I have a 1998 Ford Explorer V6 with 70,000 miles and the ride is very bouncy. I think that the OEM shocks have had it and I wanted to put new shocks on. The guys at my local Sears suggested Rancho 5000 for my truck. I do about 90% on road and 10% off. These shocks come with a lifetime warranty. Seems like a good deal at $335 including the shocks, mounting, alignment and tax for all four. What do you guys think, are these good shocks and is the price reasonable??
Rancho 5000 Shocks
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I have a 1993 Explorer V6 and while the suspension is completely different on the first-gen Explorers compared to yours, they still both exhibit a great deal of bounciness. I put on Monroe Reflex shocks and they are probably the best investment I have made for my Explorer. The old shocks I had on were ProComp, which is similar to a Rancho 5000, and they were way too stiff and weren't very comfortable on-road. The Monroes are soft, yet are stiff enough when cornering not to exhibit a whole lot of body roll. The Monroe Reflexes also have a lifetime warranty. I believe Sears sells them, and I think you would be much happier with the Reflexes over the 5000s.
Oh, and about the price. If you have a set of sockets and wrenches, shocks are quite easy to install yourself. I have very little mechanical skill, and I did my shocks without even lifting the truck off the ground. I paid $44/each at Checker for mine, and if you install them yourself you can save a boatload of money.
Oh, and about the price. If you have a set of sockets and wrenches, shocks are quite easy to install yourself. I have very little mechanical skill, and I did my shocks without even lifting the truck off the ground. I paid $44/each at Checker for mine, and if you install them yourself you can save a boatload of money.
I have a Grand Cherokee and I was thinking about the Ranchos but i heard from fellow Jeep owners that they aren't any good. I'm using KYB Gas-a-just shocks. I got them for 129 shipped. My Jeep rides smooth but the suspensions are different (solid front and rear axles with coils at all 4 compared to your Indpe. front/solid rear axle with leaf springs in the rear, coils in the front). Installing them is easy, at least on my Jeep, which has a suspension set up similar to the 1-gen Explorer.
If you wanna stick with Sears, i heard the sears auto brand truck shocks are just relabeled Monroe Sensatrac truck shocks and I heard they ride pretty nice. Just stay away from Rancho and Procomp.
If you wanna stick with Sears, i heard the sears auto brand truck shocks are just relabeled Monroe Sensatrac truck shocks and I heard they ride pretty nice. Just stay away from Rancho and Procomp.
You might consider Bilstein shocks. I have them on my F-150, and they are much better than the OEM's, on and off-road. Maybe someone on this forum has some experience with them on Explorer's?
The Rancho 5000's are a cheap shock that will never wear out, but give you an absolutely terrible ride on the street. Do yourself a favor and get something else.
A good friend of mine has had a '76 full-sized blazer since I've known him (~'83). In high school, he started getting into offroading with some seriousness and back then Rancho was what he bought.
Fast forward to today- the truck is now viscious- circletrack motor, roll cage, paddles. It'll sink you into the seat on accel like nothing else (low range
). No Rancho bits allowed- they've apparently really cheaped out and are looking to sell as many units as possible with no concern for function.
$0.02,
Robert
Fast forward to today- the truck is now viscious- circletrack motor, roll cage, paddles. It'll sink you into the seat on accel like nothing else (low range
$0.02,
Robert
Well thank fellas for all the good advice. Looks like I will pass on the Ranchos as everyone feels that they are not a good shock. I am going to look for other alternatives, does anyone have any experience with Edlebrock shocks? A local place has a sale on them but if they are just like Ranchos than I will go for the Monroes at Sears as many people have told me good things about them. Thanks again for all the advice!!
Whoa.....hold the boat. The 5000's may not be that great, but go with the RS9000X, they are adjustable. I have them on my F150 crew and it's like riding on a dream. My wife even likes riding in the truck and my 6 month old head doesn't get jerked around as much with these shocks. If you carry a load, you can dial up the numbers or if you want comfortness, drop them down. The dial is on the shock itself, takes about 30 seconds to change the settings. I have had mine on 3, and like I said earlier, what a difference. Of all the mods I have done to my truck, this was by far the best bang for the buck. I installed them myself, just takes a little time and be patient. The best price and quick shipment is up in Tulsa OK, at sams offroad. They have a website, check it out. A lot of F150 owners DO NOT like Monroes or Bilsteins.
I'm here to tell you, the 9000 will be the best investment you ever made. Period. If you do go with these shocks, do this. Take the dail off, hex screws, and fill with a waterproof grease. Others have experienced the dials being hard to turn when they get the "winter gunk" on them.
[ June 02, 2004, 10:00 AM: Message edited by: Schmoe ]
I'm here to tell you, the 9000 will be the best investment you ever made. Period. If you do go with these shocks, do this. Take the dail off, hex screws, and fill with a waterproof grease. Others have experienced the dials being hard to turn when they get the "winter gunk" on them.
[ June 02, 2004, 10:00 AM: Message edited by: Schmoe ]
Another vote for the Monroe Reflex. Put a set on my girlfriend's Explorer and it gives a better ride AND better handling. Pretty cool.
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