KYB GR-2 on Dodge van: underdamped

[Stu_Rock]

For the last 3000 miles or so, I've had KYB GR-2 shocks on the front of my Dodge Ram Van. I bought them because of how much I have liked them on passenger cars. Usually the GR-2 line seems to be a little bit more highly damped than OE.

That was not the case in this application (part number 344066). They have been horribly underdamped since day one. Just the other day I was crossing the Dumbarton bridge, which has numerous sinkage dips in the causeway section, and I counted no fewer than six oscillations after coming out one of a big dip. I decided it was time for a change.

I installed a pair of Monroe Gas-Magnum shocks, and so far they're wonderful. I had already put MGMs on the rear at the same time as the KYBs in front (KYB rear application was sold out at the time--fortunately, in hindsight).

The Monroes are clearly not as well made as the KYBs (sloppy welds, unchromed rod, sloppy paint), but the performance characteristics are so much better. Hopefully they will last a while.

 

[The Critic]

I will be making another thread on this later, but I am not completely thrilled with the GR-2s on my Saturn either.

For the first 20k, they were very firm and the crashed over every bump. However, beginning a month ago, they have softened up considerably and the car now rides decent. Unfortunately, now the car also bounces more than it should and it feels like I have lost some control.

My friend has a set of GR-2s on the back of his Camry and at under 100k, they are so worn that the car is dangerous IMO.

 

[Solo2driver]

Bilsteins bilsteins bilsteins!

 

[SLCraig]

I'm happy with my GR2's on my 96 SL2.
Must depend on the application like you said Stu_Rock..

 

[wrcsixeight]

I have KYB Gas a Justs on all four corners of my Dodge Van, and the driving improvement was vast, with a much sportier, connected to the road feel.

I also have rear air bags, and after a speed bump, the rear bounces a little much for my liking, but that is the only time I think they are underdampened.

Back in 2003, Before I did most all my own work, I had a set of KYB's installed on the front. I loved them compared to the Monroes that I took out. 3 years later when departing Baja, and searching for the other Border crossing in Tijuana during a dark night, I hit a pot hole and heard some clunking. At a red light I saw the Shock was just hanging below the control arm. I just kept driving.

I finally found and made it through through the Otay Mesa border, and the next morning determined that the fork that holds the shock to the lower control arm had sheared off. I bought a set of Monroes, and when comparing them to the KYB's I saw they were shorter.

After double checking the part numbers I determined that The KYB's I had been driving on were the wrong shock. I installed the Monroes and drove 80 miles on them to the shop which installed the wrong KYB's.

The Monroe Gas Magnums were very smooth, but squishy and had a removed from the road feel. The shop ordered and installed the correct KYB shocks for free, and they felt even better than the previous set of KYB's which were too long.

I returned the Gas Magnums for a full refund.

 

[Stu_Rock]

wrcsixeight, that's really interesting, since our vans probably take the same parts! Mine is a 1998 B1500 shorty. There must have been some changes in the design of these shocks over the last few years.

Or the pair of KYBs I got were defective. I doubt this, because they felt similar to the OE shocks. The new MGMs are very highly damped.

 

[OVERKILL]

Been really happy with the Rancho shocks on the Expedition. Fantastic control of body roll. A bit harsher than stock, but well worth the improvement in handling.

 

[Nick R]

Was happy with the Monroe Sensa-tracs on the cavalier, they rode nicely and had great handling.

 

[wrcsixeight]

Stu_rock, KYB Gas A Justs, and KYB GR-2's are two different shocks.

Also I was wrong. The Monroe's I put 80 miles on and returned were Sensa tracs not Gas Magnums. Apologies.

Some say the Gas a Justs are too harsh and stiff. I disagree with that, at least on my Van. I'd rather feel the road a little more, but it is personal preference.

 

[Stu_Rock]

Oops, I misread your post. I thought you meant the shocks you got back in 2003 were GR-2s. On rereading it, I realize there's no way I should have interpreted it that way.

Another point of confusion on my part was that I had thought that the Gas-A-Just line was air adjustable. I just learned that's their AGX line.

I guess GR-2 and SensaTrac are the "equivalents," as are Gas-A-Just and Gas-Magnum.

 

[RoadRaceJosh]

I've used Monroe Gas Magnum shocks in the past and liked them. I would have used them recently, but there are none for my current application. My 2001 Dakota Quad Cab is heavy. It's 2WD, but it's an SLT with most all options, a Joey Bed and an aluminum canopy. Monroe long ago discontinued Gas Magnum shocks for anything smaller than a full sized truck/van. The other Monroe options were Monroe-Matic Plus which I didn't even consider, Sensa-Trac which didn't do well on my '96 Dakota and the Reflex. I chose none of the above and used the KYB MonoMax even though some folks reviewing the MonoMax on The Tire Rack's web site thought them harsh. I like very well controlled body motions and found the MonoMax a little soft, but I think most folks would find them to be quite good. The broad speed bumps in town give no trouble at all. There is no harshness to speak of so there may be some application specific differences or problems. Handling of the truck has always been good as it wears the optional 255/65R16 tires and has sway bars front and rear.

As a nearly useless data point. My '97 Neon has KYB GR-2 dampers in the back and they are very good.