My Bronco has the quad-shock option on the front. I assume this is a good thing. The problem is it's time for new shocks, and I'm not sure what to buy. If I install 4 regular shocks, won't the front end ride like a cement truck? Should I be looking for special shocks designed to work in pairs?

 

Good question. I'm not ready to upgrade mine from stock yet, but am interested in knowing the answer to this. Anyone?

 

I've got Heckethorn's on mine. With the 4" lift it's pretty stiff, but that's kind of what you expect. I've had Rancho's and Monroe's (I was broke and wouldn't get them again, they rusted a lot faster) on it at different times. Really I couldn't tell the difference around town. Unless you are ready to shell out a lot of money for adjustable ones I believe any of them are about the same.

 

I have used KYB shocks, there good and last longer than monroe.

 

I got the Monroe Reflexes on my 90, don't know about longevity, but they work well for drivin around town, nice in the corners and smooth out the bumps better than I expected. They were replacements for an old set of Magnums.

As far as installing 4 vs 6 shocks, I tried that, going by Monroe's Shock Selector on their site they recommend the same main pair in front whether you have normal or quad so I figured try it and see if I really need the secondary pair. The truck just seemed too unstable that way so I ended up going with 6 shocks again, much better control and still a good ride.

Other interesting thing I noticed btw, is the wear pattern. While the rears were still in serviceable condition two of the fronts (one of the primary and one of the secondary) were shot, so I'm thinking this might be a side benefit of the quad option, might be spreading the wear rate around more evenly and I'll actually get more miles per dollar out of the 6 shocks than if I'd gone with 4. This is assuming I guess you always change both front and rears at the same time which is what I'd normally do.

 

I put six Monroe Reflexes on my stock suspension 89 two years ago - 30K miles so far with some mild - to - medium dirt stuff in Baja a couple of times and some desert running above the border. This is also my daily driver.

These shocks are still hanging in there - I installed new 31 BFG's when the shock went on, as well as an alignment job. Tires are wearing great and even.

I think for a stocker, I'd go back with the Monroe Reflexes - happy with em'. About $33 per, as I remember.

 

i have 4 rancho rs5k's on the front of my 89, i love them. they are great on the road and on the beach/trail. and the dont break the bank too bad. check them out in a summit racing mag.

 

Since I am not planning a suspension lift....I installed the motorcraft units and the ride is nice....a tad on the stiff side though...

 

I put Edlebrock IAS on mine. They were a vast improvement. I'm there ae other good ones. Steve

 

I had Monroe Magnums on my Bronco that were about 4 years old at the time I bought it from the original owner. All 6 were totally shot, and that was just from highway driving--he never went 4wheeling, but did tow a trailer. Still at stock height, I tried a set of Pro Comp ES9000's all around and got about 2" of lift! These shocks were good for daily driving, and light trails. The front shocks on each side were 2 different sizes, so they were designed for the quad set-up on the Bronco.

 

I have Dick Cepek, now Extreme Suspension, on mine and they do pretty good.