KYB Gas-A-Just VS Bilstein 4600 ride comfort

[Pyral]

I want ride comfort, unfortunately the OEM shocks/struts cost way too much for me. KYB and Bilstein seem like the best options in terms of build quality but neither ride very soft (but they'll surely ride better than my worn out struts). They are quite firm from what I've read. Those two seem like my only options if I don't want to roll a dice with a company like FCS or Monroe.

I'm under the impression that the Bilstein 4600s ride better than the KYB offering, but I want to make sure this is the case because the Bilsteins still cost double what the KYB costs.

I know neither is going to be stock level comfort, but does one have better ride quality than the other?

 

[spartacus]

No experience with kybs but bilstein 4600 ride pretty well. They are same valving as bilstein 5100 but with stock length. They do really well at higher speeds 25 and over soaking bumps but at slower speeds you feel the road imperfections pot holes much more.

 

[mda57]

I have KYB good on and off road

 

[Sarki]

After 180K miles I replaced the factory original springs & shocks/struts front and rear with KYB shocks/struts and new factory springs.
My 02 is my daily driver and I am very pleased with the ride. It’s very smooth and comfortable as well as well composed on all roadways whether country or city driving.
I’ve since put just under 20K miles and zero regrets.

 

[JZiggy]

I had 4600s for years. They were fine and held up to a lot of rough driving but they were on the stiff side.

 

[rglsr]

Depends on where you drive. I'm running KYB Gas Adj on my 3RZ 4Runner, but mainly on pavement driving. They are stiffer, but the improved on road handling is worth it. (along with the significantly lower cost) I've also run these on 1st gen Tacomas, same deal but they seemed a bit harsh off road. If you do much off pavement driving the Bilsteins might be a better choice.

 

[Kanoe]

I want ride comfort, unfortunately the OEM shocks/struts cost way too much for me. KYB and Bilstein seem like the best options in terms of build quality but neither ride very soft (but they'll surely ride better than my worn out struts). They are quite firm from what I've read. Those two seem like my only options if I don't want to roll a dice with a company like FCS or Monroe.

I'm under the impression that the Bilstein 4600s ride better than the KYB offering, but I want to make sure this is the case because the Bilsteins still cost double what the KYB costs.

I know neither is going to be stock level comfort, but does one have better ride quality than the other?

Keep in mind that the Toyota OEM rear shocks are not expensive, less than the Bilstiens. You can go OEM in the rear. It's only the fronts where the OEMs are very expensive.

I just switched 4600s for 99 tall OEM rears and the OEMs ride much softer.

 

[Storm01]

I got the KYBs on my truck. I really don’t have any complaints with them other than sometimes they can be a bit stiffer than my liking when off-roading, but it’s manageable. On-road they ride great, no problems at all. If you were to get the 4600s I’d assume they’re just as good if not better than the KYBs.

 

[gamefreakgc]

In order of softest ride to firmest:

OEM Tokico -> KYB Gas-a-Just -> Bilstein.

The Bilsteins are quality shocks and fantastic off-road and many manufacturers, including Toyota, use them as OEM parts. It's just that no shock will be the best on the road and off the road.