Kyb Gas-a-Just vs. Bilstein 4600 HD, looking for reviews or first hand knowledge????

[2k1]

I needed a new title to get specific responses, please don't flame me...

have decided on one of theses sets to replace my 2001 2wd with 156k on the odo...

I cant get both sets but have decided on one of the 2, I have done about as much research and searching as I can do on this forum and others but nothing addresses specific comparisons of the 2...

From all accounts they both sound good, but from what I have gathered it seems like in general the consensus is Bilstein 4600 is the choice most would make but that many feel there is nothing wrong with going with kyb gas-a-just. the catch is that bilsteins are about $150 more for the set of for @ $330 than the KYB @ $180

don't want anything too stiff and crazy but definitely want it controlled, do not want mushy & squishy. is one of these more harsh or rough than the other?

I guess I can also make it easy by mentioning I would like oem stock ride but those shocks are just under $400 from Toyota, so are the kyb gas a just or bilstein 4600 hd going to be closer to stock oem?

thanks

Just looking for a few 3rd gen users experience with these 2 shocks specifically on stock coils and their opinions on the value aspect for the $$$...obviously not the end of the world if it is not perfect but would rather measure twice and cut once if you get my drift. Just want to get it right and not wish I had gone with the other, so if I can avoid a mistake by getting responses that would be great.

I will be adding in a 1.5" spacer lift, but I do not anticipate that causing too much of a change in shock characteristics.

hopefully you have some insight for me...

 

[gmv4k]

I don't have an answer for you but I have a brand new pair of Bilstein 4600 HD's for the rears that I'll sell you. I decided I wanted to lift my runner, otherwise I would have gone the HD route.

PM me if interested.

 

[Gerdo]

I put KYBs on a pathfinder and have had 4600s on my 4runner. The Bilsteins are firm but not harsh. Personally they are better than stock. The KYBs on the Pathy are harsher.

 

[Justin727]

Right before I decided to lift mine I actually just installed new shocks. KYB's. They were a little stiffer then stock but then again my stock equipment was done.

Once I lifted I installed the 4600's in the rear of the truck and it's a lot softer then the front and also softer then the KYB's were in the rear before I lifted.

Either way you can't go wrong. Both are good shocks. If I were in your boat I would probably stick with the KYB's.

 

[2k1]

Right before I decided to lift mine I actually just installed new shocks. KYB's. They were a little stiffer then stock but then again my stock equipment was done.

Once I lifted I installed the 4600's in the rear of the truck and it's a lot softer then the front and also softer then the KYB's were in the rear before I lifted.

Either way you can't go wrong. Both are good shocks. If I were in your boat I would probably stick with the KYB's.

I guess that is kind of my concern with either of these...My stock stuff is done and it rides like garbage right now, rough and harsh but also rickety as in it will wobble and not "rebound" very quickly at all

I would hate to spend all the money to feel as though the ride got worse, if it is firm but controlled, that is fine, so long as the kyb are not jarring, that is my main concern...so from your experience I am seeing you think the 4600s are softer than kyb, how does the ride with the 4600s compare to the stock ride you changed out?

 

[Justin727]

I guess that is kind of my concern with either of these...My stock stuff is done and it rides like garbage right now, rough and harsh but also rickety as in it will wobble and not "rebound" very quickly at all

I would hate to spend all the money to feel as though the ride got worse, if it is firm but controlled, that is fine, so long as the kyb are jarring, that is my main concern...so form your experience I am seeing you think the 4600s are softer than kyb, how does the ride with the 4600s compare to the stock ride you changed out?

When I was running the KYB's @ stock ride height I really liked them. If I ever buy another 4runner and never plan on lifting it I wouldn't think twice about putting on another set. They weren't jarring at all. I believe you will not regret this purchase if you proceeded with KYB.

The 4600's in the rear are for a land cruiser along with the rear springs (lift) and I've noticed going into my drive way or bumps that it was softer then what it was before my lift. BUT my front lift combo is extremely stiff due to the shock spring combo was paired for extra weight up front IE: bumper and winch. So I personally didn't get a chance to run stock height 4600's. But I can tell you that the rear end of my truck feels like a cadillac going over bumps lol and terrain.

 

[2k1]

ok cool, thanks for the insight Justin...leaning toward the kyb at this point, mainly based on cost and value for quality...but there is still time to change my mind on things if people have more input.

Cadillac ride sounds nice, can others confirm that bilstiens are more cadilac than kyb...I guess this is where I keep getting confused on things as I feel like some people say 4600s are softer than kyb gasajust then I see others say if you want soft oem like ride, stay away from bilstein 4600 and go with kyb gasajust

I know some people would say don't go cheap on suspension, the goal is not to go cheap, just to get the right application, kyb and bilstein both sound like quality companies, it seems at this point that the kyb might offer better value...

 

[Justin727]

I know some people would say don't go cheap on suspension, the goal is not to go cheap, just to get the right application, kyb and bilstein both sound like quality companies, it seems at this point that the kyb might offer better value...

They are both quality companies so either way you won't go wrong.

I went with the LC lift setup. Factory Land Cruiser coils in the rear and Land Cruiser shocks in the rear. I eventually want to do the Tundra Front lift setup because it's just way to stiff for me in the front (very jarring).

The rear feels amazing especially over terrain and bumps. But again I loved the way the KYB's rode when I was stock. I put just over 10k on them before I swapped out my suspension with the guy that bought my old 4runner. He loves the way his truck rides now and didn't care for the stiff OME lift I had on it.

 

[2k1]

They are both quality companies so either way you won't go wrong.

I went with the LC lift setup. Factory Land Cruiser coils in the rear and Land Cruiser shocks in the rear. I eventually want to do the Tundra Front lift setup because it's just way to stiff for me in the front (very jarring).

The rear feels amazing especially over terrain and bumps. But again I loved the way the KYB's rode when I was stock. I put just over 10k on them before I swapped out my suspension with the guy that bought my old 4runner. He loves the way his truck rides now and didn't care for the stiff OME lift I had on it.

sorry probably just not reading it right:

when stock coils and kyb you loved it, you took all kyb off and gave to another guy and he is running stock with KYB and he loves it?

your too stiff up front right now is not kyb gas a just correct, I understand the rear currently is 4600s with LC springs...

just wanted to confirm what your running upfront currently that you think is harsh? thanks for all your time and responses

 

[Justin727]

sorry probably just not reading it right:

when stock coils and kyb you loved it, you took all kyb off and gave to another guy and he is running stock with KYB and he loves it? RIGHT!

your too stiff up front right now is not kyb gas a just correct, I understand the rear currently is 4600s with LC springs...CORRECT

just wanted to confirm what your running upfront currently that you think is harsh? thanks for all your time and responses

Up front I'm running Old Man Emu with their sport shocks(hd) not comfort shocks.

 

[2k1]

ok got it so to sum up rear 4600 with LC is good soft...kyb is not as soft but a good ride that you and another person you know have both had on stock set up and liked a lot...cool Justin thanks again!

 

[PitbullRescuer]

4Runner 4600's with LC springs is a terrible idea. The shocks are way too short for those springs. Not sure if that's what was meant but if so, terrible idea.

 

[Justin727]

4Runner 4600's with LC springs is a terrible idea. The shocks are way too short for those springs. Not sure if that's what was meant but if so, terrible idea.

No no no. I threw in there they were lc 4600's with the lc coils

 

[2k1]

any other opinions or experiences...which one is smoother gas a just or 4600s?

 

[PitbullRescuer]

any other opinions or experiences...which one is smoother gas a just or 4600s?

Dude, you're beating the sh*t out of a dead horse here. 2 threads, PM's. You have more than enough OPINIONS on both. Ultimately it's up to you what you want to run. You mentioned you were going with KYB's in one of the threads just due to cost. If that's the case, buy them, install them and enjoy them. Either is a good choice but you're way over thinking this.

I got your PM. But as I stated already in your thread, I've run both and like both. It comes down to personal preference.

 

[2k1]

I know it seems like that, I understand personal preference here...it is a job I want done right the 1st time...I know there is a lot of info out there, problem I am having is getting someone who has used both and can actually compare them...but I appreciate your time and input, other problem is people who offer conflicting information, some say kyb ride good and say they are similar to oem, others say they are harsh, re: 4600s most say great ride, some call it stiff, others call it soft and mushy...

just trying to figure things out, figured you were the best resource for me since you are one of the few who had run both on stock applications, so based on that I was just super interested in getting your direct comparison on the characteristics of the 2...

if they are both good, then they are both good, and that is good I am sure they should both be better than 156k used stock stuff, but like I said if I could get all the info upfront, then I cant feel like an incorrect decision was made.

Anyway thanks for your time and all the others who have contributed

 

[Justin727]

I find it really hard to gauge things like this on the forums based on experiences. Because everyones preferences are different. I may like the way the KYB's ride and you may not etc.

I'd say if you knew someone personally that you can ride in their rig that has KYB's or bilstien ride in their rig. Chances are you don't.

Just keep reading and gather many peoples experiences. You may have to search a lot and take time doing so but in the end you'll figure it out.

Either way you can't go wrong and if KYB's will save you a chunk as well as being a quality product and ride good just pull the trigger on them.

 

[2k1]

I got ya, and yeah that has been the problem, I dont know anyone locally that has each set up, but yes I agree, at some point you just go with one and either way it is probably better than stock, thanks guys!

 

[PitbullRescuer]

I got ya, and yeah that has been the problem, I dont know anyone locally that has each set up, but yes I agree, at some point you just go with one and either way it is probably better than stock, thanks guys!

Exactly. What I like you might hate. What you like I may hate. I'm a huge fan of the Bilstein 4600's. I've installed them on many of my trucks. This one I have now had KYB's on it when I bought. They see fine.

At some point you're just going to have to buy shocks and hope for the best. As a few have said, you really can't go wrong with either choice.

 

[2k1]

My last attempt at trying to narrow this down I swear...not using words like comfort or preference or anything subjective, just using actual non debateable words, that arent really subject to what one likes or does not like...

which of the 2 (gas a just or 4600) is the more rough, firm, jolting, or harsh?