Monroe Gas Magnum shocks.

[DavidM]

Anyone got Monroe Gas Magnum shocks Pt# 16-0368 (front) and 16-0369 (rear) fitted to their Mu?
Any comments for or against?
Alternatives?

David.

[geeves]

Cant coment too much on the Monroe shocks I have seen them on other vehicals but there hasnt been a lot of feedback. Most people use Ranchos, KYB or Tockico. The originals were made by Tokico and in my case were 14 years and 170000km old when replaced I know a lot of people very happy on KYB and rancho I belive the Monroes are significantly dearer than these three options

[mudgrip4]

Monroe makes darn good 4x4 shocks. One friend had gas magnums on his cruiser and did 80,oookms and 8 years of very tough off roading with them, and they were excellent.

The model you need is the Monroe Adventurer - this is the upgrade of the gas magnum - has a bigger bore and more capable off road. Another isuzu owner friend and I both fitted these 12-18 months ago and we are v impressed with them.

Have taken mine regularly thru the toughest tracks in the southern mountains while he does alot of road driving, and the adventurers have proven v good in both circumstances. Also good price - can arrange purchase price in Christchurch for around $190 incl a pair (rear) - club price. Recommended product - Mike.

[jamiey]

I have '91 Irmscher 2.8dt, I'm looking at replacing shocks within 2 weeks, 4wd is also to undergo susp lift in near future of around 20-30mm. Isuzu is club truck - would you recommend the Monro Adventurer for this type of use?
Can you advise on Tough Dog shocks, are they any good?

cheers
Jamie ChCh

[geeves]

They are suposed to be good but I dont know anyone useing them

[mudgrip4]

Re Monroe Adventurers and their suitability with suspension lifts - my 88 swb bighorn has 70m longer shackles on rear - giving 35m extra height - and the new Adventurers handle the extra length perfectly. Good value - Mike.

[HiMuZuLux]

Just a wee note on the Adventurer's - I was told by Monroe that they are not an upgrade, they are a slightly stiffer gas-charged shock with a smaller bore than the gas magnum, made to a budget not a specification.

They are also not made in Monroes main factory, but are made by a small factory in Belgium so not neccessarily under the same QC controls as the magnums.

Don't quote me, thats just what I was told

If I had to choose on shocks in that price bracket, I would probably go with MaxiTracs which have the same size bore as the magnums (40mm from memory), but slightly longer travel. They work out at around $235NZ per pair.


Steve

[mudgrip4]

Just had chat with Monroe suppliers for NZ - gave lots of specs which I cannot recall, but no bore size for Adventurer. Gas magnums twin sleeve, while adventurers single with different gas setup. They did say adventurers are made in a Monroe factory in Belgium and definitely meet QC standards.

Confirm Adventurer range has superceded much of gas magnum range for in last 2-3 years - some gas magnum range now obsolete. 80% of shock sales to 4x4s are the new adventurers, to 20% gas magnums. Adventurer ideal for on/off road combination which most of us do. NZ and overseas.

Spoke to 2-3 shock outfits associated with my 4x4 club and they sell and fit stacks of adventurers for 4x4s. Their comment is its excellent product and they report very good feedback from clients. Can confirm this - matches my own and clubmates experience. Ideal if you want to do solid off roading yet still use your vehicle for on road use, and not spend a fortune. V pleased with mine.

If more hardcore offroad shocks required, their recommendation is Rancho 9000s esp with in-cab adjustment. Expensive but easy to switch from soft offroad setting to taut open road handling. Mike.

[HiMuZuLux]

Good to hear the comments on quality control, as when I asked they weren't happy about them.

Don't get me wrong, I've sold a quite a few of these as well, and have run them on my MU for a while - although I did find them a little stiff they did help stopping the rear springs bottoming thanks to that stiffness.

I'm not saying don't buy them, was just saying they are not really what I'd call an "upgrade" over gas magnums. For a budget shock by a big name manufacturer they are perfect for most people, and I agree the Rancho is probably a good step up - although at the same price as the adventurers for just one, they are kinda pricey for most.

At $190 per pair they are well priced and worth the spend - the gas magnums are probably going to be considerably more expensive.

And on bore size I think from memory the adventurers are a 36mm bore and the magnums are a 40mm.

Cheers

Steve

[mudgrip4]

Yes - one clubmate who runs shock outfit also commented people like the damping of the Adventurer, and this is what I found also. Fitted mine 45,000k ago and immediately took them into rugged tracks off Old Man Range in Central Otago. Delighted when I didn't bottom out all day....a hell of an asset when trip leader going first and 'finding' every hidden boulder, hole etc - one of life's little joys

Said they still sell gas magnums to boy racers and others who want specific suspension set up, and no doubt to some off roaders.

Mine is a work vehicle as well, but if I had a vehicle for offroading only - and the budget - I like the sound of in cab adjustable ranchos. You gain surprising amount of softness over rocky uneven terrain with bigger muds lowered to 22-26lbs from 34-35, but would be real luxury changing ride with just push of a button.

What do these in-cab setups cost (incl fitting)- and are there other good comparable products from OME, tough dog etc. Mike

[mudgrip4]

Have just had most interesting call from Monroe suppliers re their Adventure shocks. This is one highly p*ssed off company, esp re comments by a purported Monroe salesman (see above) that the Adventure shocks are somehow inferior product compared with gas magnums, of lighter bore, made without proper quality control in Belgium etc. Asked me very directly to locate this 'salesman' so they can deal to him, in no uncertain terms. These guys were serious - very angry company. Most humorous.

Specifications are clear however. Their gas magnums vary in bore from 35 - 40mm, average 38mm, with smaller 4x4s like suzukis using the smaller bore. The new adventure shock has a 46mm bore - 20% bigger. The Adventure also built with thicker stronger construction sidewall to absorb more battering offroad without shock damage.

Also european QC standards in Monroe Belgium factory apparently v high - producing the Adventurer worldwide at higher standard than the Aussie sourced gas magnums which some companies continue to sell. Adventure has largely superceded much of gas magnum production, though he says some sales outlets can't get the Adventures and continue to plug the gas magnums - perhaps badmouthing the new product to do so..

Most interesting...and particularly amusing! If this purported salesman for Monroe very bravely comes forward, I would recommend he very actively seek alternative employment before attending next meeting - and wear heavy duty testicle protection for his next office meeting. Should be very interesting 3 minutes.

Meantime - bears out experience with the Adventures - exc shocks for on/offroad and a great price at the moment. Mike.

[DavidM]

Hi Mike,
Since you have been in touch with Monroe perhaps you could talk to your contact there and get them to put something about the Adventurer shocks on a web site that I can find with Google.
Currently entering 'Monroe Adventurer shock absorbers' brings up just one company in UK selling them for Range Rovers.
Alternatively if anyone from Monroe is watching this thread (?) please post a web site with full info.
I'm getting close to purchase time now.

David.

[mudgrip4]

Guy gave me a couple of websites - forgotten one but Monroe Europe is www.monroe-eu.com. Click on products, then 4x4 I think. This one has at least some tech specs. Also the shock is Adventure not Adventurer apparently - Mike

[HiMuZuLux]

Well, at this point I'm gonna 'protect my sources' and take the 5th

Thats an interesting response from them tho... but for the record it was not a Monroe employee if that cools them off a bit - it was someone from a company who sells a lot of Monroe product. More than that I will not say. ;D

Interesting that there are newer tougher models being released - I would like some literature on them... might have to go ask my source... although then Monroe will grill anyone asking them for leaflets... so maybe I won't *sigh*

Steve

I think I'll stick to MaxiTrac shocks for a while

[mudgrip4]

Hello Steve - yes I suspect the 5th is a wise call - and don't visit the hospital if your mate does own up to Monroe - he will almost certainly be looking for testicle donor after meeting. You wouldn't really want to feel obliged...

Must admit the whole thing was rather funny. It appears some large parts supply cos (who will remain nameless) were not given right to sell euro sourced Adventure shocks, and took it poorly, their reps badmouthing the new product to sell the old. Mr Monroe seriously p*ssed off! Could not quite recall with him where I had heard the rumours.

Really it would help everyone (including them) if Monroe invested in a decent website, provided much better technical specs, and guidelines for their different shock products. For a multi billion dollar co their site is hopeless esp re a product apparently so important to them. However - enjoy the maxitracs - and probably a good idea to drop out random visits to hospitals for the next month or two......stay healthy - Mike.

[HiMuZuLux]

None of the shock manufacturers have a site worth a knob of goat s**t. Ranchos have great information available all over the web because so many hard-core offroaders use them, but none of the brands I deal with bother with much info on the web, and its pretty hopeless.

It doesn't help resellers either - we end up having to 'try' things to see what works - which can be a very expensive way to go about things.

Never mind, at least I still have my testicles

Steve