Best place to buy shocks?

[vgreen]

Hey Gentleman,

I'm in need of new shocks on my 95 Montero. A previous owner already replaced the factory adjustable KYBs for some cheap Monroes. Any recommendations? Seems we don't have a huge selection.

I have a heard good things about both KYB Monomax and Gas - adjust, and of course there is always OME Nitrochargers. There are also the Ironman Nitro Gas dampers, but I haven't heard anything about those.

So, my questions are; 1) Which do you like and 2) Where did you buy them?

Thanks!

 

[Cruisn]

I run 41mm foam cell tough dog shocks, they are awesome. aparently they dont last very long. 40-60k, mine are at 30-40k and have zero issues, so maybe abuse was a factor there.

expect to pay about 160 a piece for them, a bit pricey, but worth it for vehicle control

you should be able to find them at any decent 4wd shop I would figure. I seen us has tough dog. otherwise online, 4wd1.com.au

 

[grandpa]

I bought KYB Gas-Ajust at RockAuto.com for my stock suspension.

 

[off-roader]

Tough to beat the cost/performance ratio of KYB's IMHO. That's what I'll probably go with once my shocks go unless I can find the stock adjustables for a whole lot less.

 

[jlocster]

vgreen,

I just put KYB Gas a Justs on my Gen 2.5 with stock suspension two weeks ago. Like grandpa, I bought them from rockauto.com for $30-35 each. My old shocks were totally gone, and the suspension crashed sloppily over the speed bumps that line my street. I don't know if they were original to the car (they were dark blue), but they wouldn't even rebound when compressed after I took them off. Anyway, the new shocks totally changed the feel of the suspension. When I go over those speed bumps now, the suspension is really tight.

Another option from rockauto.com is the KYB Monomax, which is a heavier duty shock. They were about $50 each if I recall. I actually wish I would've went with the Monomax in retrospect.


Good luck!

 

[off-roader]

One other item worth mentioning... The stock adjustables are mady by KYB. Mine are still working after 280k.:Wow1::drool:

Its unfortunate you can only get them through mitsu and nobody seems to make a rebuild kit for them.

 

[jonniemonleone]

Does anyone know if mono max work on genl?

 

[off-roader]

Does anyone know if mono max work on genl?

It did on my 1990 v6. Check KYB'S site if you have the 2.6l but I'd bet money that they do have them for the 2.6.

 

[jonniemonleone]

So they would fit on 89 v6 swb? How did you like them on your 90 lwb?

 

[off-roader]

So they would fit on 89 v6 swb? How did you like them on your 90 lwb?

Yes they do fit. As for how I liked them... see my comments above.

 

[HenryJ]

I have purchased from Shockwarehouse.com several times. They do a great job and sell at a good price.
If you can afford it and plan to keep the vehicle long term, Bilstein is a good shock. Truly a lifetime design.
Shockwarehouse carries both Bilstein and KYB for your application

 

[off-roader]

I just can't see the Bilstiens being nearly 3x better so IMHO, they're not worth being almost 3x more expensive... Just a thought...

 

[HenryJ]

I just can't see the Bilstiens being nearly 3x better so IMHO, they're not worth being almost 3x more expensive... Just a thought...

I can, but that comes with some experience. The design is just that much better. Mono tube for better cooling. No springs to weaken with time. I have a set with over 100k miles on them that are as good as the longer set that replaced them. My last truck I put 100k on a set with no signs of performance reduction. Ride like a Cadillac and perform like a trophy truck. I am not affiliated, just a happy customer.

I can not speak to the KYB as I have no long term experience with those. I have been through Hundreds of other shocks in the fleet though. Gabriel, Monroe, Rancho, Edlebrock, etc. My preference for my personal vehicles is Bilstein. Best bang for the buck, IMO.

There are lots of very good shocks out there. Some are specialty applications. I would suggest that shocks are an investment. If you do not plan to keep a rig more than three years or so, the most expensive shocks may not be what you need. The cheaper shocks may do fine in the short term. If conditions permit and you keep the rig long term you can afford to make a larger investment.

 

[off-roader]

Henry,

You may be thinking I'm comparing them to Monroe's or some other 'economy' non-monotube designed brand. I'm not. I'm comparing them to the KYB Gas-Adjusts which are also a monotube design like the Bilstein shocks. That said, I still have a hard time finding 2.5x (actual difference in cost) improvement of the Bilstein over the KYB Gas-Adjusts and I'm certainly open to learning if there is a benefit.

As for first hand experience with the Gas-Adjust's, I've owned 2 Montero's where I used them. Both got well over 200k on a set of the same model KYB's.

FWIW, even though the OE KYB adjustable units are $250-$300 each, I'll be seriously considering them as replacements when the original ones units wear out.

So, I am curious where the Bilstein advantages might be when compared to the KYB.

 

[vgreen]

Thanks for the advice guys! I went with the KYB MonoMax. Shockwarehouse.com had the best price I could find at $225 shipped for the set. I thought about the Bilsteins, as I have had very good experiences with them in the past, but at about 50% more, I couldn't justify it for this vehicle. The only differences listed on Shockwarehouse between the Bilsteins and the KYBs was nitrogen pressure. The Bilsteins were said to have 360psi vs the KYBs 280psi.

I have had KYB AGX struts on my Impreza in the past, and they were good for the money, but not extremely impressive either, and I replaced them with revalved and rebuilt JDM STI struts. I autocross and rallycross that car, so I was willing to pay a bit more money on it. I am hoping I'll be a bit more satisfied with the Monomax's on the Montero, and I am sure they will feel worlds better than the worn out Monroes that are on it.