Best Shocks for Chevy 3500 Review

Imagine you are riding your Chevy 3500 car, sitting in the backseat, with wide-open windows, enjoying the soothing breeze and greeneries of the hilly areas you are passing through, and all of a sudden, your car slams on the brake. Fortunately, you did not get hurt, but it spoiled your cheerful mood. While riding the car if something comes in your way all of a sudden, be it a person or anything else, the sudden brake or bounce can be difficult to handle sometimes. But the bouncing effect can be lessened with the help of shocks.

If your car is having a good shock, then there is nothing to worry about. Shocks were introduced with a view to reducing the bouncing effect on the uneven roads or minimizing the effects of a sudden brake. A shock absorber contains a piston, micro-cracks, valves, etc. With the help of all these, it manages oil flow and lets the car drive more smoothly.

Now, why do we need shocks for Chevy 3500?

No matter whether you are riding your car alone or with others or carrying goods in the backside of your car, safety and comfort are always necessary. When the roads are bumpy, pulling a brake and you-turns can be sometimes menacing. Besides, if you carry any heavy goods, your car must have a great shock absorber because going through a rugged street can sometimes be risky. There are chances to fall into an accident if the shocks do not work well. Shock absorbers are also known as dampers.

It assists you in maintaining full command of your car while encountering this kind of situation. It helps to stabilize the movements of your car. A shock absorber or damper helps your car to glide over uneven roads without much hassle. You can feel better handling and performance by using suitable shocks. Thus, you do not have to face inconveniences to much extent in the situations mentioned earlier.

Here is a list to help you to choose among the top 4 best picks of shocks for your Chevy 3500.

Ultimate Guide On Best Shocks for Chevy 3500

Shocks is an important element for vehicles and here we have picked best possible shocks for chevy 3500. Don’t go anywhere, you are going to love our choice:

ACDelco Professional 530-456 Premium Gas-Charged Rear Shock Absorber

Quick Facts:

• Brand: ‎ACDelco
• Position: Rear
• Colour: Black
• Exterior: Chrome
• Item model number: 530-456

This shock is made with a strong chromed piston rod and an O-ring hydraulic piston seal. The piston rod seal is always lubricated to safeguard the rod’s interior and keep the dirt away. Microcracks in the chromed piston rod make itself self-lubricating and minimize corrosion. For this reason, the seal life of the shock is not only increased but also has continuous control over the car. It also makes the piston rod extremely sleek and scratch-resistant, which results in better performance. The O-ring hydraulic piston reduces the piston blow and makes the vehicle work smoothly. These shocks last longer because ‘Drawn over Mandrel’ (DOM) pressure cylinders are used in it for sealing properties. DOM cylinder decreases internal friction too. The non-gas charged shocks lack consistent control. However, these shocks are Gas-charged, so it works more consistently with less aeration and foaming. It weighs 1.57 pounds. Its dimension is 19.2 x 7.5 x 7.5 inches. All these specifications make it a worthy one.

Pros:

• It has a consistent balance over the vehicle
• The shock is self-lubricating
• It has a scratch-resistant exterior
• It possesses high quality sealing properties
• The price range is reasonable

Cons:

• It can be used in the rear position only

New Bilstein Front & Rear Shocks for 99-10 Chevy Silverado GMC Sierra 1500HD 2500 2500HD 3500 3500HD

Quick Facts:

• Brand: Southwest Speed
• Position: ‎Lower
• Colour: Standard Colours
• Exterior: Smooth
• Item model number: ‎5100 Series

These shock absorbers are specially designed for lifted trucks and Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs). It perfectly fits these kinds of vehicles. Its monotube design enables it to emit excessive heat from the oil to the outer exterior of the shock body and dissolve it efficiently. It has a distinctive piston that is sensitive to velocity and reacts immediately when road condition changes to provide a comfortable ride. Its mechanisms are designed in a way so that it can adjust automatically to particular applications. It focuses on the ride quality, which is significant enough to feel.

Pros:

• Its installation process is simple
• It gives a consistent performance
• The shock is fade-free in all condition
• It adapts changed surface conditions instantly

Cons:

• It is a bit expensive

New Bilstein Front & Rear Shocks for 00-13 3500 Chevy Silverado GMC Sierra, 2500 Suburban

Quick Facts:

• Brand: Southwest Speed
• Position: Rear
• Colour: Standard Colours
• Exterior: Smooth
• Item model number: 4600 Series

These shock absorbers are gas-pressured. As a result, it creates very little foam. Extensive foaming affects the shocks and reduces the damping force greatly. Its overall mechanism is adjusted meticulously, which escalates the carrying capacity. These shocks work well in SUVs, vans, and trucks as they are specially designed for them. It decreases imbalanced movement on these vehicles to a greater level. Its piston provides safer handling and steering as well as reduces friction on the surface. It weighs around 27 pounds. The front and rear, both shocks are 46mm. 

Pros:

• It fits well on SUVs and light trucks
• It has a consistent control
• It reduces friction on the surface level
• It can be installed easily

Cons:

• It is a bit heavier

Shock, 5100 Series, Monotube, Steel, Zinc Plated, Rear, GM Full-size SUV/Truck 1999-2010, Each

Quick Facts:

• Brand: Bilstein
• Position: ‎Rear
• Colour: Grey/ Black
• Exterior: Zinc
• Item model number: 24-186742

This kind of shock is made of a strong chrome piston rod. The piston is designed to work with high-pressure nitrogen gas, enabling the shock to perform efficiently. Nitrogen gas constantly pressurizes the column of hydraulic oil and thus eliminates the probability of oil foaming. The monotube passes up the heat. The piston is self-adjusting and self-lubricating. So, it throws the dirt away and reduces friction significantly, resulting in longer shock life. It consists of one piece aluminum rod guide and seals as well. Its top-notch chrome plated surface with a maximum 0.0002mm peak-to-valley measurement. All these ensure great motion control and superior comfort. It weighs around 5.09 pounds.

Pros:

• Its zinc plated exterior resists strident elements
• It is lightweight
• It has a self-lubricating mechanism
• It keeps the internal surface dirt free

Cons:

• It might feel stiff sometimes while riding the car

FAQS About Best Shocks for Chevy 3500

What shocks give the smoothest ride?

Answer: There are different types of shocks. Some shocks are made of hydraulic cylinders, some have air cylinders, and there are also electromagnetic shocks. Each of them works in different ways. The shocks are generally made of twin-tube or monotube. These also have divergence in them. In twin-tube, there are basic twin-tube, gas-charged twin-tube, position-sensitive damping, etc.

In twin tubes, one tube is called a pressure tube and the other is called a reserve tube. It converts the kinetic energy of the car while driving into heat. Gas-charged twin tube is a modernized version and it was seen in modern vehicles in great numbers earlier. Later other advancements were introduced in the automobile sector. Mono-tube was invented which was considered to be a revolutionary one.

While selecting a shock for your car, you have to consider if it is compatible with your car and for what kind of purpose you are using your car. For Chevy 3500, Bilstein can be a good option as well as other shocks mentioned above. If you like to go on an off-road ride or carry heavy goods, then Bilstein 5100 can be a nice choice for your car. 

What are the best heavy-duty shocks?

Answer: Heavy-duty shocks mean the shocks which have more durability and resistance power over a low-pressure design unit. Generally, a monotube is considered a good option for heavy-duty use. Monotubes are designed to handle high pressure. A floating piston separates the hydraulic oil and nitrogen gas chambers resulting in less aeration or foaming. Mono-tubes possess higher damping capabilities. Bilstein produces shocks, the monotubes too, for heavy-duty use. Bilstein 5100 series shocks work well for Chevy 3500 and provide a smooth ride.

What is the best brand of shocks?

Answer: To answer this question, knowing the purpose of the car is necessary. If the vehicle is lifted with larger tires or wheels as well as used for heavier off-road purposes, then Bilstein 5100 series are better ones. Because they are designed for riding off-road and heavy-duty use purposes. For light vehicles, KYB is a good option. There are other renowned companies for shocks, too, such as Monroe, Fox racing, Gabriel, Rancho, etc. Each of the brands produces specific shocks for specific vehicles. For Chevy 3500, Bilstein and ACDelco can be good options.

Will replacing shocks improve ride quality?

Answer: Yes, it does if the other parts of the car work well too. Only replacing the shocks when there are other issues in your car cannot improve the ride quality. Replacing worn-out shocks can make the car work in a better manner. Because when the shocks are used for a long time, it is pretty obvious that they will decay with the passage of time.

Everything works better when in new condition. As most of the shocks convert the kinetic energy into heat, the heat is then dissolved slowly. Using a shock for many years reduces its work efficiency. So, the replacement of shocks can be a really good way to bring back your car to youth and make your journey comfortable.

Final words

The above-mentioned shocks can be the best option for your Chevy 3500. Here we have tried to portray the pros and cons with other detailed information so that all your queries get answered, and you can find your desired one for your Chevy 3500. You can try any of them according to your preference and budget. Using worn-out shocks can be detrimental for you in many ways.

For instance, you were going through a slippery road and pulled the brake to stop, but the car did not stop on the particular spot you wanted. It went a few more inches ahead and thus increased the stopping distance. The safety concern gets more serious in exhausted shocks as the brake, acceleration, and turning become difficult.

Sometimes worn-out shocks even create noise in the car. By replacing the old shocks with new ones will make a visible change in the car’s overall performance. But before selecting shocks, keep a few things in mind, such as the purpose and usage of your car, the weight of your car, etc. The lifetime of the shocks of your car depends on the utilization. You can use it for years if it is rightly maintained. Shocks do not have a lifetime warranty as it loses their work efficiency after using for a long time and worn out. So, choose the right shocks wisely and enjoy a comfortable ride.