Do pickup trucks have shocks or struts?
In most pickup trucks you’ll encounter both damping components: front suspensions often use a MacPherson strut or another damper design, while the rear typically uses leaf springs with shocks. The exact arrangement depends on the model and generation.
Understanding the terms
Shocks and struts both dampen suspension movement, but they are not identical. A shock absorber dampens motion by converting kinetic energy into heat. A strut is a structural component of the suspension that can include a coil spring and a damper; in a MacPherson strut, the spring and damper are combined in one unit and also serve as a load-bearing element in the front suspension.
Front suspension configurations commonly found on pickups
Modern pickups mix two main front-end approaches. The first uses MacPherson struts, where the coil spring and shock are integrated in a single strut assembly. The second uses independent multi-link or double-wishbone layouts with separate coil springs and shock absorbers.
- MacPherson strut with coil spring (spring and damper housed in one unit).
- Independent front suspension with separate coil springs and shocks (double-wishbone or multi-link designs).
In practice, many light-duty to mid-range pickups use MacPherson struts at the front, while some models and trim lines use independent front suspensions with separate dampers and springs for improved ride and handling. The overall function remains damper-based, whether via a strut or a separate shock.
Rear suspension configurations commonly found on pickups
Rear suspensions in pickups typically rely on leaf springs in the traditional setup, but coil-sprung and independent rear suspension configurations exist as well, particularly in newer or higher-end models. The choice affects ride comfort, payload, and articulation.
- Leaf springs with twin rear shocks (one shock per side) for damping on many traditional pickups.
- Coil springs with separate rear shocks (sometimes accompanied by a five-link or multi-link arrangement).
- Independent rear suspension (IRR) in some newer models to improve ride and handling, often with coil springs and dampers.
For heavy-duty trucks, a solid rear axle with leaf springs remains common, paired with dampers to control articulation and load transfer. For some lighter or newer trucks, coil springs and/or IRR provide a smoother ride when unloaded or lightly loaded.
How to tell what your truck has
Check the front suspension: if you see a single large strut housing both the spring and the damper attached to the steering knuckle, you likely have a MacPherson strut. If you see a separate coil spring mounted near the wheel with a distinct damper, the front suspension is an independent layout with separate shocks. For the rear, if there are leaf springs with shackles and one or two shocks per side, you’re looking at a leaf-spring rear with dampers; if the rear uses coil springs with a more compact damper arrangement or an independent setup, that indicates coil-sprung or IRR.
Conclusion
The naming can be confusing in everyday language, but the practical answer is that pickup trucks use both types of damping components. Shocks damp motion, while struts can be damper units that also serve as a structural spring carrier. Front suspensions most often use struts in many modern pickups or separate shock absorbers with independent arms, while the rear commonly uses leaf springs with shocks or coil-sprung systems depending on the model.
Summary
Pickup trucks employ a variety of front-end and rear-end suspension designs. In most cases, you will encounter both struts (in MacPherson-style front suspensions) and separate shock absorbers, with leaf-spring or coil-sprung rear suspensions. The exact configuration varies by model and year, but the reliable fact is that damping is provided by shocks or struts as part of the suspension system, not a single universal component across all trucks.
