Monroe Gas-Matics. After I bought the van in 83 I replaced the stock ones with Gas-Matics, I replaced them in 2005 with new Gas Matics. It isn't like I beat on the van and overload it, but at least they lasted.

KYB Gas a Justs. Not Gr-2's

I've heard that the Bilsteins are the cat's meow, but I'm cheap so I use Monroe Gas-Magnum shocks exclusively.

Monroe Sensa-Tracs are good shocks too, but I've only used them in cars. Not sure how they are in a van or truck.

Monroe Gas-matics. They're a step up from stock but don't cost to much. Would have gone another step up to KYB but I needed to save some money.

Interesting post. Thanks for the info. I think shocks will have to be my next essential purchase. The van's been rockin' a little bit more than we like...

Asking about shocks is kinda like asking about beer......
Every one like some thing different.
I like Monroes over Gabriels.
No "key board" review here.
I actually bolted them on my vans and ran them......

.........Wookee

ive always used gabriels just because im cheap, but i would like to try out the monroes on the Ford.

Personally I don't like Monroes, they don't last long but they do offer a very cloud like ride. I have gabriels now and they're great and weren't expensive at all. Now to be honest on a Dodge which is unibody the ride is going to be different then your body on chassis Ford... Truely what wookee said is correct, slap them suckers on and give it a try but doing that is expensive. Me I already know what shocks I use and will probably continue to use, I just wanted to get to know what shocks other vanners like to use on there rig and why they like them and so on. Not much am I looking to get user based data, just what people like. Anyway's I drove a dulley box truck today and I can tell you I would love to snap a dulley axle on my van for the stability

Well I really wasn't asking what shocks should I get or what is better so on, I wanted to get other vanners personaly and or professional opinion based on experience. I can say like if you are off roading then you want to have rough country, if you are running a van like a limo then you want to have Monroes cause they offer a pretty soft ride but I notice most Monroes don't last long. Then Gabriel which is what I use now (used to use Monroe), Gabriels aren't to stiff and aren't to soft, they're inexpensive and they last long for the most part. Thing is regardless of brand most shocks don't last 50K miles, they really only last about 5-15K then they start to sponge up. Bilstein is a different story because of they're design which is exactly why most times they're going to be on a competative vehicle. Also mono tube, dual tube and so on.

But yea you're right 100%, it's user preference and gonna have to buy them and try them out to know. But again, I wasn't looking for a review, just wanted to know what some people are using. Nice van by the way, that thing must stick out at night though being orange as a pumpkin!

I'm not sure where my 'fancy' is, and I don't know if I want to try and tickle it with a shock absorber.....