I am still tearing into my pickup and after removing the bed the other night making another list of parts to buy. Shocks were the first thing on the list as they are easy and not too expensive. I put new shocks on the front when I did the front end rebuild, but didn't get the rear ones when I rebuilt the rear brakes.
On the front, I used Napa's cheaper MonroMatic. I think that is what they are, they have the all blue body. I am thinking about the same for the rear.
I have a 98 K1500 Suburban that I put new sway bar bushings and end links on. At the same time I put on KYB MonoMax Performance shocks on the front and rear. After that the truck rode like a brick. I have extra rattles coming from the front end and it seems like the shocks are just way too stiff. They would probably be OK for an off road vehicle, but a family ride. I had experienced that feeling once before with a set of KYB shocks on a 64 Falcon. They were nothing special shocks, but rode like you put steel rods in place of the shocks and springs. It does feel like the tires are staying on the road better, but every bump is transferred through the vehicle and my back. And I mean every bump.
Did I buy the wrong shocks for my driving style or are KYBs not a "smooth" shock?
I know some of the differences between different shocks and it takes into account springs, when it comes to how "smooth" a ride is. By "smooth" I guess I mean soft. I know it's not gonna be an air ride, but I want to get close.
How do I get an air ride suspension without buying air ride?