Replacing Shocks on 2001 4X4 Edge

[Denver1911]

My truck (140k miles) has begun to have quite a bit of bounce in it that doesn't settle quickly. I am going to replace shocks. I've done rear ones before on a 1994 ranger (easy), but haven't even looked at the front ones.

Any advice on what shocks to get (front and rear) for a more cushy ride?

Also, can a semi-skilled DIYer replace the fronts? Any special tricks?

Thanks,
Denver

[backerm1]

replacin shockes is easy, easy, easy. depeniding on what type of driving you do, your choses are endless. whether it be off road, mud, or highway. besure and get a shock that performs to your driving terrain. you can also opt. for an adj. shock if you wanna take your rig to the trail.

[Denver1911]

Originally Posted by backerm1

replacin shockes is easy, easy, easy. depeniding on what type of driving you do, your choses are endless. whether it be off road, mud, or highway. besure and get a shock that performs to your driving terrain. you can also opt. for an adj. shock if you wanna take your rig to the trail.

Thanks backberm1, but ...

How do I match shocks to my driving style?

I've seen basically two type ... standard and heavy-duty.

I drive about 500 miles per year on gravel, with several trips on mud, dirt, cow pastures, etc. However, as with most people, my pick-up takes me to and from work mostly.

I would imagine that the heavy-duty shocks would hold up better to the bouncing on gravel roads, etc. However, would my on-road comfort suffer? I want to get the best value also. I was looking at the Bilstein HD shocks available locally.

Thanks,
Denver

[backerm1]

your truck is a 4x4, so its gonna come from the factory with a mild off-road shock. yeah the heavy duty shocks will handle off-road better and not get as mushy as they heat up. I've seen some externally adjustable shocks in some stores, they might have to special order them.

[Denver1911]

Alright then ... I did it.

I put in some Bilstein HD shocks I ordered from Autozone (that's another story ... do their order fulfilment & customer service people not have a clue or what?).

My truck is a whole new ride. The harsh hits are much smoother and damp quicker. The truck doesn't dive when I take hard corners. The slow bumps are much smoother. Glad I did it and it was extremely easy to do.

But ... I've still got quite a bit of jiggle. It feels more like a front-to-back or side-to-side jiggle instead of an up-and-down bounce. Any thoughts on what might cause this or how I might get it to go away?

Thanks,
Denver

[backerm1]

yeah where i used to live the autozone was full of idiots who didn't know a battery from a brake pad. the one here is real good though, alot of them ASE certified and real helpful.
what suspenspon you got on that truck? torsion - leaf?

[Denver1911]

Backberm,

I've got the torsion bar suspension. Would that be the source of my jiggle/bounce? I know I need a front-end alignment because my front tires were wearing pretty hard on the inside edge plus I just had a new tie-rod end put in. Could that cause any weird, irregular vibration?

My issue with Autozone was their internet ordering dept. I didn't go to the store, but ordered online. They shipped the fronts for a GM, I requested the right ones, they sent ONE replacement. I called back to request a second one. They called 4 days later to say it had shipped. It hadn't showed up in 5 days, so I called to inquire. They said it "shipped out yesterday" and I would have it Monday, 3 days later. It hadn't showed up by Tuesday so I called and they had no record of it ever shipping ... nevermind that they told me it had shipped twice already. They shipped it out that day and I had it the next.

Later

[backerm1]

If you just had a tie rod put in and did not get an alignment then I think that is your problem. Tell them to look it over real good too. might be warn buscings too.

[Denver1911]

I didn't get an alignment at the time because the mechanic that did it doesn't have the setup. I had him look everything over real good and he found nothing else. I totally trust this guy and have for years and years. I'll get my tires and an alignment in a few weeks and see what's up.

Thanks.