Okay, so I'm about to receive some extra money and I really need to do some front end work. I know I need new control arm bushings, and lower ball joints. I was thinking while I was at it and had the front end all apart I would replace the struts and add a leveling kit, and also remove the front sway bar.

I just have some questions. With the struts would it be better to get the Monroe complete strut assembly or just go with plain struts and save some money? Which would be easier, or less time consuming?

I'm gonna get the MOOG bushings and balljoints.

And I'm also thinking about getting the Monroe Sensa-Trac shocks for the rear also. Anyone have experience with these?

From what I've gathered looking around here, there is a dispute between Rancho and Monroe. I think I'm gonna Monroe unless someone can tell me some big benefits of the Ranchos. I do drive off road everyday, so my suspension is very important to me.

Thanks in advance for any insight anyone offers up.

 

The Monroe quick struts will be the easiest swap. Either the Monroe or Rancho will be a huge improvement, as I'm sure you've read in previous threads. Rancho here and definitely recommend them, but the Monroe guys usually recommend those too.

 

I figured they'd be the quickest seeing how you don't have to compress the strut. But how much work is it to put the other one on?

 

Any front end parts you get should be Moog ''Problem Solver" series as these are the greaseable parts. The "Signature " series are not greaseable. I have Monroes front, sensa-trac rear, great ride. Huge improvement over OEM. I have been led to believe the Ranchos are a tad stiffer than the Monroes, but not much. A complete strut assy would definitely be easier. The question is which leveling kit you're gonna use. The top mount style just gets slapped onto the top of the assy but extends the overall length of the strut assy and can be a real pita to get remounted. The inside mounted kit goes between the spring and top plate, which means no matter what, you have to take the strut assy apart to install it. It works by preloading the spring thus eliminating spring sag and maintains the original assy length making reinstall easier. It gives 1.5" lift and a bit stiffer ride, probably making Monroes feel the same as a Rancho.

 

get Monroe quickstruts..mine were a pain in the *** and it was tedious work to get the strut mounts off of my spring. Legit had to cut the nut that is threaded onto the strut because it was so rusted