Best Shocks & Lift Options for the Silverado 1500 & Sierra 1500
Fits 2019–2026 Chevy Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500. Great trucks that come with a nose-down rake from the factory — and, if you've got a Trail Boss or AT4, a mild factory lift riding on so-so shocks. The right setup levels the stance, controls the load, and transforms how it rides on the highway, the jobsite, and the trail.
This is our straight-talk guide to every leveling, coilover, and shock option worth running — and we install and dial in every one of them right here in Mesa, AZ.
Why Get It Installed at Underdog?
- 400+ Five-Star Google Reviews
- 38+ Years of Off-Road Experience
- Authorized ICON, FOX, Bilstein, OME & King Installer
- Front & Rear Done Right — With Alignment
- No Spacer Lifts — Ever
- We Run These Setups in AZ Desert Ourselves
What's Specific About the Silverado / Sierra 1500
Up front, the 1500 runs an independent coilover/strut setup — so leveling and lift happen with a proper coilover or leveling shock. Out back, it's a leaf-sprung solid axle, so rear lift and control come from add-a-leaf packs, new leaf springs, and better rear shocks — especially if you tow or haul.
The Chevy/GMC-specific thing to know: if you've got a Trail Boss or AT4, you already have a factory ~2" lift — but it's riding on basic Rancho shocks that most owners outgrow fast. Swapping to a real coilover or performance shock is one of the best upgrades you can make to those trucks. Non-lifted trucks usually start by leveling out the factory rake. And if you're running the Duramax diesel or towing heavy, we lean toward load-tuned setups and reservoir rear shocks. Past a level into real lift, plan on upper control arms to keep the geometry right.
Below is every option worth considering, grouped by tier and how you use your truck. Call us and we'll match it to your build — or see our full Silverado & Sierra 1500 lift services →
The Full Comparison
Ten real options, entry to premium. Not sure where you land? Call us — we'll match your budget, your trim, and how you drive.
| Setup | Tier | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Bilstein 5100 | Entry | Clean factory-rake level on a daily driver |
| Rancho RS5000X | Entry | Budget refresh — great for tired Trail Boss shocks |
| Eibach Pro-Truck | Value | Comfort-first level/lift, daily + light off-road |
| Fox 2.0 Performance | Mid | Mild daily use, entry into the Fox lineup |
| Bilstein 6112 + 5160 | Value | Best bang-for-buck — coilover front + reservoir rear |
| Fox 2.5 IFP | Mid | Balanced pavement + real trail use |
| Old Man Emu Kit | Overland | Loaded, towing & overland rigs |
| Fox 2.5 Perf. Elite | Premium | High-speed off-road + haul/tow, still dailies well |
| ICON Stage 1 System | Premium | Complete engineered package, front & rear |
| King 2.5 | Premium | Desert pedigree, rebuildable, high-speed control |
Our Take on Each Setup
Honest, from a shop that installs these every week and runs them on our own trucks. Tap "Full breakdown" on any option for the details.
5100 Series
A proven monotube that levels the factory rake and adds a bit of clearance without breaking the bank.
Full breakdown
- Design: 46mm monotube, adjustable front
- Adjustability: Front snap-ring heights (level ~2")
- Reservoir: None
- Damping: Fixed
Ride & fit: Level stance, tighter body control, room for a slightly bigger tire.
Our install note: We match the right rear support so the whole truck sits and rides even — not just the nose.
Get a quote on this setup →RS5000X
A solid gas-charged replacement shock — the easy, affordable way to bring a tired truck back to life.
Full breakdown
- Design: Gas-charged twin-tube
- Adjustability: None
- Reservoir: None
- Damping: Fixed
Ride & fit: Restores control and comfort over worn factory shocks at a friendly price.
Our install note: A great value swap for Trail Boss/AT4 owners who like their factory lift but want their ride back.
Get a quote on this setup →Pro-Truck
Front and rear kit tuned for comfortable street manners with a clean level and capable light dirt.
Full breakdown
- Design: Monotube front + rear
- Adjustability: Front height adjustable
- Reservoir: None
- Damping: Fixed
Ride & fit: Plush and easy to live with daily, with a level stance and a touch of extra clearance.
Our install note: A no-drama daily build. We set front height to your wheel/tire package and align it after.
Get a quote on this setup →2.0 Performance
An excellent high-performance entry shock — smoother than stock and it handles hard hits well.
Full breakdown
- Design: 2.0" IFP monotube coilover
- Adjustability: Height-adjustable front
- Reservoir: None (reservoir rear options exist)
- Damping: Fixed; serviceable/rebuildable
Ride & fit: A clear step up from stock for pavement and mild trails; improves traction over the rough stuff.
Our install note: If you tow, we'll pair reservoir rears or steer you up a tier. Great entry into real performance shocks.
Get a quote on this setup →6112 + 5160 Kit
Adjustable 60mm front coilover plus 5160 remote-reservoir rear shocks. Price-to-performance is hard to beat.
Full breakdown
- Design: 60mm 6112 front coilover + 5160 reservoir rear
- Adjustability: Front height adjustable
- Reservoir: Rear (5160)
- Damping: Fixed
Ride & fit: A big ride-quality jump front and rear that holds up on Arizona trails and stays composed when loaded.
Our install note: Our go-to 1500 value build. The 6112 needs a spring compressor to assemble — that's exactly what we're here for. Rear leaf support added if you lift past level, then aligned.
Get a quote on this setup →2.5 IFP
Bigger 2.5 body means better heat management and a more balanced ride on pavement and dirt.
Full breakdown
- Design: 2.5" monotube IFP coilover
- Adjustability: Height adjustable
- Reservoir: None front (reservoir rear options)
- Damping: Fixed
Ride & fit: The larger body manages heat far better than a 2.0 — confident on pavement and real trails alike.
Our install note: Pair it with reservoir rears if you tow. We check UCA and clearance at your height and dial it to your terrain.
Get a quote on this setup →Suspension Kit
Load-tuned front and rear built for rigs that carry weight, tow, and cover long dirt miles.
Full breakdown
- Design: Nitrocharged monotube, load-tuned front & rear
- Adjustability: Spring-rate/application tuned
- Reservoir: BP-51 bypass upgrade available
- Damping: Fixed (BP-51 adjustable)
Ride & fit: Comes into its own under weight — tongue weight, bed load, and long washboard roads.
Our install note: Great for the heavier Duramax and tow rigs. We match rates to how you actually load it.
Get a quote on this setup →2.5 Performance Elite
Remote-reservoir, adjustable, built to take high-speed abuse and haul/tow duty while still behaving on the street.
Full breakdown
- Design: 2.5" front coilover + 2.5" reservoir rear
- Adjustability: DSC compression adjuster available
- Reservoir: Front & rear
- Damping: Adjustable; service ~30–50k mi
Ride & fit: Reservoirs front and rear keep it consistent under sustained hits and heavy loads — composed at speed, civil on the commute.
Our install note: We route the reservoirs cleanly and set the adjusters to your load and terrain — where our tuning time really shows.
Get a quote on this setup →Stage 1 System
A full engineered 1.5–3.5" system with digressive valving — balanced handling without giving up comfort.
Full breakdown
- Design: 2.5" VS coilover system + matched rear
- Adjustability: 1.5–3.5" height; CDCV / UCAs by stage
- Reservoir: Optional by stage
- Damping: Digressive; fixed or adjustable by option
Ride & fit: Engineered as a matched front-and-rear system, so the geometry and ride are dialed out of the box.
Our install note: We love these as a clean complete build. UCAs at taller heights, and a dead-on alignment before you go.
Get a quote on this setup →2.5 Coilover
Race-bred, legendary tuning out of the box, remote reservoir, and fully rebuildable for the long haul.
Full breakdown
- Design: 2.5" coilover, remote reservoir
- Adjustability: Compression adjust; tunable & rebuildable
- Reservoir: Remote
- Damping: Tunable; service ~30–50k mi
Ride & fit: Race pedigree shows up as controlled, buttery high-speed compliance — and you can re-tune them for life.
Our install note: Best for people who actually push desert speed. We can revalve/re-spring to your weight and driving as the build evolves.
Get a quote on this setup →Silverado / Sierra 1500 Suspension FAQs
I have a Trail Boss / AT4 — do I still need aftermarket shocks?
You've got the factory ~2" lift, which is great, but it rides on basic Rancho shocks that most owners outgrow. Swapping to a 6112, Fox, or King setup is one of the biggest ride-and-control upgrades you can make to those trucks.
What's the difference between a leveling kit and a full lift?
Leveling raises just the front ~2" to remove the factory rake so the truck sits flat. A full lift raises front and rear for real clearance and bigger tires. We'll tell you which fits your goals and tire plans.
My rear is leaf-sprung — how do I lift or firm up the back?
The rear is handled with add-a-leaf packs, new leaf springs, or blocks, plus better rear shocks. If you tow or haul, reservoir rear shocks make a real difference in control and heat.
I run the Duramax diesel / tow a lot — does that change things?
Yes. The diesel is heavier up front and towing adds load, so we lean toward load-tuned setups and reservoir rears to keep the truck level and planted instead of sagging or riding harsh.
Can I just run a strut spacer to level it cheaply?
We don't do spacer lifts — ever. They throw off geometry, wear components, and mismatch the valving. We level and lift the right way with proper shocks and coilovers. Buy once, cry once.
Do you install all these brands, with alignment?
Yes — we're an authorized installer for ICON, FOX, Bilstein, Old Man Emu, King and more. Any height change requires an alignment, and we handle it in-house on every install.
Let's Build Your Silverado the Right Way
Not sure which setup fits your trim, your budget, and how you drive? That's what we're here for. Call or request a quote and we'll dial in the right front and rear — installed and aligned in Mesa, AZ.
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