Strut mount (top hat), KYB or OEM

So going to replace the suspension on the front of the truck. Figure new strut mounts would be a good idea.

So KYB looks to be an option and are coming in about 60 bucks cheaper per side than the OEM.

So is the KYB a suitable replacement or is the OEM that much better?

 

Sixty bucks is sixty bucks however with stuff like that OEM is the only way I would go personally. Simply because I feel that Toyota parts are higher quality than most aftermarket replacement parts.

 

No experience with the front, but I replaced my leaking rear shocks with KYB Gas-A-Just shocks. Only have a couple thousand miles on them, but they are a little firmer than stock and seem to be good quality.

You weren't asking about rear shocks, but the reason I responded is in my research I noticed that KYB is made in Japan, and they supply factory components to several different manufacturers (Toyota included). It didn't say exactly which components... but I take that to show they should be a decent replacement part supplier. At least they're not an Amazon special sourced by some dude in his basement and made in China. If the part looks comparable to OEM in size, fit, and build quality I'd be comfortable running it.

 

Good to install new strut mounts but not always necessary. Have installed KYB shocks, struts and strut mounts on various Toyotas in the past. It is a quality brand name and will continue to install them in the future. Rockauto is a good place to source them. Bilstein also good alternative.

 

KYB are just as good as the factory top hats.
I have them on my truck and they are going just fine.

 

Thanks all, much appreciated.