Bilstein B6 shocks or KYB Excell G shocks for a stock 2010 RWD Ranger?

[Garth Libre]

I'm so confused with all the projects going on in my house (bathroom, electric, gardening, pool !!!! - I just ordered new Landspar Citytrax tires but I want to replace the shocks at the same time. (I just did sway bar ends). Should I get the Bilstein Shocks or the KYB Excell G shocks? The Bilsteins are a little cheaper - ($117 for all 4 ) vs. KYB's ($186 for all 4). I'm doing the work myself so labor is not an issue.

 

[Blmpkn]

Bilstiens, always.

 

[Garth Libre]

Bilstiens, always.

The Bilstein's are cheaper so when I asked my wife she said "Go with the more expensive ones". But I know experience is more important than just guessing. What do you know about the Bilsteins?

 

[Blmpkn]

Actually.. hell.. now that you mention it the price on the bilstiens is pretty suspicious. Unless theres a big sale going on..

They should be at least 300$ For a full set. They were when I put some on my 2010 at least.

They're just a super quality shock.. bilstien really knows their stuff.

 

[scotts90ranger]

I'm pretty sure Bilstien got bought out in the last couple years and I'm pretty sure my mechanic friend said their quality went downhill... but that said he runs KYB on his vehicles that are stockish, I took his recommendation and put some KYB Monomax on my F350 and it works pretty good... I cheaped out on my '97 and went with the cheap Monroe, they work fine at speed but slow speed they don't do much.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Last i looked Bilstiens were closer to $80 each.

 

[Blmpkn]

I'm pretty sure Bilstien got bought out in the last couple years and I'm pretty sure my mechanic friend said their quality went downhill... but that said he runs KYB on his vehicles that are stockish, I took his recommendation and put some KYB Monomax on my F350 and it works pretty good... I cheaped out on my '97 and went with the cheap Monroe, they work fine at speed but slow speed they don't do much.

Man.. that sucks. They've always been the best option before needing to make the jump to something rebuildable.

 

[Garth Libre]

I just bought the KYB front and rear. They were $165 for a full set. I'll let people know how they are working. I'll be replacing the shocks before the new tires come in in a couple of weeks. I replaced the sway bar end links (the bushings are still good). I can't think of what else the suspension could need other than new sway bar links, new shocks and new tires. I've worked on other older cars and new tires, shocks, sway bar links or bushings were usually all that was required. One car needed new control arm bushings but they still look good on my 2010 Ranger.