Gabriel something, the highest in their line on the 4 door,and happy. Monroes cheapest gas shock on the RS, it is not enough shock. Spring under axle on both.

I have had many people say that my trooper is the smoothest offroader they have ever rode in. I love the Old Man Emu shocks.I believe Nitrogen compresses exponentially, so as more load is applied the shocks become stiffer.

I had Rancho 5000's on the 87 trooper I used to own. They were terribly stiff.

You should also think about adding a steering stabalizer.

Also check out the upper and lower control arm bushings. When those go out they can change the geometry of the front suspension.

I just put some Rancho 5000s on my 89 and although I agree they are pretty stiff, the trooper handles way better than it used to and they are very tough off road. I saw them online for like $40 ea which is pretty cheap for what you get.

On my '97, I've had stock <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />; KYB Gas-adjust <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" /> Tokico Trekmaster's <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

And now I have Gabriel Sport SUV shocks <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

KYB's were harsh and teeth jarring, even worse on gravel roads - in fact, it got to where if a dirt mountain road got too bumpy, i.e wash-board type, we'd turn around and head back to the main road. It was bad.

We did put up with them for 3-4yrs, finally I said enough, and one was leaking anyway.

The Tokico's I purchased thinking they'd provide great control along with a softer ride - I wasn't looking for a Cadillac feel, but I was also VERY tired of being jarred to death. Both the Tokico's and the KYB's were far beyond being stiff, they gave the impression of riding in a tank <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" />

I was VERY upset at having spent close to $200 on the Tokico's just to find out they were just as harsh, if not worse.

Finally I gave up, after only tolerating the Tokico's for 6 mnths, the kids were even uncomfortable in the back seat, I drove up to a Big O Tire and said fix it! They put on Gabriel's and I will NEVER chose a different shock for this truck, they are GREAT!!

The truck actually absorbs the bumps, rather then thudding over them and the shocks allow it to bounce just enough to give a little rather then rattling your rear-view mirror off the windshield <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shame.gif" alt="" />.

This truck is used for DD, boat-hauling, fishing, camping, touring, and a LOT of long highway trips.

I do not do any serious off-road, though we are beginning to travel MUCH further down the old dirt roads again. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Nice pics Troopah<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> What size tire and wheel?

I have Gabriels up front and cranked the stock torsion bars just a bit to rasie it just a bit. Stock in the back.

I do camping<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drunk.gif" alt="" />, touring<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />, and long 200 mile roadtrips <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" />.

I am looking in to a complet Calmini 3" suspension set with control arms. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> What do you guys think?

Just to make you aware of all of your options, www.independent4x.com and www.darlington-offroad.com carry suspension lift kits for your vehicle as well. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I like Darlington Spingz upgrade and shackles in the back. Front low profile upper control arm snubbers. Crank the t-bars up to match. Flip the upper balljoints. And maybe ball joint spacers, depending on alignment issues <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> .

I too do camping, touring, and long 1000 mile roadtrips <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Thanks, I have 33 x 12.5 x 15 tires.
I would personally look at Independent4x or darlington stuff before I looked at calmini.
Check out Old Man Emu suspension setups. I believe they make replacment leaf springs.

if i was gonna get serious offroad id go with OME (which i am) but if ur doing something other than that like D.D. id go with gabes.. but when i get my trooper i wont be taking long road trips.. farthest ill head out to is uwharrie or places along the southern east coast.
keep on troopin

I had Gabriel SVS (white) shocks. Firm ride and great handeling on the road, but didn't feel they worked well for me off road. Too slow at extending the suspension back down for traction.

I just got a set of Bilstein shocks (yellow HD) off Ebay. I would say these shocks are soft and comfortable. I thought Bilstein were stiff shocks (did I get fake ones?) NOT <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> what I was looking for, but I guess they will do for now. I was looking for a somthing with a firmer ride and worked well on hard trails. Bilstein states their shocks are soften on fast compression/rebound and stiffen on slow compression/rebound.

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />