Rear Shocks options?

General off-roading discussions...what's in your trail kit?

Moderators: volvite, cruzstyle

roborob
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Jul 17, 2010 4:49 pm
Location: Vancouver, BC

Rear Shocks options?

Postby roborob » Wed Mar 30, 2011 8:43 pm

OK,

After much searching to no avail, I'm askin the collective.

I feel I need new rear shocks (even if the stealership gives them the thumb's up). Mushy, saggy (to my eye), and bottoms out on speed bumps.

What is a good replacement rear shock? And why? I don't mind a little harder ride, just sick of the mushy feel.

Thanks in advance, ROB


User avatar
mar1
Sponsored Member
Posts: 1043
Joined: Fri Jun 19, 2009 9:08 am
Location: Ca

Postby mar1 » Thu Mar 31, 2011 2:40 am

how bout air leveling kits ?


Image

Image

User avatar
volvite
Sponsored Member
Posts: 2180
Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2011 5:06 pm
Location: Hill AFB, Utah West Point UT

Postby volvite » Thu Mar 31, 2011 3:43 am

I have not bought the air kit, but plan too. I've been reading up on them and think it will be a nice addition to the pathfinder.

User avatar
NVSteve
Sponsored Member
Posts: 1987
Joined: Thu Feb 01, 2007 11:27 am
Location: Salt Lake City

Re: Rear Shocks options?

Postby NVSteve » Thu Mar 31, 2011 10:58 am

roborob wrote: I feel I need new rear shocks (even if the stealership gives them the thumb's up). Mushy, saggy (to my eye), and bottoms out on speed bumps.
Mine came stock with POS Ranchos & I was bottoming out all the time. No shock is going to stop that from happening because it's caused by the really soft springs. From what I've heard, the airbags do help quite a bit. There are a few shocks to choose from for the rear, such as Rancho, Monroe, etc. When my rear shock blew, the only shock in stock anywhere was the Monroe, so I'm currently running those in the rear. I cringed when they put them on, but I'd have to say they are much better than the Old Man Emu shocks they replaced. A lifetime warranty was also a nice bonus.

User avatar
volvite
Sponsored Member
Posts: 2180
Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2011 5:06 pm
Location: Hill AFB, Utah West Point UT

Postby volvite » Fri Apr 01, 2011 2:44 am

I used to have monroe shocks on my old 89 Nissan hard body D21 pickup and they did great. I never had any problem with them.

User avatar
PhdPerformance
Posts: 15
Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2010 9:52 am
Location: Albany, OH

Gabriel Hi-Jacker Air Assist Shocks

Postby PhdPerformance » Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:45 am

I installed some Gabriel Hi-Jacker air shocks (they have airbags in them). All you have to do is run air lines and mount the valve where you want it. I put my valve in the removable cover behind the passenger side tail lights. The nice thing about these is they are under $60 for a pair at Autozone, they stiffen up the ride and give you an extra 2-3" of lift depending on what all you are hauling.

User avatar
volvite
Sponsored Member
Posts: 2180
Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2011 5:06 pm
Location: Hill AFB, Utah West Point UT

Postby volvite » Tue Jul 26, 2011 5:38 am

I know Gabriel Hi-Jackers. I used to work at autozone and they were sold there. I think in my 2 years there I think maybe 3 sets were sold that I know of. However the customer always came back and said how much they enjoyed/liked the shocks. I might look into these if they are an opition for the R51s.

roborob
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Jul 17, 2010 4:49 pm
Location: Vancouver, BC

Re: Rear Shocks options?

Postby roborob » Fri Sep 02, 2011 1:20 pm

NVSteve wrote:
roborob wrote: I feel I need new rear shocks (even if the stealership gives them the thumb's up). Mushy, saggy (to my eye), and bottoms out on speed bumps.
Mine came stock with POS Ranchos & I was bottoming out all the time. No shock is going to stop that from happening because it's caused by the really soft springs. From what I've heard, the airbags do help quite a bit. There are a few shocks to choose from for the rear, such as Rancho, Monroe, etc. When my rear shock blew, the only shock in stock anywhere was the Monroe, so I'm currently running those in the rear. I cringed when they put them on, but I'd have to say they are much better than the Old Man Emu shocks they replaced. A lifetime warranty was also a nice bonus.
So, do you think my problem is with the springs? The dealership service dept. looked at my existing rear shocks and said no leaks or sign of wear so they are OK as far as they are concerned. I don't want to throw $250 at shock absorbers to get the same ride. (I was secretly hoping it was shock absorbers cuz I can replace them, Springs are a different set of tools and ability I just don't have).

User avatar
NVSteve
Sponsored Member
Posts: 1987
Joined: Thu Feb 01, 2007 11:27 am
Location: Salt Lake City

Re: Rear Shocks options?

Postby NVSteve » Mon Sep 05, 2011 9:07 am

roborob wrote:
So, do you think my problem is with the springs? The dealership service dept. looked at my existing rear shocks and said no leaks or sign of wear so they are OK as far as they are concerned. I don't want to throw $250 at shock absorbers to get the same ride. (I was secretly hoping it was shock absorbers cuz I can replace them, Springs are a different set of tools and ability I just don't have).
If you have a mushy rear end in the Pathfinder, then yes, new shocks won't help. From what I understand, removing the rear shocks is a bit of a bitch because there is no room for one of the bolts. Installing new springs actually sound pretty easy in the rear because no special tools are required, unlike the fronts which have to be compressed.

roborob
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Jul 17, 2010 4:49 pm
Location: Vancouver, BC

Re: Rear Shocks options?

Postby roborob » Sun Sep 11, 2011 9:59 am

You say "Installing new springs actually sound pretty easy in the rear because no special tools are required". Do you know no special tools are required? The springs don't have to be compressed, thats a bounus. Have you done this upgrade? Anyone out there done this upgrade in thier garage?

Thanks again.
NVSteve wrote:
roborob wrote:
So, do you think my problem is with the springs? The dealership service dept. looked at my existing rear shocks and said no leaks or sign of wear so they are OK as far as they are concerned. I don't want to throw $250 at shock absorbers to get the same ride. (I was secretly hoping it was shock absorbers cuz I can replace them, Springs are a different set of tools and ability I just don't have).
If you have a mushy rear end in the Pathfinder, then yes, new shocks won't help. From what I understand, removing the rear shocks is a bit of a bitch because there is no room for one of the bolts. Installing new springs actually sound pretty easy in the rear because no special tools are required, unlike the fronts which have to be compressed.


Return to “4x4 Tech”