Shocks play a critical role in the performance of your Dodge Ram 1500 2WD. The truth is, whether your shocks are old or new, upgrading from the factory originals to a quality aftermarket version will pay great benefits in the way your truck handles. It doesn’t matter if you only drive around town in your truck, use it for hauling, or do a lot of off-road adventuring. A good set of aftermarket shocks will make a big difference in driving performance. Let’s review 5 of the best shock absorbers for your Dodge Ram 1500 2WD.
Best Shocks for Dodge Ram 1500 2WD – Top picks:
| SENSEN 5010 | Detroit Axle | Bilstein 4600 Series | Monroe Matic Plus | Maxfavor Complete Shocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |  | |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 341639 / 342527 | 4A2500280 | 24-069274 / 24-025508 | BCZC-48166-168-2894823 | MF-B4SH061J |
| Model Years | 1994-2001 | 2002-2008 | 2002-2008 | 1994-2001 | 1994-2001 |
| Exterior | Powder Coated | No data | Smooth | No data | Powder Coated |
| Item Weight (pounds) | 35 | 20 | 30 | No data | 16 |
| Latest Price | Find on Amazon | Find on Amazon | Find on Amazon | Find on Amazon | Find on Amazon |
Important Shock Absorber Features
Simply put, a shock absorber is a mechanical device that is used to dampen sudden shock waves in your truck’s suspension system, generated by uneven road or ground surfaces. They are important in smoothing out your ride, making in more comfortable.
Chrome Plating and Quality Construction – Chrome plating serves two purposes, corrosion protection and scratch resistance. If scratches develop on the surface of the piston, they may lead to seal damage, oil loss, and reduced performance. Components should be of heavy-duty materials that guarantee durability.
Best Shocks for Chrome Plating and Quality Construction: Bilstein 4600 Series Shock Absorbers Front & Rear
High Temperature Fluid – Extreme pressures or temperatures can break down standard shock absorber fluids. When damping movement, energy is created that results in heat buildup inside the shock. This heat can thin the hydraulic oil inside the shock, causing a lowering of resistance to movement.
Best Shocks for High Temperature Fluid: Monroe Matic Plus Front & Rear Shock Absorbers
Exceeds OEM Performance – Aftermarket shocks can allow an increase of up to 25% in wheel travel. In addition, many have a larger oil reservoir that will increase fluid capacity and result in better heat dissipation. Some shocks are even owner adjustable so that their ride performance can be fine-tuned.
Best Shocks for Exceeding OEM Performance: Detroit Axle 4pc Front & Rear Shock Absorber Assembly
SENSEN 5010 Front or Rear Struts
SENSEN 5010 struts are designed to reduce wear and tear on your truck’s suspension system by reducing suspension vibrations. Whether you are driving on smooth surfaces or over rough terrain, maintaining contact between the tires and the road’s surface is critical to maintaining steering control. Adjustable SENSEN struts slow the suspension system’s up and down movement, allowing for greater steering control.
If your Dodge Ram 1500 has a lift kit, these struts can be adjusted to complement the lift kit, helping to prevent vehicle sag over time. The installation process can be a little lengthy, up to 4 hours in some cases, but once installed they will automatically adjust to changing surface conditions. The struts are powder-coated to provide protection from corrosion and rust.
Pros
- Automatically adjusts to road surfaces
- Cost friendly option
- Provides a very smooth ride
Cons
- Requires more time to install
- Owners that haul varying load weights not happy with overall performance
Detroit Axle 4pc Front & Rear Shock Absorber Assembly
These are good quality, American manufactured, heavy-duty shocks. They are an excellent choice for drivers that anticipate doing a lot of off-road driving. In addition to smoothing your ride, they do a good job of controlling rolling (vehicle lean) during steep or extreme turns at lower speeds over rougher terrain. Installation is straightforward and relatively easy.
These shocks are calibrated to equal or exceed OEM standards and will support the vehicle’s weight and ensure that the correct ride height is maintained. They are gas charged to reduce fluid aeration for less foaming and better response and control.
Pros
- Constructed with quality materials
- Designed to exceed OEM specifications
- Improves handling under rough driving conditions
- 10-Year warranty
Cons
- Not great at dissipating heat buildup
- Comparatively stiff
Bilstein 4600 Series Shock Absorbers Front & Rear
Bilstein packs over 60 years of experience into their OEM replacement shocks. These Bilstein 4600 Series shocks are an adjustable, direct-fit, stock replacement that offers better stability, increased safety, and confident, precise steering and handling. They are of a single-tube (or monotube) design that uses gas pressure technology to provide greater damping power to the pistons. They bolt on directly, with no modification required. They fit stock height trucks only.
By absorbing the suspension’s energy with air cylinders, these heavy-duty shocks control and release hot air to manage the suspension’s movement when bumps and impacts occur. Your ride will be smoother and more comfortable. They are not great at assisting with load leveling when hauling a trailer or heavy load.
Pros
- A good choice for off-road driving
- Helps reduce suspension vibration
- Installation is relatively easy
- Come with a Lifetime Warranty
Cons
- Does not fit Mega Cab
- Not recommended for air-leveling suspensions
- A little stiff when brand new but gets better over time
Monroe Matic Plus Front & Rear Shock Absorbers
The Monroe Matic Plus is a nitrogen gas charged shock with Monroe’s Velocity Proportional Valving (VPV) technology. VPV provides balanced damping based on the vehicle’s speed to road impact. These shocks will provide an ideal balance of comfort and control.
It contains an all weather fluid to resist heat and fluid thinning under extreme temperature conditions. The self-lubricating fluid seal will prevent gas leakage that can lead to excessive wear. Because these shocks are nitrogen gas-charged, they will help maintain tire to road contact to provide an excellent balance between consistent control and a comfortable ride.
Pros
- Ease of installation
- VPV proportional damping technology for a smoother ride
- Nitrogen gas-charged design
Cons
- Might not be suitable if your truck has a lift kit
Maxfavor Complete 2WD Front & Rear Shocks
Maxfavor shocks are certified to exceed OEM standards and will deliver superior handling and control. They have high-quality Japanese-made oil seals that will prevent leakage and prevent friction for better handling and more steering control.
Because they contain pressurized N2 gas, foaming and aeration will not be a concern during rough driving conditions. The cylinder and sleeves are seamless to reduce the chances of splitting and leakage.
Pros
- Exceed OEM performance
- Excellent fit
- Improves handling and smoothes the overall ride
Cons
- Front shock installation can be complicated
Conclusion
Shock absorbers are a fundamental part of your Dodge Ram 1500’s suspension system. You need to consider the importance of their benefits for the type of driving conditions that you encounter during your daily drives; towing trailers, hauling heavy loads, off-road adventuring, or just regular commuting to and from work. The shocks you choose should be both durable and easy to install. They should improve the tire’s grip to the road’s surface while at the same time maintain a satisfactory level of driving comfort.