Best Shocks for Trucks in 2020 (Reviews and Guide)

You are probably thinking about purchasing high performance shock absorbers for your truck but you are still wondering which brand will suit your needs best. Well, let’s have a look at the different brands and see what they offer.

The shock absorbers we are looking at are the best in the market because they offer great performance efficiently and are durable even when used in rough road terrains regularly. They are all engineered for heavy duty applications but do have a few differences that make each one of them stand out. What I mean is that these shock absorbers will always be up for any challenge that you bring to them and trust me, they won’t back out!

Comparison Table for the Best Shocks for Trucks

Name	Design	Style	Check on Amazon
Bilstein 5100 series	Monotube	Gas charged	Buy Here
KYB Monomax Gas Shock	Monotube	Gas charged	Buy Here
Monroe MA822 Max- Air	Monotube	Air shock	Buy Here
Monroe 58640 Load Adjusting Shock Absorber	Twin- tubed	Gas charged	Buy Here
KYB Excel- G Gas Shock	Twin- tubed	Gas charged	Buy Here
Monroe 91153 Reflex Shock Absorber	Monotube	Gas charged	Buy Here
Gabriel Hijackers Air shocks	Monotube	Air shock	Buy Here

The Best Shocks for Trucks in 2020 Overview

Bilstein 5100 Series

These shock absorbers will improve the standards of your vehicle by a big margin as they deliver a smooth and comfortable ride on various road conditions.

Specs

• 46mm Monotube internal design.
• High flow piston.
• It is gas charged.
• Zinc plated finish.

In addition to this, they come with OEM certified mounting hardware which enables you to install them very easily on the truck. The 46mmMonotube design of the shock guarantees you optimum performance through every road condition without the shock fading. This enables the shock to operate efficiently at all times. The Zinc plated finish on the shock prevents the shock from corroding which enables the shock absorber to have a long service life before it requires replacement. This improves the durability of this shock absorber.

Pros

• It is easy to install.
• Comes with a lifetime warranty.
• Durable.
• Guarantees you fad free performance.

Cons

• Stiffer than factory shocks

Verdict

These shock absorbers guarantee you quality service and handling from your vehicle making it the best overall shock absorbers for your truck. Its High flow pistons allow the shock absorber to adjust to different road conditions so as to let you experience the best quality ride regardless of the terrain.

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KYB Monomax Gas Shock

This series has two great models, the KYB 565102 which is a large bore shock for the front and the KYB 565104 which is also a large bore shock for the rear which improve the stability of your truck exceptionally.

Specs

• Wide bore monotube.
• Off-road shaft rubber boot.
• Comes with a lifetime warranty.
• Zinc coated finish.

In addition to this, the Monomax shock absorber delivers up to 40% more damping performance from a standard gas shock absorber which enhances a very comfortable ride. Its monotube design features a larger piston which not only improves damping but also guarantees you a fade- free performance shock absorber. Moreover, it comes with a rubber boot that protects the shaft seals from dirt which prolongs the shock absorber service life.

Pros

• Rubber boot protects the shock absorber shaft.
• Great damping performance.
• Adjusts effectively to different terrain conditions.
• Ideal for heavy duty trucks.

Cons

• The bushings of the shock may not directly fit some vehicles.

Verdict

The MonoMax gas shock will give your truck exceptional stability even in harsh terrains and still maintain comfort throughout. Aside from this, the shock will also enable your truck to have a reliable centre of gravity when it is heavily loaded at the back making it a good choice of shock absorbers.

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Monroe MA822 Max- Air

The MA822 is a mono- tube shock absorber made up of an air adjustable internal design that enables you to add or reduce air in the shock to suit your load capacity. It can be inflated up to 150psi enabling you to maintain the height of the truck even when you carry very heavy load.

Specs

• Hardened ½ inch piston rod.
• All weather fluid.
• Large sized Volume air chamber.
• Sintered iron piston.

Due to its fully displaced valving system, it provides the shock with a wider valving range for compression and extension cycles in the shock. This feature notably improves the comfort of the ride. In addition to this, this shock absorber uses an all- weather fluid that contains special modifiers which lubricate the rods efficiently reducing friction. This prolongs the time taken before you are required to take the shocks for service. Its ½ inch piston rod is manufactured with precision and made of hardened material which enables optimum performance of the shock consistently without any form of wear. Moreover, the Sintered iron piston consists of a stronger material as compared to the normal material used to build shocks which enhances the durability of the Monroe MA822 shock.

Pros

• Can be inflated.
• Offers comfortable ride.
• Great performance even under heavy load.
• Very easy to install.

Cons

• No retainer nuts or lower bolts.

Verdict

The Monroe MA822 shock is what you need if you constantly carry heavy load on your truck or are used to pushing heavy trailers regularly. This is because they are manufactured to maintain the ride height of your truck efficiently even when you carry loads weighing up to 1100lbs. It also has great specs that enhance reliability and long life before servicing it making it a very good shock absorber to acquire.

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Monroe 58640 Load Adjusting Shock Absorber

This is a shock absorber from the Monroe brand that adapts to the weight of the load and road conditions improving the comfortability of your truck efficiently.

Specs

• 5/8 inch Nitrocarburized rod.
• Nitrogen gas charged.
• Uniquely designed single groove pressure Tube.
• Heavy Gauge calibrated coil spring.

The Monroe 58640 offers you great comfort when you are driving your truck due to its fully displaced valving system. This system automatically adjusts the shock’s stiffness depending on the road terrain delivering maximum comfort in your truck throughout. It also comes with a heavy gauge calibrated coil spring that is computerized during manufacturing which is designed for optimum performance even in rough terrains without increasing the stiffness of the shock.

The Fluon band on the piston of the shock provides a seal between the pressure tube and shock piston enabling your truck to have great handling on the road. With the unique single groove pressure tube, you are assured of a comfortable ride with great control whenever you drive your truck. In addition to this shock is Nitrogen gas charged which helps maintain tyre to road contact all the time by reducing aeration which usually causes the shock to lose its damping power. The all-weather fluid and special seal enhance seamless rod reaction and offer constant lubrication in the rod efficiently therefore the shock moves fluidly.

Pros

• Chrome finish that improves service life.
• Low maintenance cost.
• Comfortable ride feel.
• Handles heavy loads of up to 1100lbs.

Cons

• It does not come with lower bolts or nuts.

Verdict

• The Monroe MA822 is a shock absorber that is able to handle heavy loads of up to 1100lbs and still be able to adapt to different road conditions efficiently ensuring you a comfortable ride. It stands out as a shock because it provides you with optimum performance throughout at a low maintenance cost.

 

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KYB Excel- G Gas Shock

The KYB Excel-G Gas shock is manufactured with the purpose to deliver ride comfort and handling that is similar to how the truck came from the factory. This series consists of the KYB349151 and KYB 345055 which are specifically built for trucks and SUVs.

Specs

• Twin- tube design.
• Nitrogen gas charged.
• Ultra- smooth triple chrome plated piston.
• Teflon coated piston band.

The nitrogen gas-charged and twin-tube design of this shock enables the truck to maintain road-tyre contact at all times by eliminating shock aeration which enhances great handling throughout. KYB also equipped this shock with in- house damping valves which consist of efficient rebound and compression valves which guarantee you steady body control and steering response. In addition to this, it also comes with an Ultra- smooth triple chrome plated piston which reduces wear on the piston seals which enhances reliability of the shock and prolongs the time taken before the next service.

A synthetic oil seal is also equipped to restrict the fluid in the shock which also comes with a wiper which keeps out oil contaminants. This feature enables the shock to operate at its optimum performance efficiently for a long time without replacement. The KYB shock uses thick and strong brackets which improves the rigidity of the truck with a sintered iron rod guide that maintains Proper wheel alignment even when you drive on rough terrains frequently.

Specs

• Twin- tube design.
• Nitrogen gas charged.
• Ultra- smooth triple chrome plated piston.
• Teflon coated piston band.

Pros

• Maintains proper wheel alignment of the truck.
• Comes with a lifetime warranty.
• The piston and cylinder last for a very long time.
• Restores handling and stability of the truck.

Cons

• The bolt holes are close to each other.

Verdict

The KYB Excel-G GAS shock is a good choice if you use your truck as a daily driver. This is because it maintains the original comfort of the truck but still delivers better overall performance on all road conditions efficiently as compared to stock shock absorbers.

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Monroe 91153 Reflex Shock Absorber

This shock absorber provides you with comfort and great handling especially when you are driving fast, be it on smooth tarmac or rough roads by the country side. In summary, it eliminates frequent bumpiness of the truck when you are driving.

Specs

• High pressure Nitrogen gas charged.
• Fluon banded piston.
• Hydraulic Lockout.
• Nitrocarburized Rod.

The Monroe 91153 shock is equipped with a high-pressure nitrogen gas charge that separates oil from nitrogen which adds the spring rate of the shock. This ensures that the shock absorber damping ability is efficient offering you a comfortable ride and good handling throughout. In addition to this, the hydraulic lockout cushions the feel of the impact when you hit a pothole or go over a bump when the shock extends fully which enhances comfortability of the truck as well.

The rod of this shock contains an all-weather fluid that has special additives which constantly lubricate the rod reducing any form of friction. This increases durability of the shock absorber. Aside from this, it is also equipped with a shock housing and Nitrocarburized rod which provide the shock absorber longer service life. Lastly, its fluon band provides a seal between the shock piston and the pressure tube which enables you have better handling of the truck even at higher speeds.

Pros

• Offers great vehicle handling.
• Impact roof.
• Hydraulic lockout feature enhances comfort efficiently.
• Works efficiently in all road terrains.

Cons

• It is very noisy especially over bumps.

Verdict

This shock absorber provides you great handling and comfort as it comes with features that absorb any road potholes or bumps efficiently. It is also a very good choice for light trucks as it offers great durability.

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Gabriel Hijackers Air shocks

The Gabriel Hijackers are air shocks that are manufactured with the sole purpose of handling very heavy loads that are towed by your truck.

Specs

• Chrome finished piston rod.
• Adjustable piston valve assembly.
• Dirt wiper equipped Oil seal.
• Smooth Pressure tube.

This shock absorber is equipped with a chrome finished piston rod which protects the rods from rust and reduces wear which enhances the durability of this shock. Its Adjusting Piston Valve Assembly automatically adjusts itself as the shock absorber covers more mileage maintaining the tight seal between the pressure tube and shock piston. Therefore it reduces any form of oil leak that would occur prolonging the life of the shock absorber.

In addition to this, the oil seal consists of a wiper that sweeps away road dirt preventing debris from finding its way inside the seal. This also ensures the shock has a long service life. The smoothened pressure tube of the shock Pressure Tube reduces the chances of friction in the shock enabling it to work at its peak performance for a long time without replacement.

Pros

• Long lasting shock absorber.
• Can handle heavy loads.
• Pistons are leak proof.
• Great technology that enhances good handling. E.g G- Force technology.

Cons

• Doesn’t have enough resistance to keep the truck ride height level.

Verdict

The Gabriel Hijackers Air Shock is recommended for you if you constantly tow your trailer or a cargo carrier with heavy loads on the back of your truck. Its technology will enables it to work efficiently and at the same time offer you a smooth ride.

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What to Consider When Buying Shock Absorbers for Trucks

Style

Shock absorbers come in different styles depending on what function they are built to do. You should always consider the style of the shock based on what specific ride condition you would prefer and functionality. The various shock styles are as follows.

Gas shocks

They contain oil and nitrogen gas which act as a cushion when the truck is bouncing on an un-levelled road terrain providing you a comfortable ride. They are also more durable than standard shocks.

Heavy duty shocks

These are shocks that will come with a bigger centre shaft that enables it to handle heavy load efficiently. They are usually built for trucks and SUVs.

Air shocks

These shocks require air to be added into them manually when there is heavy load at the trunk of the truck which raise the height of truck maintaining equal ride height. They improve handling of the truck.

Overload shocks

These are shock absorbers that have a spring coil around the shock which stiffen the shock making them great for use in 4×4 vehicles that are constantly driven in rocky terrains.

Compatibility

You should always consider the shocks’ compatibility to your vehicle. This ensures that you get the right shock absorber which will fit directly into your car as compared to buying shocks which don’t end up fitting in your car either because of its design or size.

Driving conditions

The roads that you constantly drive through should also be a factor that you should consider when choosing shock absorbers. Standard shocks are normally good enough for smooth road surfaces and heavy duty shocks are the better option for rough road terrains.

Material and durability

The shock material usually determines how long the shock absorber will last before you are required to replace it. It is wise to settle for a shock that will offer long service life. Steel shocks are cheaper and difficult to install while aluminium shocks are pricier but also offer you great durability.

Conclusion

In summary, these 7 shock absorbers offer you great comfort and reliability due to their great build designs and features. They do have different shock styles and build design but they all deliver optimum performance efficiently even in rough road terrains. Therefore, you can consider any one of these shock absorbers if you value a comfortable ride in your truck even under the toughest of road conditions. Looking for a low priced jack to help you replace your shocks? Check out our guide for the best car jack under $100!

FAQs

What is the life expectancy of a shock absorber?

This generally depends on the road conditions they are driven on. It can last up to 10 years if you constantly drive on smooth road surfaces and 5 years if you drive on rough road terrains regularly.

How do I know when my shocks need replacement?

When your shocks start wearing out, they will start being noisy and your ride comfort will reduce significantly.