Advice on front shocks

[ratdude747]

My 1995 needs some new shocks in the front. I replaced my coil springs yesterday and the one remaining factory radius arm shock stud (which required some welding, which is another story...), and I discovered that unlike the other stud which was replaced due to snapped threads (rust+breaker bar), this stud was badly rotted and chewed the living **** out of the shock bushing. My upper shock bushings are dry rotted too. On top of that, looking at my front tires, I noticed that what at first looked like camber wear (why I replaced the springs, which were rusty and possibly saggy) is actually cupping, which IIRC indicates loose or bad shocks. While both shocks have been loose for short times (right after each stud replacement due to not getting nuts tight enough), the amount of wear is more than that. Finally, the shocks, while not leaking oil, don't completely pass the bounce test (I get one big rebound, then a few small ones, which isn't 100% good?).

So, I'm looking for shocks. I don't feel that bilsteins are warranted due to cost, but otherwise I'm not looking to cheap out with crappy economy junk (which is probably what I had, they're unbranded red shocks). I mainly do city/highway driving, no heavy loads (minus my fat ass) or offroading.

Who makes the best shocks for TIB RBV's? I used to run TYC Excel-G's on my Durango (what I drove before I got the ranger) but that was a 4WD Dodge. Are Monroe Sensatracks good? (the normal kind, not the $$$ adjustable kind).

I'm on a work trip for a week and a half (truck will sit during that time, wife has a Taurus she likes better ) so I have time to bargain hunt once I know what I'm looking for.

Suggestions? (No I'm not lifting or lowering it )

 

[ratdude747]

Anybody?

 

[truckfan]

I recommend KYB's. They are not too stiff and not too spongy.