Hello All,

Obviously I am not the original owner of my Jimmy, 350k Km's, or 220k Miles on it.
However, Its time to do the front shocks. (They are a bit bouncy!)

Anyway, I was reccomended KYB shocks by a friend of mine who runs a shop, He said they are the best choice. I would like other suggestions before I actually do the job, I live in POTHOLE country, Canada. It's terrible here, all the roads suck, I don't do offroad, I fear the truck might break in its current state.


I need some soft quality shocks that don't suck, Price isn't an issue.

I am wondering if there is any related parts I should replace while in there, Someone once said Upper strut bearings, Etc. I figure some of my arms or bushing, or Ball joints are worn out.

I'm not sure what part it is, or how to check for wear, Or if its just easier to replace it all when I do the shocks.. But when I drive, My vehicle always pulls to the right, Unless I'm on the highway doing highway speed, which then it is far less pully. (if at all). The steering feels kinda windy, Like, Loose, The road can change the direction of where I am coasting, Sometimes, Steering in one direction seems "Looser" than steering in the opposite direction. Sometimes my steering wheel feels "Grainy" as I am turning it.

I have brand new Ujoints all around, and just did the whole rear end, The tranny is pretty much brand new rebuilt, and the engine seems to be holding up well to the terrible weather its been exposed to.

I am taking care of this truck, And generally, I don't care about spending money on it, Well others would just get a new vehicle.. Also, I don't like to cheap out, If I'm doing a a job, I like to get the best parts, and also do any related work in the general area insted of having to open it all up again later.

Alot of people seem to say their control arms have been replaced a couple times on these trucks, I have no idea if/when mine was ever replaced... So, Take it with a grain of salt :P


PS; Some of the people on this forum are quite amazing,
Especially the "beloved moderator" whom I need not name. I trust you guys more than I trust some mechanics advice

 

I liked the Monroe Reflex shocks I installed on my old 2000 Bravada. Made for a nice firm ride. Bilstein shocks are what was installed from the factory and are also VERY good shocks. I have installed KYB's on a few vehicles and they did a good job, but were not as firm as others I have installed. Applications were different which would explain, but...

BTW, there are quite a few threads on this subject already. Try searching for Bilstein, Monroe, shock, etc.

 

I appreciate the reply,

I've decided on KYB shocks, because they should last longer and such.. And provide a simular if not better ride than Monroe Reflex, The thing that makes KYB shine is they are machined a second time so they are refined in such a way they should be more reliable.

Question:

What other sort of work should I do when having the shocks done, Is there anything?

I once remember another thread suggesting The Upper Strut Bearings? or Upper Strut Shock Mounts, Or some steering related components are a good idea to get done at this time?

I think??'

An alignment for sure...

 

No need for an alignment when replacing the shocks.

Just make sure that the upper shock mount gets tight. It will be new with the shock, but aftermarket shocks tend to have the sleeve inside the upper mount on the shock a bit shorter than the original, requiring more torque on the bolt to tighten things up.

 

Yea, The old shocks were actually Monroe Reflex that had a simular amount of rust on them as the rears do, But the rears compression seemed to be "New" compared to "Bouncy" in the front

With the new shocks in the front the whole things seems balanced, like when you sit down it will equally move the vehicle down on both the front and the rear, It seems nice, Havnt driven it yet but within an hour or two ill know how sweet it rides and ill know if I really did need shocks, The old ones still had the monroe sticker on them... So Im not sure if they were actually bad or not... Usually a good sign is when the sticker is completely gone, LOL

Changed the power steering fluid while in there,

It was black like ink in the bottle compared to golden light brown for the new stuff put in... Some synthetic stuff.

Couldnt see through it,
Maybe my steering will be better now

 

Bilstein Shocks are what come on the truck stock.. I think they are pretty good.