ford explorer shocks

i am doing some research for my brother on shocks for his explorer. it is a 95 to 98. everyone i talk to says get bilstein but my brother wants something a little cheaper. i have looked at rancho, and edlebrock, what would you guys suggest i tell him to get?

Sho or someone else may disagree with me, but i have a 1997 Explorer Sport (got it for sale, but its technically still mine) and i changed the shocks out a few years back when it had 60k on it.

I spoke to my mechanic and some other Explorer owners, and cuz the old-style explorer is basically a truck frame with truck suspension (leafs in the back, etc), i knew i wasnt going to get the ride comparison of a Lincoln Continental.

So i waited till Sears had their usual sales on shocks and bought 4 Ranchos at a great price (i think they were on sale, and also had a "buy 3, get the 4th free" thing).

At any rate, im happy with it.

Sho or someone else may disagree with me, but i have a 1997 Explorer Sport (got it for sale, but its technically still mine)....

I don't disagree that it's still yours. :)

Unless ownership has changed recently, Rancho is a Monroe Company. I've have very pleasant experiences with Monroe. I cannot say the same for Gabriel though....

Ride quality is such a subjective thing that it's hard for someone to tell someone else what they will like. It depends a lot on the type of driving he will be doing most often, and what the vehicle may experience. He will definitely have to give up something. He could get adjustable shocks that will offer good ride when the valve is open, but can be stiffened up for off-roading, but they will not be cheap. If they are cheap, they probably won't be durable. He can get shocks that will be soft and "comfortable" on the streets, but will allow the suspension to easily bottom out off-road. Again, "comfortable" here is subjective. Maybe he likes the "go-kart" ride so a stiff shock would suit him fine on the road and probably be decent off-road.

Well, now I'm just rambling. You get my point. To offer reasonable suggestions, we'd need to understand what jacomb54904's brother plans to use his Explorer for.

-Rod

all he really does with the explorer is haul his two kids around on the street and sometimes, very seldomly, he pulls a trailer. I also have the rs5000 ranchos on my suburban and i do road, trailer, and offroad driving and find they are good all around. so that is probably what i will tell him to use. thanks for your guys input.

Hey I hate to tag along on someone elses thread, but I am in the same boat as the origonal posters brother, only I have an 01 xls, I know there are some susspension changes between the 98 and 01, but I was hoping to get some advice, the truck never goes off road and never really pulls a trailer and when it does it isn't alot of weight, I mostly drive around town but take alot of long road trips (I got it in 03 with 30k and now it has 103k) I too was looking for something non adjustable and inexpensive (not cheap) I am thinking I want something softer then stock, that will smooth out the potholes and bumps in the road, I was looking at the edelbrock, Monroe "reflex" and maybe the rancho 5000 series I think. again sorry about tagging along on your thread Jacob.