gldrsh

I am going to replace my front shocks on my 3500 2wd and have narrowed my choice between the Monroe 34776 and the KYB KG544102. Does anyone have an opinion about these two shocks. I know there are better shocks but I am looking at cost.

Desert5600

Between the two, I would go with the KYB. My first choice is the Bilstein 5100, however.

Ramit65

Shocks are the spend a little now .... spend a little more sooner than if you buy a well made shock today and save on suspension cost. I get more mileage out of my suspension with Bilstein, including the steering damper. I run the KYB on my Silverado and got descent service out of them, they would be my second choice to if on a budget.

gldrsh

Thanks to the two responses to my question. I did order the kyb and am a little surprised they are a little skinnier then the monroe yellow shock. The kyb are supposed to be nitrogen charged while the monroe 34776 I don't think are. Whether or not it makes a difference I don't know. I will see how they ride.

Ramit65

The Monroe are nitrogen charged also. As they have a larger tube that some say would offer a smoother ride. None the less, the KYB are a better made shock. The gas to oil dual passage valves are of better quality and will last (depending on use) up to 30% longer than the Monroe would. Generally if your suspension shocks are worn out the steering damper is to. Most people ignore this vital part of your steering that if worn out puts a lot of strain on steering components...... the first sign of steer drifting is usually this component.

gldrsh

Thanks for your input. The truck I am changing shocks on does not have the steering damper. I have seen some 2wd trucks have them and some don't. I don't know if they were standard equipment or not. All my trucks were bought used so I don't know if previous owners removed them and not replaced them.

gldrsh

When I installed the front shocks; KYB KG 54102, the shocks did not extend out far enough to tighten the top nut. I had to jack up the lower control arm to get the top bushing snug up to the hole in the top. My old Monroe shocks extended out a little further then these. It looked like they were the wrong shock but it was the correct part number. I bought them online and no local store stocks them to compare them to other kyb shocks. When I lowered the jack from the control arm and the suspension was unloaded, the shock is bottomed out and the coil spring has not expanded out all the way and the tension is all on the shock and not the spring. I may not be explaining this properly but it does not seem right. If I did not buy these shocks online I would have returned them and paid more for the Monroe so they fit right. I hope this will be okay. Any thoughts? I would appreciate some,thanks.

Desert5600

Sounds like the wrong part number for the application. Send them back.