Ok need a confirmation here... I understand that the monroe shocks will lower the car 1/2" because the shocks are shorter than stock. But is that only for the front struts (1/2" drop)?? What about the rear?? Some people say it lowers it and others say it doesn't. :doh:

I still say only the front lowers 1/2". And will continue to do so until I see the difference measured out with my own two eyes.

Springs are what suspends the car, not shocks. The shocks are only there to dampen the movement of the suspension. The only way replacement shocks will allow you to go lower is if the original shocks are already fully compressed, or in some sort of bind while the vehicle is at rest.

Not from experience with this particular setup, but the fronts actually move the spring seat which could account for the drop. (i.e. the Echo spring seat is lower on the strut body than the stock struts.)

The rears are just shocks, correct? Spring doesn't move = no drop.

i have koni's not monroes. but on my xb the front only dropped 1/2 inch not the rears.

I actuallly have monroes on my xA with tein s techs, and i can say from looking at my car everday that the front is about 1/2 lower than the front. i like it tho because it makes my car look aggressive :P

ic. So the rear doesn't drop.
Anybody know the part #'s on both the front struts and rear shocks? :P

It has been posted numerous times, but...

Front Strut: 71575
Rear Shock: 5987

the rears are very nice
maybe i am a special case
i have 51,000 miles (45,000 on Stechs)
and decided to replace the rears with monroe

very happy...they are a little softer than stock
but cornering performance is the same if not better
and the highway ride is so much improved
but as i stated with my miles my shocks were about gone anyway

just my 2cents

I can't wait to do the fronts on mine because I was looking for it to be raked a bit more anyway :)

The rear Monroes were probably the best money I've spent on the xB so far BTW, makes the ride 100% better.

ok still some confusion....rear shock #...I see two different #'s
5870 and 5987??? which one is it??? :doh:

5870 is for more drastic drops. The 5897 will work fine with all of the available drop coils. If you decide to hack your springs, or get coil-overs or bags then you want the 5870. These have a shorter compressed height and allow the xB to drop lower before bottoming out the shock.

im running tanabe DF210's. I want to go lower though. you said 5870 is for a lower drop. Any problems if i run 5870?

If you want shocks right away and don't plan to go lower right away I would stick with the 5897. Then when you save up to get whatever new lower suspension you want you can revisit the issue. Depending on how you decide to go lower, you may not even need the Monroe shocks. But if you do, you can include them in the budget for the new suspension.

sorry a bit misunderstanding. I meant that i am going to stay with the DF210s but i was hoping to get a lower height with the monroe struts/shocks. I know the struts will lower it 1/2" but what about the rear??? 5987 and 5870...which one will make the xb lower?? sorry for askin so many questions. :doh:

the shocks will not make you lower.... i have shorter shocks on my car because its on bags but with springs shocks will not make you go lower. with my airrruner it comes with shorter shocks to dampen the ride better and to get a lil lower at full drop when the bags are compressed. i hope this makes sence.. shocks dont make you go lower shorter shocks just dampen better and improve the ride on lowered applications. if you were on bags you can go lower because the stock shocks run out of travel and bottom out at full dump thus suspending the car by the shocks that werent designed for air. i had df210's before my air and you will not get lower with shocks. sorry for the paragraph im just trying to help clairify what shocks will do for your suspension.

I got the H&R Cup Kit (that's springs, shocks, and struts) and it lowered my xA 2.2 in the front and 1.8 in the rear. The ride is smooth and the look is sweet, wish I had've known about the Monroe struts/shocks before. Anyone need some TRD springs for a xA?

I've got a question on these Monroe Strut and Shocks. Does anyone know if they are a little shorther in lenght than the stock shocks?? Reason I am asking is that I am riding on Eibach sportlines which has given me about a 2-1/8" drop and well my rear shocks have crapped out or I think that they have becuase I am having some weird cupping issue's with my tires and want to upgrade my shocks, since dropping my box it has caused the shock position of the piston to ride toward the top of the shock rather that in the middle so to speak. So thte travel of the piston is done mostly at the top of the shock and its possible its bottoming the shock out. I wanted to make sure that it wasn't going to be the same with changing the shocks. I hope this makes sense what I am asking. Thanks everyone

There shorter

So bet bet is to just go with the 5987 then for the rears since I'm not on bags??

So bet bet is to just go with the 5987 then for the rears since I'm not on bags??yes, i got megan springs, and with the 5987 it dropped a little more than 1/2 more. i was happy. plus the ride is way better! i mean way better!

I've got a question on these Monroe Strut and Shocks. Does anyone know if they are a little shorther in lenght than the stock shocks?? Reason I am asking is that I am riding on Eibach sportlines which has given me about a 2-1/8" drop and well my rear shocks have crapped out or I think that they have becuase I am having some weird cupping issue's with my tires and want to upgrade my shocks, since dropping my box it has caused the shock position of the piston to ride toward the top of the shock rather that in the middle so to speak. So thte travel of the piston is done mostly at the top of the shock and its possible its bottoming the shock out. I wanted to make sure that it wasn't going to be the same with changing the shocks. I hope this makes sense what I am asking. Thanks everyone im not sure about the struts, but the rears are the same length. If you stand um up on end at full relaxed extension. The difference I seen is the the body of the shock is shorter. The dampening is better on the monroes. it will drop your back another 1/2 at least.

sorry a bit misunderstanding. I meant that i am going to stay with the DF210s but i was hoping to get a lower height with the monroe struts/shocks. I know the struts will lower it 1/2" but what about the rear??? 5987 and 5870...which one will make the xb lower?? sorry for askin so many questions. :doh:Jun right? go with the 5987s thats the one i got. it did dump the back another half inch.

ahhh craig!! u found me on scionlife! :P
ok ok, im goin with 5987 monroes. thanx everyone! :bow:

ahhh craig!! u found me on scionlife! :P
ok ok, im goin with 5987 monroes. thanx everyone! :bow:Dirty said it might be on sale at checkers this week.

ok, i'll give them a call and get a price quote. thanx again :relief:

ok, i'll give them a call and get a price quote. thanx again :relief:Jun, Matt called me and he said that he made a mistake. Its at sears not checkers. Memorial day sale. so should be this whole weekend.

ahhh man...went down to sears but the Monroe sensatrac is not onsale. :doh:
only the cheap monroe gas shock was the one on sale.

ahhh man...went down to sears but the Monroe sensatrac is not onsale. :doh:
only the cheap monroe gas shock was the one on sale.thats sears for ya.

IM AND IDIOT..... So if i was getting DF210's for my xB, should i go with 5870, or with 5987?

Maybe a Simple Pros/Cons list would answer me dumb questions....

Thanks guys!


-AleXb.

Thank you to all of you recommending the Monroe Sensa-Trac for a better ride. I have a xB and was wondering what the time frame was and difficulty was for changing from the OEM shocks.

When pricing them out at a couple of websites I noticed two different pictures for the same part number. One has two loops, one at each end ,the other picture has a threaded rod at one end and loop at the other.

All comments are appreciated.

Changing out the rear shocks on the xB is probably one of the easiest modifications to do. If you had a shop do it I would be extremely upset to see anything more than their minimum charge. Probably less than 1/2 hour time.

And the correct shock will have a loop on the body end and the threaded rod on the shaft end.

Thanks for the quick reply. I do have an honest shop to deal with. I will talk with them about the install then order the shocks. Checking out this site and talking with some of the suppliers has given me enough info to get parts installed well below what the Scion dealers are asking .

This has helped me get good part prices and good installation pricing.

I have been reading this and other sites about the Sensa Tracs. Last Saturday my wife and I were traveling on the 405 Freeway in So Cal and she said, "I wouldn't want to go on a long trip in this car".

Then I decided to get the Sensa Tracs. The Scion is the newer of my two vehicles. And around town my wife loves it. She picked out many of the extras that are on the car.

Thanks again.

What have people here paid for the Monroes? So far i found that Napa Auto Parts had the best prices thus yet:

71575 = $61.99
5987 = $33.29
5870 = $29.99


Has anyone found better prices than what i listed? I wanna buy them in person too, so online store wouldn't be an option.


-AleXb.

Ok, i really just want confirmation..... I have an xB, I just bought DF210's..... when i put them on, i want to buy and install the monroes at that same time..... Given that i am using DF210's, which rear part number would be best suited for my car? (5870, or 5987?)


-AleXb.

Ok, i really just want confirmation..... I have an xB, I just bought DF210's..... when i put them on, i want to buy and install the monroes at that same time..... Given that i am using DF210's, which rear part number would be best suited for my car? (5870, or 5987?)


-AleXb. go with the 5987. ppl use the 5870 for air ride suspensions.

what's the different , physically and functionally, between 5987 and 5870? I've done a search but i can't find a clear answer...

It is the same type of design, just different physical dimensions. Unfortunately you can't get the specs. for both shops off of the Monroe website. What it boils down to is the 5870 has a shorter body and slightly shorter stroke. This works out well for air suspension equipped vehicles that were previously resting on the rear shocks when fully lowered.

What have people here paid for the Monroes? So far i found that Napa Auto Parts had the best prices thus yet:

71575 = $61.99
5987 = $33.29
5870 = $29.99


Has anyone found better prices than what i listed? I wanna buy them in person too, so online store wouldn't be an option.


-AleXb.

I picked up my Rear monroes....5987 for about $34.00 ea. from Napa. I also installed them on tuesday and what a difference it makes for the rear. It makes me want to change out the front struts now.

Yeah I want to do the fronts too very soon. I'll take measurements before and after so we can have a definitive answer regarding the drop thing... wish I hd done measurements when the rears were done, oh well. :)

For a ride height adjustable coilover kit, would you still recommend the 5987, or should I go with the 5870 for more drop capability?

www.partsamerica.com has the 5987 for 29.00 a piece with free shipping

hi, I am new to the forum. I have been reading about all the monroe post on the forum cuz I would like a better ride in my box. I have several questions about the shocks, hopefully people can help me out.

1) should i change to the monroe shocks to the rear only or should i do the front as well?

2) I want to improve the ride but I don't want to lower the box, if I use the monroe shocks and stock springs, will that lower the car?(I see on other post that it might lower the car by half a inch in the front, I can live with that, but is that true?)

3)will I need an alignment after I change the shocks?

4)I keep on seeing people talking about Monroe shocks and struts, what is struts? do I need that as well to improve the quality of the ride?

5)I see different part numbers for the monroe shocks on the froum, can someone tell me what is the part number for the front, and what is the part number for the back? I have a 2006 if that helps?

Thanks for reading my long a$$ questions, any input is appreciated, thanks a lot :silly:

The stock springs are linear rate and generally suck. Get some Tein H-tech springs for comfort (but minimal dropage) and Monroes all around for a controlled ride and you'll be set :) You shouldn't need an alignment if they are installed correctly.
BTW, struts are the fronts, and shocks are for the rear.

hi, I am new to the forum. I have been reading about all the monroe post on the forum cuz I would like a better ride in my box. I have several questions about the shocks, hopefully people can help me out.

1) should i change to the monroe shocks to the rear only or should i do the front as well?

2) I want to improve the ride but I don't want to lower the box, if I use the monroe shocks and stock springs, will that lower the car?(I see on other post that it might lower the car by half a inch in the front, I can live with that, but is that true?)

3)will I need an alignment after I change the shocks?

4)I keep on seeing people talking about Monroe shocks and struts, what is struts? do I need that as well to improve the quality of the ride?

5)I see different part numbers for the monroe shocks on the froum, can someone tell me what is the part number for the front, and what is the part number for the back? I have a 2006 if that helps?

Thanks for reading my long a$$ questions, any input is appreciated, thanks a lot :silly:

Judging by your request I would start with just a pair of rear shocks. Monroe part number 5987. Many have stated that simply by changing the rear shocks (less than 1/2 hour job for the non-mechanically inclined) has made a huge difference in how the car rides. You might like the way it rides with just that change and there will be no need for swapping out struts and changing springs.

Then again if you are still unsatisfied you can swap out spring for something with a better ride. The front struts would probably be one of the last things I changed.

got mine sat. it's been raining ever since can't wait for a dry day so I can throw them on. looking forward to the smoother ride in the rear. will post back when i have them on

Thanks Rton20s, I just order a pair of 5987s from Kragens for $37.99 each,and I am gonna try to install them this weekend. If I like the ride, I think i am gonna change out the front ones as well, at that time I will measure the ride height before and after the install to see if there is a half inch drop in the front.

oh, and I got one more question. is there any write-up on how to install the Monroe shocks, I searched all over SL but I only found the KONI shocks write-up in the Tech section .

Can someone please let me if there is a write-up for the Monroe shocks on XB somewhere on the forum???

thanks....

Changing out the rear shocks on the xB is probably one of the easiest modifications to do. If you had a shop do it I would be extremely upset to see anything more than their minimum charge. Probably less than 1/2 hour time.

And the correct shock will have a loop on the body end and the threaded rod on the shaft end.

Thanks RT for the advice. I had my TRD Anti Sway Bar and the Monroe Sensa Tracs installed last weekend. A much smoother ride and the xB takes corners flatter.

OldT

hi, I am new to the forum. I have been reading about all the monroe post on the forum cuz I would like a better ride in my box. I have several questions about the shocks, hopefully people can help me out.

1) should i change to the monroe shocks to the rear only or should i do the front as well?

2) I want to improve the ride but I don't want to lower the box, if I use the monroe shocks and stock springs, will that lower the car?(I see on other post that it might lower the car by half a inch in the front, I can live with that, but is that true?)

3)will I need an alignment after I change the shocks?

4)I keep on seeing people talking about Monroe shocks and struts, what is struts? do I need that as well to improve the quality of the ride?

5)I see different part numbers for the monroe shocks on the froum, can someone tell me what is the part number for the front, and what is the part number for the back? I have a 2006 if that helps?

Thanks for reading my long a$$ questions, any input is appreciated, thanks a lot :silly:

Judging by your request I would start with just a pair of rear shocks. Monroe part number 5987. Many have stated that simply by changing the rear shocks (less than 1/2 hour job for the non-mechanically inclined) has made a huge difference in how the car rides. You might like the way it rides with just that change and there will be no need for swapping out struts and changing springs.

Then again if you are still unsatisfied you can swap out spring for something with a better ride. The front struts would probably be one of the last things I changed.
yep fronts should be the last thing.....

Changed my rear shocks two weeks ago didn't notice any real difference the first couple of days ,must be a break-in period. I can now tell a big difference in the ride. I wish I had known sooner. Installed them my self, 15 minutes start to finish for both shocks. It still amazes me how easy the box is to work on. :love: it.

tdub57, is the install the same as the koni in the tech section? Sears just quoted me $100 for install on rears, $100 on fronts. riiiiidiculous! i wanna do this myself but am kind of a broke-chanic.

it is the same, chiburu

thanks a lot pballplayer18!

Hope it works out for you man, the worst thing is to spend time and money and not like it.

tdub57, is the install the same as the koni in the tech section? Sears just quoted me $100 for install on rears, $100 on fronts. riiiiidiculous! i wanna do this myself but am kind of a broke-chanic.
Hi Okinawan, hit us up at scionevolution.org Hawaii chapter. Im sure we can have a install party. Trust me it is sooooo easy to do. if you want to pay anything just bring us a case of beer and some poke. just make sure when you post up there, introduce yourself first.
Aloha

Chagan Ju craigxb, I'm assuming you are Okinawan too. Thanks for the offer I might just do that. First I gotta order the sensa tracs from Checkers. Their price was better than Napa. Its pretty sad that no one stocks them here. I noticed you are a fellow Mililanian. I live Mauka. I have a dirty BSP w/LED tails and tiny 15" Rotas. I hope to run 17s soon.
Shoots den.
Mahalos \m/

ok... been noticing lately that my rear shocks/springs are squeekin and creakin more often than not when moving...ok if the xB is being rocked at a stand still, beleive music and road noise covers it up while in motion.

anyways.. after getting my speaker box put in last november.. my car got a noticable reverse rake... rear sitting lower than front now.. no doubt caused by the weight of the box. currently sitting on stock shocks and Tein S-tech springs.

since i'm pretty sure the shocks are near death, and riding probably closer to full compression full time than they should. would sensa-tracs be a good option to replace stocks with AND help restore the stance to at least level, if not slight front rake? also been thinking that putting stock springs back in the rear would help the prob at least temporarily.

or would the shocks just continue to be at a more compressed rate with the s-techs due to the weight of the box??

other recomendations that would work?

below a couple pics... one is the cause of the issue, other is of profile of car... even on slight incline you can tell(sorta) by the wheel gap that the rear is lower than front.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a199/kkawana/box.jpg

kinda dark but only current profile pic that i can find at the moment
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a199/kkawana/Tiki%20with%20lights/DSC00010.jpg

shocks will not adjust the height of your car the springs do that. the shorter shocks will provide a nicer ride for your box but it will not alter the vehicles height in any way.

hmm... sounds like i'll be goin back to stock rear springs then... as well as some new shocks...

was hopeful...lol

you could always go with adjustable coilovers or airride. I had the same dillema, I have the airrunner system with KYB lowfer sports shocks in the rear. raising the back is just a flip of a switch.

air ride would be nice... but not enuff $$ at the moment....

nice tikis brah.

mahalo :) VV more pics
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=125087

Do the 71575 front struts actually lower the front of the xB a half inch? I won't mind the slight rake! I already have the rears swapped over to the Monroes and love them. Now I need to make the fronts as "cushy" as the rears. LOL

I just put monroes on the back and I can confirm that it does sit a bit lower in the back now. The ride quality is great by the way, its really nice for a 60 dollar mod.

A reason I can think of for the shorter drop is the softer rebound of the shock making the car sit lower becuase the pressure is not pushing against the spring as hard as the stock KYB shocks.

Yes, the 71575 struts do lower the front 1/2". This is due to a shorter strut body.

Yes, the 71575 struts do lower the front 1/2". This is due to a shorter strut body.Cool, Thanks for confirming the reason :bow:

Chagan Ju craigxb, I'm assuming you are Okinawan too. Thanks for the offer I might just do that. First I gotta order the sensa tracs from Checkers. Their price was better than Napa. Its pretty sad that no one stocks them here. I noticed you are a fellow Mililanian. I live Mauka. I have a dirty BSP w/LED tails and tiny 15" Rotas. I hope to run 17s soon.
Shoots den.
Mahalos \m/
I must have seen u b4 i think. Hey i sent you a PM check it out. :clap:

Great topic, going to get the rear done first like everyone else then if i feel the difference with these stech's i'll do the front. Need to do the brakes first

shocks will not adjust the height of your car the springs do that. the shorter shocks will provide a nicer ride for your box but it will not alter the vehicles height in any way.

apparently you dont know what you're talking about. shocks do adjust the ride of your vehicle. how do i know, i bought a set of koni yellow adjustable back in the day for my 2001 acura integra. they have different height where i can move the perch so the spring would sit lower/higher compare to the orginal location on the oem shock, therefore making the shock adjustable for the height of my car. dont believe me, research on it. apparently monroe shock, the perch or the ring that hold the spring up is located lower then the scion OEM counter-part.

shocks will not adjust the height of your car the springs do that. the shorter shocks will provide a nicer ride for your box but it will not alter the vehicles height in any way.

apparently you dont know what you're talking about. shocks do adjust the ride of your vehicle. how do i know, i bought a set of koni yellow adjustable back in the day for my 2001 acura integra. they have different height where i can move the perch so the spring would sit lower/higher compare to the orginal location on the oem shock, therefore making the shock adjustable for the height of my car. dont believe me, research on it. apparently monroe shock, the perch or the ring that hold the spring up is located lower then the scion OEM counter-part.SORRY But if the spring sits over the shock it's NOT a shock. It's a freakin STRUT.

Shocks control wheel motions. Struts do that and support the weight of the vehicle because they also hold the spring. blackwagon had it right. You mis understode what he said. :no:

you are right, i misunderstood. i apologize. :loser: :P

you are right, i misunderstood. i apologize. :loser: :PSorry, didn't mean to be so harsh. Sometimes mis info really gets on my nerves. :P

thanks jethro, im not trying to discourage you from buying these shocks, they will make a difference and improve your ride. but they will not lower your car. i hate to be the bearer of bad news i just dont want anyone to be upset and feel ripped of because the shock did not lower your car.

thanks jethro, im not trying to discourage you from buying these shocks, they will make a difference and improve your ride. but they will not lower your car. i hate to be the bearer of bad news i just dont want anyone to be upset and feel ripped of because the shock did not lower your car.I alread have them on my toaster and love them. I knew they wouldn't add any drop already. Thanks! Only the front Monroe struts will add 1/2 inch of drop because of they are shorter.

Ok just so everyone knows. i measured the rear xb height stock shock and Monroe 5870's. There is no difference. No lowering at all. But anyways back to what i was saying.

I bought the 5870's because my car is lowered with Megan Racing Springs... Smoothened out the rear ride but the stock strut front is still stiff.

Stock Rear Shock Height = 29 3/4 inches
Monroe Rear Shock Height = 27 inches ...