Shock absorber recommendation

[mikesierra46.2]

Any suggestions for shocks for my 2003 4x4 Ranger? I drive a lot on a 2-lane highway through the hills near Tecate with lots of curves, so looking for handling, but also need to be good for light off-road driving and firewood work.

 

[gw33gp]

Bilstein shocks have always been my favorite. They are a great all-around shock with little compromise but are not cheap. They are durable.

 

[mikkelstuff]

I used KYB front and rear shocks on my 2002 4WD Ranger for similar driving and have been pleased.

 

[Josh B]

Any suggestions for shocks for my 2003 4x4 Ranger? I drive a lot on a 2-lane highway through the hills near Tecate with lots of curves, so looking for handling, but also need to be good for light off-road driving and firewood work.

How much wood do yall burn out there in California

 

[sgtsandman]

The Rancho RS5000 series shocks have been good and I think easier to figure out which ones I needed.

Bilstien is a better shock in my opinion but their application marking was difficult to figure out what I wanted. It could have just been the web sites I was on.

 

[JohnnyO]

Any suggestions for shocks for my 2003 4x4 Ranger? I drive a lot on a 2-lane highway through the hills near Tecate with lots of curves, so looking for handling, but also need to be good for light off-road driving and firewood work.

Monroe Sensa Tracs. I had them on my old Sport Trac. Similar driving style.

 

[RobbieD]

How much wood do yall burn out there in California

About as much wood as a woodchuck can chuck.

 

[Blmpkn]

About as much wood as a woodchuck can chuck.

Are you implying the OP is a woodchuck?


IS the OP a woodchuck?





My vote is for bilstiens though, furry lil buddy.

 

[Josh B]

It's got me looking at shocks too and there's not a cut and dried answer.

I first figured the wood may be for the grill anyway but that desert can get cold at night

 

[RobbieD]

Are you implying the OP is a woodchuck?

Absolutely not!

At this point, we haven't even established if a woodchuck can indeed chuck wood.

 

[4x4prepper]

> and firewood work

Nothing beats true air bags and I have added them before to firewood trucks. That being said I have Monroe shocks up front and Monroe air shocks in the back of my 1985 B2. But, it is a piece of rolling rust and hardly an elegant ride, but, it seems okay handling.

> near Tecate with lots of curves, so looking for handling

Might want to try the 70/30 shocks from James Duff, never used them, they seem nice enough.

 

[Lefty]

I bought my Ranger Edge with 150,000 on it. I'm pretty sure that mine are the original OEM Ford shocks. They are pretty rusty but still hanging in there. OEM sounds boring but they aren't so bad. Maybe air bags are best, especially for occasional heavy work.

 

[Kira]

Are there any air-bag shock brands / sources which have 'delivered'?

 

[gw33gp]

I understand Firestone are good, durable air bags. I have always used Air-Lift which are less expensive, but the bags need to be replaced around every 5 to 7 years. I found a good way to extend the life of them though. I pump a little Fix A Flat into them and that solved the slow air leak that starts in the 5–7-year range.

I have not had to replace a bag since I started using the sealing method. I still have a new spare just in case though.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I understand Firestone are good, durable air bags. I have always used Air-Lift which are less expensive, but the bags need to be replaced around every 5 to 7 years. I found a good way to extend the life of them though. I pump a little Fix A Flat into them and that solved the slow air leak that starts in the 5–7-year range.

I have not had to replace a bag since I started using the sealing method. I still have a new spare just in case though.

Do you take them out to put in the fix a flat? Roll them around so all ends are sealed? I have a slow leak in mine...