Shock Absorbers
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Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Whispering Pines, NC
Shock Absorbers
Happy Holidays!!! Question... on my 83 f150 4x4 with a 5.8L engine, I need front shocks. What brand is recommended? Specifics would be appreciated. I've bought recommended shocks from our local parts stores, but they don't hold up. The last set I purchased less than a year ago leak and need replacing and are designated for a light truck.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
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From: Northeast, OK
My truck, that I call Dad's Truck, is an 81 F150 4x4 with quad shocks on the front. I talked with Adam at Monroe. His recommendations were:
- Gas-Magnums: Best if the truck is going to be used loaded more than 75% of the time. They'll handle the load very well, but will give a harsh ride when unloaded.
- Reflex: Give the best handling the truck is capable of and would be good if the truck is loaded a lot of the time. But, will not have a smooth ride when unloaded.
- Sensatracs: Best for trucks that aren't carrying heavy loads frequently. Will give the best ride and good handling as well. And, when the truck is loaded and the rear sags a bit the valving will move into the "firm" position and it will handle the load quite well. Given what I told him about how I use the truck he strongly recommended them for Dad's truck.
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 40
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From: Reno, NV
I've tried Monroe's on 3 trucks. Never again.
Put Sensatracs on my Ranger: mushy on the highway, harsh fronts, rear end would step out on dirt roads and be downright scary. I think the rebound damping is all wrong for that truck and the driving I do.
Sensatracs on a Range Rover: rode well, blown rears after 6 months
GasMagnums on a Suburban: decent but harsh on small stuff and wallowy on bigger hits
I went with KYB Monomax on my 83 F250. They were buy 3 get one free at Summit, so for that deal I could live with the price of a good monotube. Initial impressions are good. I was a little concerned about buying a stiff monotube, but the fact is a controlled suspension works much better.
I ditched the Sensatracs on my Ranger for some cheap stock replacement Gabriels and the ride and control is much better. It will get KYB or similar next time.
Put Sensatracs on my Ranger: mushy on the highway, harsh fronts, rear end would step out on dirt roads and be downright scary. I think the rebound damping is all wrong for that truck and the driving I do.
Sensatracs on a Range Rover: rode well, blown rears after 6 months
GasMagnums on a Suburban: decent but harsh on small stuff and wallowy on bigger hits
I went with KYB Monomax on my 83 F250. They were buy 3 get one free at Summit, so for that deal I could live with the price of a good monotube. Initial impressions are good. I was a little concerned about buying a stiff monotube, but the fact is a controlled suspension works much better.
I ditched the Sensatracs on my Ranger for some cheap stock replacement Gabriels and the ride and control is much better. It will get KYB or similar next time.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Interesting. I love the Sensatracs on mine and wound up installing them on my wife's Subie and our daughter's Pacifica. They transformed the Subie into a nimble vehicle that handled far better than stock. As for the Pacifica, it is hard to tame a boat but they helped. It is still soft, but it drives better.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
I was thinking about this the other day; On all these old junky cars and trucks I have owned over the years, I have never replaced the shocks on them. I did replace the two rear ones on the old 65 mustang when I first got it, but the guy gave me the new shocks with the car, and you could push on the back of the car and it would go up and down about 3 times before it stopped.
I replace engines, rebuild the complete frontends, replace broken springs, replaced suspension bushings, all kinds of brake work. I never mess with the shocks, I never seem to have a obvious problem that the shocks needed replaced. And they don't look new. Seems strange.
I replace engines, rebuild the complete frontends, replace broken springs, replaced suspension bushings, all kinds of brake work. I never mess with the shocks, I never seem to have a obvious problem that the shocks needed replaced. And they don't look new. Seems strange.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Hard to believe you have that kind of luck. The wife's Subie had 75K miles and was past the point the shock/struts should have been replaced. The daughter's Pacifica had about the same mileage and one shock was broken. Dad's truck has had many sets of shock on it and the last set was so soft that one shock dropped all the way down by gravity - and it was supposedly gas-filled. So, you got all the good shock luck and I get all the bad?
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