brianhorne8

So I have a question. I spend a LOT of time on the highway. I travel from Chicago to Alabama regularly, and I was wondering if there was a way to make my ride a bit more...comfortable. It's not terrible, but I'd like to have a little more give. You know, a smooth ride when I'm on a choppy highway. Everything just feels a bit stiff.

I know very, very little about suspension, so I'm coming to the experts. What should I do?

Reds82

new shocks in the rear will help a good amount

Grant314

monroe sensatrac shocks in the rear. an easy install to do yourself.

burstaneurysm

Yep. If you're not lowered, you want to buy a pair of Monroe Sensatrac (part #5987). They shouldn't be more than about $60 for the pair. That will improve the ride.

The install is quite easy, but if you need a hand, let me know.

brianhorne8

Awesome. Thanks for the help.

Probably buying them very soon.

brianhorne8

Question though: On Monroe's site, and another site I searched, they recommend part number 5601, not 5987. What's the difference? And this is just for curiosity's sake, why only rear shocks?

burstaneurysm

Well, the major reason behind that is the rear shocks are valved too stiff. The struts are fine because the weight of the engine helps the rebound. There's not a lot of weight in back, which is why the car seems jumpy.

Previously, Monroe didn't offer Sensatracs specifically for the xA/xB. They do now. There was one guy here who bought the 5601 and he hated em. The 5987 is the way to go.

However, if you plan on lowering your car more than 2", you'll want to get the 5870s.

brianhorne8

I'm assuming the 5987 was made for the Echo? According to amazon.com it won't fit my car, but if it was made for the Echo, then it will, right? I can grab a pair for about $55 shipped.

Should I go for it? If I was on the fence about it...I'm leaning way towards doing it.

Grant314

I have the 5987s. They fit fine and feel great.

brianhorne8

Sweet. Thanks for the help. Ordering now.

burstaneurysm

Yea, definitely order em. I just ordered the Echo struts for the front and shocks from an 86 Supra.

spr0k3t

Not to thread jack... but I'm going to be doing a 1.5 - 2" drop on my box here pretty soon and wanted to get a good idea of what to go with for fronts and backs. Right now I'm riding on stockies and hoping to nab a decent set of rims for the riding summer season. The springs are either going to be the tanabe df210 or the tein h.tech... I'm just not sure I want a full 2" drop is all.

So what are the best recommendations out there?

burstaneurysm

I HIGHLY recommend the DF210s. I had H.Tech, only kept em on for a few months before I wanted to go lower.

I just ordered the 5870 rears which is the preferred shock for drops of 2".

ichixban

Ran DF's before I switched to Ksport. The tanabe's rode smooth so you'll have nothing to worry about.

^PS burst, I got a Supra too haha, '89.

Sciond

tenabes and Konis good choice

brianhorne8

Awesome. Got my pair for the rear for about 55. Not a bad deal. Now, would putting the same thing on the front make the ride any better, or would there be something else that I should go with? Or, should I just stick with what I've got for now?

Sciond

stick with what you got

burstaneurysm

Just use what you have right now. You'll probably decide that you don't need to get new fronts.

Sciond

the Monroe's are too soft in the front imo.....

Metro273

Thanks Ian, this is the info I needed...