so on the 86 montero with the 2.5 td i picked up it has 220,xxx miles and replaced shocks , i my be kicking my self in the ass
as i know better i should have waited to order kyb but hell auto store had some Monroe plus matic for cheap , pulled old ones off
i think they may have been stock.. they where completely shot had to pull them out no movement to them no at all . no big surprise as this rig when you go over a small speed bump doing 5mph it feels like the front end is going to fall off . back was real springing . and it rocks real bad . i have owned a few gen 1 never had anything this bad . so changed out the shocks and i swear there is no difference. besides when you jump on the bumper it mellows out and dont bounce for ever ...
first i know i should have ordered kyb but i am just going to beat this rig i know what i put on there wont last long but heck would have been nice to get a few months at least .

so question what eles should i look into
maybe some add a leaf on the rear to make it stiffer and crank the t bar to stiffen the front >??

i know i need to replace sway bar bushings .

anyways sorry for the long rant . a few of you understand are addiction and frustration

The one thing I hate more than add-a-leaf is blocks...

It is my belief that add-a-leafs do nothing to improve ride quality nor suspension articulation. It will reduce the vehicle drop when you connect a trailer...

Monroe are not a bad shock. Personally, I consider them in the "acceptable" category along with KYB. My preference for a performance shock is Fox.

I would replace sway bar bushing first. Actually, I would ensure the entire suspension of sound prior to buying into another round of new shocks.

Then, as you have a new set of shocks, consider replacing your springs -- without an add-a-leaf.

it just seems so lose and the ride quality sucks it needs to be a bit more stiff. not sure why it is so bouncy and lose just sitting in it you can make it rock side to side with very little force .it is not my first gen 1 so i have a good idea of how it should feel . just not sure to start. ride height seems fine it dont appear to sag

I would be looking close at the springs and spring hangers. If your sway bar bushings are shot, high probability spring hanger bushings are also shot.

Then you have body bushings between frame and body...

You have a vehicle close to 30 years old. One of the first "upgrades" should be to replace all bushings as they are rubber and do deteriorate over time.

well the rear springs have a good arch to them they dont look to be sagging and yes i imagine the spring hangers are shot

i think the springs are shot i had some one rock it and watched
there was very little movement at bushing points but you could see the springs twisting and flexing , the ride quailty sucks and its almost dangerous. any source for new leaf springs ?