Shocks...Monroe Magnum or Reflex?

[steved]

I know everyone likes the Bilstiens, but I just can't justify that kind of $$ on shocks... so I narrowed it to either the Monroe Gas-Magnum or the Monroe Reflex.



I would assume the reflex will be the "better" shock, but I'm looking for a pretty stiff shock to control body roll as much as either of these two shocks can...



I ran the Gas Magnums for a short while on my 99 2500 (8800# GVW) and thought they were pretty stiff (actually thought there was an issue with one of the shocks locking up)... took them off for a set of Gabriels (which I might also consider... the VSTs, hmmm... forgot about those)...



Opinions?



steved

 

[rbattelle]

I used to run Magnum-II's on my Bronco II and I had Magnum's on my Ranger. No complaints about either, but I liked the Magnum-II's better (seemed to be higher quality, and they weren't bright yellow). Apparently they don't make the Magnum-II anymore (shame).



Have you considered their "Max Air" product? Or maybe it's too pricey?



Ryan

 

[Slow Six]

I've had the Reflex shocks for about a year now and I am okay with them. Major improvement over stock. I would have liked the Bilsteins but they did not have them for my truck and I couldn't wait. Also price and availability are factors.

 

[BHaden]

I just sold an '03 QC 1500 to get the 06 Megacab. The '03 had Reflexes. Much better than stock. Not like a real expensive shock, no doubt, but good for the price. I think I got them when they had a buy-3-get-1-free deal in mid 2003. Got the set for something like $150. They took some of the "chop"

out of the freeway ride and gave less chatter over bumps.

 

[DPKetchum]

Read some nice comments and reviews a while back on Elderbrock(spelling) shocks.

 

[CowboyDodge]

I just done mine on my 2000 and I went with Pro Comp I went with ES9000 & ES2000 Steering Stabilizer it is the best ride I have ever had and I had Rancho RS9000 & the Rancho Stabilizer and the Rancho are junk the Pro Comp I can't believe the ride with them I paid $ 147. 95 to my door

 

[steved]

Thanks for the replies... thinking out loud here...



One thing always leads to another... now I'm looking at the roadmaster rear sway bar... and/or possibly going with a set of firestone airbags (5000#s for $230, hmmm... very tempting!)... as well as shocks...



I know my shocks are dead (hey, they only have 90k... my dad ran his OEMs for 180k... !) and that is probably the reason I get a lot more body roll with the slide in loaded... I feel like Barney rolling down the road if it is uneven (dumm-dee-dumm, dumm-dee-dumm, dumm-dee-... )... but my camper only weighs about 1500#s... it only drops the truck about 1. 5"s, so that should give you and idea of how heavy it is... I really don't need the extra carrying capacity, but the airrides could be pressured to prevent the side-to-side sway some... the roadmaster was given a really good review in the last TDR rag... but the fact is I still need shocks!



Hmmm... maybe the roadmaster and shocks is the way to go... how stiff are the ProComps?



steved

 

[DPelletier]

Ahh. You have a slide in; that makes a difference. In order to reduce sway with a slide-in, the best shock with the heaviest dampening I've found is a Rancho 9000x adjustable on level 9. This shock WILL help reduce the sway. The swaybar couldn't hurt either but you may want to check your overloads. I'm sure they aren't touching as mine didn't completely engage with a 3217lb camper loaded. The solution here is to have the overloads engage sooner. In order to accomplish this you can either have the overloads re-arched or relocate the stops (usually by adding a spacer, I've even seen people use hockey pucks)



If you change your overload set-up so it works and use the RS9000's you will have no problem with sway.



Cheers,

Dave

 

[steved]

Ahh. You have a slide in; that makes a difference. In order to reduce sway with a slide-in, the best shock with the heaviest dampening I've found is a Rancho 9000x adjustable on level 9. This shock WILL help reduce the sway. The swaybar couldn't hurt either but you may want to check your overloads. I'm sure they aren't touching as mine didn't completely engage with a 3217lb camper loaded. The solution here is to have the overloads engage sooner. In order to accomplish this you can either have the overloads re-arched or relocate the stops (usually by adding a spacer, I've even seen people use hockey pucks)



If you change your overload set-up so it works and use the RS9000's you will have no problem with sway.



Cheers,

Dave

Unfortunately, the 2500s don't have overloads... that and the rear sway bar are the distinguishing feature between the 2500 and SRW3500. I'm probably only set down about 1. 5"s (or something like that), but the camper's high center of gravity are what killing me with the roll...



I read about issues with the 9000's adjustment knob siezing... and in a PA winter, that's probably be accelerated.



I'm considering airbags and the HD monroes right now... for the price difference between airbags and the swaybar, probably be better to go for airbags... plus being able to level the load wouldn't be too bad either.



steved

 

[Buffalo]

Steved,



I installed Monroe Gas Magnums on my '91. 5 W-250, 4X4, years ago.



It was like having solid steel bars installed in place of the shocks.



It didn't bother me as much as passengers because, I had the steering wheel to hang on to. Passengers "hated" the ride. They had nothing to hold on to & suffered on rough, dirt-type roads. Even my dog hated riding in that truck.



By this time, they may have softened those shocks, a bit. Years ago, they were VERY stiff.



With your truck loaded, they may be OK but, empty?????



Monroe Gas Magnum gave a whole, new meaning to the term "Speed Bump".



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[steved]

Steved,



I installed Monroe Gas Magnums on my '91. 5 W-250, 4X4, years ago.



It was like having solid steel bars installed in place of the shocks.



It didn't bother me as much as passengers because, I had the steering wheel to hang on to. Passengers "hated" the ride. They had nothing to hold on to & suffered on rough, dirt-type roads. Even my dog hated riding in that truck.



By this time, they may have softened those shocks, a bit. Years ago, they were VERY stiff.



With your truck loaded, they may be OK but, empty?????



Monroe Gas Magnum gave a whole, new meaning to the term "Speed Bump".



Joe F. (Buffalo)

See, that's what I remember about them on my 99 2500... they were quite stiff... I almost thought there were issues with them because the truck acted like they would "lock up" and became very stiff...



Being I'm the only one driving my truck empty, probably wouldn't be an issue...



Hmmm, I wonder if the reflex eliminates that "pumping up" effect the magnums have?





steved

 

[DPelletier]

Unfortunately, the 2500s don't have overloads... that and the rear sway bar are the distinguishing feature between the 2500 and SRW3500. I'm probably only set down about 1. 5"s (or something like that), but the camper's high center of gravity are what killing me with the roll...



I read about issues with the 9000's adjustment knob siezing... and in a PA winter, that's probably be accelerated.



I'm considering airbags and the HD monroes right now... for the price difference between airbags and the swaybar, probably be better to go for airbags... plus being able to level the load wouldn't be too bad either.



steved

Sorry, my 01. 5 2500 had them (in the days before the 3500SRW 3rd genner) and I forgot you have no overloads. I've also read about the adjustment knobs on the Rancho 9000's seizing, but they've been fine on both my trucks and they get driven all winter long in the salt and snow. I imagine a bit of grease around the knob would be a good idea as well.



You're right about the high center of gravity being the issue. If it were my truck, I'd go with the Rancho's and the sway bar, but you gotta do what you feel is right.



Cheers,

Dave