June 12th, 2024
In this article we are going to explore the idea of what makes a good shock. The choices people make and why.
PRICE:
Buy once, cry once, right? The most expensive shocks you find will always be the best, right?
For the most part, this is generally true. Shock Manufactures are picking the price point that fits the market value while making sure they have enough profit to resell to customers and dealers. Cost will always be a factor when shopping for the best shocks for your truck, but don’t let it hold you back.
More expensive shocks usually come with more features that may be something you need or want. Do you want shocks that can be rebuilt or serviced? What about shocks that have adjusters on them? If those are things you want, then the higher priced shocks are probably what you should be looking at.
However, maybe performance and serviceability is not your concern. If thats the case, some cheaper shocks may do the job just fine and you can save those extra bucks for the next off-road trip.
QUALITY:
How do you know if the shocks you want are high quality?
The company making the shocks or website you are buying from should have plenty of information to help you compare to others. Often times it’s easiest to search the internet to see what others have to say.
Although this can be helpful and influential, it’s best to get multiple reliable sources before making a decision. Sometimes there is more to the story than what is being told. Just remember, the internet is always right, 60% of the time.
FEATURES:
Do you want a shock with features like compression adjusters or adjustable ride height?
Not all aftermarket coilovers are adjustable. Even the word adjustable gets misused sometimes. Rotating a preload collar vs disassembling the shock are two very different procedures.
Do compression adjusters sound like something you would want? Adjusters allow you to stiffen the shocks to compensate for added weight, different terrain or more aggressive driving. Trucks & SUV’s that tow or carry heavy loads will benefit from adjusters because they can be setup with a soft tune for daily driving and the adjuster can be changed to a stiffer setting when carrying a load.
Do materials matter? You might not think about this as a feature, but the material a shock is made from can have a profound effect on the performance and life of a shock. For instance, the body of the shock may come in steel or aluminum. Aluminum bodies resist corrosion a lot better than their steel counterparts, and they are also better at dissipating heat when you are blasting down the road.
COLOR:
Shocks need to look good right? Well of course!
It’s no secret that most car enthusiasts upgrade their truck with good looking parts. Although mostly hidden, aftermarket shocks can really add to the race truck look and feel. Blue, red or yellow accents in the fender wells can look sharp.
However, at what point can a shock be too flashy? What would be your dream color set of shocks be?
PERFORMANCE:
How far can you go with performance?
The performance of a shock comes from a few different things like spring rate and valving. Springs hold up the weight of the vehicle while oil flow inside the shock can get pretty complicated. Engineers spend a ton of time designing pistons, compression adjusters, shock lengths, reservoir mounts etc.
High performance shocks will usually have all the bells and whistles and allow you to push the limits of your vehicle’s suspension.
However, all off-road aftermarket shocks are not the same, they each have their own ingredients that make up the best shock (in their eyes). Well designed parts with good quality materials.
TUNING:
Did you know tuning a shock can achieve the ultimate ride quality?
Tuning is be the best way to get your shocks setup correctly. Finding the right valving and spring rate for various vehicle weights and driving situations makes a HUGE difference. Shocks simply shouldn’t be a one size fits all and call it done situation.
Shock tuning relies on a lot of data points to hone in on the right settings for your specific shocks and a good engineer will have created a set of equations that calculate the ideal shock valving and spring rate for your ride. They will evaluate the suspension for harshness across the smaller bumps you see during your daily driving, while also taking a look at your vehicles control through the whoops. Calculations should be backed by hundreds of data points across a wide range of vehicles and driving conditions.
If you want to turn a good shock into a great shock, this is the way.
SUPPORT:
Does the shock brand you’ve had your heart set on have a good warranty, or will they ghost you when you need help?
Sometimes, customer support can be more valuable than a coupon code you find on social media. There is likely going to come a time where you will have questions, or an issue that you need to reach out about.
Customer support can go a long way for an investment this size, so it’s a good idea to look into what that brand can offer you if something unfortunate were to happen.
Are you planning on installing these shocks yourself?
Take a peek at the installation guide if there is one available. Not only will this educate you more about the product, but it will also show you how much the company cares about their customers installing the product.
Is the install guide easy to understand and follow, or is it one page of just text? Who knows, maybe this will convince you to install it yourself and save you a thousand bucks. A good install guide should also review shock adjusters and how they work, as well as setting ride height and other associated settings.
WRAP UP:
Selecting the right shocks for your vehicle involves weighing all of the above factors to ensure optimal performance and complete satisfaction. Price is a big consideration, with the most people believing that higher priced shocks = superior quality. While this can be true to an extent, it’s essential not to overlook more budget friendly options that may meet your needs better.
And while features such as adjustability and materials used in construction can significantly influence shock performance, durability, and lifespan, they may not fit every person’s needs.
Considering all aspects like customer support and installation guidance can enhance your overall experience with your choice. A brand with reliable customer support and clear installation guides can provide reassurance and assistance throughout the purchasing and installation process.
Ultimately, finding the right balance between all of these factors is essential in selecting the perfect shock absorbers for your vehicle.
Just be sure you don’t overlook the value of a properly tuned shock during your decision process. At AccuTune Offroad, we have made our mark in the industry by diving deep into the science of optimizing suspension products to meet our customers’ individual needs.
