Choosing Shocks for Your 2011-2013 Ram 2500
We've been running the Rancho RS9000XL shocks on our new Power Wagon for a few thousand miles now, we've got some first impressions and how they stack up against the factory Bilstein shocks that came on this beast.
Bilstein - 4600 Factory Replacement
Daily Driver, Off-Road
$$$$
One of the aftermarket ride control standards in shock absorbers, Bilstein has designed these shocks to improve handling and ride control, while maintaining relative comfort compared to a softer factory-like shock. Exceptionally long life and dependability, the Bilstein 4600 is not only great for the daily driver, but also capable of towing, hauling loads, and easy offroad trails.
Pros
- Excellent factory upgrade for improved handling
- Long lasting, very durable
- Reduces nose dive and body roll
- Capable for heavy duty use, easy 4x4 trails
Cons
- Firmer than stock-like shocks
- Higher tier shock, higher price
- Yellow isn’t everyone’s favorite color
KYB - Gas-A-Just
Daily Driver, Tow/Haul
$$$$
KYB’s Gas-a-Just shock is a factory upgrade, utilizing a monotube high pressure gas design that improves handling and other performance factors for your vehicle. These shocks have a better lifespan than most factory-replacement shocks, and provide noticeable ride quality improvements.
Pros
- Increased handling and performance over factory shocks
- Longer lifespan than Excel-G and factory shocks
- Monotube design translates to more consistency
Cons
- More road feedback
Bilstein - 5100 Series, 46mm Piston
Daily Driver, Off-Road
$$$$
One of the best selling shocks for the Truck, SUV, and Jeep market, the Bilstein 5100 excels at daily drivability mixed with off-road capability. Slightly firmer than the 4600 series, and firmer than a stock-like shock, these high-pressure gas shocks offer improved handling on lifted vehicles and improved response with larger wheels & tires.
Pros
- Leveling-Kit ability for certain apps
- Great off-road capable shock upgrade
- Durable, long lasting
- Improved handling on & off-road
- Heavy Duty, Tow, Haul capable
Cons
- Firmer than stock-like shocks
- Performance Shock, higher price
KYB - Monomax
Daily Driver, Tow/Haul
$$$$
The Monomax shock is KYB’s heavy duty shock absorber meant for workhorse trucks or offroad vehicles that see tough terrain. These shocks have increased compression and rebound damping to account for heavy loads, larger wheels & tires, or aggressive terrain.
Pros
- Excellent heavy duty shock for the price
- Increases handling and performance significantly
- Monotube high gas pressure design, great longevity
Cons
- Not a "smooth riding shock" - increases road feedback
- Red may not match your vehicle well.
Rancho - RS7000MT
Daily Driver, Off-Road
$$$$
Rancho’s monotube gas shock, providing a different feel for the road and terrain compared to a twin-tube shock. With a thicker piston and single chamber, the RS7000MT is more consistent with handling on and off-road.
Pros
- Zinc plated for durability against the environments
- Monotube design for better consistency vs a twin tube shock
- Better response for vehicles with larger wheels and tires, or lifted
- 90-day Ride Guarantee by Rancho
Cons
- Limited application availability
Bilstein - 5100 Series, 46mm Piston
Daily Driver, Off-Road
$$$$
One of the best selling shocks for the Truck, SUV, and Jeep market, the Bilstein 5100 excels at daily drivability mixed with off-road capability. Slightly firmer than the 4600 series, and firmer than a stock-like shock, these high-pressure gas shocks offer improved handling on lifted vehicles and improved response with larger wheels & tires.
Pros
- Leveling-Kit ability for certain apps
- Great off-road capable shock upgrade
- Durable, long lasting
- Improved handling on & off-road
- Heavy Duty, Tow, Haul capable
Cons
- Firmer than stock-like shocks
- Performance Shock, higher price
Bilstein - 5100 Series, 46mm Piston
Daily Driver, Off-Road
$$$$
One of the best selling shocks for the Truck, SUV, and Jeep market, the Bilstein 5100 excels at daily drivability mixed with off-road capability. Slightly firmer than the 4600 series, and firmer than a stock-like shock, these high-pressure gas shocks offer improved handling on lifted vehicles and improved response with larger wheels & tires.
Pros
- Leveling-Kit ability for certain apps
- Great off-road capable shock upgrade
- Durable, long lasting
- Improved handling on & off-road
- Heavy Duty, Tow, Haul capable
Cons
- Firmer than stock-like shocks
- Performance Shock, higher price
Bilstein - 5160 Reservoir Series
Off-Road, Tow/Haul
$$$$
The reservoir upgrade on the 5160 shock allows a more go-fast attitude offroad, providing more travel and heat dissipation, and less operating pressures for off-road longevity. These shocks are for off-road enthusiasts who see a lot of dirt, and need all the capability possible in a compact inexpensive package.
Pros
- Inexpensive reservoir shock upgrade
- Allows higher speed offroad travel with control
- Increased travel vs 5100 counterpart
Cons
- 90 day warranty
- Not rebuildable unless sent back to Bilstein
FOX - 2.0 Performance IFP
Daily Driver, Off-Road
$$$$
The Fox 2.0 IFP high performance shocks are for a go-fast attitude offroad, providing significant handling improvement on & off-road over typical street-shocks. These shocks excel in aggressive terrain and the dirt, and are a great performance upgrade over factory or Bilstein.
Pros
- Coilovers provide Leveling-kit ability
- Excellent High Performance entry level shock
- Handles hard hits well
- Improves handling and traction in all terrains
- Rebuildable / Serviceable
Cons
- Higher price point compared to similar offerings
- Requires servicing for optimal performance
- Firmer than factory and other factory-like upgrades
ICON - Stage 1 Coilovers
Daily Driver, Off-Road
$$$$
Step into improved handling and comfort for your daily drive and dirt activities. Through ICON’s digressive valving, this leads to improved handling without sacrificing too much ride comfort in the pursuit of spirited driving and high performance.
Pros
- Improved handling on and off-road
- Built for moderate to high speed
- Rebuildable and serviceable
- Can upgrade through higher stages
Cons
- Requires servicing for optimum performance
- Off-road focused, may be too firm for daily-driver only
FOX - 2.5 Factory Series
Off-Road, Tow/Haul
$$$$
Stepping up to the Fox 2.5 Factory Race series shocks brings significant improvements in both comfort and ride control. The increased size of the 2.5” shock offers increased shock oil, lower operating pressures, and allows high speed driving on aggressive terrain while maintaining great control of the vehicle through race-level tuning.
Pros
- Huge improvement to road comfort and off-road handling in one package
- Adjustable & Reservoir options
- Serviceable, Rebuildable, Custom Tuning Available
- Excellent handling in high speed environments
Cons
- Requires servicing between 30-50k miles for optimum performance