New shocks on

[Rich Stern]

Long overdue! I went with the Monroe Sensa Tracs.



The project is a minor knuckle-buster, but really not bad at all. I didn't jack up the truck, nor did I remove the front tires. For those of you who do this project, definitely remove the breather box (three 10mm bolts, very easy) to make the driver's side rear shock easier to remove and install.



The first test was backing out of my driveway. The hump at the top of the drive normally produces an incredible side-to-side, bobblehead doll rocking. Not with the new shocks. Much more controlled; rocked once, much less, and stopped. My quick, ten minute test drive didn't reveal any dramatic driving changes. Noticed more body control around turns and during firm breaking. The truck feels less floaty.



A good upgrade, particularly at the 4-for-3 price Monroe offered.



Thanks to STan STockdale. I used his project write-up and it was very helpful.

 

[Brian Teitell]

Did u get them at sears?

 

[EddieS'04]

Cool, Rich I would have thought you would have that upgrade long ago....

 

[Todd Z]

Glad to here it, It is a must for everyone........ Now see how she does towing the boat.....

Todd Z

 

[Rich Stern]

pimpedoutst, no, got them at Advance Auto. Sears would have been a good choice...could have saved myself the install, but I like crawling around under my truck every once in a while.



Fer, it's the old tale about the cobbler's kids not having any shoes...

 

[Rodger Tellefson]

Rich, Just curious why you chose to go with the Monroe Sensa-Trac? :huh: Also, I will strongly urge you to put on the Roadmaster Active Suspension, works great.

 

[Rich Stern]

Rodger, I prefer ride comfort to all-out handling. I don't drive agressively in the Sport Trac. I wanted to tame the rocking and pitching, but not give away any ride comfort. The SensaTracs are known for a softer ride than the Reflexes; I am willing to give up that extra margin in off-road and handling capability to be a little more comfortable on the suburban streets and highways I drive.

 

[Rodger Tellefson]

I feel that I have given away too much ride comfort, and since I will be towing a boat I am considering swapping out the KYB Monomax in the rear for Monroe Sensatrac load adjusting shocks. I already have the EE anti-sway bar with Roadmaster Active Suspension (neither the RAS nor the EE anti-sway bar sacrafice ride comfort). BTW, I just looked up on the Monroe site what they recommend for occasional towing: Reflex on the front & Load Adjusting on the rear. And, FYI the Reflex on the front are a soft ride, and only stiffen up when going over bumps - hence the "reflex" action.

 

[Rich Stern]

I never had problems towing with the stock shocks. I felt my ST rode better when loaded down with the tongue weight.



When lightly loaded, I could tell from the ride quality when my gas tank was nearly empty. I would perceive more rocking motion.



Anyway, I need some seat time with the new shocks to really develop an impression.

 

[Rodger Tellefson]

That's interesting, Rich. That seems to confirm, what I've stated in the past, that the stiffness of the tires does play a role in the pitch & yaw of the current ST. Our next set will be either Pirelle STR-A or Michellen LTX.

 

[Dre L]

The Pirelli STR-A are awesome. I've had them over a year and love them. I put them on before shocks and sway and they made a difference right away.



Wow, I thought I was the only one that noticed a difference on the stock shocks when carrying a load or when the gas tank was near empty. The ST propaganda did say that the springs were 2 stage, one for ride comfort without load, and another to kick in when carrying a load. I felt that the loaded stage always handled better.



If anyone's curious, I'm well over 10K miles on Edelbrock IAS shocks. They still feel great. I find that greasing the front and rear sway bushings tends to immediately resolve any "harshness" that I may encounter.