farmerchad

Hello, I know this question is highly subjective since everyone's idea of ride quality is different, but here it goes. My new to me 04 XL 4x4, had monroe quick struts on front and reflexes on back. The front is kind of stiff and firm but controlled, the back however has a lot of what I call " after jiggle", hitting moderate or big bumps it feels firm but what you would expect, but the small ripples and irregularities in the road it bounces and jiggles too much. My theory is the shocks aren't reacting easy enough to small bumps resulting in tires taking most of the bump, causing the jiggle. By the way I replaced the reflexes on the rear with the same thing couple months ago, not knowing how old they were, made no difference.
Thinking about a set of KYBs exell g's on rear, supposed to be completely oem replacement.
As far as the front goes, is there a strut/spring combo that would ride smoother than Quick struts?
I've got kind of sensitive low back and want the most compliant on road ride as possible, not concerned about towing or off roading.
Sorry about the long post. Thanks.

2008__XL

The Monroe coilovers in front and reflex shocks in the back are pretty much oem ride quality.

I have the exact same setup in my 2008. I've owned it since new and I can confirm the ride is similar to oem new.

It's a truck and unfortunately, it's going to ride like a truck. There may be shocks that'll help, but I'm not sure anything will make a night and day difference.

How old are you upper and lower ball joints, inner and outer tierods and swaybar links?

FrozenTundraGuy

I agree-my 06 has acted the same way since new. It's a truck and you're not going to make it ride like a Caddy or a Lincoln Mine does ride better with a load than w/o one thou.

techrep

iTrader: (1)

What air pressure are you running in the tires ?

farmerchad

Just P-series, stock size, about 35 psi.

2008__XL

Unfortunately, you probably won't get a much better ride then that.

ReaperHWK

My truck rides solid like a truck should. You have leaf springs in the back and a solid rear axle, it's not going to ride smooth.


If you want a better/smooth ride, you need a car with a suspension setup designed for that. I believe Honda Ridgelines have independent rear suspension and is much nicer/smooth ride. But then of course you give up some capabilities like towing and payload.

FrozenTundraGuy

My ride improved when I got rid of the stock Generals' and put on Micheiln all-season tires. the noise level went way down, and it was more fun to drive. Still doesn't ride like a Caddy, but tires can make some difference.

Eric Kleven

-ZOMBIE THREAD REVIVAL!!-

Which way did you end up going with shocks?
I put in the KYB quick struts (GR2/Excell G) with the matching rear shocks.
The shop what did my front end work went off the reservation and put the Monroe Reflex in the rear, before I'd ordered the rear KYB's. There's a definite and pronounced difference in quality between the Monroes and the KYB's; with the KYB in front and Monroe in the back, it always felt like there was about 800 pounds of stuff in the box, every bump would send the back end wallowing while the front was very nice and controlled.

The full GR2 set-up is pretty tight and comfortable to ride on, but still a little 'heavy' feeling in the back. I blame that on the crew cab, and think I probably should have went with the Gas-A-Just shocks in back.

I don't think I could handle a Monroe set-up on all four corners, that would be waaaay too squishy for me.

FrozenTundraGuy

Monroe has several different grades of shocks/struts-other than the reflex ones. I'm thinking of the overload spring ones for my rear end as I trailer tow with mine.