Hi, i have an 87 samurai and my shocks are straight spanked. I need to replace them. What are some decent brands that i should check out?
I'm looking  to spend maybe about 100-150 for all four, but that price is flexible, cheaper is always better of course.

Also the ride is VERY stiff right now, It has a 2 inch body lift, larger shackles and 235 75 r15 tires. I know that doesn't help the situation out any.  Is there any chance of getting shocks to soften the ride up even just a little bit without changing the leaf springs? If so what kind do you recommend in that general price range?  Thanks

Go on 4wheelparts.com and look at there rancho shocks my friend has them and they work really good and there's a kind more expensive but you can adjust the height of them with a wireless remote.

Go on 4wheelparts.com and look at there rancho shocks my friend has them and they work really good and there's a kind more expensive but you can adjust the height of them with a wireless remote.

Height or damping?  I've never heard of a "height adjustable" shock before.

I would go down to the parts store and get the cheapest shocks you can.  The Samurai's are light enough that if you get a heavy duty shock they ride to stiff.

Cheapo Gabriels from Autozone. Like was said , offroad shocks are too stiff for a Sammy. OK, I called autozone and asked them to look up the part numbers on the shocks that I bought. I have approx. 3 1/2" of lift.
Gabriels
rears were #61500
fronts were #69676

awesome.. that's pretty good news, i didn't ever think cheaper would be better because the sammy is so light.

Here is another question, i read how to measure compressed length, extended length and diameter. Seems pretty easy to do.  Now with the lift... IF the previous owner who lifted it didn't put longer shocks on it, couldn't the extended measurement be wrong? If the shock stops prematurely while i jack up the body? I obviously want the most travel i can get right? or should i just assume the shackle lift gives me an extra 1 1/2 inches on top of the body 2 inches and go with what lv2fsh recommended?   would pictures of the shackle and body lift help?

I'm sorry i'm very new to this 4x4 world. and am trying to get an understanding of how this works.  Thanks

Lift the truck up, remove the shocks and cycle the suspension and take measurements to verify the length of shocks needed.

I am a firm believer in buying the best shocks you can afford. The difference is very noticable.

When you flex the suspension, just make sure your new shocks don't limit the travel. What I have is the Calmini shackle reverse and OME springs. That is 3 1/2" of lift. I don't think the 2" body lift would figure into the shock measurement as they are mounted to the frame.

I too, have the off-the-shelf Gabriels (from Petroworks), but with a 2" OME lift and 235s. 
I'm happy with the softer shocks (& springs) for all the miles I have to spend on the highway. 
It's way too easy to get over-stiff shocks for a lightweight Sami.  See:
http://www.petroworks.com/Products.php?Action=ViewProduct&ProductID=117

I also found several additional references to Gabriel Gas Ryder shocks.