I have spent the past few days looking at various forums Ford/Dodge/Chevy/Diesel/Toyota etc etc trying to get a consensus on a shock absorber...I cant really find one.
The vehicle- 2003 Chevrolet Suburban with Z71 suspension- 6000lbs give or take, plus towing 1500lbs from time to time.
Why am I looking for shocks?- I bought the vehicle really cheap and planned on keeping it.. and skimped on the shocks. The shocks I removed had 200K miles on them and i found two that were dead.. so I installed NAPA Response (monroe matics)? shocks for $25 each thinking I would be good to go for awhile.
Additional reasons- I live about 25 miles from the cities.. potholes are everywhere on the rural roads that i have to take, i swerve to miss many of them but on occasion passing a car i just have to go thru them. Also i frequent washboard roads on getaways and weekend fun. I dont think these $25 shocks will last nor am i getting the ride i should. I would describe the ride as floaty not controlled.
The improvement over two dead shocks and probably 2 that were nearly worn out with the NAPAs were at first night and day.. but with time I can see that I probably made the wrong choice.
So i start looking for a shock for my needs-
1)Bilstein 4600- Reviews go from best ever to harsh ride and stiff, overpriced to best money ive spent.
2)KYB MonoMax- Reviews are all over the place again from best ever to junk and dont last to better than bilsteins.
3)Monroe Reflex- All over the place from rides like a cadillac to too soft to junk to better than OEM.
4)Gabriel Ultras- Most of the reviews come from here on a google search, a small number of reviews here and there on the big forums.
On the 4600 Bilstein there is alot of guys saying that the 5100 is better but someone always chimes in saying they are the same inside just the 5100 is more suited towards lifted vehicles..yet most of the reviews lean towards the 5100 maybe because they didnt know the difference.
On RockAuto-
Bilsteins- Heavy Duty $65
MonoMax- Heavy Duty $50
Monroe Reflex- Increased Handling/Performance $40
Gabriel Ultra- Original Ride Quality $35
From what i gather the Bilstein and the Monomax have 1 15/16 inch bore and the others have 1 3/8 bore- so im guessing that is what makes them heavy duty.
What say you?
The vehicle- 2003 Chevrolet Suburban with Z71 suspension- 6000lbs give or take, plus towing 1500lbs from time to time.
Why am I looking for shocks?- I bought the vehicle really cheap and planned on keeping it.. and skimped on the shocks. The shocks I removed had 200K miles on them and i found two that were dead.. so I installed NAPA Response (monroe matics)? shocks for $25 each thinking I would be good to go for awhile.
Additional reasons- I live about 25 miles from the cities.. potholes are everywhere on the rural roads that i have to take, i swerve to miss many of them but on occasion passing a car i just have to go thru them. Also i frequent washboard roads on getaways and weekend fun. I dont think these $25 shocks will last nor am i getting the ride i should. I would describe the ride as floaty not controlled.
The improvement over two dead shocks and probably 2 that were nearly worn out with the NAPAs were at first night and day.. but with time I can see that I probably made the wrong choice.
So i start looking for a shock for my needs-
1)Bilstein 4600- Reviews go from best ever to harsh ride and stiff, overpriced to best money ive spent.
2)KYB MonoMax- Reviews are all over the place again from best ever to junk and dont last to better than bilsteins.
3)Monroe Reflex- All over the place from rides like a cadillac to too soft to junk to better than OEM.
4)Gabriel Ultras- Most of the reviews come from here on a google search, a small number of reviews here and there on the big forums.
On the 4600 Bilstein there is alot of guys saying that the 5100 is better but someone always chimes in saying they are the same inside just the 5100 is more suited towards lifted vehicles..yet most of the reviews lean towards the 5100 maybe because they didnt know the difference.
On RockAuto-
Bilsteins- Heavy Duty $65
MonoMax- Heavy Duty $50
Monroe Reflex- Increased Handling/Performance $40
Gabriel Ultra- Original Ride Quality $35
From what i gather the Bilstein and the Monomax have 1 15/16 inch bore and the others have 1 3/8 bore- so im guessing that is what makes them heavy duty.
What say you?