New front shock suggestions?

[Ride_Red]

Have a 2000 LTD with 100k. My ultimate goal is to install a Toytec Ultimate lift kit in the next year. In the mean time I am just installing the Toytec 3" front spacers and 890 rear coils.

My tech just told me my front shocks have to be replaced. I was thinking of the billstein 5100 or the cheap procomps. Not trying to spend a ton of money plus I have to order these. Anyone know of some comparable shocks that I can pick up locally that are just as good?

 

[freshley]

Anything you find locally will probably be junk. You may be able to find Ranchos and they are just a better designed Monroe shock. All the Monroe shocks suck. With that HUGE spacer in the front whatever you put in will suck so just buy something and live with it until you can get a good setup.

 

[Ride_Red]

With that HUGE spacer in the front whatever you put in will suck so just buy something and live with it until you can get a good setup.

Even the billstein 5100s will suck? If that's the case, then I guess it will not matter what I get right?

 

[freshley]

No ANY Bilsteins or even the procomps are better than anything you can find locally is what I was saying. That being said, a HUGE spacer like that will make it ride crappy even with good shocks. You are preloading the springs so much that you might as well remove the springs and install a piece of steel pipe.
If you need that much lift, go with the adjustable 5100s and TRD tundra springs. It's more expensive but you can sell those to someone on here when you don't need them and get some of your $$$ back.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Go with Bilstein 5100's, set them on a high perch (3rd one I'd say) and then use a much smaller spacer, maybe a 1/4" top hat spacer. That will get you pretty close to level.