Every week somebody backs a truck into my bay and asks the same question: “Bilstein or Fox — what do you run?” The Bilstein vs Fox shocks debate has been running for decades in truck forums, parts stores, and every off-road shop in America. Both are premium brands. Both build excellent monotube dampers. But they … Read more
OEM vs Aftermarket Truck Shocks: Which Should You Choose? When your truck’s shock absorbers start wearing out, one of the first decisions you’ll face is whether to stick with OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) replacements or go with aftermarket alternatives. It’s a question I’ve been asked more times than I can count standing in the shop … Read more
If you’ve ever loaded up your truck bed with a ton of gravel, hooked up a travel trailer, or piled in heavy equipment, you know the feeling — the rear end sags, the headlights point skyward, and the ride gets downright sketchy. That’s where self-leveling shocks come in. These clever suspension components automatically adjust to … Read more
Remote Reservoir Shocks: Do You Really Need Them on Your Truck? If you’ve spent any time browsing truck suspension upgrades, you’ve probably come across remote reservoir shocks — those fancy-looking shocks with an extra canister mounted nearby, connected by a braided hose. They look serious. They cost serious money. But do you actually need them? … Read more
Shocks vs Struts: What’s the Difference and Which Does Your Truck Have? If you’ve ever walked into an auto parts store and asked for “shocks” only to be hit with the question “shocks or struts?” — you’re not alone. I’ve been turning wrenches on trucks for over 15 years, and I still get customers who … Read more
The Complete Guide to Shock Absorber Rebuild vs Replace When your truck’s ride quality starts deteriorating and every pothole feels like a punch to the spine, you’re faced with a critical decision: should you rebuild or replace your shock absorbers? As someone who’s spent over two decades wrenching on everything from half-ton pickups to heavy-duty … Read more
Top 10 Truck Shock Absorber Brands Trusted by Mechanics When you walk into any truck repair shop and ask the guys turning wrenches which shock absorber brands they trust, you’ll hear the same names over and over. After 15+ years of installing, testing, and replacing truck shocks on everything from half-ton pickups to Class 8 … Read more
Best Truck Shock Absorbers for Off-Road Driving in 2026 If you’ve ever hit a washboard dirt road at 40 mph and felt your teeth rattle loose, you already know why off-road shocks matter. The wrong shock absorber turns a weekend trail run into a punishment session for your spine and your truck. I’ve been wrenching … Read more
If you’ve been down the suspension upgrade rabbit hole, you’ve probably hit the same fork in the road that every truck owner eventually reaches: air shocks vs coilover shocks. One promises adjustable ride height and load-leveling capability. The other promises precision handling and a clean, all-in-one package. Both have die-hard fans. And both have specific … Read more
If you’re shopping for replacement shock absorbers, you’ve probably hit the same wall every truck owner does: heavy-duty vs standard shocks. The parts counter guy says you need HDs, your buddy says standards ride better, and the internet just makes it worse with a thousand opinions and no straight answers. After 20+ years wrenching on … Read more