Shock Value ?
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: FTDIXNJ & BELLE VERNON PA
Shock Value ?
I Have A '97 4.0 4x4 Xlt Excab.i Pull A Trailer With A 700 Sportsman And Gear Sometimes As Long As 350 Miles Up And Down The Pa Turnpike.i Also Haul Heavy Loads Of Wood And Such Usually Within A Radius Of 10 Miles From My Home And Most Of That Is Off Road.with My Usual Driving Described, I Am Replacing The Auto Hubs With Manuals And While I Am At It I Was Thinking Of Having The Shocks Replaced.i Just Visited The Advanced Auto Parts Web Site Looking At Shocks And Comparing.question Is What Shocks Should I Buy Because I Do Not Have A Clue.i Know That I Do Not Need A Strictly Street Shock Nor Do I Need A Strickly Off Road Shock.
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From: Higginsville, MO
I cant give any comparison because my Level II came from the factory with Bilstein off road heavy duty shocks but they seem to do a nice job. Ride is pliable enough and it doesnt beat you up too bad.
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Eastern WA
I currently have Bilsteins (OEM/factory on the truck) and used Ranchos on my former 94. Both will noticeably firm up the ride; this was proven on my old Ranger (94 XLT 4.0 4x4 scab) when the factory shocks were replaced. If you don't mind the firmer ride, I would use one of these. They will prove to be of benefit when you have a load in back. If you prefer a softer ride, I would go with the Monroes. I've used them on my other vehicles and they have performed well.
Last edited by CowboyBilly9Mile; Jan 8, 2006 at 03:51 AM.
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Monroe Sensatrac
I put Monroe Semsatracs on my '98 4 Banger. The local parts store had 'em. It firmed up the ride but it isn't too firm. It is nice not be bounced all over the place when driving over speed bumps. I believe the Monroe Reflex are an updated version of the Sensatrac. As a side note a local shop quoted me $89 each to change out the shocks. They said they used Monroe or Gabriel. I opted to install them myself. The Sensatracs were about $38 each. It took about 3 hours. The front ones were a little bit of a pain to change out. The back ones were easy. Other than that it wasn't difficult. What was interesting was that after the left front shock was removed it failed to extend after being compressed.
Regards,
Tim
Regards,
Tim
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From: ventura, CA
I picked up the Bilsteins and installed them this evening - only bought two for the front.
VERY NICE RIDE! Nice and firm now but not harsh.
The OEM's were replaced I think at ~ 60K miles with KYB GR2's. The KYB's have been dead for a while, these Bilsteins went in at 158K. When the KYB's were put in I couldn't tell much of a difference between stock the new KYB's, but I can totally tell the difference with the Bilsteins in. This truck has never been this firm before.
The rears are still the original OEM. I don't get the sense of any wandering from the rear and this truck rarely hauls anything heavy in the bed.
I'm happy!
VERY NICE RIDE! Nice and firm now but not harsh.
The OEM's were replaced I think at ~ 60K miles with KYB GR2's. The KYB's have been dead for a while, these Bilsteins went in at 158K. When the KYB's were put in I couldn't tell much of a difference between stock the new KYB's, but I can totally tell the difference with the Bilsteins in. This truck has never been this firm before.
The rears are still the original OEM. I don't get the sense of any wandering from the rear and this truck rarely hauls anything heavy in the bed.
I'm happy!