Best rear shocks

I need to buy some new rear shocks; rancho’s are on their last leg (literally). What does everyone reccomend?

i have a 2.5” AAL.

 

Shock relocation and smooth body king or fox 10"

 

Best?? Custom valved ADS, or King, but you'll need to sell some body parts for them.

The Bilstein 5100s are pretty awesome, especially for like $160 a pair.

What shocks do you have up front? It's best to try and match those as best you can.

For example, Fox and King or a linear shock, whereas the Bilsteins, OME and Icon are a digressive shock. Here's a link that describes the different types:

https://accutuneoffroad.com/articles/digressive-vs-linear-vs-progressive-pistons-shock-valving/

Basically, they are designed towards different types of terrain, but the linear ones typically have a better on-road feel.

That said, I currently have extended travel Kings in the front (linear) and 5100s (digressive) in the rear. I used to have 5100s on all 4 corners, but then I upgraded to Kings. The only reason I'm still running the 5100s is budgetary, but it does okay for now...

So, if you're on a budget, you can't really go wrong with 5100's.

 

2.5 inch lift? Part number on those? Theres a few different options. Looking for shocks that fit better for my truck and not looking to spend much.

 

Are these the ones you speak of?

$90 Bilstein 5100 Series Shock Absorber - 24-186810

https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/bilstein-5100-series-shock-absorber-24-186810/_/R-BBGL-24-186810

 

Kings

 

I doubt it. Those look like they're for a 2nd gen.


These are for a 1st gen, and should be good for up to 3" lift. Just to be sure, I'd call them and let them know what you have (lift wise) and they'll hook you up.

 

Bilstein 5100s

 

Bilstein 5100

This is what I'd recommend for sure.

You really don't know what you're talking about.

Granted the OP didn't set a budget, but for you to say Kings implies buying something they offer off the shelf for our trucks.

Their off the shelf rear shocks are meant to be OEM replacements; this means that their extended and collapsed lengths aren't meant for a lifted vehicle.

Some members have found that out the hard way so the only way you'd get Kings in the rear is if you custom order them based on how your truck is set up or run them with no lift at all.

 

Didn't realize it was a 1st gen. According to 2 different websites, OEM length kings can be used for up to 1.5" of lift. Plenty of people run OEM length rear kings with 1-2" of lift with no issue. yes, they are reducing travel but they still have no issue. He never set a budget as you said, so a shock relocation is still in the picture and will support his 2.5" AAL.

 

Different vendors will quote the same King rear shocks with varying results; you'll find 0" of lift up to 1" of lift (haven't seen anything more than that). Someone even called King and they said a max of 1" or so.

There was a thread last year where I guy piggy backed on some suggestions only to say he killed his King rear shocks with a 1" or 2" lift; happened when they bottomed out.

Another member recently asked, and against all advice, bought the Kings anyway.

He reported having bottomed out several times but is happy with the way it rides; it's only a matter of time until he kills his shocks.

 

Hey Kwikvette you have my fox shocks all boxed up to ship yet

 

They're just sitting in a closet

 

next to some fresh kings!

 

Yeah...too lazy to install them cause I'd have to install the UCAs inside the box.

 

I bought the 5100’s and I am very pleased with them so far!

 

How much money do you want to spend? Kings and Fox are top dog in my opinion. On a budget, stick with your Ranchos.

 

Unless he goes custom, Kings are not the way to go.

He'd need to go with the universal eyelet to eyelet Fox shock for that much of a lift in the rear.

Even then, most would suggest going with a shock relocation before dropping nice coin for a rear shock; the travel is somewhat limited (not to mention the leaf pack as well)

Just correcting you for those that follow advice given on here; would hate to see someone spend hard earned money on the wrong stuff.