Best MagneRide bypass kit: the four options compared
How plug-in simulators, OBD-port modules, complete delete kits, and new factory parts compare on cost, install, and trade-offs, for GM trucks, SUVs, and cars.
Written by M&P USA, the veteran-owned company that designs, builds, and supports these kits in the USA.
Shopping for the best MagneRide bypass kit, or any MagneRide delete kit? There are four ways to deal with failing GM MagneRide shocks: plug-in corner simulators, an OBD-port module, a complete delete kit with shocks, or new factory parts. This guide compares how each one works, what it costs, and who it suits, so you can pick the right one for your vehicle and budget.
The short answer
- Lowest cost, any shocks: plug-in corner simulators, from about $125 per axle on trucks and SUVs and about $43 to $55 per axle on cars.
- Keep MagneRide on one axle: some OBD-port modules let one axle keep working MagneRide, at roughly $245 to $600.
- One box with shocks included: complete delete kits, at roughly $1,100 to $2,000.
- Keep the factory ride: new GM MagneRide parts, often close to $1,000 per corner at list.
We make plug-in corner simulators, so we have a side in this. We’ve kept the comparison to how each approach works and what it costs, so you can judge the trade-offs yourself. Prices for other approaches vary by brand and change often.
Before you buy parts, enter your VIN in the NHTSA recall lookup to check for open safety recalls; recall repairs are free at a dealer.
The four options at a glance
| Approach | How it connects | Typical cost | Shocks included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plug-in corner simulators | Plug into the factory shock and ride height connectors at each corner | About $125 to $140 per axle (trucks and SUVs); $43 to $55 per axle (cars) | No: use any shocks or coilovers |
| OBD-port module | Plugs into the diagnostic port; some add an extra harness | Roughly $245 to $600 | No |
| Complete delete kit | New shocks or struts plus a bypass in one kit | Roughly $1,100 to $2,000 | Yes |
| New factory MagneRide | Replace the failed shocks with new GM parts | Often close to $1,000 per corner at list, plus labor | Yes (factory MagneRide) |
Plug-in corner simulators
For most owners on a budget, this is the best MagneRide bypass kit approach.
Small simulators replace the electrical signal of each factory shock, and on trucks and SUVs, of each ride height sensor. The suspension module sees a normal system, so the warning and speed limit go away.
Pros
- Lowest cost of the four
- Works with any shocks or coilovers you choose
- Nothing plugs into the OBD port and nothing gets programmed
- Ride height simulators let you lift or lower without new codes
Cons
- The converted axle no longer has adjustable damping
- Installed under the vehicle, at each corner
- GMC Denali models need a Ride Height Trim with a scan tool after installing
- Quality varies by brand: crimped connections and kits without ride height simulators cause problems on trucks and SUVs
OBD-port modules
A module in the diagnostic port suppresses the suspension trouble codes in software instead of simulating each part.
Pros
- Installed inside the cab
- Some versions let you delete one axle while the other keeps working MagneRide
Cons
- Two to five times the cost of plug-in simulators
- Many rely on the factory ride height sensors staying connected; if you lift or lower and remove them, you need ride height simulators anyway
- Takes up the diagnostic port or adds a harness, and warranties vary by brand
Complete delete kits with shocks
A kit that pairs new non-magnetic shocks or struts with a bypass, sold together.
Pros
- Everything arrives in one box
- Shocks matched to the kit
Cons
- The most expensive aftermarket option
- You’re tied to the shocks the kit includes
New factory MagneRide parts
Replacing failed shocks with new GM MagneRide parts keeps the factory adjustable ride and needs no bypass. On many trucks and SUVs, GM list prices run close to $1,000 per corner before labor, which is why so many owners on older vehicles choose a bypass instead.
How to choose
The best MagneRide bypass kit for you depends on what you want from the ride and how much you want to spend. Use this table to match your goal to an approach.
| If you want | Consider |
|---|---|
| The lowest total cost | Plug-in corner simulators plus shocks you pick |
| Coilovers, a lift, or a lowered stance | Plug-in corner simulators (ride height simulators included on truck and SUV kits) |
| Working MagneRide on one axle | An OBD-port module that supports partial deletes |
| One box with shocks included | A complete delete kit |
| The factory ride, with budget to spare | New factory MagneRide parts |
What to check in any kit
Whichever approach you choose, the best MagneRide bypass kit for a truck or SUV checks these boxes:
- Ride height simulators on trucks and SUVs. These vehicles monitor ride height sensors as well as shocks. A shock-only kit on a truck or SUV is not a proper long-term fix.
- The right connector for your year. GM changed connectors in 2013 on cars and again in 2021 on SUVs, and partway through some model years. Match by year and connector, not just the model name.
- Sealed connections. Weatherproof OEM-style plugs outlast crimped or taped wires, which corrode under the vehicle.
- Warranty length. Coverage ranges from one year to lifetime depending on the brand and the part.
- Real support. Fitment questions are common, so check that someone will answer before and after you buy.
Our kits by vehicle
If plug-in simulators sound like the best MagneRide bypass kit for your vehicle, here is what we make for each one.
Trucks and SUVs
From $124.99
Complete kits with shock and ride height simulators: Z55 (2005-2012), Z95 (2015-2020), and 2021-2023. 2-axle kits cover all four corners for less.
Cars
From $42.99
Shock simulator kits for 1997-2012 and 2013 and newer Corvette, Camaro, Cadillac, and Buick models.
| Vehicle | Kit | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| 2005-2012 trucks and SUVs | Z55 kit or 2-axle kit | Z55 guide |
| 2015-2020 trucks and SUVs | Z95 kit or 2-axle kit | Z95 guide |
| 2021-2023 SUVs | 2021-2023 kit or 2-axle kit | 2021-2023 guide |
| 1997-2012 cars | 1997-2012 strut kit | Cars guide |
| 2013 and newer cars | 2013-2018 strut kit | Cars guide |
Our kits carry a lifetime warranty on every part, 30-day returns, and support from a real person by live chat or our contact form.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best MagneRide bypass kit?
The best MagneRide bypass kit depends on your goal. For the lowest cost and the freedom to run any shocks or coilovers, plug-in corner simulators are the usual pick. If you want one axle to keep working MagneRide, some OBD-port modules support that. If you want shocks included in one box, a complete delete kit does that at a higher price.
Do MagneRide delete resistors work?
Yes, when the kit matches the vehicle. Cars need shock simulators. Trucks and SUVs need shock simulators plus ride height simulators, because they monitor ride height sensors too. Kits that skip the ride height simulators on trucks and SUVs are a common reason for warnings coming back.
Is an OBD module better than plug-in simulators?
Not necessarily. An OBD module installs in the cab and some can keep one axle’s MagneRide working, but it costs more, and many still need the factory ride height sensors connected. Plug-in simulators cost less and work with any shocks and ride height.
How much does a MagneRide delete cost?
Plug-in simulators run about $125 to $140 per axle for trucks and SUVs and about $43 to $55 per axle for cars, plus the shocks you choose. OBD modules run roughly $245 to $600, and complete kits with shocks roughly $1,100 to $2,000.
Will a bypass remove the speed limit?
Yes. Once the module sees a normal system and the codes clear, there is no stored fault to trigger the speed limit.
Can I lift or lower my truck after a delete?
Yes, with ride height simulators in place. They send a steady, normal reading, so a height change does not set codes.
Still not sure which kit fits?
Enter your year, make, and model in our Find My Kit tool, or send us your VIN and a real person will confirm the right kit before you order.
MagneRide® is a registered trademark of BWI Group. Other names are used only to identify compatible vehicles. M&P USA is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by BWI Group or General Motors. Prices shown are approximate.