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Monroe shocks suck...open for your suggestions

B

Blazer_Boy

1/2 ton status
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I know there's been a post or two on the subject of shocks but I'll try to put my unique spin on the situation. I have an '82 Blazer with new springs that are just a hair shy of 3/4 ton and give somethin like an 1 3/4 lift over stock (2" blocks in rear"). It also has Monroe Reflex Shocks. I understand that 3/4 ton springs wont ride like a Caddy but what I have is ridiculous. My uncle lives on a gravel road and it was real washboarded and I had to idle back to town it, thats right idle. It was just hitting so hard I couldn't get any normal speed.

So I was thinking of something new. Maybe Rancho's. What size should I get, the 0-2" or the 2"-4". I'll be pretty much spending my time in town with some fishing or light trail running but nothing more. Oh, 31" tires by the way, may go to 32"s. Thanks for the input.

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I have ranchos and they suck! Don't get ranchos. My back is sore from wheel'n. I am thinking about Bilstine or Edelbrock.

'71 Blazer CST with alot of rust
 
sounds like you are blaming rough riding springs on your shocks
 
I have Rancho's and I like them....it's a truck and rides like a truck with them.....

"Suck Fumes Ford Boy"
"I love my country, I fear my government"
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Ranchos (atleast RS5000s) are probably even worse than your Monroes on washboard. For rough roads at speed you want either a Bilstein or Doetsch Tech (or Fox if you're rich).

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I recommend Edelbrocks IAS shocks, they'll self adjust to the washboard terrain. But first of all, I'd recommend you remove all shocks and take it for a ride (a short one in a safe place). That way you'll find out what to expect when you install new shocks.

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I also will say it sounds like you are blaming the spring's ride on your shocks. Personally I'd go shell out a few bucks for some aftermarker 2" springs... sounds like the EZ rides or superlift superides would be good for ya. We use Monroe exclusively at the shop and they are great on stock vehicles, but never really tried them on the pressures of offroad. We usually go the Gas Magnums for a truck or van application... will dampen the ride better and reduce body roll a bit IMO. Otherwise factory replacement Blist's are great shocks. I'd stay away from Rancho unless you go 9000's, although you could give the RSX's a try (self adj). Just my $.02 worth...

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1987 Chevy K5 Blazer- 350 TBI
 
I use Monroe's and they are fine.

89 K5 Silverado
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Procomps are good shocks (the same thing as Ranchos, just a different sticker and not such a pretty penny). I would check and make sure your springs aren't binding. Take the bolt out that holds them in and put some grease on there and then tighten them down (don't play heman and really crank them down) and put some lock tight on and make sure it has time to dry and see how it rides. Also, make sure those Monroe's are long enough for your lift. Hope that helps!

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I think 77chev nailed it. I use Monroe LT's on my Sub (fronts are quads too), and have had no problems. The only shock i dont like are Gabriel. Ive had Gabriels on my 87 Blazer and a 76 Cutlass that i owned. I hated the way they both rode. It felt like the vehicle was going to roll over on every off/on ramp. I just dont think they are heavy duty enough.

One From None
 
It sounds like your springs are pretty stiff Jon. One thing that I found helped my ride quite a bit was greasable bushings. If everything can move freely it might not be so harsh. Having your tires over-aired doesn't help either. What pressure do you run? And lastly I find that sometimes the slower I go over the potholes and washboard the worse the ride is...a little more speed sometimes improves the ride, at least on mine it does.

Rene

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Rene..
Like you go slow over potholes.. I imagine your the type that will go out of your way to hit the dang things
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.

89 K5 Silverado
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Hmm, gresy bushings ya say? Actually that sounds like a good idea. I got the springs because I wanted to be a macho man (make tool man grunt). Actually I intended on towing and playing around on some trails when out fishing. I got to try the trails last month and it did a really nice job, took on some large mounds of sand and other river edge garbage. Who sells the greasable bushings?

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ORD sells greasable bushing and shackle kits.
They will help some, but if the spring rate is real high it may still ride real rough. Mine does not ride like a Caddy either, even with greasables. It is better than it was though.

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Rene makes a good point about the bushings (like there was any doubt about advice from him....) if the springs are binding in the shackles the travel they would normally make will instead be transmitted as a rough ride. Have you ever ridden in a vehicle with solid bushings? (suspension, engine mount, body mount, whatever) It makes a huge difference in the ride. You get every little vibe and shock sent right to your butt.

3/4 ton springs aren't gonna be cushy no matter what you do, but It seems like you already know that. I would like to throw my 2 cents in on the Edelbrock IAS shocks as well. Just put them on my Blazer ('88 with 31's as well) and love them. Great all around shock so far. Handling improved, and the ride is 100% better than it was. Not sure about off road yet as I haven't had a chance to get in the dirt since I put them on, but I have heard good things. Another easy (and free) thing to try is if you have a quad shock setup in front, take a set off! With only 31's or 32's you really don't need the heat dissipating capacity of a quad setup unless you plan on pre-running a few baja races on weekends
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and they make the front quite a bit stiffer. It may actually help to weight the rear a bit too so it's not so bouncy.

Good luck!
 
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