[LSURULZZZ]

What is ur opinion on these two shocks ?
GABRIEL with o/load springs ..... OR, Monroe Sensa-Trac with o/load springs
Will mostly be towing utility trailer with building materials ( lumber,sheetrock,etc... ) and occasionally popup camper
Gabriel states they provide up to 500 lbs. (per pair) of extra load capacity
Monroe states Sensa-Trac load adjusting shock absorbers can assist in maintaining ride height when up to 1,200 lbs. of additional weight is loaded. These units are ideal for light trucks that carry varying loads or tow trailers.
$76 for gabriel ... $88 for Monroe

Opinions ??

 

[tnhillbilly]

Yes! I would like to know about some good shocks for the rear also. I bought my 1996 Safari high top conversion used and it has air shocks on the rear! I haven't used them since I was a teenager in the early 80's. LOL. The guy I got it from did some small car dirt track racing and I figure he pulled his car and took the family to the track. I don't like the ride of the air shocks and don't plan on doing any towing. It is going to be for vacation use mostly. We will probably have about 5 people plus the luggage. Also, what would be some good shocks for the front? I don't want it too stiff but I don't want it to ride and handle sloppy either.

 

[Big_kid]

I'd thought about air shocks for mine too, I've had them in most of my vehicles in the past. I'd just air them down a bit, and pump them up when it's loaded for vacation. I'll be watching this thread for input from others with more Astro experience.

 

[GaryZ]

I cannot offer opinions on the shocks listed, however, I can give you an opinion on air shocks. When I bought my 1998 Astro AWD I was mostly impressed with the ride quality. It rode and drove far better than my 1991 Safari 2WD or my 1985 Safari 2WD. I guessed it was the torsion bar front suspension and multi-leaf rear springs. However, I needed added support for my 5 x 10 enclosed trailer and I installed air shocks. The air shocks do a good job when the van is loaded. However, they are terrible as simple shocks when the van is unloaded.

I had the same results with my 1/2 ton 1995 GMC Sierra. The fix for the pick up was stock shocks and add-on air springs ($200). The total cost is more than the shocks that you listed, but, this set-up works. I will be converting the Astro next.

 

[LSURULZZZ]

K ... Thx for input ... !
GaryZ ...Where do u get ur air springs from ?? Is this a typical DIY install ??

 

[Leeann_93]

I have the Monroe load-leveling shocks on my Astro. I can't give you an opinion of them while driving (since it's dead at the moment), but I've got the replacement engine (complete) sitting in the back, plus a few other heavy things, and it's only sitting 1" lower than normal.

 

[GaryZ]

K ... Thx for input ... !
GaryZ ...Where do u get ur air springs from ?? Is this a typical DIY install ??

I bought the kit for my pick-up from Summit. Here's a link for an Astro kit;
http://store.summitracing.com/egnsearch ... 4294906955

Yes, I installed it myself without any problems. You will be drilling holes in the side of the frame and will need a good couple of drill bits. I ran a small pilot hole and then the final hole. The kit comes with a device for measuring the correct position. I am very pleased with the results. I also bought a bicycle tire pump for adding air (the springs typically have only 10psi in them).

 

[Spike99]

.

Knowing what I know today, there's a few things I would upgrade an Astro/Safari van - for Towing even utility trailers. They are:

- Install AUX tranny cooler. If pulling a loaded 3,500 lbs trailer (including weight of trailer), then go with an LPD Design cooler for 4,000 lbs. If pulling a 5,000 lbs trailer (including weight of trailer), then go with LPD Design for 5,000 lbs trailer. If one installs too large of AUX cooler, it blocks air flow into normal rad and AC rad. Thus, increasing their cooling down efficiency. Also, I'd go with LPD (Low Pressure Design) Aux tranny cooler. They problem best winter warm up and summer cool down ability. For LPD sizing, go with total combined vehicle and "average loaded" trailer weight. For more details, surf: http://www.transmissioncoolers.us/Merch ... -cool-thin

- Install Class III hitch that is "square bar" design. Thus, allowing one to connect a WDS to it - if you need to in the future. A few years back, I installed a Class II hitch on my Safari van. Two years later, I had to replace with a new Class III hitch. Lesson learned the hard way.

- Install Timbren SES units on its rear. If wondering, Timbren are like air bags without pressurized air inside them. Thus, no worry about future air leaks. And, they do NOT impace unloaded ride. For more details about Timbren SES 2,000 lbs units (which create more "weight support") assistance, surf: http://www.timbren.com/ses-van-suv.htm

- For towing, I hear that "Bilstein Shocks" are much better then all others. They hold more down pressure movement, they hold more upward rebound pressure movement and last much longer. If these brands of shocks were available in my area, I would have installed them on my Safari. For more details, surf: http://www.bilstein.com/index1.php

- Install / use brakes on attached trailer. For my home's backyard tasks, I pull 2 different utility trailers. A small 4x6 (no brakes) and a 6x10 (with onboard electric brakes). With onboard electric brakes, my van stops "much faster" then my loaded 4x6 smaller utility trailer. To me, the brakes on a Safari/Astro van are only sized for the vehicle. Any trailer above 1,000 lbs (behind a Safari / Astro van) needs its own onboard brakes. One's stopping power with trailer's onboard brakes is dramatically increased. Like comparing night and day.

To answer your immediate question, go with "Timbren SES 2,000 lbs" upgrade in rear and go with Bilstein brand shocks.

Hope these items helps...

.

 

[cosway]

On my 2003 I have the Bilstein shocks on the front and am getting ready to install on rear as well.
Also going for the Timbren front and rear before camping season starts up again this June.
I pull a 21' camper which is 3811LBS unloaded.
of course I use weight distribution, sway control and brake control.

Bilstein is head and shoulders above the crowd!

 

[cosway]

.

Knowing what I know today, there's a few things I would upgrade an Astro/Safari van - for Towing even utility trailers. They are:

- Install AUX tranny cooler. If pulling a loaded 3,500 lbs trailer (including weight of trailer), then go with an LPD Design cooler for 4,000 lbs. If pulling a 5,000 lbs trailer (including weight of trailer), then go with LPD Design for 5,000 lbs trailer. If one installs too large of AUX cooler, it blocks air flow into normal rad and AC rad. Thus, increasing their cooling down efficiency. Also, I'd go with LPD (Low Pressure Design) Aux tranny cooler. They problem best winter warm up and summer cool down ability. For LPD sizing, go with total combined vehicle and "average loaded" trailer weight. For more details, surf: http://www.transmissioncoolers.us/Merch ... -cool-thin

.

Hey spike
if my camper is 4300 loaded would I use the #4454 tranny cooler???

 

[elf_brewery]

Sorry to side-track this thread. I have to replace the shocks on my 2000 Astro RWD. It has over 100,000 miles on it now. I have been advised by the mechanic to install Monroe Sensa-Trac shocks all around. This sounds expensive. What has anyone been paying for these? (I don't plan to tow anything, so that's a little different from the original question.)
Thanks for any advice.

 

[cosway]

Sorry to side-track this thread. I have to replace the shocks on my 2000 Astro RWD. It has over 100,000 miles on it now. I have been advised by the mechanic to install Monroe Sensa-Trac shocks all around. This sounds expensive. What has anyone been paying for these? (I don't plan to tow anything, so that's a little different from the original question.)
Thanks for any advice.

If you want a nice ride, install nice shocks
If you want a cheap ride install cheap ones

 

[Mr_Bowtie]

Sorry to side-track this thread. I have to replace the shocks on my 2000 Astro RWD. It has over 100,000 miles on it now. I have been advised by the mechanic to install Monroe Sensa-Trac shocks all around. This sounds expensive. What has anyone been paying for these? (I don't plan to tow anything, so that's a little different from the original question.)
Thanks for any advice.

If you want a nice ride, install nice shocks
If you want a cheap ride install cheap ones

If you want a super cheap ride keep the rusted out stock ones! :rockon:

 

[raycer]

I bought the kit for my pick-up from Summit. Here's a link for an Astro kit;
http://store.summitracing.com/egnsearch ... 4294906955

Yes, I installed it myself without any problems. You will be drilling holes in the side of the frame and will need a good couple of drill bits. I ran a small pilot hole and then the final hole. The kit comes with a device for measuring the correct position. I am very pleased with the results. I also bought a bicycle tire pump for adding air (the springs typically have only 10psi in them).

Got pics of the install? The bags I have are just inside the rear springs and I'm looking for a better setup. Oh, and I need it to work with a flip kit installed.

Just wondering if we could get a little more info on your bag setup.

 

[drse]

Sorry to side-track this thread. I have to replace the shocks on my 2000 Astro RWD. It has over 100,000 miles on it now. I have been advised by the mechanic to install Monroe Sensa-Trac shocks all around. This sounds expensive. What has anyone been paying for these? (I don't plan to tow anything, so that's a little different from the original question.)
Thanks for any advice.

I just had Sears put Monroe Reflex shocks all around on my 2004 for $274 including tax and installation. Much better ride and control than the stock ones.

I think you can find just the shocks online pretty cheap if you want to install them yourself. The mechanic did earn his money getting the old ones off, however.