Has anyone ever tried either of these brands? im looking up upgrading my shocks and need some advice before i spend the money.

 

I got KYB, and they're good shocks at a great price.

Try eBay for them, I *think* I get em' for around $110-$120 for all 4.

 

yeah gr2 in the fronts and gas adjust in the back.. MAJOR imporvement over stock...

 

i've too have been happy with GR2s, best low cost setup out there.

 

same here, went from monroes to kyb gr2 shock all around ..much better.

 

hell you no contest kyb's

 

Price went up a little bit, still great shocks at a great price:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/KYB-4...Q5fAccessories

 

seems like KYB is the way to go.

 

i went with tokiko 5 way adjustable

 

but i know lots of peeps with kyb

 

tokiko?

 

KYB's here.

 

Tokico makes a couple of shock/strut lines. HD (aka "Blues") that are more or less OE replacement, and Illuminas (the 5-way adjustables mentioned above). My experience with Illuminas on two different cars is that they seem a little harsher than necessary at the level of control selected. Doesn't matter much until you hit a railroad grade crossing where the tracks aren't quite even with the road pavement or the pavement stops too far away from the rails. Then, ka-blam, and the whole car vibrates. Supposedly the "blues" are valved about like the Illuminas set to 2 or maybe 3, which gives an OK ride until you hit said railroad crossing or similar short sharp bump. You tend to learn where to slow down.

Actually, Tokico has a third line, "D-specs", but I don't think that there is a part number for 3rd Gens in this line.

Monroe is primarily a "comfort-oriented" shock mfr. Only one of their several product lines mentions control before comfort, and that one is intended for trucks and SUVs. They sell millions of SensaTraks because of extensive advertising to the mass market. Not because they're any good for performance applications.

KYBs offer decent performance with a fair to decent ride for small money. GR-2's are more or less OE replacements, and the "Gas-A-Justs" (which are NOT adjustable) will handle springs that are somewhat stiffer than OE. They aren't Bilstein or Koni good, but they don't cost Bilstein or Koni money either.


Bottom line - Gas-A-Justs if you don't want to bother with finding your adjustment preference or can't/won't tolerate some occassional harshness, Illuminas if you want to be able to set a little more control or tune your cornering balance by setting the front and rear to different settings. GR-2's or blues if all you need is new shocks and none of this matters enough.


Norm

 

KYB GR-2 front struts & Gas-adjust rear shocks are a good combination. Unless you want to go with the bank busting "B" or"K". Stay away from any other brands including the mentioned "Tockico" & "Monroes"...

 

ok, i should have posted this before bujt im only using this car as my DD no racing...ok maybe a few street but nothing on the track, so whatever brand is the most comfortable

 

I had the KYB's on 2 of my DD's, and really liked them. But, I am more of a "performance over ride quality" type person. They really don't ride bad, but my lowering springs made the ride worse than the struts ever could have.

 

In that case, shop KYB. You've just told me that there WILL be times where shock control will be worth lots more than the last bit of floaty ride comfort.


Norm

 

I put KYB's all around last winter. Firm, but comfortable ride, and very noticable handling upgrade. Very well satisfied. Randy

 

I went with KYB GR-2's on mine. Good choice. They basically seem to fall somewhere between direct OE replacement, and all-out performance. So if you just want something a bit better than stock, but without completely killing ride comfort since you'll be mostly just driving on the street, with occasional bouts of fun (like me), I think you'll be happy with them.

 

My last set of Monroe shocks and struts was on the car for 10 years. I replaced them with Monroe this time around. As of right now the car is still a stock 305 and a daily driver. When I finish with the rebuild then I will be putting better performing shocks. The Monroes on my car right now do a really good job I don't have any complaints.

It would be hard to find a shock or strut not made by Tokico. They make most shocks that get re-branded to your favorite flavor.

 

For any performance driving or lowering, KYBs are alot better than the Monroes. I had Monroes for about 6-8 months. Replaced them with KONIs.