Best RC Crawler Shocks: Drive Smoother Than Ever

So, do you think shock absorbers only matter for the cars you ride? WRONG! You would know the importance of RC Crawler shocks only if you’re an enthusiast. And just like that, you should know that finding the right one isn’t simple.

That’s why we’ve been tasked with helping you with this guide of the best RC Crawler shocks. All of the Shock absorbers that we’ll be presenting here come with different unique features.

Some of them might have titanium-nitride coated shafts, while others might be built for pure performance. It’s super important to give your RC Crawler a superior set of shocks to maximize the shock absorbance.

So, let’s dive into the reviews without further ado. Buckle up because this one might be a little bumpy!

Quick Comparison

Traxxas 5862 Big Bore Shock Set: More About Product

What Makes It Stand Apart from the Others?

Anodized and PTFE-Coating

It’s easy to rule out cheaper shocks due to their coatings or lack thereof. Well, Traxxas didn’t cheap out on this one. These shocks come with a hard-anodized coating that enhances the durability of the whole set. You better be ready for those high jumps.

Titanium-Nitride Coated Shaft

Another interesting thing about this one is the shafts’ coating. If you’re on the hunt for absolute durability, this is a fine choice. This coating makes it super easy for almost frictionless operation. Even the damping is relatively smooth. 

Product Overview

Well, let’s start things off with the best product on the list. Naturally, this is the first one that we’re reviewing. Traxxas has a pretty excellent track record of making products like these. And, the 5862 seems pretty promising if you ask me.

The Big Bore Shock Set might be the best RC Crawler suspension set you can find. With all the features that this thing packs, you might struggle to find a better choice. Along with the two features that we’ve mentioned above, this one has some others too.

If you’re concerned about what comes in the box, then don’t fret. That’s because you get a fully assembled set of shocks that are oiled too. So, you don’t have to worry about buying separate oils for it.

Even the springs are attached to the shock set, so you don’t have to work your DIY magic with this one. 

It’s a bummer that you can’t get these separately. You have to buy a set of four. So if you’re looking for a replacement, it’s a bummer that you can’t get just one. 

Another thing that you should keep in mind is that these shocks work best with Traxxas parts. So if your RC Crawler is already fitted with Traxxas gear, this would be a supreme addition. 

Pros and Cons

Time to set things straight with what you’ll like about this shock set and the few things you might not. 

PROs
  • Provides smooth damping
  • Come with durable coating on shafts
  • Great for bigger jumps
  • Fully oiled shocks
  • Compatible with other Traxxas parts
CONs
  • Stiffer front springs
  • Clips needed to change spring rate

If you want something that doesn’t need any body clips to change the spring rate, then move on to the next product that we have for you. 

Hobbypark 4PCS Aluminum Front & Rear Shock Absorber: More About Product

What Makes It Stand Apart from the Others?

CNC Machined

The thing you’ll love about this one is detailed precision. Every part of each of the shocks is machined to perfection using CNC. So you can rest assured that these shocks will be well within the heavy-duty playground. 

Great Replacement for Plastic Shocks

If you already have an RC Crawler with plastic shock absorbers, then this set would be a significant upgrade. They don’t just look good; they also pack the performance to go with it. It’s one of the best shocks for RC crawlers out there. 

Product Overview

Next up on the list is this sublime offering from Hobbypark. And, we definitely know how you feel about the hobby of playing with your remote controller crawlers. This set of four shock absorbers can definitely put up a fight with the top choice on our list. 

Hobbypark’s been pretty up to the mark with their RC-related products. If you’re on the hunt for a good set of shocks for your RC Crawler, you can definitely give them a go. 

You won’t have to deal with any compatibility issues. This set from Hobbypark could be called the best 1/10 rock crawler shocks. They are perfectly compatible with Traxxas Slash, Stampede, Rally, and Rustler. Some others are also on the list.

If you’re worried about the contents of the box, you should know that there are two shorter front shock absorbers along with a couple of shorter rear absorbers. But you won’t find any pre-oiled surfaces when you buy these. So you got to look out for that.

Make sure to use your oil before heading out to race with these shocks installed.

Pro-line Racing Big Bore Scaler Shocks: More About Product

What Makes It Stand Apart from the Others?

Holds More Oil

One thing that sets this set of shock absorbers apart is definitely the oil holding capacity. That’s right! When compared to the other ones on the list, this pair can hold more oil. It’s definitely not the only show. You can also expect a significant performance improvement from this. 

Leak Prevention

This one’s equipped with a neat X-Ring seal. You can count on this seal to prevent any oil leakages. So if you were worrying about constant oil refills after every ride, you shouldn’t anymore.

Product Overview

The next one on our list is from Pro-line Racing. And if you’re unaware of the brand, you just might be living under a rock. This set of two crawler shocks might just be enough to give you an insane performance boost. Let’s get into the details.

It’s a pair of Big Bore Scaler shocks that would surely perform when it’s put to the task. Pro-line has a reputation for making some great products. And, this pair of shocks might top their list. 

The best part? This set has a chrome coating on the shock shaft, making them quite a formidable choice. 

Pros and Cons

That’s about it for features. So which of them did you like? Are there any drawbacks? Let’s find out!

PROs
  • Comes with chrome coated shaft/li>
  • X-ring seal for reducing oil leakage
  • Holds more oil
  • Comes with a single spring design
  • CNC machined parts for precision
CONs
  • A bit on the more expensive side
  • Not a complete set

If the pricing of this one seems to bother you, check out some of the other budget-friendly options below. 

INJORA Built-in Spring Shock Absorber Damper: More About Product

What Makes It Stand Apart from the Others?

Easy Assembly

If you’re an enthusiast, you should know that it’s tricky to assemble the crawler shocks. This is where this set of shocks from INJORA sets itself apart. With the “Easy load shock seal” assembly, you won’t have to make a fuss while assembling.

Smooth Damping Effect

Damping is another thing that you should consider while you’re shopping for shocks. The smoother the damping effect, the better the shocks will perform under pressure. And you can expect this set of shocks to provide you one of the smoothest damping effects.

Product Overview

If you’re looking for the best RC Crawler shocks, then INJORA is a pretty common name to bump into. Before diving into the detailed specs, let’s talk about the options for you to choose from. 

Yes, you can choose the different shock lengths. The available options include 90mm, 120mm, 100mm, and 110mm. So that’s a lot of flexibility. And, when it comes to colors, you can choose from five different colors too. You can choose to show off those bright colors or stay low-key. 

The aluminum body of this set of shocks makes a ton of sense. It makes the entire set lightweight. You don’t have to worry about the shocks dragging your crawler behind. 

Pros and Cons

That’s enough features for now. Here’s a list of things you might find amusing, along with a couple of drawbacks. 

PROs
  • Durable aluminum build
  • Lightweight shocks
  • Available in multiple sizes
  • Great damping effect
  • Comes with spare screws and washers
CONs
  • Might come off as bouncy
  • Doesn’t come with oil

If the bouncy experience does not amuse you that some of these units might provide, check out the next set of shocks from Hobbypack. 

Hobbypark Aluminum Alloy Big Bore Shocks: More About Product

What Makes It Stand Apart from the Others?

Great for Big Bumps

This heavy-duty set of shocks from Hobbypark is definitely a monster when it goes up against the big bumps. It’s not uncommon for Crawler race tracks to have very uneven surfaces. That’s why Hobbypark equipped this one with some pretty great shock absorption.

CNC Machined for Precision 

The aluminum on this set of shocks is CNC machined. So you can probably get a clue that the aluminum parts are quite detailed. You won’t observe any edges sticking out on this one. So they are definitely contenders for the best RC rock crawler shocks

Product Overview

This is the second one on our list from Hobbypark. So you can probably guess that the brand’s not kidding around when it comes to making such shock absorbers. While it isn’t on par with the previous one on the list, it does hold its own when it has to.

Compatibility isn’t an issue with this set of shocks. You can expect them to work with Stampede 4×4, Traxxas Slash 4×4, and Rally 4×4. So you can imagine that these shocks are pretty decent when it comes to compatibility. 

The lengths of the front and rear shocks are different. You get two 100mm front shocks and a couple of other 115mm rear shocks. This keeps the rear end slightly lifted. 

Pros and Cons

So, what could be the things that might get hooked to this one? Take a look here, along with a couple of drawbacks

PROs
  • Perfect for the bigger bumps
  • Great compatibility with different brands
  • Durable aluminum build
  • Precise details as they are its CNC machined
  • Light in weight
CONs
  • Not too much oil applied
  • Some units might have stiff springs

No one’s a fan of the stiff springs, so check out the next one if you’ve got time! 

Hosim Aluminum 108mm Adjustable Assembled Spring Damper: More About Product

What Makes It Stand Apart from the Others?

Light Aluminum-Nylon Build

One of the things you must consider while shopping for shocks is weight. That’s where this thing competes for the throne. The lightweight nylon and aluminum build keeps the weight in check. So you don’t have to compromise the speed of your RC Crawler if you have these on.

Great Stock Replacement

If you still have those funky-looking stock shocks attached to your RC Crawler, this set should be a tempting upgrade.

Product Overview

Hosim is one of the brands which come to mind when you’re shopping for RC Crawler shocks. And this set of four managed to make it into our list. Before we get on with the details, let’s talk about options.

You’re going to love this set because it comes in a total of eight different colored finishes. So, if you want to show off some bling on your crawler, this could be a tempting option.

Even though this doesn’t come pre-assembled, it’s a pretty simple task. You’ll need washers and longer screws for the mounting part. The included pack of front and rear shocks have the same length of 108mm in this case. 

When it comes to oil filling, this step is pretty simple too. Although a little lubricating oil is present inside, you will need a bit more to hit the road. Using a branded shock absorber oil is highly recommended.

Pros and Cons

That should do it for the features. It’s time to talk about the pros and cons now. 

PROs
  • Lightweight nylon-aluminum build
  • Good stock shock replacement
  • Simple oil filling mechanism
  • Easy to assemble
CONs
  • Little shock oil included
  • Struggles with heavier crawlers

If you’re up for something that does a fine job with the heavy crawlers, check out the final choice on our list. 

G-Made 21007 XD Piggyback Shock: More About Product

What Makes It Stand Apart from the Others?

High-Quality Materials

This is one of the top-selling points of this shock. It’s a single 103mm shock that’s built to last. It’s also pretty lightweight, so it won’t add much weight to the RC crawler. 

Piggyback Adjustable Valve

The best part about this is probably that you can simply change the setups. That’s because of the addition of the piggyback adjustable valve. With the help of this fancy mechanism, you get a smooth driving experience on both off-road and on-road tracks. 

Product Overview

It’s time to end this list with a banger. And G-Made might help us out with that. Before we get started, it’s better to say that this one works well with other G-made replacement parts. So if you want to get the best out of your RC crawler, keep this in mind.

You can expect great durability from the high-quality materials that this one uses. The springs and the top part are durable enough to provide you a long-lasting experience. And you can expect these to be the best budget RC crawler shocks

When it comes to compatibility, you can rely on this one to fit different 1/10 and 1/8 scale rock crawlers. This shock even works with the 1/10 scale short course trucks. 

Pros and Cons

With the features out of the way, let’s make a list of the pros and cons. Check these out! 

PROs
  • Long-lasting performance
  • Made with high-quality materials
  • Fits different trucks and crawlers
CONs
  • It might come off as sloppy
  • Not great tolerances

That’s it with the reviews. It’s time to move on to the next section. 

Buying Guide

With the reviews out of the way, it’s time to add things to your cart, right? Hold on a second. There are a few other things you should know before you make the transaction. Here are some of the factors that you should keep in mind before buying a set of shocks.

Ensure a Better Dampening Effect

One of the first things to consider before eyeing your new shocks is the damping effect. You basically have to aim for a smoother damping effect for RC Crawlers. Unless the suspension can’t take the harder vibrations, it’s definitely a no-go.

Racing the crawlers is a fascinating hobby. And, you surely don’t want your crawler to tip over in the middle of the race. Now, that would be pretty embarrassing. That’s why you need to aim for a set of shocks that absorb the vibrations well.

If they absorb the harder vibrations well, it automatically means that the damping effect is doing a fine job. So do check out the damping effects before you make your purchase.

Try to Go for Aluminum Shocks 

Another important thing to take into consideration is the material. Your suspension or shock absorption system needs superior materials. Apart from that, they also need to be functional. You can’t just put solid iron parts into a shock set. That would automatically make the shocks heavy.

Aluminum is probably the best option to go for when it comes to RC crawler shocks. Since the remote-controlled vehicles need to go through some rocky off-road surfaces, they might come across a few bumps.

So the shock set needs to be able to handle the different collisions. Crawler racing has made it even more critical for the shocks to be durable. If two crawlers happen to crash into each other head-on, the suspensions shouldn’t fall apart. 

That’s why you should make sure that the material is suitable for your needs. Even if you’re a true crawler racing enthusiast, aluminum shocks should suffice. 

Lightweight Shocks are Better

Case in point, the weight of the shocks needs to be below. You will be at a significant disadvantage with heavier shock sets. You mustn’t add additional bloated options to your RC crawler. That’s because the added weight will certainly affect your performance.

If you’re at the help with a heavier crawler, you would know that the competitors with lighter crawlers would have an advantage. Some companies like to keep the weight of the shocks low. In some cases, you can see them going lower than the stock weights too.

That’s because when a shock replacement is done, keep performance improvements in mind. And, if you’re switching from a heavier to a lighter set of shocks, you’re sure to experience enhanced performance. 

Leakage of Oil

The last thing to keep in mind is random oil leaks. Since you need to refill the shocks with oil every now and then, they might leak oil with harder bumps. Even the most durable crawlers may face this problem.

That’s why it’s crucial for you to pick a crawler with a decent seal. A decent seal minimizes the effect of oil leaks, even if they can’t eliminate them completely. So you should choose a set of shocks that come with a good seal to keep oil from spilling. 

Watch out for the scale compatibility

Oil Filling Tips | turn to lubrication guide | types

If you’re a seasoned pro when it comes to RC Crawler racing, then you probably already have a clear idea. But if you’re a beginner, you can be benefitted from the oil filling tips. 

Since most of the choices on the list don’t come with adequate oil, this is probably the first thing you should do after your purchase. Then follow the next steps. 

Step 1: Prep your crawler and remove the older shocks. 

Step 2: Then pull the entire shock shaft out from the body of the shock. This might be tricky, depending on the model you have.

Step 3: Get all the air out first. Then pour oil down the cylinder till it’s almost full.

Step 4: Reassemble the shock, and you should be good to go.  

Conclusion

Let’s finish things off with a few parting words, shall we? We’ve done our part. Now it’s time for you to think a little. If you’re done with all that thinking, you can aim your sights on the best RC Crawler shocks

You should already have a complete idea by now if you’re really into the RC Crawler fan base. But feel free to reevaluate your choices if you want. We’re pretty sure you can’t go wrong with any of these!