Urgent Shock Advice K1500 Ecsb

MarkD · May 3, 2007

While carrying too much weight in the bed of my 03 GMC I busted(leaking oil and making sounds) the factory shock (@ 80 k miles).

I have narrowed to the KYB Monomax for a slight lift ( adjusted TB's about an inch) and the standard height or slight lift shocks for the stock rear.

The other option is the Bilstein 6500's and 2905's

I need to purchase today or tomorrow!

Advice please. I know the shock discussion is well rehearsed, but am looking for more current experience.

I am a residential builder, this is my work truck. I mostly pull a 2500 lb 16ft flat trailer or a 7000 lb 18 ft enclosed when I pull.

C & A s Dad · May 3, 2007

I do not feel you you could go wrong with either. I am a little biased towards KYB because the supply us (CARQUEST) in most of the US and Canada. They are truly superior in their engineering and construction when compared to Monroe and Gabriel but of course, you pay for this quality. I have been through some of KYB's training classes and have seen what goes inot their product and I also have them on may Yukon XL. For this reason I will have to recommend the KYB Mono Max.

MarkD · May 4, 2007

I do not feel you you could go wrong with either. I am a little biased towards KYB because the supply us (CARQUEST) in most of the US and Canada. They are truly superior in their engineering and construction when compared to Monroe and Gabriel but of course, you pay for this quality. I have been through some of KYB's training classes and have seen what goes inot their product and I also have them on may Yukon XL. For this reason I will have to recommend the KYB Mono Max.

the "lifted" ones or not? just the front or all four. Will the "lifted" be ok with an essentially stock suspension?

adjusted t bars, 285 BFG A/T's.

Indy · May 4, 2007

I just put Bilstein 6500 and 6082's on my '99 GMC Sierra SLT. I haul a lot of firewood and tow a boat so I went with the 6082's on the back. They are fantastic shocks, the best I've ever driven on. It seems like the truck rides a little higher too.

C & A s Dad · May 4, 2007

Mark, I am out of town right now and do not have access to a catalog. My first thought would be use the lifted ones for the front since you have picked up your front end apprx an inch. The KYB catalog should offer some specs and detail for the lifted options. If the back is stock height, I would use the stock length shock.

The lifted shock simply moves the travel range up to meet the lift. I would not think you would want a shock for a lifted truck on a stock suspension due to the fact that you could actually be running in the lower end of your travel and could bottom out.

MarkD · May 5, 2007

With all of the talk about overextending stock shocks by cranking the t-bars, I thought the kyb shock would be a good idea.

My right rear shock has given up on me (45 bags of mortamix in the bed)

Any other rear suspension aides reccommended?

Mark

C & A s Dad · May 6, 2007

Mark, I have a pair of Air Lift Air Bags on my Yukon XL and they have been great. I pump them up to apprx 25 PSI when towing and run them at 10 Psi when not towing. When not towing I do not even know they are there. Of course my truck has coils springs and your has leaf but they do make a kit for leaf springs as well.

MarkD · May 6, 2007

I ordered them today from summit.

C & A s Dad · May 7, 2007

I cannt promise how they will work on your leaf springs but they helped tremendously with my Yuk. The really improved my stability while towing. Maybe the best money that I have spent on an accessory.

Let us know once you have them installed.