KYB Gas-A-Just vs KYB Excel-G

basstrix · Oct 7, 2024

A couple of years ago, I installed the Gas-A-Just shocks for the Mustang application. The ride is a bit stiffer than I'd like and considering moving to the Excel-G version. I'm kinda irritated with KYB for this mismatch on length.

I have a couple of questions for those of you who have experience with these shocks.

1. If you switched from the Gas-A-Just (PN KG4504) to the Excel-G (PN 343156) are you happy with the swap?
2. I also have the Gas-A-Just on the rear. I'd like the softer ride from the Exel-G, but I also have been happy with the lack of wheel hop...I have old school Lakewood traction bars as well. If you swapped over to the softer shock, did you change both front and rear? Did rear wheel behavior, as it relates to hard acceleration, change at all? Should I expect it to change?

detritusmaximus · Oct 7, 2024

basstrix said:
A couple of years ago, I installed the Gas-A-Just shocks for the Mustang application. The ride is a bit stiffer than I'd like and considering moving to the Excel-G version. I'm kinda irritated with KYB for this mismatch on length.

I have a couple of questions for those of you who have experience with these shocks.

1. If you switched from the Gas-A-Just (PN KG4504) to the Excel-G (PN 343156) are you happy with the swap?
2. I also have the Gas-A-Just on the rear. I'd like the softer ride from the Exel-G, but I also have been happy with the lack of wheel hop...I have old school Lakewood traction bars as well. If you swapped over to the softer shock, did you change both front and rear? Did rear wheel behavior, as it relates to hard acceleration, change at all? Should I expect it to change?

Excel G is the replacement for the old KYB GR2.
I have heard some guys like the Gas-A-Just up front with GR2/Excel G in back. The softer shock may work better with the lower spring rate in the rear.

basstrix · Oct 8, 2024

detritusmaximus said:
Excel G is the replacement for the old KYB GR2.
I have heard some guys like the Gas-A-Just up front with GR2/Excel G in back. The softer shock may work better with the lower spring rate in the rear.

Thanks for the input. I'm considering to try running the softer Excel G's up front and leaving the stiffer Gas-A-Just at the back to prevent wheel hop? Thinking back, I don't recall ever having a wheel hop problem...probably because of those traction bars?

Stanglover · Oct 8, 2024

I switched from Gas-A-Just to Excel-G all around and find the ride much less harsh. I didn't notice any problem with length.

Stanglover · Oct 8, 2024

basstrix said:
Thanks for the input. I'm considering to try running the softer Excel G's up front and leaving the stiffer Gas-A-Just at the back to prevent wheel hop? Thinking back, I don't recall ever having a wheel hop problem...probably because of those traction bars?

Back a few years, before I upgraded to a Trac-Lock diff, wheel hop was an issue. I first bought 4 1/2 leaf Grab-A-Track rear springs that turned out to be total junk. I then switched to Eaton 351 Boss rear springs at 153 lb spring rate and also added an Addco 7/8" sway bar. With the Trac-Lock and the beefier springs, no more wheel hop, but boy the back end is STIFF! Doing it again (which I'm not) I would use the stock Eaton 138 lb springs.

351c1971 · Oct 8, 2024

Ride harshness is also a function of wheel diameter. The 14 inch wheels will usually give you a a softer ride.

I am running 14 x 7 inch OEM steel wheels and the older Gas-A-Jus shocks all around. The ride is firm but not harsh.