Best shocks after a MagneRide delete
How to choose replacement shocks or coilovers once your GM truck, SUV, or car has a MagneRide or AutoRide bypass, with real customer setups.
Written by M&P USA, the veteran-owned company that designs, builds, and supports these kits in the USA.
Choosing the best shocks after a MagneRide delete comes down to how you use your truck, SUV, or car. This guide explains why any non-magnetic shock works with a bypass, how to choose by goal, and what our customers actually installed.
The short answer
- The best shocks after a MagneRide delete are the ones that match how you drive. The bypass handles the electronics, so any non-magnetic shock or coilover made for your vehicle works.
- For a factory-like ride: standard replacement shocks made for the non-MagneRide trims of your model.
- For lifting, lowering, or performance: height-adjustable shocks or coilovers, which our customers run with no dash lights.
- Towing? Many truck and SUV owners keep rear air leveling and convert only the front.
The one rule: any non-magnetic shock works
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.
Our simulators replace the electrical signal of the factory MagneRide or AutoRide shocks, and on trucks and SUVs, the ride height sensors. They don’t care which shocks you install. That means the choice of shocks is about ride quality, load, and ride height, not electronics.
When you shop, choose shocks listed for your exact year and model without MagneRide. Many GM SUVs and cars were sold in trims with conventional shocks, so standard parts for those trims usually fit the same mounts. Always confirm fitment with the shock maker.
Pick by goal
The best shocks after a MagneRide delete for a daily driver are not the same as for a tow rig or a lowered street truck. Start with your goal:
| Your goal | What to look for |
|---|---|
| A comfortable, factory-like ride | Standard twin-tube or gas-charged replacement shocks made for the non-MagneRide trims of your model |
| Firmer control and less body roll | Monotube performance shocks made for your model |
| A lift or leveling kit | Shocks sized for the new height; height-adjustable shocks are popular on trucks and SUVs |
| A lowered stance or track use | Coilovers or a matched lowering kit with shocks sized for the drop |
| Towing and heavy loads | Keep rear air leveling, or choose heavy-duty rear shocks rated for the load |
What our customers installed
Looking for the best shocks after a MagneRide delete on a vehicle like yours? These setups come from reviews on our website, so they reflect real installs rather than a sponsored list:
| Vehicle | What they installed | Kit |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Chevrolet Suburban | Kings coilover suspension | 2021-2023 kit |
| 2015 Chevrolet Suburban | Passive front shocks, factory rear air kept | Z95 kit |
| 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe | AutoRide delete with a lowering kit | Z55 parts |
| 2012 Camaro ZL1 | QA1 coilover kit | 2013-2018 strut kit |
| GM car, rear axle | Gas-charged shocks, about $125 in parts | 2013-2018 strut kit |
“Easy to install, turned off service suspension message, code for R/R shock gone, saved $1000.00 dollars on replacement electronic shocks, was able to replace with gas charged shocks, only about $125.00 total in parts!”
Matt T., review on our website, 2013-2018 strut bypass kit
Trucks and SUVs: extra checks
- Ride height simulators are required. Trucks and SUVs monitor ride height sensors, so use a complete kit, not a car kit.
- Rear air. Keeping rear air shocks? Leave the rear ride height sensors connected. Switching to non-air rear shocks? On Z95 models connect the air lines to each other; on Z55 models pull the compressor fuse or relay. Details in our Z95 and Z55 guides.
- Ride Height Trim. After installing, a trim with a scan tool is required on GMC Denali models and recommended on all others.
- Lift or lower freely. With ride height simulators in place, a height change doesn’t set codes.
Cars: extra checks
- Shock simulators only. Cars at stock ride height don’t need ride height simulators; see our MagneRide bypass resistor guide for cars.
- Big drops. If you lower or raise the car outside the factory range, some models need ride height simulators. Contact us first.
- C6 Corvette and XLR rear. Remove the small center tab on the simulator’s connector so the rear plug seats.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best shocks after a MagneRide delete?
The ones that match how you drive. For a factory-like ride, standard replacement shocks for the non-MagneRide trims of your model. For lifting, lowering, or performance, height-adjustable shocks or coilovers. The bypass works with any non-magnetic shock.
Do I need special shocks to work with a MagneRide bypass?
No. The bypass replaces the electrical signals, so any non-magnetic shock or coilover made for your vehicle works.
Can I install coilovers after a MagneRide delete?
Yes. Customers run coilovers such as Kings on a 2023 Suburban and QA1 on a Camaro ZL1 with our kits and no dash lights.
Should I keep rear air leveling?
If you tow or haul heavy loads, many owners keep the rear air shocks and convert only the front. If you switch to non-air rear shocks, follow the steps for your system so the compressor doesn’t run constantly.
Will lifting or lowering cause codes after the delete?
Not on trucks and SUVs with ride height simulators installed, because they send a steady, normal reading. Cars lowered or raised far outside the factory range may need ride height simulators.
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.