by Rob_Wood on Sat, 28 Oct 2023 9:19 +0000
Shock absorbers shouldn't make any "huge" difference to your ride comfort. That's the job of the Springs. That in mind, the heavier the Duty of the Shocks you buy, the longer they "SHOULD" last.
The best way to assess the rating the shocks you should buy is to have a chat with a well trusted, experienced and reputable suspension specialist. You'll need to have some information in hand when you see them, things like the maximum load you're likely to put in your vehicle, the "Regular" load you're likely to be carrying and whether you're likely to be towing very often.
For example, when I first got the vehicle I did the shocks & rear springs. I was always carrying tools, 100 to 150 kilos, I'd tow regularly. I could also have (occasionally) a VERY full load on the vehicle. I went for mid to high rated springs and extra heavy duty shocks (Ironman was my choice, but each dealer will try to sell you their own preference).
When I was forced onto a pension I now have a wife and young daughter. Our load is we always carry a box of recovery gear, maybe 20 kilos, almost always have the wife & daughter in the car with me and we've (almost) constantly got a bunch of overnight camping stuff, maybe about 30 kilos.
The vehicles' loads have changed over time, but the springs haven't AND the shocks are still the same ones. With the badly maintained roads we're on, I suspect the front shocks will need doing in the not too distant future, but with the service I've had out of this set over the years, I'll probably go the Ironmans again.