What shocks do you use? (other than stock)

[Diggman33]

Hi all,
I know that this question may already exist somewhere, but when I did an all forum search I got like 2800 threads that came back! Soooo... Here's the deal... I just purchased a 97 Explorer Sport SOHC, 4WD, 84K miles. It's got some rear end sag (especially on the passenger side) and I want to 1. Get the 4dr leaf packs installed and 2. Install new shocks all the way around.

Im looking for a less "harsh" ride and overall better on-road characteristics.

So, what are you running for shocks, what do you like/dislike about them? And, did it improve the ride or make it worse?

Thanks in advance!

 

[SVO]

 

[andy stein]

I have a '94 Sport and just put Rancho 5000's on all four corners. Ride is much less harsh than before. It had Monroe gas on it when I bought it. The handling is what I noticed as bein better. Especially in cornering!!!!!!!

 

[LOGJOCKY]

i got a 94 xlt, i just put on trailmasters all the way around. much better ride and handles awesome. great on holes in the road and absorbing impact. i like em alot better than the factory ones i had on before, and they cost me $20 less than monroes.

 

[aldive]

I am very happy with the Rancho 9000X. I oreviously used Edelbrock IAS and hated them.

Good luck.....

 

[X~FACTOR]

I am very happy with the Rancho 9000X. I oreviously used Edelbrock IAS and hated them.

C'mon Al, you must've loved them at some point before they went bad on you.

I run the ISA Edelbrock shocks on my lowered 99 and am happy with their performance.

 

[aldive]

I thought that I like them at one time.... that was before riding on the Rancho's/

 

[Diggman33]

Thanks all. Looks like the Rancho's are the way to go. I noticed that there are 3 versions available for my 97 Sport... RS9000X, RSX and the RS5000's. Looks like the only difference between the 9000 and 5000 is that the 9000's have a firmness adjuster knob.
Aldive, I was wondering if you played around with the adjustment settings at all. If you have, was there any noticable difference in the ride from one click to the next?

 

[Bronco638]

It kinds of depends on what you plan to use the truck for. I decided to make my X ('96) very off-road competant without looking like a monster truck. I replaced the OE units with OME (ARB). I think they ride great, no complaints at all (except for maybe the obnoxious yellow color).

Dave.

 

[aldive]

Aldive, I was wondering if you played around with the adjustment settings at all. If you have, was there any noticable difference in the ride from one click to the next?

Yes, quite a difference. Its great to be able to adjust as conditiond demand.

 

[EBInterceptor]

I have RSX's on my '98 Sport and did the 4dr spring swap which I like the ride a lot. Two days ago my friend and I did the same swaps to his X too. Not too stiff, I like it and he likes his ride now too. Cheaper than the 9000s and a good ride.

 

[Diggman33]

That's exactly what I want to do with my '97 Sport. Did you go with new leaf packs or something from a wrecked X Mike?

 

[dgibson]

same price as the rancho 9000's and a helluva better shock. everyone 4x4 shop around recommends them. that's what i am going to replace my skyjacker shocks with

 

[EBInterceptor]

I pulled them from a wrecked X, as did my friend...we have 2000 and 2001 code F springs respectively. I got mine for $35 a piece (around $75 for the set with tax). Some people paid up to $75 a piece, so I was lucky to find the price I did. I searched car-parts.com and found a place nearby which fortunately had the best prices.

Edit: It's actually easier to do the spring swap if you do your rear shocks at the same time. That way, with the rear shocks removed, you don't have to deal with compressing the shock the get the plate under the springs in place. This way you just lift the plate into place, attach the U-bolts, and then bolt the bottom part of the shock afterwards. I did my shocks before I did my springs, but later when I did my friends job we did it all at the same time and it was much easier.

 

[pjm]

I just put on Gabriel Ultra's all the way around yesterday. They are the latest update to the VST/Gas Ryder shocks that many people are running. $23.99 at Autozone, lifetime warranty.
I read all the threads on KYB, Monroe, Bilstein, etc. and I'm sure these are all great shocks - but they're all also at least twice as much as the Ultra's and I'm definitely on a budget. Just want to say thanks to everyone for posting their experiences and now here'e mine:
The ride is great, everything I was looking for. I was initially concerned they would be too soft but they're not. Had the stock shocks on as far as I could tell and 87k miles so anything would have been an improvement. The ride is much firmer without being unpleasant, the floaty feeling over bumps is gone, flatter cornering. I drive on the road 99% of the time so off road performance was not a big factor for me.
At this point I'm wondering if monotube high pressure shocks are too much shock for my needs. I'm going to drive these a while and see. Right now it's the best $100 I've spent on my ex to date for bang for the buck. All I'd say is consider your needs carefully...