Four new shock kits land, each built for one platform — check your model year before you buy

Four shock packages arrived this cycle, and the useful thing to know first is that none of them is universal. Each one is listed for a single platform, and in two cases the year window is tight. Match your machine and model year to the list below before you spend anything — a kit built for one chassis is not a kit for another, and a part listed for a newer year does not necessarily fit an older one.

The Bilstein 5100 Series Shock Set is listed for the N300, model years 2016 through 2023. If your N300 is a 2024 or later, this set is not listed for it — do not assume the carryover. The 5100 is a drop-in replacement aimed at owners who want a firmer, more controlled ride than a worn factory damper without moving to a full coilover.

The Fox 2.0 Performance Series IFP Shocks are listed for the JL across its full run so far, model years 2018 through 2026. The internal floating piston design is Fox's answer to fade on long, rough descents, where a basic twin-tube heats up and goes vague. This is the broadest fitment of the four.

The Icon Vehicle Dynamics Stage 2 Suspension System is listed for the U725, model years 2021 through 2026 only. It is a system rather than a single pair of shocks, so expect it to touch more of the suspension than a drop-in damper swap. If your U725 predates 2021, it is not on the list.

The King Shocks 3.0 Bypass Shock Kit is listed for the RAPTOR, model years 2010 through 2026. Bypass shocks are the race-bred end of this group: they change damping through the stroke, staying supple over small stuff and ramping up resistance deep in the travel to resist bottoming. That capability comes with setup complexity most owners will want a shop to handle.

A word on numbers: whatever you fit, the ride height change, preload, fastener torque and any spring rate are specification values that belong to the service manual for your exact machine and the kit's own instructions. Do not guess them and do not copy a figure from a forum. An under-torqued shock mount can work loose on the trail, and an over-torqued one can strip or crack a bracket — either failure happens at the worst possible moment, under load, far from help. Read the manual, use the manufacturer's figures, and if the instructions and your service manual disagree, stop and confirm before you tighten anything.