What Aftermarket Shocks for a 95? Suggestions Please...

[Fischer]

I am surveying to see what suggestions there are for shocks for a 95.

Mild to Harsh offroading and some towing. Though a nice ride on the road would be good too.

Thanks!

 

[aldive]

I sure like my Edelbrock ISA's.

Good luck....

 

[GJarrett]

Edelbrock IAS will not hold up to offroading. Click on "Gerald's Truck" in my signature line below and read the second post article which has a section on my experience with shocks, including the $280 I wasted on Edelbrocks. They provide great performance onroad for 95% of us, but if you offoad at all you are wasting your money. Spend $20 per shock on Gabriel VSTs which use the same technology and valving engineering. Like the Edelbrocks, they also have a lifetime warranty, but last longer offroad and cost less than 1/3 the price of the Edelbrocks. I have used them both and they both feel the same.

 

[Dan Whitaker]

I put a set of Trailmaster SSV's on my 97 two weeks ago and like them. I got mine from 4Wheel Patrs Wholesalers for $50 ea.

 

[Ray Lobato]

The Best shock for offroading IMHO is OME Nitro Chargers. The Edelbrocks will fade out on you in an offroad situation. Trailmasters SSV shocks are good also.

 

[Campo]

I'll second Gerald..
I read thru his post and took his suggestion and purchased the Gabriel VST's many other member's here have used/use these shock's with mixed results but I have been very impressed with them on and off road...

 

[Fischer]

Rock Ass!

My new coin Phrase..

Cool so it sounds like Gabriel VST's are the way to go.

GJarrett, I read the article and it was of great help.

Are these commoners that I may find from Summit or a mail order catalogue or should I get them from a dealer?

Any suggestions on special applicaton as in which to opt for or are they just a standard shock for a 95 Exp..

Thanks Again.

 

[GJarrett]

I don't know where all you can buy them but I know that Pep Boys has them. If you read all of my article you'll also know that I agree with Ray concerning the OME's. I have them in my rear and am very impressed with them. But they are also expensive shocks. The Gabriel VSTs are the best bang for the buck but if money is no object I'd have no hesitation suggesting that you go for the OME's. They are EXTREMELY heavy duty.

There are different shocks for different models. There is a specific VST you have to buy for your 95+ Explorer. If you have a 2" torsion lift then also buy the 4.99 shock extenders from Pep Boys so you won't have to cut and weld to custom lengthen the shocks like I did.

One member (I believe it's Hank) seems to have been having trouble with VSTs wearing out quickly. He drives daily on a washboard road and may be fully extending them constantly. The washboard road may also be revealing a weakness in heat fade, but many other shocks would do it too (which is one reason why prerunners run double shocks). That's just a couple of wild guesses from me though. No one can figure out exactly why he's had so much trouble with them and wearing his out so quickly, but most of the rest of us have been extremely pleased with the value and performance of the VSTs.

 

[Campo]

when I got mine I called the local AutoZone and they didn't have them in stock ( they were listed as a retailer) but they could order them and have them the next day for 39.99 each.. I went online and ordered them (prepayed) and got them delivered to the local AutoZone for 20.99 each and picked them up in 3 day's... I've also had the OME shock's and the Rancho's (both on a 91 Ranger 4x4) but for the "bang for the buck"... you can't beat the Gabriel VST's

I don't have the extender's for the front of my X .. But I'm only running Warrior shackles and add-a-leaf in the back (2") and a 1.5 TT in the front, so I don't think I'm over extending my shock's.. ( but I could be wrong )

 

[Cynthia'in'SD]

I am also getting new shocks for my 98. Are the Gabriel VSTs better than Pro Comp es9000?? I want to get them today, mine are pretty soft and worn out.

 

[duggyd123]

hey getting ready for tt and shackles what shock should i use

 

[cjryan]

I don't have the extender's for the front of my X .. But I'm only running Warrior shackles and add-a-leaf in the back (2") and a 1.5 TT in the front, so I don't think I'm over extending my shock's.. ( but I could be wrong )

I have the same question. I'm in the market for new shocks but I don't want to get ones that are too small once I apply TT/Shackles.

 

[GJarrett]

If you are not doing a true suspension lift up front and only a torsion twist, then stock length shocks will work since you still have a stock front suspension (you are only presetting it at a higher level, but still within the bounds of stock setting). In the rear, a slightly longer shock or extenders are appropriate since the shackles WILL lift the suspension a bit.