KYB Monomax Shocks - what say you?

[KurtKuhn]

I've been doing a ton of searching / reading on replacement shocks and springs. Reason for reading on and on is that I repeatedly saw the "wandering" description associated with the LX at highway speeds. I never felt this on mine, so I checked to see what was up with my suspension. Turns out that I have KYB Monomax Shocks installed by the previous owner.

To add to the description of my rig, I'm running stock springs and Michelin LTX tires. This set up results in an average 19 1/2" hub to flare distance at all 4 corners.

I would describe the ride as firm. Some may say very firm. I have a little bit of bounce at highway speeds...mostly depends on the road surface. I associate a bounce like this with a taught suspension.

Question to mud is this: Does anyone here have experience with KYB Monomax shocks? If so, are you still running them, or have you switched out to OME, OEM, Bilsteins, or other? And if you switched 'em out, what difference did you feel? What springs and tires are you running? Flare to center hub measurements are a bonus.

Thanks!

-KK

 

[Ebag333]

I was running these. They're fairly stiff compared to OEM, but not by much.

I recently installed an OME Medium lift. It's a *LOT* stiffer than the Monomax shocks with OEM springs.

The Monomax's are going on the rig to stiffen it up a bit. If I didn't already have those (I'm cheap ), I would have gone with a new set of OEM's to replace the old tired OEM shocks, which would probably stiffen it up some (though I'd guess not as much as the Monomax's).


I don't think you'll see much/any height difference between shocks. You could change the LX springs for some stiffer LC springs, which would probably result in a mild lift (especially if they were new). OME also makes a stockish height spring that quite a few people like.

 

[livinoffroad]

Hmmm, I had a very similar situation when I got my rig. The PO had an OEM shock blow out while towing a boat, and had the KYB's put on stock springs. I drove it that way for a year before lifting it, and I'd swear I was driving a pogo stick on the highway, and that was with the LTX's also. Now I have the OME lift, (850 front, and 863 rear springs,OME dampener, OME shocks, etc., and it tracks straight as an arrow. Trouble with the KYB's IMHO is...mono shocks are high pressure, which are stiff without the desired dampening. I also had KYB's on my 85 mini truck, and took 'em back off...too harsh of a ride. Also, chances are your stock springs are shot. Mine were shot at 65K. After new progressive rate springs and twin tube low pressure shocks, she rides like a dream. The twin tube shock dampens much better IMHO (not to start a shock absorber debate). I'm now on 285/75/16s, but my "flare to hub" measurement is 23 3/4" both front and rear, but I'm using the 30 mm OME spacer up front to level 'er out. Man-a Fre make a real nice kit that works well with these beasts. Just got back from the back country outside Aspen at 11500ft, and floated thru the rocks with great control. Check out that kit.

 

[knorrena]

I reasonably certain that the OMEs are not progressive rate springs.

 

[agomez]

been running them on my truck for over a year they are stiff but for the money a very good shock I am sure there are better shocks but I believe the cost was under 200 shipped to my front door.... the price was hard to beat.....

 

[bjowett]

KYB makes some excellent stuff, they are Japanese afterall. Their full name is Kayaba...

Ride quality is subjective, if you are happy with it, then don't mess with the shocks, they are of very good quality.

 

[KurtKuhn]

I was running these. They're fairly stiff compared to OEM, but not by much.

I recently installed an OME Medium lift. It's a *LOT* stiffer than the Monomax shocks with OEM springs.

This is a good comparison for me to have.

Thanks.

-KK

 

[KurtKuhn]

I reasonably certain that the OMEs are not progressive rate springs.

x2 on this response. Everything that I've read says the OME's are a linear rate spring.

If you read enough on mud, you'll find that's why Nay is really in favor of FOR's progressive rate springs.

-KK

 

[KurtKuhn]

KYB makes some excellent stuff, they are Japanese afterall. Their full name is Kayaba...

Ride quality is subjective, if you are happy with it, then don't mess with the shocks, they are of very good quality.

Thanks for the background and endorsement. Previously, all I had to go by was a ~similar~ price point to the Bilsteins.

-KK

 

[KurtKuhn]

Hmmm, I had a very similar situation when I got my rig. The PO had an OEM shock blow out while towing a boat, and had the KYB's put on stock springs. I drove it that way for a year before lifting it, and I'd swear I was driving a pogo stick on the highway, and that was with the LTX's also. Now I have the OME lift, (850 front, and 863 rear springs,OME dampener, OME shocks, etc., and it tracks straight as an arrow. Trouble with the KYB's IMHO is...mono shocks are high pressure, which are stiff without the desired dampening. I also had KYB's on my 85 mini truck, and took 'em back off...too harsh of a ride. Also, chances are your stock springs are shot. Mine were shot at 65K. After new progressive rate springs and twin tube low pressure shocks, she rides like a dream. The twin tube shock dampens much better IMHO (not to start a shock absorber debate). I'm now on 285/75/16s, but my "flare to hub" measurement is 23 3/4" both front and rear, but I'm using the 30 mm OME spacer up front to level 'er out. Man-a Fre make a real nice kit that works well with these beasts. Just got back from the back country outside Aspen at 11500ft, and floated thru the rocks with great control. Check out that kit.

A couple of points for clarification...

What symptoms did you have to let you know that your springs were shot at 65K?

Also, what set up is this? "...new progressive rate springs and twin tube low pressure shocks, she rides like a dream." Are you referring to your OME springs and shocks?

Like I posted above, all the info that I've taken in says OME springs are linear rate.

Thanks.

-KK