A truck shock, also known as a truck dampener or shock absorber, does exactly what its name suggests. It absorbs shock or dampens your ride. That’s why we have compiled a list of best shocks for trucks currently available in the market.
In simpler terms, it does a remarkable job of quelling those bouncing and shaking that result from speed bumps, potholes, and the like.
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How Does A Truck Shock Work?
The dampener works by connecting the spring to your truck wheels- through the frame and axles method. Thus, as you drive your truck, the springs will then bounce by the terrain you’re on.
As you know, failing to control the bounces that occur when driving causes the chassis to efficiently respond to every action of the springs, resulting in a bumpy ride. Add the fact that the tires tend to rebound differently from springs and that will bring you into a situation where you’re likely to lose total control of your vehicle.
A good truck shock works tirelessly to ensure the tires and springs do not conspire to make you lose contact with the road. A durable shock is necessary as it helps you enjoy its service for a longer period. That being said, be sure to pay attention to the housing of the shock you’re eyeing. It should be made from heavy-duty material that doesn’t give in easily to elements such as corrosion, rust, etc.
Also, pay attention to the piston rod. Ensure it’s made from high-strength metal. Most of them come with chrome/zinc finish to keep them from easily corroding, which can affect their functionality.
Top 10 Best Shocks For Trucks
Below listed are the best shocks for 4×4 trucks currently you can purchase for your truck. These are available online on amazon.
1. Bilstein 24-186742 Shocks
Description
Blistein is always the best brand to go for when looking for the best shock absorber for smooth rides, and this is one of the key reasons why their 5100 Series rear shock is our top pick.
The shock is made from sturdy and durable metal to ensure that it serves you for many years and it makes use of some top-notch technologies for an impressive performance.
These technologies include the 46 mm mono-tube design that helps to ensure consistent and fade-free performance in all driving conditions. And the patented digressive valving that will react instantly to changing surfaces for smooth and consistent rides. This makes it one of the best shocks for 4×4 trucks.
Pros
- Consistent and fade-free performance
- Easy installation
- Instant reaction to surface changes
- Sturdy and durable metal
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Still a little stiffer than factory shocks
- Does not work well for heavily lifted vehicles
2. ACDelco 580-435 Shocks
Description
For those that use their light trucks on various surfaces, this shock absorber by ACDelco is meant to ensure that you always get smoother and more comfortable rides. It’s one of the best shocks for trucks in the market.
Even though it is the priciest item on our shock absorber reviews, you can be confident that you will get what you pay for as they are not only high-performing and reliable but also last for a long time.
The front shock absorber is built to match your original factory shocks in fit, form, and function, and so with these shocks on your light truck, you can be confident of great control and smooth rides.
Pros
- It is Built to GM OE specifications
- Durable materials
- High-quality and reliable
- Hardware included for simple and precise replacement
Cons
- Relatively pricier
3. KYB 349105 Shocks
Description
It is one of the best shock absorber brands out there and many vehicle owners love their products as they are not only high quality but also come at a relatively affordable price tag.
This particular rear gas shock has been specially calibrated to ensure that you get the original handling and control characteristics or at least something as close to this as possible.
The shock absorber uses a seamless working cylinder that is matched with a Teflon coated piston band to ensure that it has a positive seal for long service life. It’s one of the best shocks for trucks in the market.
With this shock absorber, you will also get to retain correct wheel alignment thanks to the precision, sintered iron strut rod. And the shock absorber also comes with solid mounting eye rings and some bolt bushings to eliminate rattles.
Pros
- Restores original handling and control characteristics
- Long-lasting cylinder and piston
- Helps retain proper wheel alignment
- Relatively affordable
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Bolt holes seem a little too close
- A little longer than many OEM shocks
4. Bilstein 24191203 Shocks
Description
Here is another top-notch quality mono-tube shock absorber from Bilstein that is designed to ensure that you get a better ride quality and improved handling and control.
The mono-tube design provides a consistent and fade-free performance for the lifetime of the shock, and it also makes these shocks ideal for a variety of terrains.
With the unique velocity and sensitive digressive piston, this shock is designed to react instantly to changing road conditions. This ensures a smooth transition from one surface to the other and hence making it one of the most comfortable shock absorbers out there.
Pros
- Consistent fade-free performance
- Instant reaction to road condition changes
- Improved ride quality and better handling
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Damping is a little too soft for heavy trucks
- Not good enough for off-road
5. Monroe MA82 Shocks
Description
Monroe is one of the oldest shock absorber brands and what this means is that they have had more than enough time to know what works well for all kinds of vehicles.
It’s one of the best shocks for trucks in the market. Their MA822 are mono-tube shock absorbers with an air-adjustable internal design that will let you inflate or deflate the shock as needed to suit different vehicle loads.
Smooth and comfortable rides are also guaranteed with these Monroe shock absorbers thanks to the fully displaced valving that provides a better valving range for both the compression and extension cycles.
These shocks use an all-weather fluid with special modifiers that help to reduce friction and also ensure smooth rod reaction.
Pros
- Smooth and comfortable rides
- Consistent and long-lasting rod
- Relatively easy installation
- Great for heavy vehicles
- Inflatable as needed
Cons
- Does not come with retainer nuts or lower bolts
- Installation takes a little more effort
6. Bilstein 24-187374 Shocks
Description
Like most other top-notch quality mono-tube shock absorbers, these Bilstein ones are also designed to ensure that you always get consistent and fade-free performance. And it has been a product from one of the best shock absorber brands you can also be confident of long service life.It’s one of the best shocks for trucks in the market.
Also, the installation is quite straightforward as the manufacturer provides everything that you will need, and it should only take a couple of hours at most.
The velocity-sensitive digressive pistons are designed to react fast to changing road conditions for smooth and consistent rides. And each of these shocks undergoes an application-specific tuning for optimal performance.
Pros
- It is Consistent and fade-free performance
- Easy installation
- Velocity-sensitive piston
- Application-specific tuned
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Not adjustable
7. Monroe 911262 Shocks
Description
Monroe 911262 is a top-rated shock absorber that uses ASD technology which is an innovative valving design that provides greater control for improved handling and also improves the ride comfort.
The shocks also use an all-weather fluid that is designed to reduce friction while also ensuring a smooth rod reaction. It’ s one of the best shocks for trucks in the market.
The Monroe 911262 has a Fluon Banded piston that provides a consistent seal between the pressure tube and piston for better control and also to ensure maximum durability.
Pros
- Improved ride comfort
- Quick and easy installation
- All-weather fluid
- Better handling and safety
Cons
- Thin paint might not provide long rust-resistance
- Can be a little higher on some vehicles
8. KYB 565102 Shocks
Description
With up to 40% more damping performance than what you get from standard gas shock absorbers, the KYB 565102 will be the perfect choice for upgrading the suspensions on your GM truck.
The mono-tube design also helps to make these some of the best shock absorbers for light trucks as it provides consistent and fade-free performance.
And the stainless steel piston which also has a zinc coating will provide a positive seal even when driving in extreme conditions.
KYB also puts a rubber boot on these shock absorbers that will help protect the shaft while also keeping debris and dirt away from the seals for a long shock service life.
Pros
- Protective rubber boot included
- Greater damping performance
- Ideal for heavier and more powerful vehicles
- Heavy-duty construction
- Auto adjusts to driving conditions
Cons
- Bushings will not fit some vehicles correctly
- Still a little short for some trucks
9. Monroe 31000 Shocks
Description
The Monro-Matic shock absorber is the cheapest item on our shock absorber reviews, and so if you are looking for quality at an affordable price this will be a great pick
One of the key factors that make this one of the best shock absorbers out there is the all-weather fluid as it makes a huge difference for the overall performance by reducing friction and ensuring smooth rod reaction. It’s one of the top-rated truck shocks in the market.
The 1/2-inch piston rod is nitrocarburized for a long service life while the relatively larger bore is designed to provide more efficiency and consistent control.
Pros
- All-weather fluid
- Long-lasting rod
- High productivity and consistency
- Velocity-sensitive valving
- Highly affordable
Cons
- These are not heavy-duty shocks
Cannot take heavy loads for long
10. ACDelco 530-301 Shocks
Description
It is another top brand that you can always trust to have the best shock absorber for SUV, cars or trucks. And if you like the gas-charged types their 539-301 professional model is a top-notch choice.
This heavy-duty shock features a hardened chromed piston rod with micro-cracks to provide an ultra-smooth and self-lubricating surface that is also both corrosion and scratch resistant for long seal life.
The DOM (drawn over mandrel) pressure cylinder provides improved sealing properties while also minimizing internal friction for long shock life. It’s one of the best shocks for trucks.
Gas-charged design reduces fluid aeration for better response and consistent control. The multi-lip piston seal is also permanently lubricated to help keep dirt and other contaminants away from the internal rod.
Pros
- A permanently lubricated piston rod
- Reduced fluid aeration
- Relatively long shock life
- Minimized piston blow-by
- Corrosion and scratch-resistant
Cons
- A little thinner and shorter than OEM shocks
10 Best Shocks For Trucks
Below we run through the best shocks for trucks available in the market today.
- Bilstein 24-186742 Shocks
- ACDelco 580-435 Shocks
- KYB 349105 Shocks
- Bilstein 24191203 Shocks
- Monroe MA82 Shocks
- Bilstein 24-187374 Shocks
- Monroe 911262 Shocks
- KYB 565102 Shocks
- Monroe 31000 Shocks
- ACDelco 530-301 Shocks
Frequently Asked Questions:
So,here are some of the frequently asked questions about which shocks give e smoothest , what brand shocks are best etc?-
Which Shocks Give The Smoothest Ride?
The smoothest riding shocks be nearly identical to factory tuning, like the Bilstein B4 series, or Monroe OE Spectrum. All of these have the most forgiving valving for road comfort.
What Brand Shocks Are Best?
Brand shocks which are best-
- Bilstein Rear Shock Absorber.
- Bilstein Shock Absorber.
- Monroe Load Adjust Shock Absorber.
- Monroe Load Adjusting Shock Absorber.
Will New Shocks Make My Truck Ride Smoother?
Shocks helps to provide a smooth ride as you drive your car for making the ride smoother. They also greatly contribute to your ability to maintain control of your car while on the road.
Which Bilstein Shock Is Better Truck?
The Bilstein 5100 zinc plated monotube shock is heavier-than-stock vehicles, trucks or Jeeps and anything modified and not factory. The 5100 shocks make the ride smooth than stock, do not be mistaken.
Why Is My Truck So Bouncy?
Your car may be bouncing excessively when your wheel alignment is bad. Your tires have uneven wear. You have a loose steering linkage.
How Long Do Rancho 9000 Shocks Last?
Rancho 9000 shocks last, from 50-100k miles. The adjustability of them really go a long way in dialing in the comfort, which depends upon what is the need of the driver.
What Setting Should Rancho 9000 Shocks Be Set At?
The soft settings (1-3) are designed for off road flexibility Medium (4-6) and firm (7-9) are designed for daily driving, or towing situations when need is control.
Conclusion
It is possible to drive a car with worn shocks and some people still do it for many miles, but it is not something you should look forward to or even get used to.
Shocks are integral for getting a smooth ride, good vehicle control, and also for other things like braking and turning, and hence you need to replace them when they get damaged.
Finding the best replacement shock absorbers should now not be a problem as this piece highlights everything you need to know from the types to the important things to consider when shopping.
Our recommendation based on customer reviews and specs is the Bilstein 24-186742 shocks.
