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Kyb Gas-a-just Shocks Vs. Bilstein Hd

hikerboy

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hikerboy Enthusiast

hikerboy

Posted
Posted

My 2005 Z71 Sierra 1500 is nearing 50,000 miles and have noticed that when we are towing our 4500lb travel trailer that things get a little bouncy. Changing to 6 ply/Load Range C 265/70/17 tires helped a bit, but it still feels a little mushy with a load. Going to replace the red Tenneco stockers, but I used to have a 2000 Chevy S10 ZR2 off road with the factory Bilsteins......man, it road like a tank. I'm guessing the Bilsteins on it were part of the reason, I don't want to lose my nice ride on the highway - - anyone here with experience with KYB gas-a-just monotubes? Price is decent, and seem to be of good quality. Perhaps they would ride better unloaded than the Bilsteins, but offer better control than my probably worn out stock shocks?

OptimusRad New Member

OptimusRad

Posted
Posted

I've used the KYB Gas-a-just shocks and the Bilstein HDs on my 2005 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab. The KYB controlled the ride well enough, but the fronts blew out in less than a year. The rears did not blow out. That being said, my pick-up is for farm use, which includes rutted out paved roads, washboard dirt roads, self-maintained roads, and sprinkler pivot roads that sometimes have sprinkler tracks that leave mounds high enough drag the frame on. Also, since this is a farm truck, and since I'm on rural roads, I've also seen many scale tickets of 19,000 lbs. when hauling fertilizer. Both the KYBs and the Bilsteins have done fine in those situations. I've had the same KYBs on other vehicles with great luck, so I believe they just weren't quite up to the task I asked of them. Currently I am running the Bilsteins with a 10 ply tire and I like the ride of the combination. Honestly, if you aren't on rough roads a lot, and I mean really rough, the KYBs with the 6 ply tires would probably work well.

TooTall1 Enthusiast

TooTall1

Posted
Posted

I replaced my red Tennecos with Bilstein 5100s and love them. A firm ride, but not too firm, and excellent handling.

hikerboy Enthusiast

hikerboy

Posted
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Posted

Thanks for the tips everyone. Still undecided, I'm tempted to try the Bilstein HD's (apparently now called the 4600 series?) they seem to be the favorite here, but sounds like I can't go wrong either way.

AirLiftCompany Enthusiast

AirLiftCompany

Posted
Posted

Hi, Kevin,

I have to suggest it, it's what we do! Air springs. If your truck is "mushy" with a load, you just add air pressure to get the ride where you want it. Reduce the air pressure when unloaded. They work! You're essentially adjusting the spring rate on the rear of your truck.

dlewis1111 Senior Enthusiast

dlewis1111

Posted
Posted
Hi, Kevin,

I have to suggest it, it's what we do! Air springs. If your truck is "mushy" with a load, you just add air pressure to get the ride where you want it. Reduce the air pressure when unloaded. They work! You're essentially adjusting the spring rate on the rear of your truck.

 

 

+1

 

air bags AND a set of Bilstein shocks.

BlackZ71Silverado Senior Enthusiast

BlackZ71Silverado

Posted
Posted
Hi, Kevin,

I have to suggest it, it's what we do! Air springs. If your truck is "mushy" with a load, you just add air pressure to get the ride where you want it. Reduce the air pressure when unloaded. They work! You're essentially adjusting the spring rate on the rear of your truck.

 

 

+1

 

air bags AND a set of Bilstein shocks.

 

 

 

Firestone air bags. It's a better set up than the AirLift ones. I was looking into AirLift bags BUT they did not have the type I wanted for a 1500 truck, Firestone did so that's what I went with. Not a fan of mounting my air bags on the rear of my leaf spring.

AirLiftCompany Enthusiast

AirLiftCompany

Posted
Posted

Firestone makes a good kit. I will say that our kit for the half-ton does a great job, is one of our best selling kits, receives "five star" ratings on internet web sites, has a lifetime warranty, WILL support all the load you can safely put in your truck... and I believe you'll find it costs less. Not a bad deal....

r1byker Enthusiast

r1byker

Posted
Posted
I replaced my red Tennecos with Bilstein 5100s and love them. A firm ride, but not too firm, and excellent handling.

 

+1. Did the same. Vast improvement in ride control; no more bouncing. The stock shocks were way too weak my 2500HD.

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