Gabriel Hijackers #49304
Part Number: 49304
Weight: 14.9 lbs
Warranty: Limited Lifetime
Installation Hardware Included: Yes
Lower Mount Type: Eyelet
Package Contents: 2 Shocks, 2 Nuts, 2 Clamps, 2 O-ring Packing, 1 Cap, 1 Valve Core, 6 Clips, 1 Washers, 1 Seal, 2 Tube assy2 Nuts, 2 Retainers, 2 Spacers
Shock Collapsed Length (in): 9.75
Shock Color/Finish: Black
Shock Design: Dual Tube
Shock Extended Length (in): 14.35
Stroke Length (in): 4.6
Upper Mount Type: Eyelet
America’s best-known air-adjustable shock absorber
Ideal for temporarily towing boats and trailers or heavy loads
Can help improve handling and can reduce the risk of bottoming out
Up to 1,100 Lb. per pair of leveling capacity [not to exceed Vehicle GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) product does not increase payload
http://econtent.autozone.com:24999/znetcs/psb/en_US/2/0/661/azn_priming_handout_18oct12_bw.pdf
Monroe Max AIR 785
Monroe
Item Weight 7.9 pounds
Product Dimensions 21 x 7.8 x 3.4 inches
Item model number MA785
Manufacturer Part Number MA785
Extended 14.00"
Compressed:9.50"
The Max-Air shock absorber is ideal for vehicles that haul heavy loads or tow trailers. Designed to maintain level vehicle height, they can be inflated or deflated as needed...from 20 psi to 150 psi with the vehicle loaded. A pair of Max-Air shock absorbers can maintain ride height when up to 1,200 lbs of additional weight is loaded.
Okay, here is a short "personal opinion" review of the two shocks.
Gabriels
Top mounting point swivels allowing for some "minor flex". The bushings are MUCH easier to remove and the Energy bushings are easier to install, and fit better in the housing. They come with two rolls of tubing allowing you to carry one for emergencies while on the road. The Shrader valve is cheap plastic. Overall fit and finish is much better. Very easy to install. Has a housing protecting the bags against the elements. Can't see them to tell the wall thickness of the bags themselves.
Monroes
Top mounting points are welded solid to the shock, giving you no room for movement. Bushings are much more difficult to remove and the Energy bushing do not fit as well. Some are actually trimming for easier installation into the housing. Comes with only one roll of tubing which you will use to do the install. You will need to buy more for emergency carry. Shrader valve is cheap plastic. Overall the fit and finish is not as nice as the Gabriels. The welting seems are bulkier, and the quality of the welds, IMO, are sub par. The bags have no guard and are exposed to road debris and the elements, but they are thick and seem built to take a hit.
Overall for me, the better of the two has been the Gabriels. The Monroes are fine for the casual rider, but for daily use and harsher conditions, I personally think that the Gabriels will fair better over time. I tend to be pretty hard on things, Bikes included, so I will need something that will hold up to the abuse that some of these rural Texas roads have to offer. I live in an area filled with heavy haul trucks and oil field traffic destroying our roadways here in south Texas. Don't get me wrong I am part of that industry, but it takes a dramatic toll on our roads. That being said, remember that I only put the Gabriel shocks on late last night and have roughly 100 miles on them. I took the bike out this evening after work and traveled over rough roads and Interstate. I did notice a smoother ride with better handling on the rougher roads with a small increase of air pressure. The Monroe shocks performed nicely, but did seem firmer at all pressures. The top mounting point cracked after less than 1k miles on one shock causing a slow drop in pressure. I didn't think that the welds would break that easily. If you look closely at them, you can see that the welds are not the best quality, and the seems on the rest of the body is to me, less than top notch. Putting the two side by side you can easily see that more care, or at least a better assembly line process is at work with the Gabriels. I am not knocking the Monroes in any way. For me and the amount of miles I put in and the road conditions where I live are the deciding factor here. I am basically in the sticks and have a minimum 1.5 to 2hr ride to get anywhere except Corpus Christi which is still about 70 miles. For someone not putting on a lot of miles and not running high pressures for weight issues the Monroe shocks will be fine. If I continue to have this kind of success with the Gabriels, I will be thoroughly happy. So far the performance and ease of installation has me sold. I am in no way a professional reviewer, these are only my personal observations thus far. I hope that this helps anyone that may be stuck on which ones to go with. Good Luck with your rides. This is a great set up, which ever shock you go with!!!
Now the car suspension......
