When it comes to high-performance suspension, no two drivers have the same expectations. Some want their truck to ride comfortably on the highway while remaining capable on weekend trail rides. Others want maximum control blasting across desert terrain at speed. That’s why custom shock tuning is at the core of everything we do at AccuTune Offroad.
Since 2001, AccuTune Offroad has specialized in off-road shock valving for everything from daily driven Toyota 4Runners and Ford Broncos to Ultra4 race cars competing at King of the Hammers. Over the last two decades, we’ve tuned thousands of Fox and King shocks while continuing to develop new valving solutions for modern trucks and SUVs. That same knowledge and experience has also gone into developing our own suspension line, Ride Shocks.
Whether you’re upgrading your daily driver or building a dedicated off-road machine, our goal remains the same: build a suspension that’s tailored specifically to you.
What Is Custom Shock Tuning?
Many suspension companies sell the same shock to every customer, regardless of how their vehicle is built or how it’s driven. At AccuTune Offroad, we believe one size does not fit all. Custom shock tuning is the process of modifying the internal off-road shock valving so the suspension performs exactly the way you want it to. Before we ever touch a shock, we gather detailed information about your vehicle, including:
- Vehicle make and model
- Suspension components
- Tire size
- Added vehicle weight
- Steel bumpers and winches
- Roof top tents and camping gear
- Driving style
- Typical terrain
- Performance goals
Once we understand how your vehicle is built and how you actually use it, we disassemble the shocks and make changes to the internal valving.
Depending on the application, custom tuning may include:
- Revalving the main piston shim stack
- Installing different piston designs, including linear pistons
- Modifying piston bleed characteristics
- Selecting the proper coilover spring rates
- Fine tuning compression and rebound characteristics
Every adjustment is made with one goal in mind: creating a suspension system that performs specifically for your vehicle and your driving style.
Which Shocks Can AccuTune Offroad Tune?
AccuTune Offroad currently offers custom shock tuning for:
Most of our tuning focuses on remote reservoir shocks, although we also tune many emulsion shocks and air shocks. At this time, we do not offer custom tuning for IFP shocks, nor do we revalve factory-installed Fox shocks found on vehicles such as the Tacoma TRD Pro or Ford Raptor. Learn more about the differences of IFP, Emulsion and remote reservoir shocks here.Â
Adventure Tune vs. Dual Sport Tune
One of the most common questions we receive is:
“What tune should I get, the Adventure Tune or the Dual Sport Tune?”
These two tuning options provide a starting point for determining the best off-road shock valving for your vehicle. It’s important to understand that these are not fixed valving packages. Instead, they represent two different suspension philosophies. Our sales team still customizes every tune based on your vehicle’s weight, accessories, suspension components, and intended use.
For example, an Adventure Tune for a Toyota Tacoma will not have the exact same valving as an Adventure Tune for a Ford Bronco. Every vehicle has different suspension geometry, motion ratios, and weight distribution, so every tune is developed specifically for that platform. The same approach applies to universal coilovers, bypass shocks, and race applications, although those systems allow for a much greater range of tuning adjustments.
Adventure Tune
The Adventure Tune is our most popular option because it matches how most people actually use their vehicles.
If your truck spends the majority of its life on the street but still sees regular trail rides, camping trips, overlanding adventures, or moderate off-road use, this is the tune we recommend.
Adventure Tune prioritizes:
- Outstanding ride quality
- This tune is designed for street or trail vehicles with 31″-37″ tires.
- Excellent small bump compliance, comfortable daily driving
- Can handle rough trails, but requires Reservoir Adjusters to stiffen for whoop sections or situations involving hard bottom outs.
- Sway Bars highly recommended but not required
That doesn’t mean it’s soft or incapable off-road. Quite the opposite.
Adventure Tune still performs exceptionally well on trails, washboard roads, and rocky terrain. It simply places a greater emphasis on comfort during the 95 percent of driving that most owners do every day. If you’re looking for that smooth, controlled ride everyone describes as “Cadillac-like,” Adventure Tune is probably the right choice.
Pro Tip: Pair Adventure Tune with adjustable shocks to gain even more flexibility. Compression adjusters allow you to fine tune the suspension for highway driving or dial in additional control before hitting the trail.
Dual Sport Tune
The Dual Sport Tune is designed for drivers who prioritize off-road performance over maximum on-road comfort. If your truck regularly sees high-speed desert driving, aggressive trail use, or long-travel suspension, this tuning package delivers a firmer, more responsive feel.
Dual Sport Tune emphasizes:
- Increased chassis control
- Better high-speed stability
- Improved confidence through rough terrain
- Sportier on-road handling
- More aggressive off-road performance
While the ride is intentionally firmer than Adventure Tune, many drivers actually prefer the added responsiveness and reduced body motion. For serious off-road enthusiasts, the tradeoff in comfort is often well worth the additional performance.
Choosing the Right Off-Road Shock Valving
Choosing between Adventure Tune vs. Dual Sport Tune comes down to one simple question:
How do you honestly use your vehicle most of the time?
It’s easy to say, “I drive fast off-road,” but that can mean completely different things depending on the vehicle. Driving quickly on a forest service road in a Toyota Tacoma is very different than racing through the desert in a long-travel Bronco or competing in Ultra4. That’s why we spend time learning about every customer’s vehicle before recommending a tune. The more information you provide, the better we can tailor your suspension.
One of the Biggest Benefits: 1 Free Revalve
One of the biggest advantages of purchasing custom tuned shocks from AccuTune Offroad is something very few suspension companies offer. Every set of custom tuned shocks includes 1 free revalve for as long as you own them. Vehicles evolve over time. Maybe today your Tacoma is completely stock. Three years from now, it might have:
- Steel bumpers
- Winch
- Skid plates
- Roof top tent
- Drawer system
- Camping gear
Or maybe you’ve decided to build a race truck. Whatever direction your build takes, your suspension can evolve with it. Simply send your shocks back to AccuTune Offroad and we’ll revalve them to match your new setup at no labor charge. If your vehicle requires different coil springs to support the added weight, we’ll recommend the proper spring rates while updating the valving to match. Instead of buying an entirely new suspension every time your build changes, your shocks continue to work with you.
Why Customers Choose AccuTune Offroad
For more than two decades, AccuTune Offroad has built its reputation on customer service, suspension knowledge, and proven results. We’ve helped thousands of customers improve the performance of their trucks, SUVs, and race vehicles through carefully engineered custom shock tuning and precision off-road shock valving. Whether you choose the comfort-focused Adventure Tune or the more aggressive Dual Sport Tune, every suspension package is built around your vehicle, your driving style, and your goals. Because in the end, the best suspension isn’t the one with the biggest name or the most expensive parts—it’s the one that’s tuned specifically for you.
Shock Tuning FAQ
What Does Custom Tuning Shocks Mean?
Custom tuning, also known as revalving a shock, is the process of changing the internal valving inside a shock absorber to better match a specific vehicle and how it’s driven. Every vehicle is different. Vehicle weight, suspension geometry, tire size, spring rates, accessories, and driving style all influence how a shock should perform. Because of that, one valving package cannot deliver the best ride quality for every vehicle. Custom tuning uses a combination of suspension calculations, engineering principles, and years of real-world testing to determine the ideal compression and rebound shim stacks for your shocks.
The process requires significantly more than simply swapping a few shims. A proper tune considers:
- Vehicle weight
- Weight distribution
- Suspension travel
- Spring rates
- Tire size
- Driver preference
- Intended terrain
- Overall performance goals
The end result is a suspension designed specifically for your vehicle instead of the average vehicle the manufacturer had in mind.
What Is Shock Valving?
At the heart of every performance shock is the shock valving. Shock valving consists of thin steel shims stacked on each side of the shock piston. As the piston moves through the oil, these shim stacks flex to control how quickly the oil can flow through the piston.
There are two separate shim stacks:
- Compression valving, which controls how the shock compresses when hitting a bump.
- Rebound valving, which controls how quickly the shock extends after the suspension compresses.
Shim diameters typically range from approximately 0.70 to 1.90 inches, while shim thickness ranges from roughly 0.006 to 0.015 inches. Changing the number, size, thickness, and arrangement of these shims dramatically changes how a shock performs. In some cases, tuning also includes changing piston designs or modifying piston bleed characteristics to further optimize oil flow.
Want to learn more? Check out our detailed guide explaining how piston oil flow and shim stacks work. (Link to piston flow article.)
How Do Custom Tuned Shocks Improve Ride Quality?
One of the biggest misconceptions in the suspension industry is that buying expensive shocks automatically guarantees a great ride. The reality is much different. Most shock manufacturers have to build products that work reasonably well for thousands of different vehicles and drivers. They simply can’t account for every possible combination of:
- Steel bumpers
- Winches
- Roof top tents
- Larger tires
- Camping gear
- Drawer systems
- Different engine packages
- Individual driving preferences
As a result, most off-the-shelf shocks are tuned around a relatively stock vehicle. That’s where custom shock tuning makes the difference. Rather than forcing your modified truck to use generic shock valving, custom tuning matches the suspension to your actual vehicle weight and driving style. Whether you’re commuting to work every day or exploring rocky trails in the Sierra Nevada, properly tuned shocks can provide:
- Better ride comfort
- Improved chassis control
- More confidence off-road
- Less harshness over small bumps
- Better stability at speed
- Reduced driver fatigue
Simply put, one size does not fit all.
Are Custom Tuned Shocks Worth It?
In our opinion, absolutely. If you already own Fox or King shocks and feel like there’s room for improvement, custom tuning is often one of the most noticeable upgrades you can make without replacing your entire suspension. Even better, if you’re purchasing new Fox, King, or Ride Shocks from AccuTune Offroad, we custom tune them for your vehicle before they ever leave our shop. That means you receive shocks designed around your vehicle from day one instead of paying to have them revalved later. Even more valuable, every qualifying suspension purchased through AccuTune Offroad includes one free revalve if your vehicle changes in the future. If you purchase shocks somewhere else and later decide to have us revalve them, the service typically costs around $120 per shock plus shipping. Purchasing through AccuTune Offroad provides tremendous long-term value while ensuring your suspension performs exactly the way it should.
How Do I Know If My Shocks Need Custom Tuning?
If your aftermarket suspension doesn’t feel quite right, custom tuning may be the solution.
Common signs include:
- The suspension feels too soft.
- The suspension feels overly stiff.
- The truck feels uncontrolled at speed.
- The ride quality isn’t what you expected.
- The vehicle has been heavily modified since the suspension was installed.
Other factors like tire construction and tire pressure can also influence ride quality, but if your Fox or King shocks don’t inspire confidence, it’s worth having them evaluated. Our team is happy to review your vehicle and help determine whether custom tuning could improve your suspension.
My Shocks Were Designed for My Truck. Do I Still Need Custom Tuning?
Factory replacement and application-specific shocks are designed to fit your vehicle and perform well for a broad range of owners. However, there’s one important question most people never ask:
Which version of the vehicle were they actually tuned for?
Many modern trucks are available with dramatically different curb weights depending on the engine package and factory options.
For example:
- Four-cylinder vs. V6
- Gas engine vs. hybrid
- Standard cab vs. crew cab
Once you add aftermarket accessories, those differences become even greater. Vehicle weight has one of the biggest impacts on ride quality, which is why custom tuning often produces such noticeable improvements. That said, suspension is subjective. If you’re completely happy with how your current shocks perform, there’s no reason to feel obligated to revalve them.
What If I Upgrade My Truck Later?
Most off-road builds continue to evolve over time. Maybe your truck is stock today. A few years from now it may have:
- Steel bumpers
- Winch
- Rock sliders
- Roof top tent
- Skid plates
- Camping gear
Those modifications can add hundreds of pounds to the vehicle, changing how the suspension performs. In many cases, additional weight requires both new springs and updated shock valving. If you purchased your suspension through AccuTune Offroad, this is the perfect opportunity to use your free revalve. Another excellent time to revalve your shocks is during a scheduled rebuild. Since the shocks are already being disassembled, updating the valving at the same time can save both labor and money.
What’s the Difference Between Revalving and Rebuilding Shocks?
Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they describe two completely different services.
Rebuilding a Shock
A rebuild restores the shock to like-new condition by replacing:
- Seals
- Wear bands
- O-rings
- Shock oil
A rebuild addresses normal wear and maintenance.
Revalving a Shock
Revalving changes how the shock performs. Rather than replacing maintenance items, a technician removes the piston assembly and installs new compression and rebound shim stacks based on the desired suspension characteristics. During a standard revalve, seals and oil are not necessarily replaced unless a rebuild is being performed at the same time.
Think of it this way:
- Rebuilding restores the shock.
- Revalving transforms how the shock performs.
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