Shock Advice
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 85
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Shock Advice
Anybody have any idea what the best shock on the market today is. I haul my four wheeler around and occassionally pull a trailer. I drive a 99 f-150 supercab short box 4x4. i've heard that monroes are really good but i just wondered if anybody had any advice.
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 539
Likes: 1
From: San Mateo, CA
I've used the Monroe Sensa-Trac on my old Mazda/Ranger 4x4 and thought they were a nice improvement over stock.
I have the Monroe Reflex on my '01 f150 4x4. Installed them around 65,000 miles ago(w/ about 65,000 on the vehicle). I remember the first drive out a twisty, hilly highway - It handled almost like a sports car. I was laughing out loud it was so much fun.
However, I haven't towed anything nor have I traveled more than a couple exits down the freeway with a lot of weight in the bed(they handled fine, though). All the long trips tend to be for recreation and snow skis and mountain bikes don't weigh near what a four wheeler does.
Additionally I suspect they might be getting a bit soft. I just got new tires a month ago and there just isn't the original level of excitement I recall when the shocks were new. Truck is about to roll over 130,000 and there may be other suspension parts that are softening and impacting the handling. They do have a lifetime warranty.
I have the Monroe Reflex on my '01 f150 4x4. Installed them around 65,000 miles ago(w/ about 65,000 on the vehicle). I remember the first drive out a twisty, hilly highway - It handled almost like a sports car. I was laughing out loud it was so much fun.
However, I haven't towed anything nor have I traveled more than a couple exits down the freeway with a lot of weight in the bed(they handled fine, though). All the long trips tend to be for recreation and snow skis and mountain bikes don't weigh near what a four wheeler does.
Additionally I suspect they might be getting a bit soft. I just got new tires a month ago and there just isn't the original level of excitement I recall when the shocks were new. Truck is about to roll over 130,000 and there may be other suspension parts that are softening and impacting the handling. They do have a lifetime warranty.
Junior User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Edgerton, WI
I had Monroe Sensa-Tracs on a Toyota 4Runner I used to own and that thing handled like a sportscar.
Ive got Gabriels on my F-150 right now and they are pretty decent. I bought them from Farm and Fleet and they have a lifetime warranty (if they ever fail I just take them back and get a new set for free), I cant really complain.
I would not get Ranchos. My father has an '02 SuperCrew FX4 that has Ranchos on it and that thing rides like a lumber wagon.
Ive got Gabriels on my F-150 right now and they are pretty decent. I bought them from Farm and Fleet and they have a lifetime warranty (if they ever fail I just take them back and get a new set for free), I cant really complain.
I would not get Ranchos. My father has an '02 SuperCrew FX4 that has Ranchos on it and that thing rides like a lumber wagon.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 1
From: Louisville, Kentucky
Replacing shocks on an F-150 is about as easy a job that can be done by an owner. On a scale of 1 - 10, with 1 being putting air in your tires, etc., this would be a 2 to a 3.
Get er done!
Get er done!
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 539
Likes: 1
From: San Mateo, CA
The hardest part will be getting the old ones off. Usually the nuts have frozen up a bit. So you might want to hose them with WD40(or similar product) the night before. Just be careful to not spray the brake surfaces.
Also, a number of times I've had trouble getting the top nut off because the shaft just spins. I've used vise grips on the shaft succesfully. Clamp them on as tight as you can and wrench on the nut. The vise grips will spin until they come in contact with the frame and then the nut will bust free.
Figure on a couple of hours- with the right tools and a lift the job can be done in well under an hour. You won't need to remove wheels or jack up the vehicle.
Also, a number of times I've had trouble getting the top nut off because the shaft just spins. I've used vise grips on the shaft succesfully. Clamp them on as tight as you can and wrench on the nut. The vise grips will spin until they come in contact with the frame and then the nut will bust free.
Figure on a couple of hours- with the right tools and a lift the job can be done in well under an hour. You won't need to remove wheels or jack up the vehicle.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 689
Likes: 1
From: South suburb of Chicago
Would it be easier to jack it up, so that there would be more room underneath?
PS. Sorry Smits03 for stealing this thread.
PS. Sorry Smits03 for stealing this thread.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,940
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I had monroe sensa-tracs on my old 95 F150, it rode nice on the pavement but once your were in some rough terrain they had a tendancy to bounce too much, I just installed some rancho RS5000's on my 02 f150 4x4 and it is a nice improvement over the stock ones, worth the extra $ in my opinion.
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 539
Likes: 1
From: San Mateo, CA
You don't usually need to jack up the vehicle. Depends on how much room there is once your under there.
Also a vehicle sitting on it's wheels is safer than a vehicle on a jack.
You can try one side with the jack and one side without. I'd use a jack stand or two if I'm under a vehicle wrenching with any force.
Also a vehicle sitting on it's wheels is safer than a vehicle on a jack.
You can try one side with the jack and one side without. I'd use a jack stand or two if I'm under a vehicle wrenching with any force.