones with the bolt holes in the frame, the bolt would have only engaged about half of the ear on each side. The long ones were ever so slightly too long. I was able to tap one side into place with no trouble, but on the passenger side, there was no way the bolts were going to fit into the holes. Instead of drilling/reaming the crossmember, I just drilled out the provided bracket, but buggered it up in the process. Then, when I finally put it back iinto place, the splined bolt did not engage it like it should and started to spin. I was able to get it pretty tight before it started turning, but I am still concerned. Should I be? Also, is there any reason I can't just use a standard hardened bolt/nut set up here instead of the splined one? Should I have used the short brackets instead?"

I posted this in another thread but got no responses, what do you think?

Also, for the front shocks (strut tower type) I bought poly bushings the same thickness as the rubber ones that came with the shocks. The poly ones didn't fit because they didn't compress, so I need to return them for some thinner ones. Overall, though, we are very happy with the Explorer Pro Comp 9000 shocks.

 

[jimbo74]

it sounds ok to me... read disclamer below