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BurbMan's avatar
BurbMan
Explorer II
Sep 21, 2017

KYB vs Bilstein...again

So back in 2013, I made the decision to de-activate the Autoride system on the truck due to replacement shocks costing $250 each. Autoride on the 1500 series is load leveling with air powered rear shocks; on the 2500 series it is magnetic ride control with real time dampening like they put on the Caddy's. Every 8.1 Burb got Autoride, it was an options package. No way to even special order the 8.1 without Autoride.

At the time I asked for opinions here about shock choice and it was running like 8-2 in favor of Bilsteins. I was on a budget at the time and decided to go with KYB Monomax. They have done well over the last few years, but it's time.... Now, times are better, so I decided that the time was right to spring for the Bilsteins.

Bear in mind I just replaced the KYB Excel-G struts on DW's Dodge Hemi Magnum with Bilsteins, and the difference was like night and day. The car rides and handles so much better than it ever did.

I was excited to install the blue and yellow Bilsteins, but boy was I ever disappointed!! The truck bounces like a ping pong ball! Possibly because I have oversized rims/tires, and maybe because the SUV body weighs more than a pickup when empty.

At any rate, just goes to show ya that brand isn't always everything. New Monomax shocks came today and will be installed ASAP, as soon as I get my current project out of the garage. If anybody wants a set of Bilsteins with about 50 miles on them, PM me, they'll fit all the GM HD pickups 00-07.
  • Agree, Bils are more OEM with a tad more dampening

    Didn't like my KYB MonoMax's at first. They replaced Edelbrock IAS's that had one destroyed hitting a Landrover that jumped a stop sign.

    Loved the IAS's. As their valving more performance than anything, but they leaked with their upside down mounting requirement for the smart valve (senses rate of change, so has to be part of the piston rod). The down side to the IAS's is that they were painful going over speed humps/bumps...as they close down to almost a solid rod in slow going. Ditto that off roading...painful, but okay with me, as knew that...so just accepted it

    MonoMax's valving is closer to performance than comfort, but on a heavy vehicle not total performance, IMHO. Like them so much on my Suburban...bought a set for my 1980 Silverado

    Bottom line is if you valve ride quality over performance...get closer to OEM level. If you valve performance over ride quality, get the KYB MonoMax...of course in IMHO...as am a Boy Race since my teens in the 50's-60's...
  • Used Bils in the past. Moved to KYB last year and like them better. They seem a little firmer than the Bils.
  • I had KYB's for 8yrs then went with the bilsteins after a 1000 miles I gave them away and went back to the KYB's much better now live and learn
  • I run Bilstein 4600 HD’s coil overs up front and love them. The valving in the Bilsteins makes a huge difference compared to stock. They are very firm when needed but still provide a very complaint ride. I too have Air leveling in the rear and still run the factory air shocks but installed Moog HD coils. Truck is planted when towing. Shocks will have some effect when towing but coils or in your case leafs is what make the difference, especially when using a WDH. I would install a more robust set of springs and either delete air shocks and install conventional shocks or replace the shocks with OEM. New springs and Air Shocks will give you the best of both worlds. The bouncing your experiencing is from worn springs more than anything. Like another poster indicated Bilsteins with more dampening like 4600 HD would work much better.
  • Most of the guys with truck campers use Blistien 4600 or Rancho RS9000XL shocks due to their better dampening of heavy loads. Both have lifetime guaranties for wear, so you buy them once even if you have to replace at some point.
  • Bills were about same as OEM. Next set will be MonoMax. Really looking forward to your thoughts.
  • I have just the opposite, these Bils are like marshmallows compared to the KYBs. Likely I am just used to the KYBs after 4 years...
  • My Bill's chattered when I first got them because they were pretty stiff. It took about 5K to settle in. They are just the way I want them now.
  • I just put Bilsteins on a few months ago. Towed the TT about 1,200 miles and they seemed pretty good. I disabled my Autoride by pulling the fuse (didn’t need the resistors). Only other shocks I have had experience with were the OEMs I replaced. Those bounced all over the road for sure. I’m curious to hear how you like these next ones you’re installing.