7 Best Aftermarket Shocks For F150 2023 – Top Picks

Here is a review of the best aftermarket shocks for F150 with buying guide to help you find a better option for a stable ride and comfortable feel

Replacing or upgrading an old shock absorber with the correct one needs proper knowledge. The process of finding a perfect aftermarket shock for your vehicle can be thoughtful and overwhelming, as manufacturers provide you with so many options of aftermarket shocks with unique features.

Shock absorbers are part of the suspension system that gives your car a smooth ride and better handling. For rugged and old cars like F150, you need to replace shocks after traveling for 50,000 to 100,00miles depending upon the surface you drive a car. If you dive more often on terrains, you need to change the shocks once you notice any physical warning signs in your car.

When you hear unusual noises or feel more bouncy movements of your vehicle when driving, it means now is the time to change the socks. Driving with worn-out or damaged shocks can be hazardous as you can lose control when your car gets a speed leading to an accident. Therefore, replacing shocks of your F150 on time can save your life and money.

Top Aftermarket Shocks For F150

1. Bilstein 5100 Series Shock Kit For Ford F-150

 

Bilstein is one of the best names that manufacture aftermarket suspension kits. You will never regret buying these shocks because it reduces the vehicle’s vibrations and side-to-side movement no matter how bumpy the road is. The Bilstein 5100 series shock kit comes with a high-quality adjustable front height with a rear shock absorber.

Depending upon your intended use of the vehicle, you can change the height of your F150 with the front shock up to 0 to 2 inches. The rear shocks can lift up to 1 inch, enhancing the ride performance and providing you with a smoother ride. It also ensures durability and an excellent ride experience.

Bilstein 5100 shocks are constructed with zinc-plated high-quality strong steel that prevents your vehicle shocks from rust and corrosion. These interior gas-charged monotube shocks come with a piston and valves that can be easily adjusted. It will help you to get the full performance of your vehicle when driving off the road. The diameter of these four shocks is 46mm, which allows a large volume of fuel.

This shock kit is compatible with F150 4WD. I found these shocks easy to install, which needs no modification and professional experience. You can install it quickly with the basic tools that are available at your home. Make sure to follow all the instructions given in the manual, and you are good to go. Bilstein 5100 offers a lifetime warranty, so you can change these shocks whenever you face any problem.

 

Bilstein 5100 offers you a brick-strong set of shocks for higher leveling and a comfortable ride both on and off the road. It gives your vehicle higher front leveling and allows you to adjust the height of your vehicle according to your vehicle application. It works efficiently with the factory-installed front spring coil and rear spring.

2. Rancho RS5251 RS5000 Series Shock

 

Rancho RS5251 RS5000 Series shocks are the settler of the shock industry. They are manufacturing shocks for about 28 years. They provide your vehicle with a perfect high lift to enhance its performance on and off the road. It comes with a protective red boot on it, which helps protect the rod and the oil seal and provides a more excellent and perfect look.

Rancho RS5251 RS5000 offers ten-stage valving that allows specific turning movements to each vehicle. This feature allows the customization of vehicle height requirements depending upon the road. It comes with a hefty 5 /8 inches piston rod with a diameter of 16mm and spreads up to 35mm, which provides longevity, strength, and a smoother drive. On the top of the piston, it offers a rebound bumper to prevent your vehicle from damage if the shocks are worn out.

It has a twin-tube design and comes with double welded loops, ensuring excellent vehicle performance on terrains. It comes with a limited lifetime warranty. I found Rancho RS5251 RS5000 quite affordable with more enhanced quality. It is compatible with F150 4 X 4 and easy to install in your vehicle. You do not need any specialized tools and techniques for its installation.

 

RanchoRS5251 RS5000 comes with a front and rear shocks kit that gives the higher leveling to your vehicle with perfect drive. These shocks are better suited for the F150 SUVs and light trucks that provide extraordinary performance on bumpy roads and smooth highways. The shocks are your go-to option if you want good-quality aftermarket-shocks for your vehicle at affordable prices.

3. Rough Country 2″ Leveling Kit (fits) 2009-2019 F150

 

Rough Country 2 leveling kit is a set of shocks, a pair of struts, and a hardware tool made with premium quality stainless steel. It allows you to lift your truck up to 2 inches which is compatible with 33-inch tires. You can now change the nose-down look of your truck by leveling its height.

It allows leveling of the front and rear end of the vehicle. It offers your vehicle ground clearance to keep you from on and off-the-road obstacles and enhance gear performance. The rugged design and Hard Chromium-plated piston ensure better performance, safety, and durability. It is made with high-quality material that ensures 100% protection from the elements and rust.

By installing these shock absorbers, you will experience a smooth and factory-like drive. It allows you to customize the vehicle’s height to adjust it according to your drive application. It features bolt-on installation. You can install it quickly without any modification. It comes with hardware tools that make it easy for you to fix it by yourself.

This kit is a bit pricey, but the performance is worth the money. The Rough Country are the settlers of services that their automotive parts provide for rural and bumpy terrains. As soon as you install these shocks, you can experience a factory-like smoother ride. It is compatible with F150 from 2009 to 2019 models.

 

A complete kit with shocks, struts, and hardware tools is precisely a product you are looking for if you want to lift your F150 truck. It works best on bumpy roads as well as smooth highways. Its easy and quick installation saves your time and money. These are the finest aftermarket shocks that give you a limited lifetime warranty of the leveling kit and three years for the struts.

4. Monroe Shocks & Struts Load Adjusting 58643 Shock Absorber

 

Monroe Shocks absorbers are one of the finest and affordable aftermarket shocks. These shock absorbers are best to provide your F150 a comfortable and high lift. One of the unique features of these shocks is full displaced valving that automatically adjusts according to the road demand.

It senses the extremes of the terrain and tunes itself accordingly and hence offers a smooth and comfortable drive. It offers all-weather hydraulic fluid that removes friction, handles excessive temperature, and provides a more enjoyable and comfortable ride. Therefore, these are the best aftermarket shock for people living in rural areas, where the road conditions are not so good, and those who mainly use their trucks to transport goods.

It lowers the sag when the truck is loaded up to 1200lbs because of its heavy gauge and calibrated spring coil. It comes with a fluent banded piston that acts as a sealing agent between the piston and a pressure tube to deliver a more controlled ride. These shock absorbers are manufactured in China.

The rigid built and material quality is excellent and more durable than most aftermarket shocks. Monroe Shocks provide your vehicle with a proper height and nitrogen gas charge so that you can enjoy a peak off-the-road performance. I found it a bit time-consuming during the installation process, but it offers you a great experience on and off the road after installation.

 

The Monroe Shocks offers you unique features, excellent quality, and are cost-effective. Its rugged design allows you best performance when the road circumstances are not good. If you search for the best quality aftermarket shock, then Monroe Shocks is a viable option for you with its versatile features at an affordable price.

5. KYB 349108 Excel-G Gas Shock

 

KYB is one of the best leading manufacturer brands that produce quality shocks and struts, same as factory-made. These shocks allow the exact functioning and capabilities like the original one with high performance. It is made with a triple lip seal that helps to reduce wear and oil/gas leakage.

KYB comes with a twin-tube design that has two cylinders and offers a smoother ride. It is best known for controlling vehicle drive. It ensures stability and line change responsiveness. These performance shocks use nitrogen gas with a chromium-plated piston rod and ensure resistance and long-lasting life. It has rigid eye rings with bushing bolts that reduce unpleasant sounds and gives you an enjoyable trip.

It features hand-assembled and made explicitly for vehicle valves which ensure reduced wheel damping and control the movement of your F150. KYB shocks are easy to install and fit perfectly in Ford 150. It does not compromise the performance and stability of a drive. I found this excellent quality shock very good, keeping in mind the features it offers.

 

If you are searching for a shock replacement that offers a quick response and achieves better control. You should consider purchasing KYB Excel-G gas shock for your ford 150. It is an excellent replacement for the original factory shock and provides you with the same performance and ride you had before.

6. DTA 70017 Full Set 2 Front Complete Struts with Springs and Mounts + 2 Rear Shocks

 

DTA is the complete set of struts and rear shocks and is compatible with 4 X 4 F150 vehicles from 2004 to 2008. This complete set of shocks and struts will keep your truck from wheel damping by absorbing the bumps on the road. It increases your vehicle suspension’s performance and offers you a smoother drive on bumpy tracks. It comes with a nitrogen gas charge and four lip Teflon banded piston seals.

The four-lip Teflon banded piston seal is used for durability and extraordinary performance, which allows the proper lubrication of your vehicle and prevents the outer materials from getting in it. The piston rod of DTA struts and shocks is constructed with hard chromium plating that ensures durability and toughness. It is easy to clean and prevents rust and corrosion.

It provides your vehicle with All-weather SV3 fluid, which allows your F150 to operate in all climatic conditions. The DTA shock’s coil spring is passed from an efficient heat treatment that ensures longevity and resistance. It is also insulated to the seat so you can enjoy a pleasant drive without any loud noise. Thi set of struts and shocks offers easy installation without any modification. It can smoothly function with your vehicle’s factory-installed parts.

 

The complete kit that offers you structs and shocks for your F150 is all you need when searching for a quality product. DTA shocks and struts kit is easy to install and is built with chromium-plated material ensures longevity and resistance against corrosion. It allows you to enjoy a comfortable ride in all weather conditions.

7. Sensen 4011-RS Struts/Shock Kit

 

Sensen manufacturers offer you a cheap set of shocks and struts compatible with the 4X4 F150 model from 1990 to 1996. It directly fits the F150 vehicle without any changes and modifications. So, the height of your vehicle is not disturbed with this replacement. These twin-tube design shocks/struts help your vehicle better control and handle vehicles drive on rough terrains.

Sensen set of shocks/struts uses original equipment quality spring coil that increases the strength with proper coil diameter. The lubricating oil used in the parts of struts/shocks keeps your vehicle noise-free so that you can enjoy a comfortable ride. It also protects your vehicle from foaming and can bear temperatures from 130c to -40c. It features a Japanese quality NOK double lip oil seal to avoid misting and enhances durability.

Sensen shocks/struts offer a high-quality piston rod made with chrome-plated material that ensures durability and reduces leakage. The valve disk is designed to bear the high temperature and pressure of the road conditions. This shock and strut kit is easy to install and allows your vehicle to gain factory-like capabilities as soon as you replace this kit with an old one. It offers you a lifetime limited warranty, so you can buy with confidence that any defects in the kit will be taken care of by the company.

 

Sensen 4011 is the aftermarket shock that offers you a comfortable ride in a cost-effective manner. It maintains factory-like power and potential immediately when you install the strut and shock kit. While installing this kit, I found it very effective, quick, and easy to replace. It also comes with a complete hardware setup for easy replacement.

Buying Guide

Finding the correct shocks for your F150 can be challenging if you do not know about the vast availability of shocks in the market. All the aftermarket shocks are not the same as each set provides you with innovative features. Buying a wrong shock will give your ford 150 a jerky movement and affects the steering balance. This buying guide will help you find the correct shocks for your F150. There are the following differences that you should keep in mind while purchasing shocks for your truck.

Types Of Shock

What to choose between different types of shock depends upon your vehicle. In the market, you can have standard, overload, heavy-duty, and gas shocks. The standard shock absorbers are the ones that you get while purchasing a car. You will find it in your F150 SUV, car, and trucks having no unique features. They offer your f150 with a good ride on the road.

The heavy-duty shocks come with a large shaft in the center and have a greater radius than the standard one. These are the perfect shocks for SUVs, trucks, and Vans because they carry a lot of load from one place to another. Buyers and manufacturers recommend heavy-duty aftermarket shocks for big trucks and vans.

The other aftermarket shock absorber is gas shocks that are made with a blend of nitrogen and oil. It is better suited for small cars. They are more durable and reliable than standard shocks. As the Ford 150 is a heavy-duty truck with big size and carries many loads, you should look at heavy-duty shocks. These shocks will provide your vehicle with off-road and on-road flexibility. It also offers a controlled and balanced ride off the road, rough and rugged roads covered with mud, and driving on the steep hills.

Design Of The Shocks

The design of the shock is also a significant feature to look for when the aftermarket shocks. Manufacturers provide two different types of shock designs that include mono and twin-tube. Monotube shock is better if you drive your F150 on the highways or smooth roads. Twin-tube shocks are a better option if you drive F150 on bumpy roads or terrains.

Bolt-On Installation

While buying shocks for your F150, look for the installation process. No matter what type of shock you choose for your vehicle, an easy installation will help you get through the process without professional help. Good shocks come with a package of detailed instruction manuals that need no expertise for installation, and you can do it on your own. The best aftermarket shocks will prevent you from spending too much time and cost on professional help.

Reliability And Durability

The material of the aftermarket shock ensures reliability and durability. Most aftermarket shocks come with the construction of stainless steel and aluminum. Aluminum is light in weight and offers your f150 shocks durability, whereas stainless steel provides you reliability and a muscular build. Both the materials protect your car shocks from rust and corrosion. The important thing is its coating that plays a significant role in protection. The best aftermarket shocks come with powder coating, protecting your car shocks from rust, air, and water corrosion.

Comfort

Best aftermarket shock will never compromise on the comfort level of the driver. F150 is a heavy-duty big-size truck that carries load most of the time, so you must consider purchasing aftermarket shocks to provide your truck with the most comfortable ride and a bit higher lift. The comfort and smooth ride on the bumpy road make you buy a new shock absorber so, It is essential to check the performance and smoother ride after installing new shocks in your truck.

Shocks Vs. Struts

Shocks and struts are both similar in most aspects and different in some aspects. Shocks are the standalone component and not the fundamental part of the suspension. Therefore they are a bit costly and easy to install in your f150. Struts are an integral part of the suspension, and it is designed to work with the suspension coil. Struts are more affordable than shocks in terms of pricing, and as far as efficiency is concerned, stocks give your truck a smoother feel and better handling, reducing sprung mass and smoothing the suspension system. A good investment would be aftermarket shocks rather than struts.

High Lift

While purchasing aftermarket shock, you must look for the one that offers your truck a high lift. Most of the aftermarket shocks offer your truck 3 inches, whereas some offer your truck with a 1 or 2 inches lift. The high lift shocks will increase the distance between your truck’s frame and its body. It helps give you a smoother ride on the terrains and enhances the overall look of your f150. The high lift shocks will keep you safe when you drive on damaged and bumpy roads as it gives you better visibility when moving off-the-road.

Conclusion

The overall look of a vehicle tells you about when to change your vehicle shocks. Shocks provide your car with better handling, stability, and a smoother feel. As a car enthusiast, three primary features you should focus on while purchasing the best aftermarket shock is comfort, stability, and a high lift. It will allow you to get a comfortable drive on rough terrain. The top three recommendation for the best aftermarket shocks are

Bilstein 5100 Series Shock Kit for its high-quality steel construction, bolt-on installation and, lifetime warranty.

Rancho RS5251 RS5000 Series Shock for its twin-tube design with a red protective boot and ten-stage valving.

Monroe Shocks & Struts Load Adjusting 58643 Shock Absorber for its all-weather Hydraulic fluid, nitrogen gas-charge, and sag reduction feature.

Here is a review of the best aftermarket shocks along with buying guide, so you look for the features before purchasing a shock absorber for your vehicle. Above Listed seven best aftermarket shocks perfectly fit in F150 with bolt-on installation and allows you a pleasant ride that you always wanted.

If these weren’t enough, check out these shocks for F150 from Amazon also: