Description of my truck in my sig.

After driving the truck through some moderate rain last Friday, I noticed that something in the left front was making a little noise. Upon investigation, I really couldn't find anything wrong and the noise went away once everything dried out. However, while under the truck, I noticed that the shocks on the truck still said "Motorcraft" on them. Turns out that my truck (now almost 18 yrs old with 80K+ on the odometer) was still riding on the stock shocks!! I was somewhat amazed since the truck didn't seem to rock back and forth that much and the ride already seemed super-stiff, but I know that doesn't tell the whole tale. I yanked one of the rears off real quick to check it out. Sure enough, the thing was shot. I could EASILY compress it with my hands, and it never even tried to rebound.

So, then came the time to decide what to order. I did a little searching here in the forum to read some reviews. Didn't surprise me that no one thought highly of the Rancho RS5000s. I had a set on my 90 F150 and was never that impressed. I thought about Bilsteins, esp. since my buddy had a set on his 89 F150 and had really liked them, but the cost was a little high and I also wanted to try something a little different. Push come to shove, I knew I could always pick up a set of Bilsteins later. I read some mixed reviews on Monroe and there were a few comments here and there regarding some other brands, but in all I couldn't find a true consensus on what the best shock for my application would be. But, I thought back to a buddy of mine who I worked with back when I sold auto parts who had a 96 F150 and basically used his truck the same way I did (daily driver with the occassional load in the back). He said he had tried KYBs and was very pleased with them.

So, $200 and a few clicks of the mouse later, I had a set of KYB Monomax shocks on their way to me from Summit (www.summitracing.com). A quick word about my Summit transaction as long as I'm here: I searched online for about an hour and found their price to be the best out there from a company I knew I could trust. $50/ea plus free shipping ($10 handling charge, though). Their site made it easy to ensure I was buying the right part, and even with UPS Ground shipping I had the parts in 2 days (ordered Easter Sunday, on my doorstep before noon Tuesday). In all, I was very pleased with the transaction and would do business with them again in a heartbeat!!

As many of you already know, the install on this job is pretty straight-forward. In all, it took me about an hour and a half for all 4, and that was with me being an idiot a couple of times. First, on the rears, I couldn't get the bolt to line up with the shackle while compressing the shock. Man these new guys are stiff!!! Eventually I figured out to use my head instead of my strength by employing my trusty lil 2-ton jack to hold the bottom of the shock in place while I lined the bolt up and "persuaded" it in with a mallet. In all, the rears were done in a 1 hour lunch break, which included time to do the 10 minute drive each way AND change clothing. The front were much easier than the rears, but took a little longer. First off, I didn't pull the wheel for access. I just didn't feel like it and decided to just crank the wheel and work around it. The other part that slowed me down was the limited access to the top nut. I couldn't get a socket up there, and my speed wrench for that size has conveniently gone AWOL, so I was stuck using just a good ol' box-end wrench and going turn by agonizing turn. Not the end of the world, but aggravating nonetheless. Only othe rminor issue was getting the stock bushing out of the top mount. As some of you may know, the original shock setup actually didn't use the "bushing on either side backed by a domed washer" method that we're all so very used to. Instead, Ford had a custom bushing that sitss through the mounting hole which you have to remove. Not that big of a deal, but it tripped me out since I wasn't used to seeing something like that. No big deal, though. A little time with an old flat-tip screwdriver and a mallet had that thing out in just a couple minutes.

*IF YOU JUST WANT TO READ THE REVIEW OF THE SHOCKS, SKIP TO HERE!!!*

Now, the moment of truth. I've had these shocks on for 2 days now and so far I'm fairly pleased. First off, the truck feels firmer/taller just sitting in it. I had never realized on the old suspension just how much it moved with me getting in the truck or shifting in my seat. The difference was enough that my GF even noticed it the first time she got in after the install, and she hardly ever notices ANYTHING on a vehicle.

Down the road, the ride is much more firm, but in a good way. I still feel the initial impact of just about anything significant I hit, but it doesn't shake the living bejesus out of the truck like it used to. I used to have to grip the steering wheel for dear life whenever I hit a significant pothole or rough patch in the road because the wheel would try to jerk all over the place. That has almost completely gone away now, and will probably be a non-issue after I replace the worn front tires. Only thing I don't like so far is that the ride is STIFFER than before. The old shocks (being as worn as they were) would let the ride bounce for a little, which would minimize the impact you got from the suspension rebound. The new stuff isn't as forgiving. It's not a HARSH ride by any means, but I guess it just shows how my truck was meant to ride. Oh well; at least I feel like I have more control of the vehicle now.

I haven't ever had the truck in the dirt yet, so I couldn't give you a review of that. Once thing I WILL say, though, is that I was a little concerned on the front shocks. When installing them. I noticed they were just a little shorter than the stock ones when fully expanded, meaning their travel over the nasty stuff may be hindered. As of yet, this hasn't been an issue, but the the first time I DO start finding some significant dirt or dips, I will be checking them out to make sure the shocks aren't being over-extended.

In all, I'm very pleased with my purchase. I may or may not try the Bilsteins the next time around only because I remember my buddy's truck riding much more smoothly than mine does now, but than again his was a 1/2 ton vs my 3/4 ton. These things are definetely miles ahead of the RS5000s though. With those, I found the ride way too harsh, ESPECIALLY for a truck that's driven mostly on streets. Maybe it was my fault for buying "Off-Road" shocks on a street-driven truck, but I think these KYBs are much more suited to my driving needs/style.

Mike

 

Hi Mike
Thanks for going to the trouble to write up both the instal and the review.
I'm going to be replacing shocks on my 1990 F150 4x4 180,000 miles. Hoping to get a softer ride from the shocks I choose. Truck is a dailey driver and never off roads.
I'm leaning towards the Monroe shocks, but no firm decision yet.

 

80,000 miles? that's nothing. When I bought my 92 F250, it has 180,000 on the original shocks. Let's just say they were pretty noisy and shot.

 

it's my understanding that the Monomax are KYB's heavy-duty shock. they may make something more on the softer end. i just didn't want to have to replace them again for a LONG while (like another 80K mile, lol!)

Mike

 

that was a very good writeup.

probably wins the award for the longest post except for frederics.

 

mine had just over 100k when I swapped out the original ones for some rancho rsx's. These have been pretty good for me I must say and mine does seem to ride a little stiff but it's a 4wd truck so it prob. just rides a little stiff anyways.

 

thanks for the write up.. Have a F350 crew 4x4 with 85k and just bought some Monroe "Reflex" shocks for it.. REALLY didn't want a firmer ride so shy'd away from the "performance" shocks like Bilsteins and KYBs fearing they would make my ride even stiffer. Use my truck for mostly getting some dirtbikes to the dirt and not towing or hauling heavy loads..

Anybody have any expereince with Monroe shocks? Was my logic sound? Paid over $200 with tax so I wasn't getting a bargain..

Thx,
Brian

 

so now that you lived with the kyb's for a while, how are they?

 

Their "standard" high-pressure shock is the gas-a-djust which I have had on my Bronco for about 5 years. They seem pretty plush riding to me, but then I like stiff shocks. The thing I really like about KYB's are the lifetime warranty. I finally got one to leak after many years of abuse on my lifted CJ. When I returned it to the dealer, he replaced both rear ones for free.

 

I just installed 4 new Skyjacker Nitro shocks obtained from Summit ($130 total after $30 rebate!) and my wife thought I had someone else's truck it rides so much better. One of my old shocks (manufacturer unknown) was rusted out and another was leaking fluid--definitely shot. I do have a 6" lift.