Front and rear shocks

[highwind]

Apparently doing research a lot of people were saying the KYBs were super dangerous..... so I decided to pull up Rockauto for my 86 Van

Theres a lot to choose from but there are "heavy duty" Gabriel

Rears
GABRIEL Part # 61513 $17.87
Fronts
GABRIEL Part # 61529 $17.87

has anyone tried these?

[Burntboot]

Have no experience with Gabriels but do have a pair of OEM rear shocks for a 2wd van kicking around.
(they were supposed to be for a 4WD and I cannot return them)
Available if you want 'em.
BB

[craftech]

Apparently doing research a lot of people were saying the KYBs were super dangerous..... so I decided to pull up Rockauto for my 86 Van

Theres a lot to choose from but there are "heavy duty" Gabriel

Rears
GABRIEL Part # 61513 $17.87
Fronts
GABRIEL Part # 61529 $17.87

has anyone tried these?

I am currently using Gabriel G63900 on the front and G60087 on the rear. They seem OK, as good as the Monroe (Tenneco) shocks I have used. Last time I tried a "heavy duty" shock the jolts
going over uneven surfaces was severe. There is nothing IMO that can make the ride on the van "good".

Where did you hear that the KYB was dangerous (how are they dangerous)?

John

[highwind]

Where did you hear that the KYB was dangerous (how are they dangerous)?

John


oh the other site theres a thread where a couple guys who installed them and was bouncing around very dangerously.

[highwind]

I am currently using Gabriel G63900 on the front and G60087 on the rear. They seem OK, as good as the Monroe (Tenneco) shocks I have used. Last time I tried a "heavy duty" shock the jolts
going over uneven surfaces was severe. There is nothing IMO that can make the ride on the van "good".

Where did you hear that the KYB was dangerous (how are they dangerous)?

John

are they super bouncy John?

[JDM VANMAN]

Just chiming in my 2¢,

I have KYB gas-A-just shocks in my 2wd van and they seem to be fine, I've been running them for over a year and haven't had any issues with the van being bouncy.

I didn't choose those shocks by chance but they were suggested by my now retired Toyota Master Tech and he knows these vans very well. :thmbup:

[craftech]

are they super bouncy John?
They are little bouncy, but the heavy duty shocks give sharp jolts especially to the passengers. They are like the OEM shocks that came with the van in 1984. Drving over uneven surfaces (not smooth blacktop) is where you notice it. The nation's crumbling infrastructure doesn't help. My van was disabled for seven months thanks to the Palisades Interstate Parkway having so many potholes last winter, there was no way to avoid them. My left front torsion bar (original) cracked.

There are no plans to pave it this year due to ongoing budget cuts.

John

[craftech]

Just chiming in my 2¢,

I have KYB gas-A-just shocks in my 2wd van and they seem to be fine, I've been running them for over a year and haven't had any issues with the van being bouncy.

I didn't choose those shocks by chance but they were suggested by my now retired Toyota Master Tech and he knows these vans very well. :thmbup:

Do you have a model number? Is it these?:
http://www.kyboutlet.com/kyb-kg4652a-gas-a-just-shock-absorber.html

Thanks,

John

[JDM VANMAN]

John,

my Tech bought the entire 4 shock kit for my 89 van, so I'm not sure which model number would correlate if you bought the entire set vs. just buying a pair at a time, but I think those are the correct ones for a 2wd van ranging from 84-89.

But of course plug in your info and the correct ones will pop up.:thmbup:

[Rufus]

Okay,

I did a thorough search of the forum using the search function and I cannot find part numbers for the front and rear shocks for the 1985 2WD van. I am pretty sure that the P/N#'s will be different than the 1986 model since the front steering system and the rear suspension system are different between these two years.

I put KYB Gas-A-Just Monotube shocks on my 1986 van and I am interested in a set of KYB Gas-A-Just Monotube shocks for my 1985. Can any of you tell me the part numbers for the 1985 Van 2WD front and rears?

Thank you.

[JDM VANMAN]

Here's some I just did a quick search on partsgeek, you might be able to find a better price on KYB outlet-

[Rufus]

Thank you. That must be a proprietary part number on partsgeek. It isn't coming up on Amazon or Google. However I did manage to locate the part numbers for the KYB Shocks for the 1985 2WD van with rear coil springs.

Front: KYB Gas-A-Just Monotube KG4652A
Rear: KYB Gas-A-Just Monotube KG5463 (W/Rear Coil Springs)
Rear KYB Gas-A-Just Monotube KG5538 (W/Rear Leaf Springs)

Now the next person who searches for it will find it. :lol:

[JDM VANMAN]

Sorry the picture came out blurry, it looked clear when I took the screen shot. Nice job posting the part numbers.:thmbup:

[timsrv]

Front shocks are Toyota Part #48500-29278. Rears are Toyota part #48531-80597. Tim

[technocj]

Ever shop rock auto? They have some of those #'s on closeout for less than $20 plus shipping.

[Rufus]

Thanks for the OEM P/N's Tim.

I will check Rock Auto!

[Rufus]

Thanks for the heads up on Rock Auto. I ordered the rear ones as I got the last two they had in stock shipped to my door for $50. That is a little more than the cost of one on Amazon. The fronts cost about the same as Amazon so I will probably just get them there on my Prime so I don't pay shipping.

[Danny]

Allow me to chime in...

Just installed a full new set of the KYB Gas-A-Just shocks on a 1987 2WD LE Van and I am VERY SATISFIED with the result. The ride is smooth and absorption seems right on. No excessive bounce or stiffness. 100% satisfied and they bolted straight on.

I purchased them from RockAuto:
FRONT: KYB KG4652A Gas-A-Just
REAR: KYB KG5463 Gas-A-Just

Hope this helps!

-Danny-

[Rudy]

Same here. KYB gas-A-just shocks on my 85' 2WD for about a year and they are great.

[brentlehr]

Just put KYB's on my van. They're a little harsh but there's nothing dangerous about them and I notice a difference in improved crosswind stability. I previously ran Gabriels and Monroes for about 65K miles and didn't care for them... too bouncy IMO.

I'm curious if anyone has run Bilstein or Sachs shocks on our vans? In my VW bus days I really liked them and the TV's suffer from the same boxy, short wheel base issues.

One thing I'd recommend is following the factory tire inflation pressure specifications. Just b/c your tires list a max PSI doesn't mean you should be running it unless you have a heavy load or something requiring it. The difference in ride quality is noticeable.

Glad you brought this up and that so many folks are chiming in.

[Rufus]

I ran KYB's on my 86 for 3 years before I sold it and they were great. I am also running a set of freshly installed KYB's on my 85 and I like them. I only buy KYB's. Made in Japan, just like the van.

[s_e_a_n_s]

.... 1987 2WD LE Van...

FRONT: KYB KG4652A Gas-A-Just
REAR: KYB KG5463 Gas-A-Just

-Danny-

Does your van have coil over shocks in rear? My has the leaf springs and I get a different P/N for the rear:

-87 2wd-
FRONT: KYB KG4652A Gas-A-Just
REAR: KYB KG5463 Gas-A-Just (Coil over)
REAR: KYB KG5538 Gas-A-Just (Leaf Spring)

With leaf springs the upper connectors differ and the shocks are slightly longer. I didn't realize some vans had rear coil overs... I feel like I'm somehow missing out.

[Danny]

The van had coils in back. Not sure what the PN is for your rig, but I can say this series of KYB feels nice. Good luck! -Danny-


Does your van have coil over shocks in rear? My has the leaf springs and I get a different P/N for the rear:

-87 2wd-
FRONT: KYB KG4652A Gas-A-Just
REAR: KYB KG5463 Gas-A-Just (Coil over)
REAR: KYB KG5538 Gas-A-Just (Leaf Spring)

With leaf springs the upper connectors differ and the shocks are slightly longer. I didn't realize some vans had rear coil overs... I feel like I'm somehow missing out.

[micah202]

.
...sorry to post a thread on this,, I tried a search, I -know- the deets are somewhere,,


....what's the recommended shocks for an '86 2wd,,, part # and suppliers would be tremendously helpful

.........MANY thanks, in advance :wnk:

[micah202]

...edit.... Looks like these are the ones?.... Looks like rock auto has a bit better deal at $151 inc shipping for the set of 4





KYB KG4652A Gas-A-Just Info (https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=503762&cc=1279751)
Front







https://www.rockauto.com/info/63/KG4652A__ra_t.jpg





$30.79

$61.58



KYB KG5463 Gas-A-Just Info (https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=503502&cc=1279751)
Rear; w/ Rear Coil Springs







https://www.rockauto.com/info/63/KG5463__ra_t.jpg





$32.89

$65.78

[Rudy]

That's what I put on my 85 2WD. I like them very much. Maybe they are a bit stiff, but I have no complaints.

[micah202]

That's what I put on my 85 2WD. I like them very much. Maybe they are a bit stiff, but I have no complaints.


..thanks :wnk:

[Brett5cent]

Oh can anyone tell me the best shocks for these vans? I need to order some new ones, mine are shot. 2wd

[Lois85]

Hello! Thanks you all for this thread! I have a few additional questions..

The parts listed above (for an 87 van) will also work for my 85, yes?
While I am doing this job, what would be wise of me to replace at the same time?
How hard is this job/ should I recruit another set of hands to help?
Are there any specific tools that I will need?


I've done some minimal repairs to my 85 van in the 5 years I've had her, but never anything having to do with steering or suspension... I'm a bit intimidated, but excited to learn something new. Any and all advice, tips, photos etc. are welcome!
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