Are Stock 4th Gen 1500 Rear Shocks Really That Bad?

[tswannnlk]

I swapped out my front struts for some Bilstein 5100's a few months ago in order to level out the front. I was able to tell a slight increase in performance at higher speeds. I am now wondering if it is worth it to get some 5100's for the rear as well? I have heard from a few guys that the stock rear shocks on these trucks are terrible. Is this true? Do upgrading the coil springs make any difference. I do not tow often with my truck. I do notice some rear wheel hop going at faster speeds over speed bumps as the rear wheels go over the backside of the speed bumps. Any input on whether or not upgrading the rear shocks is worth it would be great. Thanks!

 

[Burla]

Much cheaper and easier to do backs, KYB will get you bill quality a lot cheaper. 5100's for the front, KYB for the back. Yes OEM are horrible 25k mile shocks, but coils makes it less noticeable the old leaf springs.

 

[Jeepwalker]

25k miles and shocks are shot? Depends how you use the truck and a bunch of other factors. Are you running oversized tires, OP? These days shocks on factory spec vehicles can go well over 100k, if not a lot more.

I've had a few newer-ish vehicles which the shocks lasted over 200k. Again, depends a lot on the use ...I get it. My truck... they are factory number shocks and look original (179k). I can't say for sure if they're original or not. They haven't leaked and ride real nice still. But it's mostly a hwy road cruiser on pretty good roads.

There's a guy on youtube who did a bunch of tests with new and old shocks, some with very high miles on them. Did it on a certified computerized shock dyno from a shock company using industry standard tests to gauge a shock's integrity. Pretty interesting. Did a battery of tests. Some of the higher mileage shocks beat out newer shocks. Do a search if you're interested...

 

[danielmid]

If you're bombing (speeding enough to bounce the rear end on speedbumps probably isn't a cool move) down dirt roads enough to wear out the rear that fast, Bilstein 5160s are the minimum I'd recommend for the rear. Fox or King 2.5s at the top end.

 

[Jeepwalker]

You're probably right. Or another mono-tube shock... pretty durable for off-road use. Esp if oversized tires are being used. Could be the factory shocks aren't tuned for that rough service. And maybe they are worn too. Shocks can sometimes still 'feel' good over road bumps, but may have a small amt of free-movement at the height the truck sits, where the rod doesn't have any resistance. That can allow the wheel to hop. It's almost impossible to feel when they're installed on the truck. But if the OP's truck has wheel hop, I'd definitely put on some shocks which are heavier duty if you are doing trails and running larger tires.

 

[mtofell]

It depends on your definition of "bad." Do you mean unreliable or just soft? I don't want to start a riot but 1500 trucks are marketed towards people that want a passenger car ride with a pickup bed. Sure, you can get stiffer springs, etc. but your ride will start to suffer. Want even more ability? Get a 3/4 ton or 1 ton and your wife will **** and moan every time she's in the truck.

 

[Bigskyroadglide]

24 warlock 1500 classic, stock rear shocks leaking oil.8k miles. 22 jeep wrangler stock rear shocks leaking oil 6k miles. 2 different stellantis vehicles.

I've never had factory shocks leak oil this quickly. Thanks Carlos.

Wrangler out of warranty
Warlock, not worth the effort to argue warranty claim. 5100 bilsteins.

Fronts on both seem to be holding up.

I guess it could be how I load and drive em.

 

[tswannnlk]

25k miles and shocks are shot? Depends how you use the truck and a bunch of other factors. Are you running oversized tires, OP? These days shocks on factory spec vehicles can go well over 100k, if not a lot more.

I've had a few newer-ish vehicles which the shocks lasted over 200k. Again, depends a lot on the use ...I get it. My truck... they are factory number shocks and look original (179k). I can't say for sure if they're original or not. They haven't leaked and ride real nice still. But it's mostly a hwy road cruiser on pretty good roads.

There's a guy on youtube who did a bunch of tests with new and old shocks, some with very high miles on them. Did it on a certified computerized shock dyno from a shock company using industry standard tests to gauge a shock's integrity. Pretty interesting. Did a battery of tests. Some of the higher mileage shocks beat out newer shocks. Do a search if you're interested...

I wouldn't say my shocks are worn out yet, but I also don't really know what to look for. Rather I've just been brainstorming upgrades I could do and was wondering if 5100's are worth the install or just to keep the stock ones until they feel noticeably bad. Mainly just looking to see if I should wait any longer or just go for it. Regarding tires, I am running 35's. Toyo Open Country RT Trails. I off road the truck every once in a while. I'm not really sure what to look for in order to determine if the shocks are worn out yet. I wouldn't call them particularly "smooth." As for the speed bumps, I notice a slight amount of wheel hop even when just going over a certain speed bump at 20 miles an hour. It could just be that particular speed bump or the rear shocks having a slower rebound. Let me know what you guys think. If other people are having their shocks leak with less than 10k miles, maybe I should just try some new shocks out.

 

[Bigskyroadglide]

I certainly don't think.leaking shocks are normal below 10k. I had an 11 ram 1500 sport, stock shocks till 70k, 16 ram 1500 laramie, stock shocks till 70k, 14 ram 1500 RT, purchased 41k, already had aftermarket shocks on it.

24 ram 1500 classic, stock rear shocks leaking 8k.

I do think, after Carlos, quality declined. My driving habits have not changed.

Just my experience

 

[Hambodian]

I've got the 5100 up front and KYB Monomax in the rear. Feels great with canopy and Decked bed box. To me it seems to be less front to rear rocking motion. Been on for 2 years now.

 

[reefer451]

I've still got the stock shocks on my '14 Big Horn 4WD 5.7 liter and they are still working fine on the street with 105k miles. I've been paying attention to them because I've never had factory shocks last anywhere near this long. I don't go off road and I don't flog it because I've got sports cars and motorcycles for that. I probably will replace them sooner or later just because it seems like the right thing to do.

 

[StateOfMind]

I've still got the stock shocks on my '14 Big Horn 4WD 5.7 liter and they are still working fine on the street with 105k miles. I've been paying attention to them because I've never had factory shocks last anywhere near this long. I don't go off road and I don't flog it because I've got sports cars and motorcycles for that. I probably will replace them sooner or later just because it seems like the right thing to do.

I'm guessing that "slick" in your profile pic might be from one of your sports cars?

 

[QwikKota]

I've got the 5100 up front and KYB Monomax in the rear. Feels great with canopy and Decked bed box. To me it seems to be less front to rear rocking motion. Been on for 2 years now.

How do those KYB's ride on rough roads? Are they stiffer than stock?

I'm guessing that "slick" in your profile pic might be from one of your sports cars?

Motorcycle

 

[brad byron]

either way, if you decide to do the rear shocks yourself, gonna need a 5.5 inch, 21 mm stubby open end/box wrench to access the top nut. i found one on Amazon made by Klutch. only one that i was able to found. Made the job easy..........SK makes one ...

 

[RamDiver]

either way, if you decide to do the rear shocks yourself, gonna need a 5 inch, 21 mm stubby open end/box wrench to access the top nut. i found one on Amazon made by Klutch. only one that i was able to found. Made the job easy..........

This one or...

Klutch Stubby Combination Wrench - Metric, 21mm - Amazon.com

Klutch Stubby Combination Wrench - Metric, 21mm - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

.

 

[QwikKota]

I bought some thin metric wrenches for a German car I recently sold and I have a grinder or 2!

 

[kurek]

you can use a 21mm crowsfoot or you can buy these things though I think 45 bucks is a bit hard to eat


or buy the cheapest harbor freight 21mm box wrench and cut it stubby with a friction wheel (a saw that uses teeth to cut will struggle with tool steel)

 

[Nick@GotExhaust]

Really depends on how you use the truck, the life those shocks have lived(if you didnt buy the truck new) and how many miles are on them. The stock shocks leave some to be desired, especially if you off road at all. The rear shocks are cheaper than the front struts and a whole lot easier to do. If your interested I can quote you on some new rears and answer any questions you may have. Shoot me a message if interested

 

[Hardracer]

I gotta ask.....why are you goin over a speed bump af 20mph?

 

[DILLIGAF]

Are Stock 4th Gen 1500 Rear Shocks Really That Bad?​

Every single OEM gen 4 suspension part is junk.