BurbMan
Sep 21, 2017Explorer II
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.
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.