I have an 03 4 X 4 diesel...I have about 155k and have a few questions...I have shocks that look silver and very old....could they be the factory ones? also...I just priced some Monroe Gas Magnums...41.99 with a 5.00 rebate....I put a set on my 01 F-250 years ago and I liked them...but the guy at Advance Auto parts said they are the bottom of the line and about the same as the stock ones...that blew me away...I thought they were good ones....so................ lets say they are the same quality as stock....does that mean they are good but just wont last as long? or what? I always heard great things about KYB and Bilstiens and have good luck with KYB...but I just spent the $$$ and put the Bilstiens on my 4 runner and was not impressed...dont get me wrong they are ok...just that I did not notice a BIG difference if you know what I mean. So...if you are a shock person please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thanks! Garth

 

Me tinks that the stock shocks were black, but don't quote me on that. Most on here go with the bilstiens or the rancho adjustables. Some have commented that they do not like the bilstiens after installing them, but no comments about the ranchos, yet. They are pricer but in my opinion they will last longer and you will be happier in the long run. You get what you pay for.

 

The stock shocks I just removed from my 2000 Ex were black. I installed Monroe gas magnums - so far so good. They are a huge improvement over my stock shocks, but they had 160k miles on them

 

i'm going to be going with KYBs here soon, we have them installed on a few diff family trucks and the one that blew me away was our 36' motorhome. after installing them it drove like a whole new rig. very controled hardly any sway/bounce. yet soft and no harsh in any way. hopfully they will help the excursion in the same way.

 

I put regular (5000 series) Rancho on the front. Have yet to replace the rears. The only issue I had with the Rancho, which I found out after putting on a second set, is that the top of the shock rusted out and then completely blew out when I hit a pot hole. They were only 4 years old. I will watch and see what happens with the new ones before buying them for the rear.

 

Hey thanks guys...I just saw a small wore out tag.... that said this "flex"
then underneath said "shocks a" so I am thinking what Monroe "reflex" shocks maybe...but they do look OLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ok....I thank all of you!!! Garth

 

I strongly recommend the adjustable Ranchos, the 9000xl's. If you think about it, the level of quality is the same among all of the higher-end after market shocks that we are discussing. What everyone's opinion of them really comes down to is "do they make my Ex ride like I like it to ride?" Everyone has a different opinion as to how they like their ride (stiff? soft? somewhere in the middle?)- so if you take brand xyz, lots of people on here who like the way it makes their truck ride will give them two thumbs up, but if it turns out that it gives a real stiff ride and you don't like that ride you will think they're terrible and hate them until you replace them With the Ranchos you simply adjust them until you love the ride, and can easily change them for different conditions. I just replaced the tires on my Ex, and instantly noticed a change in the ride feel. A little playing around with the adjusters on my shocks and it's back to the way I like it. I could be wrong, but I don't recall reading about anyone who has gotten the Ranchos and not liked them. A little more pricey than some of the others? Yes, but worth it in my opinion. (Especially if you find them on sale.)

Thanks,
Ted

 

Hey Ted...I agree...but when I looked them up I see that they say for 4" lifted trucks...do they make one for the stock height? TIA...Garth

 

Right from rancho's web site. For the 9000XL adjustable shocks, with 0" lift.
00-05 4x4 fronts RS999267
rear RS999266

00-05 2wd front RS999272
rear RS 999278

In fact I had these on before I replaced my springs. They seemed not to have enough room for compression on the front. Now after the spring swap and 2" of height, they seem to have the room they need to function properly.


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i have the rancho rsx shocks.. i like em

 

Well...I just finished my Rancho 5000 steering stabilizer and a new pitman arm tie rod link....What a difference...the play is gone....and I dont have the wheel ripped from my hand when I hit a bump...thats great! I was going to adjust the steering box after hearing the problems people were having...now my Ex drives much better! now if I could only get the sway bar end link bushing kit in that I ordered!!!

 

I put bilsteins on my '02 V10 and they made all the difference in the world. I had 67K on the stock shocks so there was a lot of body roll. With the bilsteins it make the truck feel much more solid on the road and it corners great. $271 for 4 from e-sh*****.

 

+ whatever on the Bilsteins. Installed them this week and they are great.