deyodragon

I just put OME leaf springs on my stock '86 4runner and got 2" of extra travel in the rear. I've balanced the front end by cranking the Tbars a bit until I can get 1.5" BJ spacers in there. I'm tight on cash but need new rear (and eventually front) shocks. Auto parts stores don't know what I need, they just look up stock info on their parts computers. I'd LOVE OME shocks, but on a Monroe budget (not to say that Monroe aren't good, just that they make a less expensive option for guys like me). I was also thinking Rancho RSX or 3000 might be good. Does anybody have a part # (or #s for f and r) I could give to my local parts store so they can actually sell me something? Any ideas, comments? (Other than to get an idler arm brace, bronze bushings, SAS.......) Thanks!

Matt16

I just did a similiar thread yesterday about an OME coil lift for a 1990 4Runner. Here's what I found from my reading.

Monroe Reflex= Rancho RSX but cheaper. These have a special vale that "adapts to terrain"
ProComps are likely going to be short for the application, they provide a very firm ride which controls the truck very well off road but on road it really jars you, say if you both wheels on one axle hit a bump at the same time. I don't think I'll go ProComps again- I've got a bad back and they're too harsh.

WestCoastMoose

Spend the extra cash on the better ones now, and you will enjoy a much better ride,for a longer period of time.
I have REFLEXS' in my 90 4runner. They are a great all around shock with a very responsive attitude.

Matt16

How are the Reflexes offroad? How long have you had them? Do they fade? That's the one thing the ProComps so well (aside from punishing Kidneys)- controlling the motion offroad.

deyodragon

I posted a similar query in the BJ spacers thread 'cause I'll need fronts soon (after I install BJ spacers). Matt, I saw your post, got me thinking Monroe. Here's some info from the other post replies: for 9.5" travel - Eye 3/4" - compr. 15.12" - exten. 24.63" use spec. for 1998-2003 Dodge Durango 4x4. Monroe pn 59378 (18.99 @ Checker) or Gabriel Pro Guard pn 61658 ($21.99 @ Autozone). For 10" travel - Eye 3/4" - Compr 15.21" - exten. 25.23" use spec. for 1999-2006 Silverado/ Sierra 1500 4x4. Monroe pn 59592 ($22.99 @ Checker) or Gabriel Pro Guard pn 61642 ($21.99 @ Autozone).

Matt16

I wonder if they would take abuse offroad. The reflexes are gas charged, so does that mean that it reduces or eliminates fading? These Monroes are alot skinnier than my Pro Comps, but the Pro Comps aren't gas charged. The Pro Comps don't fade either, but they do pummel you.

WestCoastMoose

They have been on for about a year now.I have minimal if any body roll in the corners IE:No fade. When stopping the front end barely "nosedives".Of course, these aren't off road shocks, but they do feel good travelling down the FSR's.No sore ass if thats what your asking.
Why, we don't know, but we usually say,"imagine the ride if we were on other shocks" when out in the boonies.
I also put in a set of coil spacers to help with the levelling,as I carry a couple hundred pounds when I leave work.Company pays me to do deliveries in my own vehicle,which equals free gas money!!

spdjnky

I have OME leaf springs on my 86 and bj spacers in the front with edelbrock shocks and it rides great, the suspension has only been on about a week. I actually got the shocks from summitracing on cleareance for $10.95 or something cheap. Here is what they have now for 0-2" lift and can give you some part #'s

http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...115+4294892143

CanTheWhales

I've got ProComp ES3000's all around and they work good for a budget shock... If you're planning on upgrading later a $36 shock is a nice start. And if you keep them I still think they'd be fine I don't think they're too rough on road, but then again mine's a truck and probably already rides harder than your 4runner anyways.

kylextrisler

i have procomp es3000 and going over a speed bump at like 10 miles an hour seems to be like im trying to get air to clear a bus, they really are very harsh

CanTheWhales

Hmm.... well I know one of my rears is blown and I think a front one is leaking... maybe they are softer when they're broken... I don't know what to say, mine were never hard, but again I have a Truck and basically no weight in the rear.

Matt16

Step away from the Pro Comps.

I used to like them because they were better than the leaky shocks I had, They control the ride well- as in there isn't any out of control rebounding, but the ride is seriously harsh. A decent bump and it feels the same as if you bottomed out, just you didn't.

I've got a bad back and I think these are almost at a point where its making the back worse. Seriously.

I think I will be upgrading to OME's in the near future. Anyone know whether these will work with BJ spacers?

deyodragon

I had to get some shocks quick, 'cause I noticed that one of my stock length shocks had actually separated. Two pieces! I stopped by Autozone on the way home and got a pair of Gabriel Ultra for about $32. each, with a lifetime warranty. (When I get a set of spendy OME shocks, I'll put the lifetime warranty shocks on my trailer - a mid '40s Willy's truck bed on a new frame. Really cool looking with flat fenders and all!) The part # for the shocks I got is G63675. I had to drive the steel bushing out of the eye to fit them to my truck. It was pretty easy with a 3 jaw pulley puller, usint the inner shock mount washer as a backing plate for the hooks on the puller arms. I lubed the head of the puller to make it easy to pull out after the head was buried in the rubber bushing. Overall a pretty easy conversion. The new shocks feel great on-road and do nicely in my neighborhood, with all of the bumps and potholes. I'm in the woods, so the streets are a bit rough.