Shocks for Van

I'm mostly damper-illiterate.  I get the concept and understand why shocks work for certain applications, but when I look at all the brands, styles, and constructions it all becomes hazy.  Kinda like tires.  They're all black donuts and I know why an all-season will perform differently than a mud tire, but until I read objective testing it's hard to anticipate if you'll like what they do.  Same with me and shocks.  I could look up all the damping rates, valve sizes, valve types, etc, but my brain starts hurting.

Need 4-corners of shocks for an 06 Express AWD.  Wants:

- it's an adventure van, but the amount of time it spends off road are not worth getting shocks tuned for off-road.  For now, factory ride height.
- on road comfort.  I realize it's a truck but I don't see a need for making it worse
- towing up to 6000 lbs.  Not because I need shocks to help the weight control, that doesn't seem to be an issue even on the leaking factory shocks that are on it.  I mention that because there might be a reliability issue with cheaper shocks?
- not make the already terrible handling worse.

Budget:  I'm a cheapskate, but don't mind paying a bit for good ones.  My butt spends a lot of time in that seat and I want my ass to be happy.

2500 or 3500 on the express? (I should know this already) 

I put KYB gas-a-just on my 3500 express and am very happy with them. Not the best ride on rough roads (gravel/dirt etc) but that is probably mostly from the 1-ton suspension and E range tires at ~65psi. 

In reply to Captdownshift: AWD makes it a 1500. 

You'll probably find your options are limited--I chose KYBs for my Ford van and they were fine. Not bad, not great, just Fine. 

I found long ago that Bilsteins were the only ones that could stand up to the massive unsprung weight of my truck's suspension.  They also give a good ride. I'd recommend them.

I've been very happy with the Bilstein 4600s I put on my 2500 suburban.

In reply to EvanB :

Yeah, I see that when searching. I'll echo gas-a-just, for the front they're KG5040 as the part number. 

For the rears I'd consider Ac Delco 540614, which is for the recreational upfitter package or the KG5188 gas-a-just or ac Delco 51929 load assist 

Captdownshift (Forum Supporter) said:

2500 or 3500 on the express? (I should know this already) 

Sorry... 1500.  All the AWDs were 1500.   Well, in 2003 they technically did a 2500 AWD but it was just a 3/4 on paper.  Same axles, trans, brakes, and stuff with an extra leaf in the rear.

I put Bilsteins on my old Dodge Motorhome. I also replaced front and back springs and all the bushings. It's pretty much a one ton Dodge Van.

It works great but I have to admit is was an expensive solution and a lot of work.

In reply to Mr_Asa :

According to Bilstein's website, they make exactly zero products of any kind for a 2006 Express.  Grrr.

Weldtec Designs shows some upgrades for the Express 4x4.  Some of their lift kits have Fox shocks, including a rear leaf spring kit.  I don't see anything for stock suspensions, but if you contact them maybe they have other options.

In reply to Ian F (Forum Supporter) :

I scavenged the York compressor you brought me a few years ago from the F150 before I sold it.  I'm hoping to squeeze it somewhere in this engine bay so I can add helper airbags as well.

I looked over at RockAuto for 2006 Express where I see that KYB has a $75 rebate off 4 until April 30th

For you the prices (before shipping and before 5% GRM discount) are:
$53.79 fronts awd
$41.79 rears
For me, with shipping and discount the 4 came out to $205.59.  Then, $75 off that makes a net $130.59 or $32.65 per corner

They have many AC Delco offerings too if you want something like factory.

I put KYBs on the Dodge B2500, and while it toned it down from the scary undamped mayhem on the old blown-out shocks, it was still pretty badly under-damped up front and continued to move around in a pretty disconcerting fashion.

I know KYB makes some good products; I'm trying to remember which model they were and not doing too well with that (it's been a decade). I'm hopeful that they aren't always so underdamped. But I think at this point they'll be my fallback after Koni and Bilstein for applications I care even a bit about.

Took John's advice.  We'll see how the KYBs do.  Not many options out there for the van.

In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :

Did you ever find the midget hooker making all the noise in the back?

Nope.  She's still back there.

Replaced u-joints, carrier bearing is 100%, lubed the slip joint with the magic stuff, checked spring bolts, perches, and shackles.  It all checks out.  She's the hide and seek champion of 2021/22