It's disconcerting isn't it, the supposedly best parts for our trucks being made in China.

Why I buy new old stock when I can find it that's still made in the USA.

 

Bryant AC is in Tulsa and they do stuff like building custom lines. Tulsa Radiator went out of business and they had all the good stuff. Like Gary said, most of them just want to sell you a new radiator for more than what the APS sells them for.

Tulsa radiator had hot tanks big enough to vat both of my F-250 tanks when I was rebuilding it. Now nobody has vats that big.

 

I say go with Monroe reflex!

 

I'm glad I still have a little hole in the wall shop that can repair or build things that are NLA.

 

It is a shame. Hopefully it'll last as long as I need it - which is probably some time this year as I'm thinking it will be 3G time when I do The Transformation. Now the HVAC fan and lights are basically the only draw, and the HVAC fan doesn't run on high very long as the heater will run you out of there. But, after TT there'll be a charged A/C system, power windows and locks, an alarm system, and maybe even a radio that works.

 

Almost missed that. I'll address it here 'cause most of those that have contributed to the other thread are here anyway. Why Reflex? Amazon has them for $22 more for the four front ones than the Sensatracs. Monroe's site says this for my application:

• Reflex: Improved Stability with reduced harshness
• Sensatrac: A Smooth Ride with good control

But, I wonder if they've taken into account that there are 4 of whichever ones you pick since it is a quad shock setup. Yes, I know that it tells me which part # for quad vs dual shocks, but they say the same thing for 2 Reflex or Sensatracs as for 4. I'm wondering if 4 Sensatracs would give a lot of control and 4 Reflex might start getting harsh.

 

I am pretty sure they knew what they were engineering them for Gary. The reflex shocks improved the ride on my 3/4 tons a lot. Not only that I work the crap out of the trucks hauling heavy loads and pulling heavy trailers. So after about 8-9 yrs of what I would consider abuse they have held up and performed nicely.

 

I'm just questioning them using twice as many of the same shock and saying you will get the same result. I may call them tomorrow. But, it is good to know they worked so well for you. Tnx.

Btw, going in the back door to see James tomorrow since he has the switch. Hope he has it done, although I'm sure he will if he got the slip and stub in today.

 

I don't know about the other shocks, I checked them out on the site and they all sounded good. But I can corner pretty dang hard with no body roll with the sensa-trac's

 

When I bought my Sensatracs, reflex didn't even exist yet, nor when I last sold shocks. If they are better than the Sensatracs then they must be damn good. I find the Sensatracs handle jounce and rebound better on the front than others, being faster responding to changing road conditions, which can be rapid up here in WV. I can drive twisty back country roads with ease.... But that could be the autocross blood of mine too.

 

I'm about 45 minutes from Pikeville, Ky/South Williamson WV. Pm me to talk a tad more.

 

Gary, whatever you buy get Monroe shocks, I have not had good luck with Gabriel shocks. Besides, part of my pension comes from there. We were owned by Tenneco for a long time.

 

I bought my 1406 new in 95...It is like Gary's with the flat head screws...

Don't know the yr they changed(but glad they did)..Trav...

 

I just posted this in What Shock, but will post it here as well for consistency.

I just called Monroe's tech support line and talked with Adam. According to him the better shock for this application, meaning quad shocks and on-road driving, is the Sensatrac. It is set up to give smooth response until you hit dips/bumps, at which point it will firm up. The Reflex will firm up things at all times, and having four of them will make it much stiffer.

Given that I'm ordering Sensatracs for the front and Gas-Magnum's for the rear. Unless the Gas-Magnums in the rear will give quite a jolt on bumps when unloaded. Input appreciated on that, guys.

 

Gary, the Gas Magnums are a bit stiff, but if you have a quad shock front, then the truck probably has fairly stiff suspension. A gentleman I worked with put a set on his 96 GMC Jimmy and found them to stiff. I had a set of 4 on my 77 F-150 and they worked quite well on it. YMMV.

Biggest thing would be what your rear axle GVW says. If it is a fairly heavy rating, coupled with you are going to be driving 2000 miles loaded you probably want Gas Magnums.