I am thinking of buying a set of new shocks but I don't have a clue. I just want control and stability. (I Don't mean to sound gay) I don't like the jarring hard stiff ride I get on my stock shocks. I've heard that Edelbrock makes these shocks * The Patented IAS Valve combined with High-Pressure Gas Charging Provides the Best Ride but don't make it for the X. This guy recommended the Gabriels MaxControl which is comprable to the Edelbrocks.
Tokicos is too stiff
Ranchos is too stiff

I have a new baby boy and his head gets bounced around in the back. Please help a brotha out.

You can't get rid of the stiff ride, but the control and stability you are after will be found with bilstein shocks. Hands down, no question, they are the best I've ridden on in the Xterra. They won't take away the bumps, but they will help keep the ride more level and in better control.

I believe the Tokico shocks are low pressure, so they should actually be quite forgiving. I have not tried them though.

I did have the Rancho RSX shocks in my truck and they are not stiff at all.

You'd have to make more substantial changes in the suspension to improve the ride significantly. Solid axles, leaf springs, and torsion bars attached to a ladder frame are not ride friendly by any stretch of the imagination. Infact, considering the underpinnings, it's quite an accomplishment for Nissan to make the truck ride as good as it does. Shocks will only help control the body movement after you've hit a bump and will help your truck rebound better.

You forgot one thing ChuckH, BILSTIENS!!!!!!!!!!!

Get them from Spencer Low Racing!

The Tokicos are anything but stiff. Are they going on a stock suspension? I don't know of anyone who has experimented with the Gabriels or Edelbrock, but everytime I have purchased OEM replacement (stock, nothing fancy replacements) shocks they have had a firmer, bouncier ride to them.

Charlie