My '05 Dakota needs shocks all around. I have been looking at front struts and it seems the Monroe quick struts might be my best option. I am also going to install the 2" lift spacer and diff drop. Any input from the members is always helpful before committing. Thanks

 

Monroe is a good choice. Rancho and kyb are the only other choices besides OEM. Rancho are a bit firmer. Kyb is more like stock. Monroe is in the middle.

 

Thanks jkeaton, I guess I will go with the Monroe's. Their "quick strut" has the coil already installed from the factory. I like that as I was going to replace the coils anyway. Monroe also has a set of rear shocks that are coil overs.

 

Moog makes quick struts, too.

Here's some threads for comparisons and experiences with different struts for our Dakotas.

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...yb-monroe.html
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...ew-shocks.html
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...nd-struts.html
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...ho-shocks.html
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...ggestions.html
https:// www. dodge talk . com/forums/showthread.php?t=607866 (cut/paste into the address bar and remove the spaces)
https:// www. dodge talk . com/forums/showthread.php?t=290667 (cut/paste into the address bar and remove the spaces)
https:// www. dodge talk . com/forums/showthread.php?t=261283 (cut/paste into the address bar and remove the spaces)

 

Thanks! Was not aware Moog jumped on the bandwagon!

 

I've tried multiple rental strut spring compressors and the jaws are almost universally too thick to easily get between the coils to disassemble the stock struts to swap springs making it a huge pain in the *** for any bare strut that you may buy. Save yourself the trouble and just grab a quick strut, I've had good personal experience with the Monroe's, have not tried Moog struts.

 

Thank you all for good input.

 

I'm in the process of doing mine front and rear and went with Monroe after reading a few threads. Oddly the best price I found for the rear shocks was Home Depot. Still on the hunt for a set of quick struts.

 

+1 on the quick struts. I've changed the struts onto the springs before. It's like the old split rims, or messing with air bags. I can do it, but I prefer NOT to. Too much kinetic energy built up in the part. A quick strut, a few bolts and head in for an alignment. Faster and no broken noses or fingers. Just for grins and giggles once, I watched a friend cut the top nut off a strut assembly once. The spring flew a good 75 or so feet and the end plate went well out into a field. He found it a week later mowing the grass.