shocks?????

ok guys what is better? Gas? Air? or anyother?

I need shocks on my rig 86 fullsize 4X4. I want to put a 3-4" lift on but dont have the $ 500 or less at this time but I do need shocks ASAP. My Question is should I go ahead and get the shocks that will go with my lift or wait on those? And also I need to know what TYPE of shock is better? (see first line) And what brand is the best to get??? And what about a body lift? Is it worth it?


TIA

DaHound

BH, if you have the quad front shocks, you may be able to use the longer, stock-height front shock as your auxillary-front when you go to a 4" lift. CHeck the apllication chart for the new shocks you want to get before you buy'em. My Pro Comp ES9000's were this way. I ran those for about a year before I got my 6" Sky-J lift. (Since it included new shocks, I just sold the Pro Comps.) I've had the best luck with Rancho 5000's over the years, I would recommend those if you can find'em. They're being phased out by Rancho and replaced by the RSX and RS9000X series. For your Bronco, I wouldn't get anything other than a quality, off-road gas shock. Skyjacker Nitro's, Pro comp ES9000's, Rancho RS5000's are similar in price and function. I wouldn't be surprised if they're all the same shock, just with the company logo on the outside to tell them apart. They all have a lifetime guarantee, and cost about $35-$40 each. BTW, I've never been a big fan of body lifts. The suspension lift will give you a much better ride and greater mobility with larger tires.

Randy thanks for the reply.

But i dont understand your first line. "BH, if you have the quad front shocks, you may be able to use the longer, stock-height front shock as your auxillary-front when you go to a 4" lift." What do you mean by this?

BH (BroncoHound), if you have the QUAD front shocks (two shocks per front wheel, a factory option on alot of Broncos), you may be able to use the longer stock-height front shock as the auxillary-front for a 4" lift. While there are 2 shocks per wheel in this style, the shocks are of unequal length. Looking at the truck from the front bumper, the shock in FRONT of the coil spring is the main and longer shock, while the one BEHIND the coil is the shorter, auxillary shock. It's mounted to the radius arm, that's why it's shorter. When you install a suspension lift, you have to get longer-than-stock shocks all around. It just so happens that with a 4" lift, the front-FRONT/longer stock-height shock is the right length to serve as the front-REAR/auxillary shock for the front end. If you check the application charts at Pro Comp's website, for example, you'll see what I mean. The front/longer stock-height shock part number is the same as the rear/aux. shock part no. for a 4" lift. When you buy a lift kit with shocks, it only comes with four if they're included, and you have to buy 2 extras if you want to keep the quad set-up. [I've seen a few folks run just one shock per front wheel, but the lower mount for that main front shock is rather weak.] If you go out now and buy six shocks for your stock-height Bronco, just look for a brand that will allow you to at least use 2 of them with your 4" lift, so you only have to buy 4 new ones. Then kick yourself for not getting a 6" lift cause you want to run a bigger tire!!!

I got ya now Randy. Hey let me ask you something. Where did you get your Skylertop? and how much did ya pay for it?

Now that the shock topic is clear as mud, I bought my Skyler top slightly-used from the classified ads at FordTruckWorld.com about two years ago for $350. I searched every ad site I could find for 5-6 months, but there's at least one top for sale per month on ebay, Randy

GOOD GOD $350.00. thats a little much for a used one aint it? I mean ya can get a new one for about $400 right?? eather way thats to much for poor ol me.