Can’t find the best shocks for Nissan Xterra? We’ll help you make an informed decision.
What do shock absorbers do? The shock absorbers are made to arrest and reduce the springs’ vibrations when the car/truck bounces off on a not-so-smooth road/rugged terrain. The damping effect of the shocks is thus increased to reduce noise when the piston contracts or expands.
There are quite a few shocks available for Nissan Xterra, and the decision to select one requires some detailed understanding of the available options. For your ease, we’ve included in-depth reviews of the seven best shocks for a Nissan Xterra. So what are you waiting for? Read the reviews below and opt for the one that best matches your needs.
Best Shocks for Nissan Xterra – Comparison Table
| Image | Model | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Bilstein 24-187121 Shocks (Top Pick) | Check Price |
 | Bilstein 24-187169 Shocks (Close Runner-Up) | Check Price |
 | KYB 555052 Shocks | Check Price |
 | KYB 345068 Shocks | Check Price |
 | KYB 345075 Shocks | Check Price |
 | Monroe 37276 Shocks | Check Price |
 | Gabriel 69594 Shocks | Check Price |
1. Bilstein 24-187121 Shocks (Editor’s Choice)
The Bilstein 24-187121 are the best shocks for Nissan Xterra, in our opinion.
Bilstein is a pioneer brand in the automotive industry since 1873. They were the first brand to have introduced monotube technology in sports cars earlier in the 19th century. The rear shock is another beautiful product manufactured by Bilstein.
This shock is a direct fit upgrade from the OEM stock. It is a part of the B6 4600 series of shocks known for their control, performance, and high quality of handling of your vehicle.
Features
The Bilstein 24-187121 is available as a single piece, and you can replace either a single or both sides. These monotube gas pressure shocks are engineered for easy stability and control for cars/trucks and those towing motor homes on patchy roads. It eliminates aeration between the tire and the surface and keeps the Nissan Xterra tires firmly on the ground.
The valving technique controls the absorber’s oil flow under pressure and does not allow it to foam even as the load and towing capacity are increased; hence, the temperature rises. This way, you get enhanced control of the car/truck.
These shocks give you a high level of performance by increasing damping power and improving thermal energy dissipation outwards. The dampers absorb all the noise, and your vehicle feels like it is gliding over the most challenging terrain. These dampers are not expensive, given the increased in-service durability and mileage of your car/truck.
Some people who have used this shock have added a Nissan Xterra Leaf Suspension to reduce the bounce from the bumps and uneven surfaces.
Pros
- Monotube gas pressured shocks
- Increases service life of car/truck giving it extra mileage
- Weighs 4.54 pounds
- Enhanced braking, acceleration, and steering
- Smooth and instant control
Cons
- California Residents: Prop 65 warning
Overall, this is a terrific shock for your Nissan Xterra as the shock is as good as OEM quality. Blistein could include the header nuts in the packaging, which makes replacing these monotube shocks easier.
2. Bilstein 24-187169 Shocks (Close Runner-Up)
This shock is a part of the B6 4600 series that gives you a better ride convenience.
Features
Using the monotube technology for operating the gas pressured piston ensures that the piston continuously gets the oil. The oil makes it smoother for the piston to operate. Hence, when a bump comes, the piston contracts or expands as the vehicle takes off in the air for a few seconds before coming back on the ground.
The arm length of an extended piston also decides how many bumps it can take. This shock has a 530 mm piston arm length. A single monotube shock weighs 4.6 pounds (that is used on one side of the vehicle).
This shock is coated with zinc plating that gives it equally, if not more, smoothness than other Blistein shocks.
Pros
- Monotube gas pressured shocks
- Weight of 4.6 pounds
Cons
- California Residents: Prop 65 warning
Overall this shock from Blistein is also a good buy for your Nissan Xterra because of the zinc plating and black cover. The zinc coating and the black cover give you protection from dirt which could engulf the piston and hinder its performance.
3. KYB 555052 Shocks
The KYB Gas-a-Just gas shocks are a direct OEM upgrade to your Nissan Xterra.
Features
The manufacturers claim that they add 25% more damping than the original shocks. Since they are OEM for GM motors, KYB designs these shocks specifically for Nissan Xterra.
This piston is a monotube version. It is painted on the outside to disallow dirt and dust to settle. You get enhanced controls instantly with the high gas pressure design in the piston.
Pros
- Direct fit, easy to install
- No more body roll
- High-pressure design
Cons
- Only a 508 mm extended length
- Weights 5.18 pounds
- New bolts not provided
Overall, the KYB shocks are a good replacement option for your Nissan Xterra because of the instant control they provide. Good performance; they are not too stiff or too loose.
4. KYB 345068 Shocks
KYB provides original OEM parts for General Motors. They also have aftermarket auto parts made from original parts as they make as an OEM for GM. KYB makes shocks and struts only to re-establish the original vehicle controls or to enhance them.
Features
This shock absorber has a Teflon-coated piston band for a 100% sealing effect. It also has multiple-lips for sealing oil and preventing oil leaks. This ensures that the piston constantly gets an oil coating for a smooth operation. Both these things increase the life of the piston and hence of the overall vehicle.
The piston in this school is chrome plated three times to reduce wear and tear, increasing its operational life. The mounting arm rings and bolts have bolt bushing to reduce any noise.
Pros
- Bushings for bolts and mounting eyes
- Teflon coated piston
- Easy to install
Cons
- Only 511.mm extended length
- Weighs 5 pounds
The Teflon-coated piston in this shock should give you enhanced controls even on rugged terrain. This is a good choice for solid body control and braking.
5. KYB 345075 Shocks
KYB is the manufacturer of aftermarket shocks and struts for restoring or enhancing the original controls of the car/truck.
Features
This KYB shock has Teflon coated piston with several multiple-lip seals to prevent any oil leakages. This gives enhanced control to the car/truck. These are slightly shorter in extended length than others to offer ease in replacement of monotube type of shock. The vehicle tires don’t have to be hanging in suspension to change shocks. Every KYB shock is specially handmade and is specific to each vehicle.
Pros
- Has three-layered Teflon coated piston
- Multi-level lip-locking for oil
Cons
- 490 mm extended piston length
- 48-pound weight
Before you replace the shocks, ensure that you read the original OEM shocks’ damping power and match it. Its extended length is a little shorter at 490mm/19.33 inches for some Nissan Xterras when replacing the shock.
These KYB Excel-G series shocks are high quality to get you to control as the original.
6. Monroe 37276 Shocks
The Monroe 37276 offers you precision in the control of your vehicle through superior technology. It offers you outstanding performance and easy controls.
Features
Like other Monroe shocks, this shock has an additive added to its all-weather fluid to increase performance in bad weather and extreme temperatures. They prevent the oil from breaking down. This gives the piston a regular oil flow to operate smoothly.
Monroe 37276 piston design has a patented Low-Speed Tunability (LST) design that arrests and removes any noise on the tire’s impacts and vibration with the road. The fluon band provides consistent sealing between the pressure tube and the piston. This gives you high vehicle control and increased durability in the life of your vehicle.
Pros
- Twin technology of Impact Control Valve (ICV) and low-speed tunability
- The extended length of 514.35 mm of the piston
- 4 pounds in weight
- 99 mm of the piston bore
Cons
- California’s Proposition 65
- Prohibited for sale in Alaska, Guam, Hawai, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands
It’s a high-performance shock that is light-weight, has a more extended arm on the piston, and is a technology-driven shock. The all-weather fluid adjusts the piston’s performance to extreme conditions. You don’t lose control of the vehicle, and its performance is enhanced.
7. Gabriel 69594 Shocks
Gabriel is a 120+ years old company with the highest standards. It is the value that prompts it to offer a very high-quality shock for your Nissan Xterra. It offers shocks for more than 96% of the northern US market today.
Features
The Gabriel 69594 shock is an Ultra series shock. This is specially engineered for a high level of safety and enhanced performance with G-Force Technology. It is charged by Nitrogen gas which arrests aeration and gives you a smooth ride.
Pros
- It weighs 3 pounds only
- Uses G force technology in operation
Cons
- Extended piston length of 482.6 mm
- Not for sale in Catalina Islands
Overall, a good shock for your Nissan Xterra. It gives you G Force technology-based results for higher ride comfort and vehicle performance.
How to Pick the Best Shock Absorber for a Nissan Xterra?
As you will look to buy a shock for your Nissan Xterra, you will find a wide variety of the same. Here are some important considerations to be kept in mind before you select the best one. For your ease, we have an in-depth guide that details prime considerations for replacing the best shocks for a Nissan Xterra:
Budget
You can get a good quality shock in the price range of $40 to $90. That doesn’t mean you can’t find more expensive models, but you hardly can get a decent shock absorber cheaper than forty bucks.
Driving Conditions
If your drive is usually on patchy roads or dust trails, you are going to need a nitro-based shock that offers reduced heat and enhanced performance. If you are going to be on streets only that in-city you could go with hydro shocks which are less expensive.
If you replace hydro shocks, you must ensure that your vehicle doesn’t use dirt roads and that your driving style is paced out, smooth, and even. You cannot afford to hit the dirt roads else your shocks will give away.
Shock Type
Shock absorbers are available in two main categories depending on the agent cooling them. These are nitro shock absorbers which use nitrogen gas to cool, and hydro shocks, which use oil to cool.
In either case, the purpose remains the same – to cool the piston’s high temperature as it expands and contracts to absorb the shock/gap between the tire and road. Because of the pressurized nitrogen gas, the nitro shock absorbers are expensive than the hydro shocks.
- Hydro Shocks: These are good shocks when used for regular street performance. They are not suitable for off-roading as bubbles are formed on the piston due to the piston’s higher expansion and contraction and high temperatures. The bubbles produced cause the piston to operate slowly, giving you a terrible ride experience. Use hydro shocks only for smooth city streets.
- Nitro Shocks: Nitro shocks welcome high performance and off-roading. The pressurized nitrogen gas doesn’t form any bubble on the piston, and hence the piston keeps working smoothly. Nitro shocks are stiffer initially than hydro shocks because they are filled with pressurized nitrogen. They are a bit more expensive than hydro shocks.
Wrapping-up: the Best Shocks for a Nissan Xterra
Our recommendation is the Bilstein 24-187121 shock for your Nissan Xterra for its lightweight model and superior monotube performance that gives you better turning controls, easier breaking in the shorter distance, less wear and tear tires, and much more.
These are the best shocks for Nissan Xterra available on the market at the moment.