Which shocks to buy?

mountie · Jul 7, 2024

Fless said:
From the www.kyb.com/catalog:

View attachment 431975

For anything, stay away from the Excel-G shocks -- get the Gas-a-Just or better.

How long have you had this SUV, and can you tell if the PSR shocks in the rear were converted to standard shocks? That conversion can be done if the rear coil springs are done at the same time.

View attachment 431979

Rock Auto has the PSR Nivomat replacement shocks under the GM Genuine and KYB brands.

What do your current shocks look like, and do the springs still have the tags on them? Here's what the OE Nivomat shocks look like. They're quite a bit fatter (more girth) than standard shocks.

View attachment 431976

I still have the OEM stickers on the springs. Matched for the " ZW7 - Premium shocks" NOT self leveling, so the springs are a tad stiffer, than the 'self adjusting' shocks. ( self-adjusting shocks support more, requiring a softer spring)
My shocks are the OEM 'blue' color. They just have 175,000 miles on them, so I figured, new - same "should" perform better than old.
Edit.... The sticker on the springs shows the part number and then, below, that 'designation' (?) "YKK" seems to be on a few different springs.....

diezelraccoon · Jul 7, 2024

I’ve had the vehicle about a month now. Here’s is what’s currently on it.

All this back and forth is kinda confusing. I was told look in the glove box and the number will tell me what I need and now the conversation just seems to be well that’s not ac

Fless · Jul 7, 2024

Those are the OE RPO G65 self-leveling (manual) shocks that use Nivomat technology. You can replace them with like shocks (I noted them in a prior message), or convert to conventional shocks as long as you change the coil springs, too. If you change only the shocks to conventional (but not the springs), the ride will change for the worse and will likely be too soft. You could use shocks spec'd for a Z71 along with Z71 springs, as an example.

I'm curious though -- what reason is there to change them? You can test if they're working by 1) measuring the rear bumper height; 2) loading the back end with a few hundred pounds of weight; 3) measuring the height again -- same spot -- for the amount of sag; 4) taking a drive of a few blocks while they self-adjust; and 3) re-measure the height again to see if it came back up, and how much. Then unload the ballast. Be sure to make your measurements with it parked at the same spot and orientation for the best accuracy.

I'm still running original rear shocks on mine, and they're working fine.

diezelraccoon · Jul 7, 2024

Fless said:
Those are the OE RPO G65 self-leveling (manual) shocks that use Nivomat technology. You can replace them with like shocks (I noted them in a prior message), or convert to conventional shocks as long as you change the coil springs, too. If you change only the shocks to conventional (but not the springs), the ride will change for the worse and will likely be too soft. You could use shocks spec'd for a Z71 along with Z71 springs, as an example.

I'm curious though -- what reason is there to change them? You can test if they're working by 1) measuring the rear bumper height; 2) loading the back end with a few hundred pounds of weight; 3) measuring the height again -- same spot -- for the amount of sag; 4) taking a drive of a few blocks while they self-adjust; and 3) re-measure the height again to see if it came back up, and how much. Then unload the ballast. Be sure to make your measurements with it parked at the same spot and orientation for the best accuracy.

I'm still running original rear shocks on mine, and they're working fine.

When you are traveling at highway speeds and hit a bump, it bounces like the Watusi. If you don’t have control of the steering wheel and hit a big bump going highway speed, you could lose control. My shop diagnosed them and said they were bad.

Can’t believe how expensive just one rear KYB shock is for over $300. Am I seeing that right?

OR VietVet · Jul 7, 2024

Where are you getting the price?

diezelraccoon · Jul 8, 2024

OR VietVet said:
Where are you getting the price?

I googled the part number and that’s what came up. You have a link to somewhere else?

mountie · Jul 8, 2024

A good guy.... ( Truckee Salvage) Has been finding & selling very good / used shocks for years. He sent me a set of Nivimats . But I later discovered I don't have Nivomats ( due to my confused searches)... I will be returning them back to him.

OR VietVet · Jul 8, 2024

diezelraccoon said:
I googled the part number and that’s what came up. You have a link to somewhere else?

Try Rock Auto and Parts Geek.

mountie · Jul 8, 2024

diezelraccoon said:
I googled the part number and that’s what came up. You have a link to somewhere else?

The self-leveling shocks are expensive. $300 to $600 each depending on your brand- version... The Nivomats I purchased from Truckee Salvage was about $360.00 for the pair. Over 1/2 the price for new- unused.
But if you are not going to haul a heavy trailer, I don't see the need for Nivomats.

Toomanyhobbies · Jul 8, 2024

Bilstein 5100's all the way if you are going to keep the truck for a long time it's worth the investment.

Which shocks to buy?

mountie

Attachments

diezelraccoon

Member

Fless

diezelraccoon

Member

OR VietVet

Multnomah Falls

diezelraccoon

Member

mountie

Attachments

OR VietVet

Multnomah Falls

mountie

Toomanyhobbies

Full Access Member

Similar threads

Forum statistics

Latest posts