What Front Shocks Match my Set-up?

[Cranmaro99]

Long story short, I have a 2001 5.0 AWD Explorer Limited. This has the rear ARC air suspension system.

The rear is sagging, and the rear air shocks are starting to also leak. Fail all around.

I don't want to dump a lot of money into this SUV, and will be gutting the ARC system completely and getting the "Monroe Sensa-Trac Load Adjusting Shock Absorbers" for the rear. I'm going this route because it's the easiest and cheapest fix for replacing the rear suspension, as I still carry loads and tow a small boat a lot. With the saggy rear with NO LOAD, I need all the help I can get and don't want to replace expensive leaf springs.

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But my question is: What are correct matching/performing shocks for the front suspension? My front end has been refreshed with new balljoints and tie-rods, etc, but the front standard shocks are toast and also need replacing.

Thanks all!

Edit: I'm not brand loyal; if there are better front shocks for the money for my Explorer that will match the new rear shocks, etc, feel free to let me know!

 

[bobflood]

I put SensaTracs all around on my '97 and have been very happy with them. Did not have ARC so did not put load adjusting shocks in rear. Of course, after 240K miles - ANY new shock would have felt great!

 

[Cranmaro99]

Thanks for the report. I'll probably just get the SensaTracs for the front too, even though I'm getting the load adjusting for the rear (because it'll need it!)

 

[SoNic67]

The Load Adjusting ones are also Sensatrac's (with a spring).
I had on rear Sensatrac and I thought that where too soft (leaning too much in turns) - replaced them with KYB Gas-A-Just monotubes and I am happy. On front I still have Sensatrac's and they are... OK. Sometimes I wish they where more firm, maybe one day will get another pair of KYB monotubes there too...

 

[Cranmaro99]

Did you have the rears with the springs? The ones I'm getting? I need some help back there since the rear is sagging WITH the ARC rear air suspension. I'm afraid how much lower it will sit without the air shocks back there, let alone what it looks like now. This is unloaded. AND I do tow and haul things, so I really need any help I can get if it looks like this with no load already.

I don't want to get new springs etc etc, as there is no rust at all under the car believe it or not and everything is solid. And I dont want to spend $$$ on this car.

 

[SoNic67]

No, I had the other ones, without springs.
Looking at the small shock mounts (that will hold the tension from springs), I would rather get new leafs from a junk yard vehicle (same year, 4 door, non-Limited) or leaf helpers. Some shops in your area might even re-arch your leafs (they are thinner thou than the non-AIR ones).

 

[BigJoe1094]

i have the coil shocks in back and rancho 5000s in front. the ranchos are too soft for my taste. the coil shocks feel very good in back though and raides me up some. you wont regret them

 

[delexploder]

I have the load levelers u are talking about with the spring over and they are listed with a recommended front spring in the Monroe book I will try to dig up the part numbers for u today now I have had this setup on five differant explorers and IMO its the best bang for the buck the rear will level out and handling is greatly improved

 

[Cranmaro99]

No, I had the other ones, without springs.
Looking at the small shock mounts (that will hold the tension from springs), I would rather get new leafs from a junk yard vehicle (same year, 4 door, non-Limited) or leaf helpers. Some shops in your area might even re-arch your leafs (they are thinner thou than the non-AIR ones).

Thanks for the heads up but I'd really not spend the $ on springs, etc. I have heard some people say that the shock mounts aren't strong enough to hold the force that the load leveler shocks, but then why are those same mounts used for the ARC air suspension? I mean when the pump kicks in on my Explorer the rear raises a full inch or a little bit more. That must mean those shocks are taking some of the brute force just like the load levelers are, yes?

Just curious.

i have the coil shocks in back and rancho 5000s in front. the ranchos are too soft for my taste. the coil shocks feel very good in back though and raides me up some. you wont regret them

Thanks, good to hear.

I have the load levelers u are talking about with the spring over and they are listed with a recommended front spring in the Monroe book I will try to dig up the part numbers for u today now I have had this setup on five differant explorers and IMO its the best bang for the buck the rear will level out and handling is greatly improved

Thanks, buddy. I appreciate it.

 

[delexploder]

I cant find my Monroe book. Yes I still use books. Any way they are listed in the parts stores I will be getting another set soon for my wife's 99 xlt I have been getting them at advance and keystone but im sure anyone who sells Monroe can get them. If they look in the book it shows the recommended listing but most of the computors dont

 

[SoNic67]

I cant find my Monroe book. Yes I still use books.

Step into the 21st century :
http://www.monroe.com/catalog/e-Catalog
It says "Last Updated 05-01-2012"

I have heard some people say that the shock mounts aren't strong enough to hold the force that the load leveler shocks, but then why are those same mounts used for the ARC air suspension? I mean when the pump kicks in on my Explorer the rear raises a full inch or a little bit more. That must mean those shocks are taking some of the brute force just like the load levelers are, yes?
Just curious.

You are right IF the ending ride height is identical. Every inch you raise EXTRA will shift more of the weight from the leafs to those mounts (and top stamped-metal part too). If you have some rust on that mount will weaken it further (from stock).
BTW, can you post a picture of the mounts, I wonder if they are identical with non-air ones:

 

[delexploder]

Yea I know. I can barely figure out how to use this dam thing lol. I can tell you guys I got 3" then it settled down to 2.5" lift in the ass of all my explorers with the Monroe coilovers and I beat the hell out of my sport I have even towed close to 8500 ibs and haven't damaged the mounts so unless u have a complete rust bucket u should be fine

 

[delexploder]

Oh btw this levels them out perfect my current set has about 80000 mile on them and still strong,witch leads me to this I have installed them on the ground and on a lift if you get them do it on the ground and use a good floor jack to push them up we needed 3 guys and almost pushed it off the lift I did the set on mine on the ground by myself with a floor jack it was way better that way. PS im 6 foot 250 ibs with 19 " arms and I cant budge these things I also know they we're originally called 1 ton load levelers 20 years ago when I first used them to replace air shocks on my 74 duster

 

[Cranmaro99]

Step into the 21st century :
http://www.monroe.com/catalog/e-Catalog
It says "Last Updated 05-01-2012"


You are right IF the ending ride height is identical. Every inch you raise EXTRA will shift more of the weight from the leafs to those mounts (and top stamped-metal part too). If you have some rust on that mount will weaken it further (from stock).
BTW, can you post a picture of the mounts, I wonder if they are identical with non-air ones:

I can see if I can get a photo soon and post it here. I still have my spare under the car so I'll have to see if I can find a decent way to take a picture. My car has been in the Pacific Northwest all it's life and there is barely any rust.

I've just seen so many people with those load leveler shocks on their Explorers for years and no issue yet. If they use the ARC system they have to be able to handle SOME weight.

I'll take a peak Saturday on my day off.

 

[delexploder]

Hey cranmaro I just saw the other thead you we're on about this and I posted a slightly angry comment not that im mad at people I dont know just the idea that u gotta buy expensive flashy stuff to do this job. But maybe im just bias because of the results I have gotten even with the insane abuse I have put the parts through. And im very new to forums but I think these two posts should be combined as should many others of similar content IMO it would make it easyer but then again I have no clue what im doin when it comes to these things I just stumble my way through till I see something that I can relate to lol

 

[Cranmaro99]

So I've decided I'm going to go with the Monroe Load Adjust rear shocks, and the monroe 5th rear stabilizer shock.

But I hear the Monroe Sensa-Tracks are a bit soft for the front. If I bought the Bilsteins, which I hear are way better, JUST for the front, would that offset the handling characteristics of the Explorer?

If not, I may mix and match the shock set-up.

 

[Cranmaro99]

^ I'm assuming it doesn't really matter.