Ram 1500 Shocks: Front or Rear, Lift Height and Body Style
Share
This guide is for Ram 1500 owners in Canada who are replacing worn shocks or matching shocks to a lift or level. Three things decide the choice: which Ram 1500 body you have, whether you need front or rear shocks, and the ride height each shock is built for.
A shock absorber controls how quickly the suspension spring compresses and rebounds, damping bounce so the tires stay in contact with the road; a strut does the same job while also forming a structural part of the suspension. That is ICON's own description. Shocks are matched to a ride height range, so confirm the lift height on your truck before ordering.
What to check first on your Ram 1500
- Which body you have. Our shock pages split the truck three ways: Shocks & Struts for 2019-2026 Ram 1500, Shocks & Struts for 2009-2018 Ram 1500 and Shocks & Struts for 2019-2024 Ram 1500 Classic. A 2019-2024 truck can be either the new-body Ram 1500 or the Ram 1500 Classic, so check which one you own. A shock titled for the 19-26 Ram 1500 does not name the Classic.
- Front or rear. Every shock here is titled Front or Rear; replacing both ends takes one of each.
- Lift height. Rough Country titles carry a lift range, such as 0-3" or 2-3". Bilstein describes its B6 4600 as a shock for stock height trucks. Match the range to the lift on your truck now.
- Drive. Some titles say 2WD/4WD, some 4WD only, some name no drive. Each product page lists the years and configurations it fits, and the vehicle selector filters to your truck.
The shock types in this guide
- Lift-matched replacements. Rough Country says its N3 shocks replace the factory shocks to control suspension travel at the raised ride height.
- Stock-height upgrades. Bilstein calls the B6 4600, a monotube it says gives consistent, fade-free performance, a direct-fit upgrade to the OE shock for stock height light trucks and SUVs, with a 46mm monotube and a velocity-sensitive, digressive piston.
Rough Country N3 rear shocks
2019-2026 Ram 1500
The Rough Country 0-3" N3 Rear Shocks for the 19-26 Ram 1500 2WD/4WD are made for trucks lifted 0-3 inches. Rough Country says they replace the factory rear shocks to control suspension travel at the raised ride height.
2009-2018 Ram 1500 and Ram 1500 Classic
Two rear shocks split the older body by lift range. The Rough Country 0-2.5" N3 Rear Shocks are titled for the 02-18 Ram 1500 and the 19-24 Ram 1500 Classic. For 2-3 inches of lift, the Rough Country 2-3" N3 Rear Shocks are titled for the 09-18 Ram 1500 4WD and the 19-24 Ram 1500 Classic 4WD; Rough Country says they replace the factory units to damp suspension travel at the raised height. More options: Rough Country Shocks & Struts.
Bilstein for the 2019-2026 Ram 1500
The Bilstein B8 5100 Front Shocks (BIL24-300872) are titled for the 2019-2026 Ram 1500. Bilstein designs the B8 5100 (Ride Height Adjustable) for trucks with a front OE coilover style suspension: the snap-ring grooves give 0-3 inches of front lift with OE springs, depending on application, and Bilstein calls it the easiest way to level out a vehicle.
For the rear, the Bilstein B6 4600 Rear Shocks (BIL24-228848) are titled for the 2019-2026 Ram 1500. Because Bilstein describes it as a stock-height shock, check the product page before pairing it with a lifted front. More from the brand: Bilstein.
ICON for the 2019-2026 Ram 1500
The ICON Vehicle Dynamics 2019-2026 Ram 1500 Rear 2.0 VS IR is a rear V.S. 2.0 Series internal-reservoir shock. ICON says it comes with length and damping tune set for this application and is 100% rebuildable and revalveable. For extreme off-road use, ICON points owners to its V.S. 2.5 Series instead. The title gives no lift range, so check the product page. More: ICON Vehicle Dynamics.
Before you order
With body, position, drive and lift known, open the matching vehicle page above or browse all Shocks, Struts & Suspension. If the shocks are part of a bigger lift, our Ram 1500 lift kit guide covers the kits themselves. After a winter of road salt and slush, spring tire changeover is a good time to look at the shocks and mounts. Everything is priced in Canadian dollars and ships across Canada.
FAQ
Will a 2019-2026 Ram 1500 shock fit a Ram 1500 Classic?
Only if the title names the Classic. In this guide, the Rough Country 0-2.5" and 2-3" rear shocks name the 19-24 Ram 1500 Classic; the 19-26 Rough Country, Bilstein and ICON shocks do not.
Do I need front and rear shocks?
Each listing here is one position, front or rear. To replace all four corners, choose a front listing and a rear listing for your truck, and check each product page for how many shocks it includes.
Which shock suits a lifted Ram 1500?
Pick the one whose title covers your lift: 0-3" for the 19-26 truck, or 0-2.5" and 2-3" for the 09-18 truck and Classic. Bilstein describes the B6 4600 as a stock-height shock.
Can shocks level a 2019-2026 Ram 1500?
Bilstein says its B8 5100 front shock gives 0-3 inches of front lift with OE springs, depending on application, through its snap-ring grooves. Check the product page for your configuration.
