Monroe Shocks?

[TwoTrack]

So I'm due for new shocks. I was looking at the Ranchos and then found out they are part of Monroe. I started looking at what they have to offer and started reading some reviews. Most people like them. I don't want to spend $100 a shock so Bilstein is kinda out for me unless its the HD.

Anyway. While looking at Monroe I came across the Sensa-Trac Load Adjusting Shock Absorbers. Has anyone used these or have any experiences with them. From the reviews I have read they seem to lift the rear 1" max and help out quite a bit for loading. But nothing I read seemed to talk about using them off-road.

What about the Monroe Max Air Shocks? Worth it?

And for the front I was thinking of getting the Monroe Reflex Shocks. They have great reviews as well. Should I just put these on all 4 corners?

Just wanted to see what you guys had to say about em.

 

[HenryJ]

The coil over shocks work well on a tow rig that needs a little help. I think that you will find them uncomfortable offroad in a rig that has little load.
If you need the help of extra spring, it is better to change the suspensions spring to better match your needs.
Coil springs can be replaced and leaf springs packed to match the needs.

I run a few sets of the Monroe shocks in the fleet. The Reflex are not too bad. I find the metal upper shields rubbing the lower shock body, even out of the box new. I'm not too impressed with that. The Reflex are softer that the Gas Magnums. I think I prefer those for the vehicles that see rough offroad use and heavy loads. They too have the issues with the shields rubbing the body. These shocks all have a double tube design. That does offer more fluid, but the inner tube is insulated by the outer and shock fade in offroad use can be very apparent. A monotube design is superior in that aspect. The twin tube does offer protection to the inner tube so rocks denting the outer housing are less of an issue for performance.

Personally I would prefer a shock with a convoluted boot to better seal out debris. Inverted mounting on the back is preferable as the body does not endure rock damage as readily and the seal does not have debris settling on it.

Ranchos rarely last more than three years. Monroe gas Magnums might go 3-5 years. Reflex in between depending upon the abuse. If you only plan to keep the truck that long, they are an option. Ride quaility may not be great.

For a fleet shock the Gas Magnums get my vote. For the boss' rig in the fleet and the highway runners, the Reflex.

For a personal vehicle that I plan to keep long term, HD Bilstein hands down. Pay once and be happy a lifetime. Better ride and performance that does not go away. I have seen more than few who bought less expensive shock at first and wish they had just bought better shocks a year or so later. Do lots of research and make the choice that is right for you.

 

[Hilldweller]

For a personal vehicle that I plan to keep long term, HD Bilstein hands down. Pay once and be happy a lifetime. Better ride and performance that does not go away.

X2
The correct spring rate and a set of Billies ---- you'll kick yourself for waiting so long.

I have Teraflex shocks now. And am kicking myself...

 

[p71]

Not particularly relavent but my car came with monroes from the factory IIRC

 

[ExpoMike]

Buy a set of Bilsteins and that will be the last set you will ever need to buy for that vehicle unless you make some major suspension changes.

Most less expensive shocks are twin tube design which means they have a very small piston inside so it limits how much dampening they can do and this also creates a lot of heat which causes them to fade very quickly over rough roads/trails.

Buy it once, do it right. You'll be happier in the end.

@p71, in most cases, factory shocks = cheapest POS they could put on. That's why all the factory suspension "upgrade" packages use something like Bilstein or another higher end shock. If that Monroe was so good, why don't they use them on the upgraded package?

 

[TwoTrack]

Bilstein HD's is what you guys recommend? Cheapest I've found them is about $70 per. Sound right?

 

[off-roader]

Bilstein HD's is what you guys recommend? Cheapest I've found them is about $70 per. Sound right?

personally I've had great luck with KYB's (either model) but then again this is in numerous montero's (~ high 3k - mid 4k lbs) either off road or on road.

Rarely hear anything good about the Rancho's except on occassion their 9000s which is valved wrong for my vehicle so I don't run them.

 

[HenryJ]

Bilstein HD's is what you guys recommend? Cheapest I've found them is about $70 per. Sound right?

It does.
http://www.shockwarehouse.com/ has had pretty good pricing.

A note about the Bilstein shocks offered with some of the lift kits. I did not know until recently, that some of those were specially produced for sale with a lift kit and that they are neither warrantied , nor replaceable through Bilstein.
The quality may be suspect on these specially produced units. Buyer beware.

The stock offroad Bilstein shocks offered OEM with some vehicles , are not the same as the HD Bilstein shocks sold aftermarket. Those OEM Bilsteins that I have been exposed to seem to run softer than the HD replacements. Still good, but perhaps not quite the refined performer that I have been accustomed to.

Learn more : http://www.bilsteinus.com/

I have no affiliation. Just a happy customer and believer.

 

[p71]

@p71, in most cases, factory shocks = cheapest POS they could put on. That's why all the factory suspension "upgrade" packages use something like Bilstein or another higher end shock. If that Monroe was so good, why don't they use them on the upgraded package?

I was mostly kidding...

But the upgraded suspension also uses Monroes I think...

My Truck came with Fox Racing 2.5 inch bypass shocks, so OE is not ALWAYS crap... but I do get your point.

 

[off-roader]

Luckily my Montero came with 3 way adjustable shocks specially made by KYB for Mitsubishi. They are good enough that 15 years later they still work fine.:Wow1:

My replacements will be KYB's:smiley_drive:

 

[Hilldweller]

What about the Bilstein 5100s rather than the Heavy Duty?
And the 5160s are getting press in the Jeep world.

 

[ExpoMike]

5100's are great shocks and would be the series I would go with. The HD series is still way better than most other shocks out there but the aluminum body of the 5100's help to disapate heat better. 5160's are sweet and likely what I will go with for my M1010 project, since it has more oil volume and can disapate more heat then the 5100's. On a heavy vehicle that will likely cycle the shocks more than a light vehicle, I think this will be an added benefit.

 

[Greggk]

so how does the hd series bilsteins handle weights of towing and such as well as daily use on ford 3/4 tons?

 

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

I am currently running Rancho 9000xl, the adjustables. Don't like them...at all. They replaced a set of Monroe Magnums which I liked, overall. But I agree with other posters...I'll be going with Bilstein 5100s and some new springs. 215k miles...I guess it's time. :sombrero:

 

[TwoTrack]

From my understanding 5100's only work for lifted vehicles. I am not lifted (well 1") so I don't think these will work for me.