I just installed 4 new kyb mdx? shocks on my 98 Cruiser. They have definately softened up the ride, but still handles very nice. It is a great upgrade once the miles get higher. Highly recommended!
kyb shocks
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Mine were too soft on the Volkswagens that I had. Seem to run soft IMOP. They are probably a good ride for a late model Cruiser like yours. What was the price on them?
Bogiesmotors said:I just installed 4 new kyb mdx? shocks on my 98 Cruiser. They have definately softened up the ride, but still handles very nice. It is a great upgrade once the miles get higher. Highly recommended!
Nobody likes it when its SOFT, especially the ladies !!
Actually, I have heard various opinons of the KYBs on different Toyota models..
They do seem to be a more on-road friendly shock than some other brands, but I guess it depends on the type of driving and (ultimate) use that your 100 experiences....Too cushy of a ride for me personally...
But then again, I like to take corners on TWO wheels !!
What was the warranty on them ?
I got KYB with TRD springs on my previous MR2 Turbo, it was too stiff and my gf complain all the time. Good to hear the report KYB on 100! Mine still OEM;p
KYB also makes some of the AHC components for the LX470.
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These shocks were $70.00 each. I think about the same as the stock replacements.
Bogiesmotors said:
Actually, the Genuine Toyota shocks run only 35 bucks a pop...
I steered clear of the KYBs when I replaced my OEM shocks. Had them for a short time on Izusu trooper and didn't like the ride. Way to soft.
Went with Bilsteins instead on th LC. Love'd em but had to go with OME with the lift kit. Wish I could go back to the billies as I'm not that thrilled with the OME shocks.
Give us a KYB update after a few trail rides. Nice to know if there is another shock option out there.
Went with Bilsteins instead on th LC. Love'd em but had to go with OME with the lift kit. Wish I could go back to the billies as I'm not that thrilled with the OME shocks.
Give us a KYB update after a few trail rides. Nice to know if there is another shock option out there.
How stiff are the Bilsteins? I've had them on other vehicles where they seem to have too much compression damping and ride too stiff....3rd Cruiser said:
Wouldn't adjustable shocks like the rancho's provide more adjustability for on or off road applications?
Seems like there is not much options when going for longer shocks. If you are interested in stock size, I would recommend Koni shocks. I'll install OME865 in a few days and by data provided by other forum members, this should also give me 3cm of lift. I know the articulation will be hindered by short shocks, but I'll try to stay on Konis as they give the ultimate ride.
Regards
Samo
Regards
Samo
Sorry but in my experience KYB = Crap. Cheap shocks that don't last very long and are on par with Monroe or Gabriel. If you want the softest ride possible, get OEM replacement shocks. If you want something that has better dampining and will outlast the truck, get bilsteins. KYB's lack shimmed dampining that has become almost commonplace in good quality shocks. Also, at $70 a piece they cost you more than Bilsteins would have.
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Quote: "How stiff are the Bilsteins? I've had them on other vehicles where they seem to have too much compression damping and ride too stiff...." skopiec
When I first got my LC I loved the ride, after the FJ 60 it felt downright plush. Once I got used to it, I grew to hate the side to side sway of the stock suspension. I also didn't like the way the front end tended to dive on higher speed sandy trails with ruts and bumps.
I installed Bilsteins from Perf. Prod all around and loved the results. No more side to side motion. Throw the truck into a turn and it follows the line. Loved it on curvey mountain roads. Front end dive went away. The Bilsteins are a firm shock which is noticed most at slow speeds. Go over a pot hole a 5mph and you know you have heavy duty shocks. Hit the same pothole at 35 and you won't even feel it.
When I lifted the Cruiser I went to OME shocks, the firm option. Wish there was a Bilstein option. With the OME's the side to side sway is back but not as bad as the stock shocks. Softer ride then the Billies but I don't like how they react to things like speed bumps. With the Bilsteins hit a speed bump at speed and the rear end cruises right over and anything in the back stays put. With the OME's the back end jumps up and so does every thing back there.
For those of you not thinking about a lift but are looking a replacement shocks Iwould recommend you consider the Bilsteins. It will corner like its on a track and have great offroad handeling. Trade off from stock, stiffer ride at slow speed.
My .02
When I first got my LC I loved the ride, after the FJ 60 it felt downright plush. Once I got used to it, I grew to hate the side to side sway of the stock suspension. I also didn't like the way the front end tended to dive on higher speed sandy trails with ruts and bumps.
I installed Bilsteins from Perf. Prod all around and loved the results. No more side to side motion. Throw the truck into a turn and it follows the line. Loved it on curvey mountain roads. Front end dive went away. The Bilsteins are a firm shock which is noticed most at slow speeds. Go over a pot hole a 5mph and you know you have heavy duty shocks. Hit the same pothole at 35 and you won't even feel it.
When I lifted the Cruiser I went to OME shocks, the firm option. Wish there was a Bilstein option. With the OME's the side to side sway is back but not as bad as the stock shocks. Softer ride then the Billies but I don't like how they react to things like speed bumps. With the Bilsteins hit a speed bump at speed and the rear end cruises right over and anything in the back stays put. With the OME's the back end jumps up and so does every thing back there.
For those of you not thinking about a lift but are looking a replacement shocks Iwould recommend you consider the Bilsteins. It will corner like its on a track and have great offroad handeling. Trade off from stock, stiffer ride at slow speed.
My .02
What you are feeling with the Bilsteins is called digressive valving, a direct result of using shim stacks on the piston as opposed to a fixed orfice. What happens with a fixed orfice is you have to compromise the dampening as you have a linear dampining curve. The result is you get a shock that underdampens slow movements (ala wallow), is about right for moderate bumps, and is harsh as the shock cannot allow enough oil flow for large impacts.
A digressive shock allows you to have firm low speed dampining, but not harsh impacts over large bumps because you can valve the shock to limit movement over small bumps and when you hit large bumps, the shim stacks flex under the oil pressure and allow additional orfices to open and faster fluid flow, limiting harshness.
http://www.bilstein.com/tech.php?PHPSESSID=275d353b6a52807ade9b7b60afae3387#performance
A digressive shock allows you to have firm low speed dampining, but not harsh impacts over large bumps because you can valve the shock to limit movement over small bumps and when you hit large bumps, the shim stacks flex under the oil pressure and allow additional orfices to open and faster fluid flow, limiting harshness.
http://www.bilstein.com/tech.php?PHPSESSID=275d353b6a52807ade9b7b60afae3387#performance
cary said:
cary: Great info...thanks. It would be nice if more shock manufacturers (Bilstein & Koni most notably) would make slightly longer shocks for our mildly (2") lifted 100's and offer us choices!
cary said:
Cary,
Great post! Thanks for sharing, that's pretty cool. And ditto on Spresso's comments.
Anyone have experiance with the Edelbrock Performer IAS Shocks.
Available for stock 100s. Is the reactive/inertial response of the IAS/Bilstein really that innovative or pretty much standard in all shocks today.
Edelbrock IAS
Bilstein Digressive Valve
Available for stock 100s. Is the reactive/inertial response of the IAS/Bilstein really that innovative or pretty much standard in all shocks today.
Edelbrock IAS
Bilstein Digressive Valve
Cary, thanks for the info. Now I know why I liked the Bilsteins so much. And they come with a lifetime warrantee.
