Hi, I've been searching for an hour and I give up. There are just too many threads on shocks. I am planning on replacing my shocks this weekend. I was just looking for a DIY write up about replacing them so I could read through it before the weekend. I have the air ride system, and its a 98 4WD. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

Well, the procedure is pretty simple, they are just a matter of jacking up the vehicle, unbolting the old ones, and bolting in the new ones. The catch is gonna be if the old ones get corroded badly, sometimes the bolts will seize badly enough that you have to cut or torch them off. That really depends a lot on where you live and how long its been since they were last replaced.

This next part is my take on what kind of shocks. I totally expect someone to disagree with me, but this is based on both my experience and general consensus.

Both Monroe and Gabriel are bottom feeder junk. The Gabriels seem to be the better of the two, but if you want a good ride quality that lasts, these are two brands to avoid. Sure the Monroes have a lifetime warranty, but so do el cheapo brake pads. It doesn't mean that they are good quality, it just means they try to redefine "lifetime"

The Ranchos are pretty good, especially on lifted applications.

In my opinion, the overall best value, is the KYBs. The GR-2 line will give you a ride quality similar to the factory. The Gas-A-Just line will give you a stiffer, sportier, heavy duty feel.

The Bilsteins seem to be the top of the line. They will get you as close to a European like ride as possible, which tends to be stiffer than stock, but in a sporty type way. They seem to deliver a combination of stiffness and smoothness that just makes the car feel more high end.

What you go with depends on your budget and the ride you are going for.

 

Is there anything that connects to the shocks for the air ride control? This is the first time i've had that and am completely unfamiliar with it.

 

On the air ride, I'm not sure. Is the air ride part of the shocks? If its not part of the shocks, you shouldn't have to mess with the air system. I haven't worked on an Explorer with the air rides.

 

I'm not sure, I haven't gotten under there and looked around yet. Just haven't had the time. This is the first vehicle I've ever owned with the air ride control so thats all new to me.

 

Okay Khan, here's your disagreement. I can't quite go along with your bottom-feeder comment. Having been an ASE certified Master Parts Tech and fleet equipment specialist for 30+ years I'll just say I have Monroe shocks on my vehicles. You have your opinion and it's your money so you can do as you see fit. Monroe hasn't been in business all these years building junk. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

I've used then on two of my vehicles. I had a 1990 Mazda B2600i and I replaced the shocks with Reflex. About 40,000 miles later, they were shot. Even before that, they seemed to soften up fairly quickly after they were installed. I replaced them again with Reflex, same thing happened. My mom's 1992 Aerostar needed new shocks, we went with the Sensatraks. They rode nice for a couple weeks. After than, the ride was bouncy again. We had them warrantied out, they did the same things again just a short while later.

On my personal van, I went with KYB Gas-A Justs. Not only do they ride smoother than the Sensatraks (surprising considering is a stiffer shock), but they have been on my van for over 80,000 miles and still ride great. I recently put a set of Gas-A-Justs on my brothers 1997 Aerostar, and mine still rides as good as his does even though mine have been on for several years and a lot more miles. Its nice to have an identical setup that is brand new to compare with. I plan to run GR2s on my Taurus. My dads 1996 Ford Ranger has KYB GR2s and has been running the same shocks for over 200,000 miles, and they are only recently starting to wear out. His 2000 Dodge Dakota is running KYBs, don't remember which ones, and they also have over 200,000 miles, and show no signs of problems. In fact, it handles trailers better than my brother in laws 2005 Chevy 1500.

I drive for a living pretty much doing deliveries across the greater Salt Lake area, with periodic trips to more remote parts of the state. So I get to run shocks though the gauntlet. By gauntlet, I mean rough roads, potholes, dirt roads, washboard roads, etc. You do what, the average drivers run of 10-12K miles per year? I run over 50,000 miles per year, often with heavy loads that put the stain on the shocks. Monroes might hold up ok if they are babied. I know Monroe makes a lot of OE shocks. Most OE shocks are starting to show signs of wear by 30,000 miles.


I'm sorry, but my experience with Monroes tells me they are all about manufacturing what is at best an OK product. Tell me, if Gabriel and Monroe are not the bottom feeders, then who is? Generic shocks?

 

Glad you have better luck with whatever else you use. I do part time now what you do. My route is 1000+ miles a week in the 2 1/2 days I work........... so that's 52K + miles a year. I don't think I'll waste my breath on a big discussion of shocks since you obviously know more than me. Enjoy your KYB's.

 

I just put on the rear this weekend, went with the Gas a Just, KYB
can't wait to get em for the front now!!!
amazing difference....
the Monroes we put on last time didnt wear long
i'll leave it at that.