KYB Gas-A-Just vs Bilstein 4600

Hey folks looking to replace my 4600 struts with something for a softer ride.
I do all street driving, have about 130k miles on the Bilstein's
2006 2wd dbcb. Thanks for opinions

 

Same way that Toyota uses JBL for its highest-end premium stereo, Bilstein is Toyota's premium upgrade package install. KYB is not. I'd go with Bilstein.

 

I have the kyb monomax shocks up front. After 10k they are completely worthless. They ride super rough on the street and bounce like a lincoln on the freeway.

 

I haven't ever been impressed by JBL car audio performance

 

I get it, every ear is different. I used to install JBL at the shop I worked at. They make great mids and highs, crazy bang vs. buck. Their car audio subs more geared towards natural sound than punch and power handling. The amps were alright at the time, but could never stand up to similar priced brands, Kicker, Fosgate, JL.

 

Hey, Let's stay on topic

 

You could go with the Tokico original OEM shocks or the off-road OEM ones similar to the Bilstein 4600s but valved differently for a softer ride.

 

Man...and here I am regretting getting 4600's because they seem too soft.

 

If you got 130k out of Bilstein I’d go with them again.
I’ve had good longevity out of them for the most part and continue to choose them myself; generally better regarded than KYB too, which I always think of as more of a budget shock.

 

I installed the KYB gas adjust on my dad's Tundra, for the softer ride. It's a good riding shock, and good quality. Made in Japan. If I was doing it for myself I would have gone 5100 billy's. @5now808 had a set of KYB's for super cheap, not sure why it won't link him.

 

My 2006 DC 2WD came with a set of KYB Gas-A-Just . . . the previous owner had just put them on a few months earlier.
Truck only had 58K miles on it when I bought it 2 years ago.
I have nothing to compare it to since this is my first DC Gen 1.
I'm 99% street driving, but I do tow a small boat frequently, and 3 or 4 times a year I tow the boat over about 25 miles of semi-graded dirt road.
That being said, I'm not unhappy with the way the truck drives / handles with the current KYB's.
I'm at stock height, with stock 17" wheels, and have a Snug Top shell.
I'd give them an overall 'medium' in the ride department . . . they aren't real 'Boaty' on the freeway, but they aren't overly firm either.
When I load up the bed with crap for a weekend and pul the boat, it handles everything fine for my needs. I don't notice anything that makes me say, "Wow, I wish I had stiffer or softer shocks'.
Not sure how long they will hold up compared to Bilstein's, but so far I'm not unhappy with the ride & handling & would consider them again next time I need shocks.
Sorry I don't have more intel to 'compare' with . . .

 

I should mention, I put KYB on my T100 and they were fine and a comfortable stock like ride, but I didn’t have the truck that long after putting them on so don’t know how well the held up.
I selected them because they aren’t a junk brand, and are budget friendly.

 

When I first got my truck I wasn't sure it would last, so I put on Rock Auto white box struts and shocks. The struts were like $50 ea, and the rears $12 ea. It actually solved the problem (I was "hopping" when I hit the brakes) and rode nice (99% on road). Thousands of dollars (and ~ 3 yrs) later, however, I love my truck and it's become my daily driver (despite the shitty gas mileage). That said, this spring I'm putting Bilsteins back on (I saved the original struts so I can reuse the springs). I'm trying to decide whether to go stock 4600, or 5100 to level the front. Decisions, decisions...

Ah, but I digress...we're talking about KYB. I recently put KYBs on my Land Cruiser. They ride nice (99% on road). Saved a few bucks. Don't know how long they'll last.

 

I had a 68 Porsche many years and in those circles KYB are considered inferior to Bilstein or Koni

 

The 4600’s on my 19 are pretty darn soft. The 5100’s on my ‘00 are pretty firm, but I honestly think it has more to do with the coils than the shocks. The shocks merely help dampen the bounce and initial impact. A different coil will have a great affect on ride softness or firmness. The KYB’s that were on my ‘00 when I got it were pretty worn out, so can’t comment on the ride for those.

 

I've got 198k miles of abuse on my truck, and the stock 4600's are still holding up. My guess is that they'd only get softer over time, but even at 22 years old, mine are still holding on.

My only experience with KYB is on my 1974 Fiat Spider, which had KYB's on it. After only 4000 miles and five years, they were gone. One shock leaked out all it's oil, another somehow got very tight and tried to seize, binding up the suspension. The other two were simply worn. I would not recommend KYB.

Just my $0.02