What shocks are best for my preferences?

[Todd82TA]

Hey guys,

I've already replaced the rear shocks on my 2002 Explorer Sport with a pair of air shocks to help raise the height, and take the weight off the saggy rear leaf springs.

The original front shocks only have ~40k miles on them, but the truck is already 8 years old now, so... I figure they're probably done.

I do 75% of my driving on the highway, but a lot of the roads down in Miami have huge potholes. About 5% of the time, I spend driving in beach sand when I visit my property (not on the beach, but sand none the less...).


I'd like something that's firm, but isn't jarring when I hit potholes and whatnot... or, at least... less jarring.

Any ideas?


Thanks!!!

Todd

 

[my98nnj]

I'm running the KYB GR2's and they are definately on the firm side.
I've heard that the Monroe Sensatracks ride really good.

 

[Joe Dirt]

I had the Sensatrac shocks on my old truck, and currently have the Reflex shocks on my new one. I'd definitely get the Reflex shocks for myself again before another set of Sensatrac's. I liked the drive of the new Sensatrac shocks until I put some Reflex shocks on my truck and compared the new ride of the Reflex to the new ride of the Sensatrac. I think the Reflex's are set up better for an SUV. They're virtually the same price all things considered.

 

[SoNic67]

I was contemplating to get the Reflex, but at the store they had in stock only the Sensatrac ones, so I got those (same price). There are working fine in my opinion, better than OEM ones, but now you made me curious about the Reflex ones.
No way I can spend another 100$/axle right now just for that

 

[Joe Dirt]

They seem to be a little less tippy, and they are valved more towards an SUV/top heavy vehicle application.

For info on future searches, here are the writeups for the Reflex and the Sensatrac...

Reflex:

Monroe Reflex® monotube shocks are specifically engineered to provide better handling, control and performance for light trucks and SUV's. These shocks feature a high-pressure gas charge that separates the unit internal oil and nitrogen to provide additional spring rate, helping to maximize damping efficiency and control. To further enhance ride control characteristics, Monroe® Reflex® monotube shocks include a hydraulic lockout to cushion the impact as the vehicle suspension is fully extended. Monroe Reflex shocks and struts delivers an entirely new level of performance. Performance that maximizes safety and control, without compromising comfort. A genuine engineering innovation, the patent-pending impact Sensor technology is the most important development in almost two decades. The patent pending Impact Sensor acts as a switch between firm and soft compression damping. Under normal road conditions, the Monroe Reflex delivers firm handling. When the tire encounters a bump or pothole, the switch opens in just 12 milliseconds, absorbing the impact. The switch then closes in 15 milliseconds, restoring the firm ride and maximizing tire-to-road contact.


Sensatrac:

"Monroe Sensa-Trac shocks and struts have a tapered groove machined into the inside housing. While the piston is in the groove, a soft, comfortable ride is achieved, but when the piston travels above or below the groove, during rough roads or severe handling, the valving stiffens up. Also, the new Monroe Safe-Tech system works with the existing groove-tube technology to provide smoother piston travel, making the Monroe Sensa-Tracs even more responsive than ever to changing road conditions. Monroe Sensa-Tracs are designed to be used when a comfortable ride and not handling is a primary concern."

 

[SoNic67]

So, the Reflex ones are firm all the time, until a bump hits the wheel and THEN they became loose for short time, to let the spring absorbe the shock.
The Sensatrack are soft all the time, until a big bump moves the wheel outside the "smooth" comfort area and then they stiffen to dampen/limit that travel.

Hmmm, opposite... Looks like Reflex are geared more towards off-road use and Sensatrac towards highway use?

 

[Joe Dirt]

I think the Reflex shocks do a better job at evasive maneuvering vs. teh Sensatracs. There are Sensatrac truck shocks, those are a little bit different. The Reflex shocks seem to do a better job of keeping the tires planted where the Sensatracs always seemed to be on the edge of having too much travel if that makes sense. Hard to explain, but yeah, that sounds pretty accurate as you've described them.

The Reflex's are not as firm as the Bilsteins though, I think the closest comparison to the Reflex is if you go drive a new truck- they feel very similar, where the Sensatracs feel like a new car- soft, but too loose and leaning in the corners for a top-heavy truck.

 

[SoNic67]

Exactly.
Only that the Sensatrac "feel" leaning at corners, but just at the begining (small speed), when they need to be stiffer (leaning over a certain point), they become stiff, not like the car OEM shocks that are loose always (or hard always)...

All in all, any dual "mode" is better than single "mode" shocks.