Monroe Reflex Shocks...

rpeAMP · 03-25-2003, 05:37 PM

Has anyone heard about the new Monroe Reflex shocks? Are they any good? I've heard some bad news about the older Monroe shocks, but supposedly these are supposed to be revolutionary.

My shocks are shot to hell on my 92 (they are the original factories), and my springs are sagging big time in the back.

I can get 4 Monroe Reflex shocks and two new springs for the back to bring it back to stock height for $500 including install and lifetime warranty if the shocks ever leak or the springs start to sag. Is this a good deal or am I being ripped?

Poul D'eau · 03-25-2003, 06:29 PM

Don't bother with the monroe reflex. I've already have had to replace the two in the rear. I don't go off-road much but I do tow a bit and they can't handle it.

For about $450 you can have Downey HD coils and 4 Edelbrock or Bilstein's That's if you do the work.

rpeAMP · 03-25-2003, 06:58 PM

Hey man,

Thanks for the reply! I just moved from Shreveport, LA to San Antonio, TX last year. That's a great name for it, though, Shrevevegas. It does have way too many casinos.

I think I'll go with the alternative you suggested (was my first choice anyway, but didn't jump to having to do the work). Where would be the best place to get the springs and Edelbrock shocks?

dajabr · 03-25-2003, 07:33 PM

Edelbrocks are cheaper but the bils are lowest right now at Autozone. Dunno if you have the out there, they bought Trak Auto. You can get Rancho add a leaf for the back too. Your $500 deal sounds a little fishy...

rpeAMP · 03-25-2003, 07:50 PM

Thanks for the insight. I think you guys are right in the sense that I could get much more for my $500, especially since I just looked at the price for Monroe Reflexes and they are around 30-40 a shock. $500 doesn't sound right at all even with labor.

I think I will go with the Edelbrocks and the Downey HDs. I will probably also crank the Tbars as everyone else has.

Plays_with_Toys · 03-25-2003, 08:12 PM

I thought everyone was saying not to crank the tbars down because of the added wear it creates on the cv joints and other components?

I also had a similar offer, but the monroes, labor and warranty were $300. I decided to get ranchos and install myself, and I am very pleased so far, although my truck has yet to see a trail with them.

txcomp · 03-25-2003, 10:27 PM

The 4 Wheel Parts on Broadway (outside the loop) sells Edelbrock shocks. I just ordered my Bilsteins online at http://www.truckperformance.com/ same price as AutoZone but no tax. Shipped to my door in 3 days for right at $300. Had em put on a PepBoys for $105. (Yeah, I know, I was lazy)

91Runner · 03-25-2003, 10:57 PM

If you decide to go with Bilsteins (I don't think you can go wrong either way with Bilsteins or Edelbrocks) I would order them from Offroad Warehouse they're a local store near me, but you can order online from them, and they're the cheapest place I've found for Bilsteins. I just ordered a set a few weeks ago for $60 a piece. And on top of that they had a shipping special going on

So it cost me about $260 for the set.

-Braden

1Runner · 03-26-2003, 03:59 AM

[quote]Originally posted by Plays_with_Toys
[b]I thought everyone was saying not to crank the tbars down because of the added wear it creates on the cv joints and other components?

Alot of the folks on here are switching out their ADD hubs for ASINS manuals, and then giving the T-bars a few cranks. It doesnt sound like anyone is really cranking them alot.
The manual hubs cut down on the wear.

CTB · 03-26-2003, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dajabr
You can get Rancho add a leaf for the back too. Your $500 deal sounds a little fishy...

He can't quite do add-a-leafs out back...he has a '92.

Poul D'eau · 03-26-2003, 05:11 AM

Here's a link for cranking your t-bars

http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/torsion/

Wow txcomp, $105 to put on new shocks........ Wait now I remember the top mount of the right rear shock. That one is a PITA!

PistonSlap · 03-26-2003, 06:31 AM

Monroe Reflex are good shocks for the $$. There are better shocks, but they will cost more. It comes down to what you need. I put them on a 93 with 130,000. They drastically improved the ride. I could have spent twice as much on bilstiens and had a much stiffer ride. I really didn't need or want that. This truck rarely goes off road and does a lot of city driving. The Reflex shocks work great under these conditions. There is no need to over spend if you don't need to. Get what will work best for you.

The shocks alone installed should run about $225-$250 installed. You can probably catch a rebate from Monroe and save $50 or so. $500 for shocks and springs sounds about average for most shops. You could probably find a better deal if you shop around, but I doubt you would save a whole lot. If it is a shop you know and trust, you will probably be better off than going with the lowest bidder. Although, replacing shocks and rear springs is not the most difficult job. Any shop should be able to do a quality job.

rpeAMP · 03-26-2003, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by txcomp
The 4 Wheel Parts on Broadway (outside the loop) sells Edelbrock shocks. I just ordered my Bilsteins online at http://www.truckperformance.com/ same price as AutoZone but no tax. Shipped to my door in 3 days for right at $300. Had em put on a PepBoys for $105. (Yeah, I know, I was lazy)

So let's say that I buy some Bilsteins or Edelbrocks along with the Downey HD springs. Would PepBoys put these on as well? If not, where in the SA area will install stuff that you don't buy from them directly?

03-25-2003, 05:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
rpeAMP Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 419	Monroe Reflex Shocks... Has anyone heard about the new Monroe Reflex shocks? Are they any good? I've heard some bad news about the older Monroe shocks, but supposedly these are supposed to be revolutionary. My shocks are shot to hell on my 92 (they are the original factories), and my springs are sagging big time in the back. I can get 4 Monroe Reflex shocks and two new springs for the back to bring it back to stock height for $500 including install and lifetime warranty if the shocks ever leak or the springs start to sag. Is this a good deal or am I being ripped? __________________ Preston Edwards 1992 4Runner SR5 V6 4WD (5 Spd.) 246,000 miles & counting 2" Downey coils, 32x11.5x15 BFG A/Ts, Rockcrawler Series 51 wheels, Magnaflow exhaust, Yakima roof rack, ARB bull bar, SAW Torsion bars, (4) PIAA 520s, Cobra 18 WX ST II CB w/ Firestik antenna, hp iPaq GPS 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport 4WD (5 Spd. Auto) 400 miles & counting

03-25-2003, 06:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
rpeAMP Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 419	Hey man, Thanks for the reply! I just moved from Shreveport, LA to San Antonio, TX last year. That's a great name for it, though, Shrevevegas. It does have way too many casinos. I think I'll go with the alternative you suggested (was my first choice anyway, but didn't jump to having to do the work). Where would be the best place to get the springs and Edelbrock shocks? __________________ Preston Edwards 1992 4Runner SR5 V6 4WD (5 Spd.) 246,000 miles & counting 2" Downey coils, 32x11.5x15 BFG A/Ts, Rockcrawler Series 51 wheels, Magnaflow exhaust, Yakima roof rack, ARB bull bar, SAW Torsion bars, (4) PIAA 520s, Cobra 18 WX ST II CB w/ Firestik antenna, hp iPaq GPS 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport 4WD (5 Spd. Auto) 400 miles & counting

03-25-2003, 07:33 PM	#4 (permalink)
dajabr Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: US somewhere Posts: 875	Edelbrocks are cheaper but the bils are lowest right now at Autozone. Dunno if you have the out there, they bought Trak Auto. You can get Rancho add a leaf for the back too. Your $500 deal sounds a little fishy... __________________ Former trucks- 89 & 86 4Runners http://www.va4roc.com

03-25-2003, 07:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
rpeAMP Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 419	Thanks for the insight. I think you guys are right in the sense that I could get much more for my $500, especially since I just looked at the price for Monroe Reflexes and they are around 30-40 a shock. $500 doesn't sound right at all even with labor. I think I will go with the Edelbrocks and the Downey HDs. I will probably also crank the Tbars as everyone else has. __________________ Preston Edwards 1992 4Runner SR5 V6 4WD (5 Spd.) 246,000 miles & counting 2" Downey coils, 32x11.5x15 BFG A/Ts, Rockcrawler Series 51 wheels, Magnaflow exhaust, Yakima roof rack, ARB bull bar, SAW Torsion bars, (4) PIAA 520s, Cobra 18 WX ST II CB w/ Firestik antenna, hp iPaq GPS 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport 4WD (5 Spd. Auto) 400 miles & counting

03-25-2003, 08:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
Plays_with_Toys Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Parker, Colorado Posts: 1,572	I thought everyone was saying not to crank the tbars down because of the added wear it creates on the cv joints and other components? I also had a similar offer, but the monroes, labor and warranty were $300. I decided to get ranchos and install myself, and I am very pleased so far, although my truck has yet to see a trail with them. __________________ 1987 Xtra Cab (4x4) - (SOLD) 22r, Rancho RS 5000, 15x8 American Racing AR-23s w/ 31x10.5 BFGoodrich A/T's, 2.25" exhaust w/ 23 1/8" glasspack, Explorer Pro Comp Prerunner bar/ Hella 500's

03-25-2003, 06:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
Poul D'eau Contributing Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Shrevevegas, LA Posts: 241	Don't bother with the monroe reflex. I've already have had to replace the two in the rear. I don't go off-road much but I do tow a bit and they can't handle it. For about $450 you can have Downey HD coils and 4 Edelbrock or Bilstein's That's if you do the work.

03-25-2003, 10:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
txcomp Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Northwest AR Posts: 13	The 4 Wheel Parts on Broadway (outside the loop) sells Edelbrock shocks. I just ordered my Bilsteins online at http://www.truckperformance.com/ same price as AutoZone but no tax. Shipped to my door in 3 days for right at $300. Had em put on a PepBoys for $105. (Yeah, I know, I was lazy) __________________ Tim! 1999 4-Runner Limited Lunar, a/d/s, Clarion, Bilsteins

03-25-2003, 10:57 PM	#8 (permalink)
91Runner Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Escondido, CA Posts: 573	If you decide to go with Bilsteins (I don't think you can go wrong either way with Bilsteins or Edelbrocks) I would order them from Offroad Warehouse they're a local store near me, but you can order online from them, and they're the cheapest place I've found for Bilsteins. I just ordered a set a few weeks ago for $60 a piece. And on top of that they had a shipping special going on So it cost me about $260 for the set. -Braden __________________ "We've Got Ways Of Making You Pronounce The Letter O." 2005 Avalanche White Nissan Xterra 4x4 265hp V6... Stock For Now

03-26-2003, 03:59 AM	#9 (permalink)
1Runner Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: currently at large Posts: 902	[quote]Originally posted by Plays_with_Toys [b]I thought everyone was saying not to crank the tbars down because of the added wear it creates on the cv joints and other components? Alot of the folks on here are switching out their ADD hubs for ASINS manuals, and then giving the T-bars a few cranks. It doesnt sound like anyone is really cranking them alot. The manual hubs cut down on the wear. __________________ 2002 Tacoma double cab. 4X4 TRD package, rear locker. Imperial Jade Mica. Stock, stock, stock. It will have to stay that way for a while. (sigh) Hey!! I got some husky liners!!!

03-26-2003, 05:11 AM	#11 (permalink)
Poul D'eau Contributing Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Shrevevegas, LA Posts: 241	Here's a link for cranking your t-bars http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/torsion/ Wow txcomp, $105 to put on new shocks........ Wait now I remember the top mount of the right rear shock. That one is a PITA!

03-26-2003, 06:31 AM	#12 (permalink)
PistonSlap Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 164	Monroe Reflex are good shocks for the $$. There are better shocks, but they will cost more. It comes down to what you need. I put them on a 93 with 130,000. They drastically improved the ride. I could have spent twice as much on bilstiens and had a much stiffer ride. I really didn't need or want that. This truck rarely goes off road and does a lot of city driving. The Reflex shocks work great under these conditions. There is no need to over spend if you don't need to. Get what will work best for you. The shocks alone installed should run about $225-$250 installed. You can probably catch a rebate from Monroe and save $50 or so. $500 for shocks and springs sounds about average for most shops. You could probably find a better deal if you shop around, but I doubt you would save a whole lot. If it is a shop you know and trust, you will probably be better off than going with the lowest bidder. Although, replacing shocks and rear springs is not the most difficult job. Any shop should be able to do a quality job.

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