ok after multiple searches i've came up with nothing.

in sick of these skyjacker 8000s and want something that rides well, not like a tank

1. can i get fox 2.0s for my excursrion? (their site came up with nothing)
2. how do they compare with the bilstein 5100 or 7100?

i dont tow nor do i really plan on it, but it does see mud... way more often than it should

 

Monroe-matics

 

I was thinking the same thing too at first. Then I looked in his gallery and it looks like his is Ex is lifted. I don't know if he could find Monroes of the right length, but if he wants a soft ride, that would do it.

Aside from that, as far as I know, it leaves only the Rancho adjustables.

 

I thought maybe it was. I put Monroes on mine for $100 total and it couldn't ride any better. All shocks do is control the bounce so I never could figure out why people spend 400+ on shocks that probably ride stiffer so they think they are getting something special.

 

Have had 2 shocks on the Ex - stock and the Bilsteins - I am very happy with the Bilsteins.

 

I have Bilsteins.....alot of folks like them but they are not worth it in my opinion

 

My Fox 2.0 shocks have treated me very well and have provided a great ride.

 

it is lifted, i dont think that monroe makes a shock or it. plus im planning on going higher. and ive heard good and bad things about the ranchos, mostly bad so i wasnt planning on using tham

 

If you're lifted - you'll love the Fox 2.0's.....

 

I had a 07 Dodge Cummins, notorious for handling issues, including rear end bounce on highway expansion joints, tried different shocks and the only ones that made a difference were Bilstein 5100's, was an entirely different truck. My vote goes to the Bilsteins, I have the yellows on my EX right now but will be using 5100's next time

 

did you get yours custom valved? and how did they bolt up to the rear?

 

I have the yellow's also.......5100's might be ok

 

I have double Bilstein 7100 smooth body shocks with 10" travel & external reservoirs on a hoop on each corner of the front with limit straps (nice to have the extra damping of two shocks for each corner of the heavy front, especially with the 7.3L diesel like I have), and single Bilstein 7100 smooth bodies (no reservoir) & Firestone Ride-Rite airbags on each corner of the rear (with in-cab controls for airbag pressure), combined with an 8" all spring (no blocks) lift, and love it. You'd think with the X having a 8" higher center of gravity that the handling would suck, but the suspension is beefy enough that it's easy to drive in a spirited fashion.

One advantage of the Bilstein 7100s is that they are rebuildable, which means they can cost less when the time comes to replace them, but honestly if the shaft is pitted, then by the time they are rebuilt, really the only thing left is the shock housing, the reservoir housing & the line connecting the two, so not necessarily a massive savings vs. buying all new.

Bilstein also makes the 5150 & the newish 5160, so it might be worth checking those out as well as the 5100 & 7100, depending on pricing.

Fox & King also both make good shocks at various different price points. Some of the primary differences are: shaft diameter (that's what she said, lol), rebuildability, damping/valving rating, availability of spare parts for rebuildables, cost etc.

I'm sticking with my setup, because I like the way it handles, I recently had all 6 shocks rebuilt, Bilstein is located in the same town I live in, so parts are quick & easy to come by, and I even have a friend that works at Bilstein, so I currently have someone on the inside to ask for advice or chase down an order.

 

if i can get the fox i think thats what im going to get, but their site doesnt show them except for stock height excursions

 

Unless you have a stock setup, where the aftermarket shock manufacturer already knows all the specs from the factory, it's a bit more complicated than that.

The following are all examples of factors to take into consideration:

- extended shock length
- collapsed shock length
- travel (extended shock length - collapsed shock length)
- top mounting type
- bottom mounting type
- correct shock valving (either individually or in pairs to match both truck weight & spring rate)
- desired ride comfort vs. payload (soft vs. hard)
- durability/capacity vs. cost

So many shock manufacturers don't publish application guides for non-stock setups, since there are a large number of factors at play that affect what the optimum solution is.

If you call up most of the shock manufacturers & can provide the answers to the factors to be considered that I listed above, they can usually recommend an appropriate solution for you.