Looks like im the tester for the KYB struts up front. Today I was looking at my Bilstein HD, KYB and stock front struts and I decided to try the KYB instead of the Bilsteins, already I feel a different in my driving with only the front KYB and some cheap nitro drop shocks in rear (untill my KYB rears are in). The front doesnt seem to have much down traval since im lower 2", but somehow or another it doesnt bump or touch anything and drives better then stock hight n struts.. Ill keep you posted and let you all know how they are after a few hundread miles..

Thanks Jay;
05 Black Supercrew

 

Keep us updated. Do you happen to have any pics?

 

I just got my rear KYB shocks in the other day and my truck drives great, except for my driveshaft being twisted again, no pics of installing but I can take close ups pics of the truck

 

my '96 F150 with front lift had some Bilsteins. after 5 years and 100k some miles, I decided that time was right to replace them since I noticed the weardown. so I originally asked the shop guys for Bilsteins but their supplier was closed for the weekend and instead recommended some KYBs.

having never heard of the brand, I hesitated. they said that they're better, and more affordable since a Bilstein went for $125 while a KYB for $99 each. and that if I were not happy about the KYB, they'd gladly replace them.

1 month later, I noticed that my truck was bouncing a bit too much. worse, while going 35-40 on the not so smooth pavement, it felt like the rear tires were bouncing all over the place. it stopped when I tapped on the brake.

that day, I took the truck in the same shop and told them about the bounces. they reassured that the KYBs do that sometimes. not sure if they really followed my description right, but they seem to be real high on the KYB products.

I tool their reassurances and kept on driving for a couple more months. yet my truck has not been handling the road as well as it should with these KYBs. and it is pretty much frustrating and embarrasing at the same time, what with other drivers looking at my truck bouncing around like a drunk rabbit!

over a week ago, I paid the shop another visit. well, I was taking the truck in for the lube job anyway, so I brought up the KYB problems again. they offered to ride with me to see how bad the KYBs seem to be, but not at that moment since it was late in the day, and I was working mad hours at the time.

today I am going over to that shop and ask them to order the Bilsteins in time for the work on Saturday. I will not even bother to take up on their offer to ride with me for a test ride at all.

I will post again later and let you all know how much difference the Bilsteins would be to these KYBs.

btw, I'd like to say that the KYBs are now POS's, but they may be better suited for smaller trucks and cars.

 

ah, it turned out that the ball joints and the control arm bushings were worn down, which would explain why it was at first thought the KYB shocks were the culprit, albeit defective in a way.

ah well, it would have been nicer knowing that the shocks are cheaper to replace somehow, if you get the drift.