shocks and struts
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 586
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stay away from Gabriel. they really like to rust through in short order. If you want bang for the buck the Monroe Gas matic LT ($22 each at advance) ride very nice on the front of my 99. on the rear I opted for the SensaTrac load leveler shock with the coil over assist. about $120 for a pair. Kyb makes a pretty good shock in the price range.
Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,901
Likes: 2
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
The best shocks and very commonly recommended here are the Bilsteins. Extremely well made shock. I have learned to stay away from Monroe shocks. We have a section of road that is under construction, so its very bumpy. When I take my mom's '92 Aerostar with Sensatraks, it gets all bouncy to the point where it will sometimes bottom out. My bro's '97 Aerostar has just worn out shocks and it does the same thing. I have had KYB's on my van for the last 60,000 miles, and they still handle this same stretch of road just fine. Even when i have a full load it won't bottom out.
The Bilseins are a slightly better shock than the KYBs. They have a smoother ride.
The Bilseins are a slightly better shock than the KYBs. They have a smoother ride.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 586
Likes: 1
I would seem to think the bottoming out van has worn springs or other suspension parts. But maybe a bad set?
As for the Bilstein, it's a very good shock, but its around triple the price. And for a 16+ year old street driven truck, I would think the best shock valu e would still be the Monroe or KYB.
As for the Bilstein, it's a very good shock, but its around triple the price. And for a 16+ year old street driven truck, I would think the best shock valu e would still be the Monroe or KYB.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 827
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From: Seattle
I'm going to be contrary here and advise against the KYB's. I found they wore out on the front end way too fast. The rears last forever unless you haul heavy loads - but on the front they wore down too fast for me.
I might try for Bilsteins, but I was looking at Monroes as a starting point.
I might try for Bilsteins, but I was looking at Monroes as a starting point.
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 586
Likes: 1
If you have had them on your truck then your observations are better than mine. I have been using KYB GR-2 Struts on my Cougar on several recommendations from other Cougar/Contour owners with lowered cars. The Truck shock may very well be a totally different animal.
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 827
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From: Seattle
I won't condemn the KYBs for all Rangers, but at least for the 2000 they don't/didn't hold up at all. I'm not overly fond of the 2000 Ranger front-end suspension anyway - in my mind it's not robust enough.
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,104
Likes: 384
From: Southern California
Shock Recommendations IMHO:
1) Koni- Excellent for racing applications- overpriced for street applications
2) Tokico, QA1 & Bilstein- A very good shock for street/strip applications. If you are running very stiff tires on the street (such as Bridgstone that are 100% steel belted or tires with profiles shorter than 50 series), these provide the extra give that you need for both comfort & stability
3) KYB- A very good shock for street/strip applications. If you are running a softer tires on the street (such as BFG that are a mix of steel & nylon belted or tires with profiles not shorter than 50 series), these provide the extra stiffness that you need for both comfort & stability. The GR-2’s are the equivalent to the Edelbrock IAS automatic adjusting units. Overall, stiffness between the Gas-a-just and the GR2’s are the same, the difference is the GR-2's valving which stiffens things up from a oem setting to that of the Gas-a-just units.. Best shock for the $/best price typically found at Performance Suspension Technologies (PST) and typically about 1/3 less than Bilstein.
4) Gabriel- A very nice good quality HD OEM replacement type unit.
1) Koni- Excellent for racing applications- overpriced for street applications
2) Tokico, QA1 & Bilstein- A very good shock for street/strip applications. If you are running very stiff tires on the street (such as Bridgstone that are 100% steel belted or tires with profiles shorter than 50 series), these provide the extra give that you need for both comfort & stability
3) KYB- A very good shock for street/strip applications. If you are running a softer tires on the street (such as BFG that are a mix of steel & nylon belted or tires with profiles not shorter than 50 series), these provide the extra stiffness that you need for both comfort & stability. The GR-2’s are the equivalent to the Edelbrock IAS automatic adjusting units. Overall, stiffness between the Gas-a-just and the GR2’s are the same, the difference is the GR-2's valving which stiffens things up from a oem setting to that of the Gas-a-just units.. Best shock for the $/best price typically found at Performance Suspension Technologies (PST) and typically about 1/3 less than Bilstein.
4) Gabriel- A very nice good quality HD OEM replacement type unit.
Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,901
Likes: 2
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
I would seem to think the bottoming out van has worn springs or other suspension parts. But maybe a bad set?
As for the Bilstein, it's a very good shock, but its around triple the price. And for a 16+ year old street driven truck, I would think the best shock value would still be the Monroe or KYB.
As for the Bilstein, it's a very good shock, but its around triple the price. And for a 16+ year old street driven truck, I would think the best shock value would still be the Monroe or KYB.
The KYB GR-2 is a great shock. Myself, I am running the Gas-A-Just because I handle a lot of weight.
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