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Shocks for Lifted Trucks
Updated on Jun 6, 2025
The benefits of owning a lifted truck are numerous. Improved off-road performance, increased road visibility, and greater clearances to install aftermarket wheels and tires are just a few.
The parts included with a truck lift kit vary widely depending on the design and brand of the kit in question. However, just like a stock vehicle, some components in a lift kit can wear out over time, most notably the shock absorbers.
There is some confusion about when stock shock absorbers can be utilized and when a specialty set of aftermarket dampers is necessary. In this article, we'll help you determine when you'll need a new set of shocks with your lift kit.
Do I Need Special Shocks for a Lifted Truck?
Depending on the type of lift kit and height, you may need to run different shocks with your lift kit. While a factory shock may bolt into a truck with lifted suspension, it's likely operating near the end of its stroke. As the suspension rebounds or flexes, the shock can easily overextend, damaging the shock's internals, blowing out seals, and delivering poor ride quality. In these cases, aftermarket shocks are required.
To simplify the shopping experience, most lift kit brands include new shock absorbers engineered to accommodate the kit's altered ride height. Sometimes, manufacturers offer multiple shock absorber options, such as hydraulic or gas, twin-tube or monotube, and even dual or remote reservoir designs.
What Lift Kits Require Aftermarket Shocks?
As a general rule of thumb, suspension lift kits that raise your truck by three inches or more usually require a new shock absorber to ensure the shock operates in its intended range of motion. In the following section, we'll provide a more thorough overview of which lift kits typically require aftermarket shocks.
Body Lifts
Body lift kits alter a vehicle's height by raising the body over the frame using one to three-inch spacers. While a body lift effectively provides room in the fenders for oversized tires, ground clearance is minimally impacted, and the suspension remains essentially unchanged.
Typically, body lifts don't require aftermarket shocks since the suspension's geometry and chassis height remain unaltered.
Leveling Kits
Leveling kits help level a vehicle's stance by eliminating the factory rake, which causes the front end to sit considerably lower than the rear. Leveling kits utilize front strut spacers, aftermarket struts, or taller coil springs to accomplish this level stance.
Leveling kits employing strut spacers can reuse factory dampers. However, leveling kits employing coil spacers or taller coil springs may require aftermarket shocks if the leveling kit height exceeds 2.5 inches.
Suspension Lifts
In most cases, suspension lifts measuring three inches or taller require aftermarket shocks. However, while using factory shocks, some employ strut spacers or shock extenders to accommodate the increased ride height. It's vital to understand what brand or style of lift kit your vehicle has installed to determine which shocks are required.
How to Measure Shocks for a Lifted Truck
The most important part of choosing shocks for a lifted truck (besides knowing your truck's year, make, and model) is knowing the correct lift height. This information is included with your lift kit instructions.
If you purchased a truck with a lift kit and are unsure of its height, you'll need to measure the difference between the factory ride height (found in your truck's service manual) and its current ride height. This measurement is usually taken between the axle and frame of the vehicle. So, if the ride height specified by the manual is six inches and your truck's is 12 inches, the vehicle has about six inches of lift.
Best Shocks for a Lifted Truck
So, what shocks best suit a lifted application? In the following section, learn more about the best shocks for a lifted truck.
Built to last and perform on a budget, Superlift Shadow Series shocks are an exceptional replacement for factory-style handling characteristics. For those who predominantly drive on the road with weekend wheeling trips or remote camping adventures, Superlift Shadow Series shocks will take you wherever you need to go comfortably and without breaking the bank.
A damper is only as good as its base materials. Superlift and RealTruck rely on heavy-duty components, like heavy-duty steel shock bodies and corrosion-resistant, chrome-plated shock shafts. 10-stage velocity-sensitive valving provides comfortable, controlled performance on the street or off the beaten path.
Offered in various lift heights and backed by a one-year warranty, Superlift Shadow Series shocks are the ideal choice for any truck or SUV application.
Features:
Engineered for stock or lifted pickups and SUVs
Chrome-plated steel shaft
10-stage velocity-sensitive valving gives maximum control
Maintains a comfortable ride quality, on or off-road
Allows for proper suspension travel
Improves handling and stability
Proudly assembled in Louisiana
One-year warranty
FOX shocks are synonymous with off-road performance. The renowned company specializes in performance-oriented dampers for various applications, ranging from street-driven pickups to competition-level trophy trucks.
FOX 2.0 Adventure Series shocks are an excellent mid-tier offering in the off-road world, balancing off-road performance and on-road comfort. They deliver controlled, predictable handling characteristics in all conditions, featuring various internal technologies to improve performance, including an internal floating piston, vehicle-specific valving, and M92 Advanced Suspension Fluid.
Externally, FOX 2.0 dampers are built to withstand the elements. Powder-coated alloy shock bodies and chrome-plated steel shock shafts prevent corrosion, while premium nitrile rubber bushings prolong wear and tear.
Features:
Monotube design with an internal floating piston
Seamless alloy shock body provides durability
⅝-in. corrosion-resistant chrome-plated hardened steel shock shafts
Vehicle-specific valving delivers uncompromising performance
JM92 Advanced Suspension Fluid for improved cooling performance
Nitrile rubber bushings increase suspension articulation
Long-lasting satin silver powder coat finish
Limited one-year warranty
The Bilstein 5100 is an industry-renowned damper in the aftermarket shock industry. As a purveyor of high-end racing shocks for various on- and off-road motorsports, Bilstein knows a thing or two about performance. The company's B8 5100 shocks are one such example, engineered for exceptional on—and off-road performance.
Bilstein builds its B8 5100 dampers using only the highest-grade materials, including durable steel shock bodies with corrosion-resistant Zinc plating. All dampers are nitrogen-charged for consistent performance at any temperature.
Bilstein B8 5100 dampers are made in the USA and come backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
Features:
Monotube design
Durable steel shock bodies with multi-layer zinc finish
Pressurized with nitrogen for consistent performance
Vehicle-specific design ensures a perfect fit the first time
Simple bolt-on installation
Backed by a lifetime warranty
Made in the USA
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