The Rancho shocks and steering dampener(?) I had installed about 18 years ago seem to be worn out and I don't have the original paperwork for that lifetime guarantee.

Anybody have any favorites? Any brands to run away from? Is a $30 shock a $30 shock no matter who makes it?

I do carry lots of junk in the back all the time, so heavy duty in the rear in not out of the question. Have been browsing Rock Auto, saw these MONROE 58594 load compensating rears for $100/pair. Then again, they have a closeout on GABRIEL 61535/61536 ProGuard for $10 a corner.

 

Monroe Sensa Tracs 58594 (if they fit your application) About $110 for a pair

 

I've been happy with Bilstein 5100s. Don't bother with those load-leveling shocks. The shock mounts aren't designed to handle the load on them.

 

The 5100s appear to be for lifted vehicles, mine is stock.

What is the issue with the stock shock mounts?

 

Highly recommend the Bilsteins. You are correct that the 5100s are for lifted vehicles. The 4600s are the stock ride height equivalent.

 

With the same suspension setup, I switched from a lower quality shock to 5100’s. The difference was night and day.

 

Shock mounts are not designed to support the weight of the vehicle, just the damping forces from the shock itself.

 

Lasting 18 years would sell me on Ranchos, assuming their quality hasn't gone down.

 

they wore out well before yesterday

 

If you want my opinion, I've used Monroe on every car and truck I've owned and never had a problem, even when drag racing. Back then it was Monroe 500s designed for an Impala on my Camaro.

 

Looks like I need to keep an eye out for the Monroe closeouts on Rock Auto. If anybody finds Gabriel horrible, let me know. They are in second place for what I am looking at over there.

The super fancy stuff (Bilstein, Rancho) appear to be outside of my price range right now.

 

I am no expert on shocks, but just installed the close-out Gabriels that I purchased from Rock Auto. I figure they are perfectly fine for my needs. I have a high mileage 99XJ that I bought 20 months ago as a snow car. I probably have only driven it 500 miles in that time. Just keeping it safe to drive for when it is needed. The old shocks felt like they were adequate, but they were a rusty mess and since I was camped out under the car to replace all the hard brake lines, I figured I would do the shocks as well since all 4 corners only cost me $36. Of course I did end up breaking 2 of the rear upper shock bolts, so now I need to deal with that as well.

 

You only broke 2? Pfft... amateur.

 

I have a set of Rancho front shocks with pretty low miles on them if you want them. Free plus shipping. I just need to make sure they were for stock height. Pretty sure I have a set of rear Monroes for stock height too. Free to a good home to anyone!

 

I can agree with Monroe. I use the Gas Magnum shocks with 10 stage valving. Only drawback is that I had to press the bar pins in to work with the XJ. Very smooth riding shock