The ride in my explorer is very rough in terms of going over bumps and potholes...it vibrates a lot, it's stiff and I hate it. What kind of shocks can I get that will make my ride very smooth and go overbumps easier and be better offroad also? I am looking to spend up to 250 for shocks that are of good quality, I've been looking at rancho and rough country, any other ideas?

Dave

 

Only one choice IMHO ...Bilstein!!!

 

Thanks...I am also looking for shocks that hold up in offroad conditions as well as on pavement.

 

I put Bilstein 5100 series shocks on my '93 4x4 and I love them! I have had this truck Elk hunting in Colorado, mudding, deer hunting, fully-loaded towing a trailer, etc... (my truck rode 10x better in Colorado than my dad's Dodge) The ride of my truck was improved drastically! I strongly recommend these shocks. I paid about $280 after shipping from Jackit.com. Oh yeah, I do have helpers in back and lift springs in front. Even though you would think that shocks with OVER 300psi of nitrogen in them would just make the ride worse due to the overstiff springs it really rides great!

 

are those that long travel style?

 

I am very happy with my pro comp explorers.

 

I think I might just go for some ranchos...rs5000, or the rsx series....but I should just wait and get a lot of money together and get a rs9000x!!

 

The 5100 series are still monotube construction (not detached reservoir) but they are for slightly lifted trucks, if I remember correctly up to 4" of lift. A great offroad shock.

 

how much they run per shock?

 

I believe I paid about $60-$65 ea. The total was right at $280 after tax and shipping from jackit.com

 

ok thanks. i might look into those

 

I just put a set of Pro Comp ES300s on my F-150 and am very happy with them. They're comparable with the Rancho RS3000s, but a good bit cheaper. They're usually about $40 each, but I got them during a buy 3, get 1 free special.

 

Dont get Rancho shocks. I have RSX shocks, had RS5000s, and Im not impressed.

 

Same here, good deal.

 

I just put RS5000's on my truck, and the ride got a whole lot stiffer. Not exactly sure how they help maintain control offroad, when every bump I hit sends me through the roof.