Top Lift Kits for the 2021-2026 Ford Bronco

Top Entry Level Lift Kits for the Ford Bronco

A Shock Surplus Guide: Real-World Reviews Across the Full Suspension Spectrum

Whether you're upgrading from a base-trim Bronco or looking to push your Badlands Sasquatch harder in the desert, the suspension upgrade path for the 6th-generation Ford Bronco is one of the most exciting in the off-road industry.

Shock Surplus has spent thousands of miles testing every major shock and coilover option available — from a simple Bilstein 5100 bolt-on to the flagship Bilstein 8112 DSA+ — and this master guide compiles our hands-on findings into one place. Read the full review for each option by following the links below, then use the comparison table at the end to pick the right upgrade for your Bronco, your budget, and your driving style.

1. Ford Bronco HOSS 2.0 (Bilstein ESCV) – The Baseline

If you own a Badlands or Sasquatch Bronco, you already have one of the best factory suspension systems ever to roll off an assembly line. The HOSS 2.0 package features Bilstein's End Stop Control Valve (ESCV) 2-inch body shocks, which use an internal valve to prevent harsh bottom-outs at high speeds. Shock Surplus put the system through its paces at Johnson Valley in 104-degree heat, running the Bronco at 30, 40, and even 60 mph through moderate whoops with no notable shock fade — an impressive result for factory equipment. Bilstein's digressive tuning delivers strong low-speed handling, which translates to composed road manners on the daily commute.

That said, the ESCV system is not without tradeoffs. The shocks are quite firm over small bumps at lower speeds, and the internal jounce stops can engage frequently when pushing the vehicle hard, creating a bouncy ping-pong sensation — especially noticeable in the rear of a short-wheelbase two-door model. On-road comfort suffers noticeably compared to more compliant aftermarket options. The HOSS 2.0 is a strong foundation, but if you find the ride too stiff or want genuine performance gains for trail and desert driving, the aftermarket options below represent meaningful steps forward.

2. Bilstein 5100 Shocks for the Ford Bronco

The Bilstein 5100 is the entry-level aftermarket shock from Bilstein for the 2021+ Ford Bronco, and it delivers a surprisingly comfortable upgrade over the base-model non-HOSS suspension (HOSS 1.0). Featuring Bilstein's ride-height-adjustable design with circlip settings, the 5100 uses the factory coil springs and bolts in with minimal fuss. On the road and on trail, the 5100s feel noticeably more compliant than the stock ESCV shocks — highway expansion joints, washboard roads, and small trail chatter are all significantly dampened. The tone is softer and more forgiving, making the daily driving experience more livable on most Broncos with base or Outer Banks trims.

However, the 5100 is not without limits. The 46mm piston lacks the damping surface area to truly control a Bronco running 35-inch or larger tires at speed — testers found themselves running out of travel during high-speed off-road runs, and the shocks felt like they were holding the Bronco back rather than unleashing it. Shock Surplus does not recommend upgrading from the Bilstein ESCV (HOSS 2.0) to the 5100, as it represents a step backward in off-road performance. Where the 5100 shines is as an upgrade for Base, Big Bend, or Outer Banks models looking for a more comfortable, controlled ride without breaking the bank.

3. Bilstein 6100 & 6112 Shocks for the Ford Bronco

The Bilstein 6100 and 6112 represent a significant step up in performance for the Bronco, featuring a massive 2.6-inch body and 60mm piston that provides roughly 25% more damping surface area than the 5100 or stock HOSS shocks. The 6100 is a circlip-adjustable coilover designed for Badlands and Sasquatch Broncos that retain their factory OEM springs, offering up to 1.6 inches of lift in the front on Sasquatch models. The 6112 adds a new set of springs to the equation, allowing any trim level to run the 6100-series strut, with lift potential up to 2.5 inches on four-door Sasquatch models. Both are built to OEM tolerances as a Tier 1 Ford supplier, with a reputation for 100,000-mile durability across many applications.

Choosing between the two comes down to your existing trim level and how much lift you want. If you have a HOSS 1.0-equipped Bronco (anything other than Badlands or Sasquatch), you'll need the 6112 with springs since the non-Bilstein factory springs do not fit the 6100 body correctly. Importantly, Shock Surplus pre-assembles these struts with the correct mounts, bump stops, and insulators — which means you avoid the significant hazard of compressing the oversized springs yourself. The end result is a shock that is more comfortable, more stable, and more supportive than both HOSS variants, with long-lasting low-maintenance durability that mirrors the factory units.

4. Eibach Pro-Truck Stage 2 Coilovers for the Ford Bronco

Eibach's entry into the performance truck coilover market has been a genuine surprise. The Pro-Truck Stage 2 kit is a threaded body 2.0-inch coilover with universal springs, a spanner wrench included, and a million-mile warranty — all at a price point that undercuts Fox and Icon 2.5-inch options by a noticeable margin. On a 2022 Ford Bronco running 37-inch tires, Eibach delivered well-balanced ride quality that sits in the sweet spot between the firmer Bilstein and softer Fox ride character. Shock Surplus ran these through Johnson Valley at speeds up to 60 mph without experiencing shock fade, and trail compliance was noticeably improved over the 2-inch Bilstein options tested previously.

However, the Eibach's 2.0-inch body has limitations that become apparent with heavier tires and aggressive off-road use. On the 37-inch Maxxis Razr MTs used in testing, the shocks occasionally struggled to control the unsprung mass, leading to tire bounce on the highway and loose rear-end handling characteristics under braking and through transitions. Eibach themselves note this kit is optimized for 35-inch tires. Drivers running 35s or smaller will find the Eibach a great value option with genuinely impressive ride quality — one that trades some raw damping force for excellent everyday composure and a more budget-friendly price compared to competing 2.5-inch kits.

5. Icon 2.5 EXP & 2.5 IR Coilovers for the Ford Bronco

Icon's 2.5-inch IR (Internal Reservoir) coilovers are a true 2.5-inch monotube design that cycles more front and rear suspension travel than virtually anything else tested in Shock Surplus's Bronco evolution series — approximately 11 inches in the front and a massive 14 inches in the rear. The shocks feature an innovative top-mount design that threads through the rear tower for maximum droop travel, and they come with bump stop spacers specifically engineered to protect fender flares on 37-inch tire setups. On the road, the Icons drove more like a BMW M car than a lifted off-roader, with minimal body roll, nearly zero brake dive, and confident handling that allowed the team to throw the short-wheelbase Bronco around corners like a sports car while sitting on 37s.

Off-road, these shocks truly come alive. Their digressive valving rewards faster driving — the faster you push, the more compliant and forgiving they become. With 14 inches of rear travel, articulation was dramatically improved, nearly making the driver forget the Bronco doesn't have a solid front axle. The shocks are valved on the firmer side to accommodate additional overlanding gear and armor weight, so a lightly loaded two-door may feel slightly stiff at slow trail speeds. They are best suited for aggressive drivers who want the most available travel, excellent handling precision, and the ability to run large tires without trimming — and who don't mind a firmer everyday ride in exchange for exceptional off-road performance.

6. Fox 2.5 Performance Elite Coilovers for the Ford Bronco

Fox's 2.5 Performance Elite coilovers for the 2021+ Bronco are built from anodized 6061 T6 aluminum — virtually corrosion-free and extremely lightweight — and come with one of the most sophisticated compression adjuster designs of any shock tested in the series. The dual-speed adjuster offers independent 10-click low-speed and 12-click high-speed compression control, allowing you to separately tune body roll and handling response on the low-speed side while managing big-bump compliance with the high-speed knob. Out of the box, the Fox setup delivered an impressive 3.5 inches of front lift on a two-door Sasquatch and handled confidently enough for the Shock Surplus team's ex-Formula Drift pilot to treat the short-wheelbase Bronco like a sports car in traffic.

High-speed off-road is where the Fox earns its reputation. Its mid-speed compression support allows drivers to progressively work up to the shocks' limit — making them more approachable and less requiring of a leap-of-faith approach compared to the King setup. The Fox shocks do come with a caveat, however: their intentionally long compressed length restricts upward suspension travel, meaning they work best at higher lift heights and are not ideal if you want to run minimal lift. Their bump stops are also underwhelming out of the box and should be upgraded for serious desert running. For drivers who prioritize handling precision, 37-inch tire clearance without fender trimming, and high-lift aesthetics, the Fox Performance Elites are an excellent choice.

7. King 2.5 Adjustable Coilovers for the Ford Bronco

King Shocks has long been synonymous with ride comfort and desert capability, and the 2.5 adjustable coilovers for the Bronco are no exception. Built with a zinc-plated steel body, a 24-click single-speed compression adjuster, and dual-rate rear springs, the Kings are wonderfully easy to live with. On the road, they were the most compliant set tested — transmitting less road harshness, handling bump stops invisibly, and giving passengers a genuinely Cadillac-like ride quality regardless of adjuster setting. Their additional suspension travel and shorter compressed length (compared to the Fox) allow for better articulation on trail, excellent traction over slow technical terrain, and a more natural flex in the suspension system.

Where King shocks differentiate themselves is in their ability to soak up big desert whoops at high speed, albeit in a counterintuitive way. Their plush, linear valving and long, progressive bump stops mean there are essentially two speed thresholds — at moderate speeds the shocks will hit their bump stops noticeably, but at higher sustained speeds they become remarkably composed and capable. This rewards confident, experienced desert drivers but can feel alarming to those still learning. The King's steel body also makes height and spring rate adjustments much easier than the Fox aluminum body — no spring compressor needed — which is ideal for photographers, overlanders, or anyone frequently adjusting for varying loads.

8. Dobinsons MRR Coilovers for the Ford Bronco

The Dobinsons MRR coilovers bring an exceptional level of tunability to the Bronco at a price point below the Bilstein 8112 DSA+. Featuring a 60mm monotube main piston with a 60mm remote reservoir, the MRR system offers three separate adjustment dials: 10 clicks of high-speed compression, 20 clicks of low-speed compression, and 15 clicks of rebound — a rebound adjuster being a notably rare feature among truck performance shocks. Shock Surplus tuned the MRRs specifically for their 2-door Bronco and found the range to be enormous, allowing the setup to go from nearly plush/floaty on smooth dirt roads to communicative and tight in a canyon. On washboard at 40–50 mph, the ride was described as feeling almost like the interstate.

In high-speed off-road testing over the same whoop section used for prior Bronco reviews, the Dobinsons MRRs hit approximately 38–40 mph — impressive for a non-position-sensitive 2.5-inch body shock — though the Bilstein 8112s tested on the same section cleared 60 mph. The MRRs also offered approximately 10–10.5 inches of front travel and 12 inches of rear travel, with correctly split spring rates for 2-door vs. 4-door Broncos. Shock Surplus's Bronco driver called these his favorite coilovers tested on the platform. A few early-kit installation quirks were noted (reservoir hose clearance with some UCAs, rear rebound adjuster access post-install), but at around $4,300 these represent a well-rounded, highly tunable package for daily-driven Broncos that also need to perform on trail.

9. Bilstein 8112 DSA+ Coilovers for the Ford Bronco

The Bilstein 8112 DSA+ is the flagship coilover tested in the entire Bronco series, and it earns that title decisively. Built around a 2.65-inch threaded body with a 60mm piston, the 8112 features five distinct damping zones: three in compression (10-click high-speed, 20-click low-speed, and a 10-click JCO jounce control valve) and two in rebound (standard rebound adjustment plus an RCO top-out control). This zone-control architecture means the shock effectively functions like a position-sensitive bypass — using hydraulic cutoff valves to deliver cloud-like small-bump compliance without sacrificing composure when the Bronco gets fully compressed. On-road, testers found a near-perfect balance of plush ride quality and precise cornering without having to max out any individual setting.

At speed off-road, the 8112s are borderline unfair. The team ran 2-foot-deep whoops at 55 mph with no tire lift and pushed fire-road runs up to 80 mph with no fade and no drama — performance the article describes as feeling like cheating. Compared to other options in this price range, the Bilstein 8112 essentially eliminates the trade-off between daily driver comfort and desert running capability. The primary limitations are practical: the shocks are not designed for maximum articulation and limit travel similarly to stock Sasquatch shocks, they are not ideal for fitting 37-inch tires without fender trimming, and the $5,600 price tag is a serious commitment. For drivers who want the absolute best bolt-on coilover without cutting into the chassis for long travel, these are the answer.

Ready to upgrade? Browse the full range of Ford Bronco shocks at ShockSurplus.com or call our experts at 213-433-3616.