[Gord]

So, what’s the overall recommendation? Is this set worth getting or not?
I’m looking for a decent 3/8 drive set, I have some 3/8 drive stuff now but would really like a good set… should I get this set or is there something else I should look at.

I really don’t want to spend a fortune for a set, I know Snap-on and maybe some others are better?? But I’m not a professional so I wouldn’t be using it every day or making a living using it.

Thanks in advance.

[Gord]

So, what’s the overall recommendation? Is this set worth getting or not?
I’m looking for a decent 3/8 drive set, I have some 3/8 drive stuff now but would really like a good set… should I get this set or is there something else I should look at.

I really don’t want to spend a fortune for a set, I know Snap-on and maybe some others are better?? But I’m not a professional so I wouldn’t be using it every day or making a living using it.

Thanks in advance.

[Gord]

Just thought I’d post an update to my original question.
About 3 months ago I changed all 4 dampers on my truck with Rancho (RS5000). The old shocks were not leaking but, as I said in one of my other posts, I was getting some bouncing while towing along the Interstates, especially near big cities where the highway is concrete (expansion joints).
The new Rancho dampers are NOT gas charged. I thought that was rather strange because the old OEM ones were, but they fit the truck fine so I can only assume they are the correct ones and all four are the same so I believe they are not defective. The change was fairly straight forward, the only hard part is getting to the nut for the right front damper, the AC box is kind of in the way. I found the best way was to hold the nut and turn the damper from underneath in the wheel well. The only other problem I had was one of the bolts for the rear dampers was rusted in the bracket. I ended up using my ball joint press (really just a big C clamp) to push it out. Then I got new bolts and nuts, the new dampers did not come with these bolts. The bolts are metric, BTW, which added to fun of finding new ones. Ford doesn’t make them anymore or at least doesn’t sell them around here.

So, was it worth it.

I think so. There is not a huge difference but the bouncing has calmed down a bit. We just got back from 2 months driving (and towing) around the Southwest and we feel the trip was a lot smoother with the new dampers.

So not a WOW that’s great, more a… yup that’s a bit better!!!

Hope this helps someone else.

Gord

[Gord]

Just thought I’d post an update to my original question.
About 3 months ago I changed all 4 dampers on my truck with Rancho (RS5000). The old shocks were not leaking but, as I said in one of my other posts, I was getting some bouncing while towing along the Interstates, especially near big cities where the highway is concrete (expansion joints).
The new Rancho dampers are NOT gas charged. I thought that was rather strange because the old OEM ones were, but they fit the truck fine so I can only assume they are the correct ones and all four are the same so I believe they are not defective. The change was fairly straight forward, the only hard part is getting to the nut for the right front damper, the AC box is kind of in the way. I found the best way was to hold the nut and turn the damper from underneath in the wheel well. The only other problem I had was one of the bolts for the rear dampers was rusted in the bracket. I ended up using my ball joint press (really just a big C clamp) to push it out. Then I got new bolts and nuts, the new dampers did not come with these bolts. The bolts are metric, BTW, which added to fun of finding new ones. Ford doesn’t make them anymore or at least doesn’t sell them around here.

So, was it worth it.

I think so. There is not a huge difference but the bouncing has calmed down a bit. We just got back from 2 months driving (and towing) around the Southwest and we feel the trip was a lot smoother with the new dampers.

So not a WOW that’s great, more a… yup that’s a bit better!!!

Hope this helps someone else.

Gord

[Gord]

hahahahaha
I like it!!

[Gord]

hahahahaha
I like it!!

[Gord]

Ya, I knew it was going to be a tough one. I thought, maybe, someone had this problem before… I’m going to have to take a close look under the dash, I guess. Seems to be coming from the passenger side so I’ll start there.

OK, I have to ask about the ‘peanut-brickle ice cream’!!!!??

[Gord]

Ya, I knew it was going to be a tough one. I thought, maybe, someone had this problem before… I’m going to have to take a close look under the dash, I guess. Seems to be coming from the passenger side so I’ll start there.

OK, I have to ask about the ‘peanut-brickle ice cream’!!!!??

[Gord]

Thanks for the suggestion but I don’t think my problem is related. It seems to happen if I’m driving or not.

[Gord]

Thanks for the suggestion but I don’t think my problem is related. It seems to happen if I’m driving or not.

[Gord]

5 years… humm… I guess being 15 years old kind of means I could replace them without feeling too bad about it!! 😛

I’m looking at
Monroe (Reflex) about $160
KYB (Gas-s-just) about $175
Rancho (RS5000) about $205

any votes as to which ones are best or are they all about the same?

Also, anything I should watch out for or special tricks I should know when I change them?

[Gord]

5 years… humm… I guess being 15 years old kind of means I could replace them without feeling too bad about it!! 😛

I’m looking at
Monroe (Reflex) about $160
KYB (Gas-s-just) about $175
Rancho (RS5000) about $205

any votes as to which ones are best or are they all about the same?

Also, anything I should watch out for or special tricks I should know when I change them?

[Gord]

OK, I guess my question should have also been, can the shocks go bad (not work) without leaking? Do they just wear out?
I suppose if you are suggesting I should use the OE shocks, then you think the OE shocks are as good as any if they aren’t broken?

[Gord]

OK, I guess my question should have also been, can the shocks go bad (not work) without leaking? Do they just wear out?
I suppose if you are suggesting I should use the OE shocks, then you think the OE shocks are as good as any if they aren’t broken?

[Gord]

Well, I finally plucked up the courage (and got some time) to change these spark plugs!
First thing I’d like to say is, “That was fun, but lets not do it again any time soon!”

I had no problem with plugs stripping out the holes, no plugs breaking off or anything like that but those two in the back on the passenger side… well lets just say it was a struggle! EVERYTHING seems to be in the way, the transmission dipstick tube, the heater hoses among other hoses and what not!! The driver’s side is much easier, still fun but not the fun on the other side!

Two or three of the plugs were quite rusty and all were really worn, ready to be replaced. I wasn’t expecting the rust but it explains why I had an intermittent miss and why I had a miss for a while after I got some water on the engine.

Anyway, all seems to be good now, so far… hope it stays that way.

I’m not sure what the ‘flat rate’ is for this work but I’m sure if I had to work on flat rate I’d starve to death!! 😛

I’ll try to upload some pictures of the old plugs for your viewing pleasure…

Thanks to all,
Gord

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