I have a 95 shorty with 245k . Have had her for over 100 of those. I am not sure if the shocks are original but they need changing. I am putting GABRIEL HIJACKER AIR SHOCKS on the rear and was wondering if any body could recommend or warn me against some shocks for the front? I have looked at past posts and am trying to get some updated information.
Thanks in advance for any recommendations - good or bad.

 

Bilstein, KYB or Tokico

 

I used Monroe gas shocks on the front the last time I changed them. I had Gabriels on the front before that, and I didnt care for them. KYB makes good shocks.

I just put a set of Monroe air shocks on the rear this spring, since I changed rims and went with wider tires. I should have done that a long time ago. Rides nice and level with any load, handles just fine.

 

Why do you think you need air shocks on the rear? These vans carry some pretty heavy loads without sagging. I tow a 26' sailboat and gear in the back and it rides perfect with Monroe Sensa-tracks all 'round.

The Bilstein, KYB or Tokico brands would probably improve your ride. Air shocks kinda suck IMO. My '82 El Camino had factory ones.

 

Van GO.......
When we put a lot of weight in the very rear of van she rides a little low and she bottoms out and the tires rub into the fenders when going over bumps and dips at highway speed's.We would only be airing up occasionally when carrying loads. Under normal loads she rides just right.

 

Vegas,

It sounds like you have weakened springs as well as worn dampers (shocks). Most people don't realize their dampers are worn as it occurs so gradually, which causes the springs to get over stressed, and thus, wear out. Air shocks will help hide the problem by increasing the effective spring rate, but they by the time you put that much pressure into them, their damping rate becomes insufficient to damp out the increased spring rate. You should really replace the springs as well as getting some HD rear dampers. A properly functioning damper will damp out a bounce after one rebound.

Having said that, I've found that both the original equipment and Monroe Sensatrac shocks are a little too under damped for proper bounce control. I have not been motivated enough to spend the money for Koni or Bilstiens. I have no idea how the Kayabas are, but I have heard that they make a lot of OEM shocks for Ford.

 

xlt4wd90 and others,

I don't think the rear springs are weakened as the van doesn't normally sit low. It is only when we load it down heavily in the very rear end when we go on our long road trips. Our plan would be to only air up the shocks occasionally for these long trips. The problem isn't that it rides a little low when loaded heavily, the van bounces and bottoms out all 4 wheels when going over small dips at highway speeds causing specifically the rear tires to rub inside the fender wells. This is the problem I want to eliminate. Would just new Ford oem shocks all around eliminate this problem? I don't want to put standard shocks on the van only to find out that I should have purchased air shocks.

I find that the auto parts store--2 different brands of air shocks are available: Monroe and Gabriel. I am wondering if anyone out there has experience with either brand on their Aerostar shorty--good or bad. If so, please respond. Also, if anyone has similar experiences with the van bottoming out at highway speeds and replaced their shocks with 4 OEM shocks has that solved the problem? Price isn't an issue for better quality and performance. Also, forget Rancho 5000 series shocks as the manufacturer says you have to grind down some of you suspension components to make them fit.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

Thanks xlt4wd90, that's what I was leading up to.

Vegas Van, If you believe the springs are okay (you can't really tell with an unloaded van) then the airshocks will level you out. I just don't think you will get the best ride for 99% of the time you don't need them.
There are some airlift bags that fit inside the coils. Theoretically they only work when you air them. Regular shocks work the other times. I've never used nor have experience with them.

 

air bags stiffen the ride even at minimum pressure....cannot be ran at zero pressure or spring compression would damage bag
i like the ride now with air bags...run 8>12 lbs psi for normal local driving and raise for loads....really helps with loads firming and stabalize the rear end even on curves and rough roads
shocks last much longer with air bags....75k on these
air shocks prior....did not perform as well for me and shock portion was worn out at 30k

 

96_4wdr,
What brand air bags do you recommend and were did you get them?What kind of shocks are you using?

 

Air Lift brand bags
Tokico shocks

 

I use the Monroe air shocks, just put them on this spring.

I run them at minimal pressure most of the time, and air them up for full loads, such as 7 passengers. I put 15x7 wheels and wider tires on it a while ago and I get very slight tire rub over dips with the vehicle loaded. The shocks cleaned that up. Those wider wheels are the only reason I felt the need to go with the air shocks. I'm sure a different set of rear springs would have done me just fine, too.

I had a set of air bags on a Dodge station wagon I owned years ago. They were good, but the air shocks are easier to put on.

 

I have the Gabriels in the front and they're ok. My sister brought them back from Texas and the Homeland Security folks must have loved the sight on their screen when x-raying her suitcase. I had their tape stickers all over the shocks
Anyway, although the rear does not sit low when unloaded, the springs are still weak. I have replaced the front springs and wow, I feel the difference between new front and old rear on every ride. So the only logical job is to change both springs and shocks in the rear.
The rear axle has cone-shaped rubber dampers to avoid getting too low when fully loaded on bumpy roads. I have the regular 215/75-14 tires and I never rubbed them in the fender wells, no matter how heavily I was loaded.