Need shocks...what's your favorite?

[Ramblin Fever]

Vehicle is 1997 Isuzu Rodeo that weighs in at 5,500#

Truck sees a lot of highway traveling, mild off-road adventures, and can carry a load from time to time...does NOT tow anymore however.

I have used Gabriel Sport Shocks (ride is great, but no control), Tokico Trekmasters (which KNOCK your teeth OUT) and KYB gas-adjust (can we say TANK EFFECT!)

Right now truck is sitting on Gabriel sport in the front and Tokico's in the back...truck rides like it came from WWII and heaven forbid if you hit a mild pot-hole, you might be looking for your teeth on the floorboard!!!!

I need a shock that's a notch better then OEM. OEM's were too flimsy and allowed too much sway in cornering.

I also need a shock I can afford, Bilstein's, Rancho 9000's are out of the equation.

I'm so tired of getting shocks that say they are fantastic for on and off-road, with better control, etc....but then put them on and I feel like a rattle box!

I want a shock that will control the truck in all types of handling, but not be ROUGH about it!

Any thoughts would be great!

 

[tom slick]

Has the Rodeo ever handled and rode nicely?

 

[Steve S]

Originally Posted By: tom slick
Has the Rodeo ever handled and rode nicely?

 

[kd5byb]

I put Monroe SensaTrac's on my '95 Ford Ranger when it needed them at about 30k miles / 4 years old. I was bouncing my way over speed-bumps and would get sea-sick in corners from all the sway. Okay, maybe not sea-sick, but it was bad.

The SensaTrac's cleaned it up nicely. Still rode like a truck, though, but NOT teeth-jarring. Even on Houston's worst roads, it did pretty well. Drove 90k / 9 years on them and was pleased.

They might be worth a shot?

later,
b

 

[Jeffdc5]

Can't go wrong with bilstein shocks

 

[BrianWC]

I second the Monroes. I needed to replace the front struts on my 9-5 and couldn't believe how much even lowly KYBs cost for this car. I put on Monroes thinking I'd regret it. Long and short, they're just fine more than 30k miles later.

 

[Duffman77]

+1 for Monroe SensaTracs.

 

[byez]

I was looking for shocks for my Ram right now.

For the price point I was looking for I could have gotten Monroe's or Rancho 5000's which are both twin-tube. So for the same price I went with the KYB gas-a-just because it is a monotube.

Haven't installed them yet though so I guess I'll have to see how they do....

 

[Ramblin Fever]

Originally Posted By: tom slick
Has the Rodeo ever handled and rode nicely?


Yes, when the truck had the original shocks it road almost TOO soft and cornered pretty flimsy.

I'd like something between that and too harsh.

 

[cousincletus]

Last year I put NAPA Gas Grande H-D shocks on my 2001 Ram 2WD 1500 and the truck rides really well. Bouncy ride was eliminated (I never liked the ride of that truck, even when new). Man, what a difference. About 50 bucks per shock.

 

[njohnson]

Our family has a 1994 Honda Passport (rebadged Rodeo). Back in 1999, we replaced the OEM shocks with Gabriel Reflex shocks. They have been great shocks. Of course, we haven't tried all the other brands, but I'm happy with the Reflexs.

Compared to the OEM shocks, the Reflexs softened the ride so the Passport wasn't as jittery going over bumps, yet, at the same time, felt like it firmed up the cornering. Strange but true. The best part is that some eight plus years later, the Reflexs are still working wonderfully well.

 

[Ramblin Fever]

Njohnson....thank's a bunch, I'll look into those.

 

[The_Jeff]

Shocks aren't there to make you corner well; that's what (anti) sway bars are for.

It's possible you could find some thicker ones from a "rodeo sport" or whatever, or that your bushings etc on your current ones are shot.

 

[tom slick]

Originally Posted By: Ramblin Fever
Originally Posted By: tom slick
Has the Rodeo ever handled and rode nicely?


Yes, when the truck had the original shocks it road almost TOO soft and cornered pretty flimsy.

I'd like something between that and too harsh.


I think monroe sensa-trac would fit your needs. they have a soft ride but handle the bumps well. they are about $50 each from NAPA

 

[MNgopher]

I've been runinng the Monroe Reflex shocks on various rigs for many years now. Firmer than stock (and probably a bit too firm for my taste on the Jeep Cherokee). Great on full size pickups - firmed the ride up and more responsive than stock. Next time for an SUV, I'm getting the Sensa-Tracs.

Napa carries the same shocks under the Napa name.

 

[PW01]

Rancho RSX

 

[Whimsey]

Originally Posted By: PW01
Rancho RSX


Ditto the Rancho RSX's. I put them on my 2002 LB super cab F-150 with only 5,000 miles on it. The change from the factory shocks was unbelievable

. Still have them and love them. I'm not sure but I think the Monroe Reflexes might be the same shock, just without the shock boot. Worth a look.

Whimsey