Finishing what I started.

[Rev_D21]

KYB Gas-A-Just monotube rear shocks will be in my hands tomorrow morning. I did the front, no sense in not doing the rear. hhaha, I said 'doing the rear'.

[seang]

I wonder what your slalom speed is? Not to get you on some crazy, high performance, expensive, golden goose chase, did I mention expensive? But yeah, just to run through a slalom course a few times and see so us hardbody owners can have some numbers. I'm guessing about 55 mph.

[Rev_D21]

I couldn't tell you to be honest. I am just working on a good handling ride to and from work. I drive 80 miles a day on some pretty fun open roads.

On that note I have the shocks in my hands. KYB/Carquest#: 1844173

[PEZi]

I wonder what your slalom speed is?

autocross these things man!!!! i'm running KYB gas-a-just rear and KYB monomax front.... along with lost of camber and lots lightening my slaloming is way quick..... you guys should try it!

[Rev_D21]

Installed! Very easy to anyone doubting their mechanical skills. 18mm socket and 30 minutes is about all you need to do this. I dabbed a tiny amount of synthetic grease inside the rubber bushings. I also used Blue Threadlocker on the threads of the studs to prevent the nuts from backing off.

Change in handling? Night and day! I didn't realize how shot my rear shocks were. The truck always liked to nose dive left or right when braking, different sides on different roads. The condition improved when I replaced everything up front but never really went away. <I have new pads waiting to be installed.> Now that the front and rear shocks are matched I noticed a real positive change in handling. I couldn't get it to nose dive the way it used to. It braked straight each time.

The truck isn't disturbed by sup-par road conditions hardly at all. On uneven roads the truck held its course really well. Going into curves, well, let's say I didn't realize what I was missing. Can't wait to re-do the rear spring bushings for even better performance.

I am pleased with the results. I broke them in on a 30 mile venture through the mountains of southern NY. After about 15 I knew I was going to post a positive review here I was that impressed.

Words I would use to describe the changes in handling... firm (honesty with the road), quicker response time, consistant response in quick curves, pleasurable ride and better braking. I also noticed the truck didn't bounce as much when shifting, engaging the clutch felt more firm.

The original rear shocks look to be OE. A little touch of rust but not much. I found them very easy to compress by hand, almost no effort at all. I'd say they were pretty shot.

Old vs. New

Installed

Modified by Reverend D at 10:03 PM 6/12/2009
Modified by Reverend D at 10:05 PM 6/12/2009

[Desert Rat]

Those originals were looking a little crusty

KYB makes good stuff.

[Q451990]

Shocks are without a doubt the easiest improvment a Hardbody owner can make to help with handling. I replaced mine last summer with KYBs and it was like night and day. The OEM ones would stay wherever you put them... very little compression resistance, and they wouldn't spring out on their own. I was a little surprised since I didn't see any oil or evidence of leaks. Maybe that washed off long ago.

Heath

[Rev_D21]

I could hear gurgling when I compressed them but, as you said, they would stay where I put them and little to no resistance to movement at all.

[kibatheloanwolf]

That sounds like my rear shocks I am getting a mid range set from Autozone™ to replace the factory ones. How hard would it be to replace the front ones?

[Rev_D21]

Not too bad. The best tool is those ratcheting wrenches to remove the upper nut. The lower bolt can be removed with a socket wrench and a regular wrench. About 10 minutes per side.

[kibatheloanwolf]

Is 32.99 Per +tax too much to pay for a good mid range shock?

[Rev_D21]

I'd say you are in the ballpark.

[seang]

Hey, Rev. You should check out a thread in the Engineering Forum called "Zero lift braced front suspension for D21". Its a radical idea for 2wd's.

[Rev_D21]

I read it. I DD my truck so lack of a 'somewhat' forgiving suspension would cause me some major back problems.