Leaves are springs. There are leaf springs and coil springs. You have coil springs on the front, and leaf springs on the back.


I just put the Sensa-Tracs on mine this afternoon. A good decent shock. Nothing fancy, and not expensive.

I've used Monroe for years. Monroe 500s for drag racing and Sensatrac for DDs. They give you a nice solid feel on the road and excellent control over "stutter-bumps" like a washboard road. Never harsh. I wouldn't waste my money on anything else unless I was doing extreme off-roading.

I think Monroe it is then. Seems like everyone stands by them. Thanks for the input from everybody.

They won't do you wrong. And at $25-30 each, they are pretty decent price. I put 4 of them on as soon as I brought my 96 home. Then when I replaced my leaf springs in the rear (1" over stock height), for the rear I ended up getting the monroe shocks that are 1 step up from the $30 ones. I think they are about $45 each. I did this because the new springs were a bit much for the shocks and I was getting a lot body sway (left-right) when going over rail road tracks and what not. I'll probably put them on the front as well, but not in a huge hurry because the vehicle is riding pretty well right now.

I'm surprised how much everybody likes them considering how cheap they are. I guess this is one of those rare instances where cheap prices and good quality go hand-in-hand. I'll definitely be picking these up.

Bought these for my '00. Will fit a '96 without the police package. They are rebranded Monores.

https://www.napaonline.com/napa/en/p...027_0212478943

https://www.napaonline.com/napa/en/p...083_0212731381

Beware that when you do the rears you will most likely break the top bolts. Google it. Not a big deal. Most people just punch out the tack welded nut in the little area and fish through new bolts. Also these look interesting to help with that problem.

http://www.roughcountry.com/jeep-xj-...-nut-1082.html

I have the size bolt that you need to replace in the upper shock mount if you can get them out in my files. I keep track of everything I do for future reference. Just a matter of finding it in the Jeep file. Get back to me if you need the size.

Get some Kroil Penetrating fluid and liberally spray all the shock mounting bolts a day before you attempt switching out the shocks.. Especially the rear shock top bolts.

Just a word of advise. If you DO get the top bolts out intact, use new ones.

Ok thanks

Sorry, I don't know anything about the Ranchos, not even the price, so I
can't compare. I bought the Monroes because of several recommendations
on a forum and they've done well for me on gravel-clay forest trails and on
poorly maintained old blacktop roads.