Hello,
I am looking at my options on shock replacements for my '88 e250. The van is used as a multipurpose vehicle. DD, tow vehicle, road trip, cargo hauler.

I am looking for something with a pleasant passenger ride that is tough enough for when I hook up a 6-9k pound trailer or load 3k pounds in the van. I am looking at the following:

1. Gabriel LTV
2. KYB Gas-a-just
3. Bilstein 4600

I also thought the Gabriel HiJackers looked interesting. They are made so you can add air to them to allow you haul heavy for a while, though it says it is only for temporary hauling use.

The Bilstein's have a good reputation but are also much higher priced. Thanks

 

Bilstein

 

x2

Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 191K miles

 

You're kinda looking for the impossible, wanting a shock that gives the floating feel while unloaded but great control when towing.

Either way I also recommend Bilstein bought from eShocks.com---best prices I've found. So far I've purchase 3 different complete sets from them, never anyone else.

 

I don't really need the floating feeling when I am unloaded. I dont mind a somewhat firm ride. I would like to avoid the pogo affect but not feel like I put a piece of steal tubing in place of the shock.

I could be wrong, but I thought spring rates is what gave you the firmness in your ride and shocks needed to me matched with the spring rate to control the pogo affect.

 

Stay away from the HiJackers. The air is a neat trick until you figure out they have terrible damping.

I know they're not on your list, but I put KYB Monomax on my 97 E250 earlier this year and I'm very happy with them.

I thought about the Bilsteins, but the KYBs cost $150 less and I cheaped out.

I rationalized it because this van gets driven 5-6k miles annually.

 

Shocks do one thing---"absorb shocks", springs support the weight above them and to an extent how the suspension travels over bumps etc or other road conditions/situations.

The pogo effect you mention where the body "bounces" tends to be worn "shock absorbers" whose function is to damp or stop the bouncing after the first jounce or bump, that which causes the shock to be temporarily compressed.

Shocks don't support any weight per se----the more brave among us can and have run with completely failed shocks on occasion.

If there's a problem with shock ratings its what is "comfort", what is "sport" etc---typical words used to rate a shock.

Generally one has to determine the most frequent load a body will incur and then size tires, springs and shocks to handle that weight. If we're changing the loaded weight like moving people hauler to cargo only even for short periods the battle still is which condition do we build to?

Because my daily driven work van weighs just at 7800# almost always its easy for me. I opt for "heavy duty" or "sport" because tight control of body roll is maximum concern, any "comfort" rating wouldn't be to my liking. I prefer immediate and full control of managed weight control, the heavier settings always working to my complete joy.

Another thing almost always overlooked is the condition of the coil and leaf springs. If both or even one isn't up to its weight handling capability no shock absorber can or will adequately compensate.

So that's all I know about it.............

 

If you can afford it then go with the Bilstien's but my van came with the KYB's put on by the PO and I don't have anything bad to say about them. The ride is comfortable and they handle loads well.