If you drive a Toyota and you're into everything Japanese, this one's for you. KYB has been building shocks since 1919, and now it has a real off-road shock for the 2022 and newer Toyota Tundra. It's called the KYB 2000 Series, and it's a big step up from anything KYB has offered for trucks before.
KYB's First Real Off-Road Shock
KYB is the largest supplier of OE and aftermarket shocks and struts in the world. Most truck guys know them for basic replacement parts, like the Monotube-style replacements and the Truck Plus system. Those are solid for putting a stock truck back to normal. They aren't built for the dirt.
The 2000 Series is different. KYB's performance engineering team in Tokyo designed it, then tuned and tested it in the Southern California deserts with KYB's US office. KYB also ran it on trails in the Midwest. The goal was a shock that rides well on the street and still holds up when the pavement ends.
The Specs: Why the Size Matters
- 2.7 inch shock body. That's bigger than the Bilstein 6112 and bigger than the new Icon Stage 3 RS.
- Larger piston and shaft. More piston area means more oil moving through the valving, which means more damping control.
- 11/16 inch (18mm) hardened shaft with hard chrome plating. That protects against rust and wear.
- Heat-treated 6061 aluminum body with a hard anodized finish on the outside.
- Made in Japan, with KYB headquartered in Tokyo.
- About 2 3/4 inches of lift in the Tundra setup. KYB rates the series at 2 inches or more.
- Over 70% more damping force than factory, based on the shop's read of the piston size.
A bigger shock body does two things. It holds more oil, which helps with heat on long, rough runs. And it lets the piston be larger, which gives the tuners more room to build a ride that's soft on small stuff and firm on big hits. That's the idea behind the 2000 Series.
Threaded Collar Height Adjustment, Not a Snap Ring
Up front, the 2000 Series uses a lockable, threaded collar to set ride height. A lot of coilovers use a snap ring that sits in fixed grooves, so you get whatever heights the grooves allow. With a threaded collar, you dial in the exact height you want and lock it down.
That matters on a Tundra. Plenty of them sit a little low on one side, or have the factory lean where the front end sits uneven. A threaded collar lets a shop fix that in small steps instead of guessing between two notches. KYB says the threaded setup is more flexible and more durable than a snap-ring design.
Personally, this is the feature we like best. A shock that lets you level the truck exactly, side to side, is worth more than one that gives you an extra half inch you can't fine tune.
Strut Mounts and Packaging
- New KYB strut mounts come on the front coilovers. They're OE-level quality and hardened.
- Assembled out of the box and ready to install, so there's no spring compressor work to put the kit together.
- Large rear shock boot protects the shaft from dust, sand, and rocks.
The boot is a good detail for Nevada. Fine desert dust and sand wear out shaft seals fast, and a boot gives the shaft some protection.
Warranty and Serviceability
The 2000 Series is rebuildable and serviceable, but only through KYB's facility right now. KYB isn't selling parts for home rebuilds yet. Given KYB's warranty and how these are built, they're meant to last a long time. Battle Born expects them to hold up for years of use, but a rebuild program through KYB is there if they ever need it.
What It Should Feel Like
KYB has a reputation for ride quality, and the 2000 Series is meant to keep that while adding real off-road ability. Expect a smoother, more controlled ride than the stock Tundra shocks on pavement. On washboard and rough desert roads, the extra damping should keep the truck from feeling floaty or beating you up.
Battle Born is looking forward to getting these under a truck and putting miles on them. An honest ride review will follow once they've been driven.
Where This Fits
This isn't a long-travel race kit, and it isn't trying to be. It's a bolt-in upgrade for a Tundra owner who wants a better ride, a little lift to fit a bigger tire, and a shock that holds up on weekend trips. If you want more travel, a bypass system is the next step up. If you want a clean, simple upgrade from a name you can trust, this is a good place to start.
Availability
Right now the only application is the 2022 and newer Toyota Tundra. KYB says more makes and models are coming soon. KYB has already said Tacoma and F-150 applications are on the way, so keep an eye out if you drive something else.
Build at a Glance
- Fits: 2022 and newer Toyota Tundra
- Brand: KYB 2000 Series, made in Japan
- Shock body: 2.7 inch diameter, heat-treated 6061 aluminum, hard anodized
- Shaft: 11/16 inch (18mm) hardened, hard chrome plated
- Front: Coilover with lockable, threaded height adjustment collar and new KYB strut mount
- Rear: Shock with protective boot
- Lift: About 2 3/4 inches
- Service: Rebuildable through KYB
Battle Born Offroad knows Toyotas, and the 2000 Series is now available at battlebornoffroad.com. If you drive a 2022 or newer Tundra and want to know whether it fits how you use your truck, give the sales team a call and they'll walk you through it.
Las Vegas, NV 89103
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