Used King Shocks - Fair Price Assessment

[NateTTU]

Looking for some advice—there’s a local seller offering a set of King shocks with about 80K miles on them, which seems pretty high. He’s asking $2,500 and is including a new set of eyelet bearings, but also seems open to negotiating.

What would you consider a fair price for something like this? My initial thought was closer to half that, but I’m not sure if that’s realistic.

For context, I’m considering these as part of a potential move from 35s to 37s. Any input would be appreciated.

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[Baja Bronco]

80K would need a full rebuild. Not to mention how much abuse they might have taken (shock bodies / shafts). IMO, probably better to look elsewhere. With shocks I would buy new. Buy once, cry once.

 

[userdude]

That's a lot of miles on shocks, albeit rebuildable ones but still. Don't forget it'll be some coin to install unless you do it yourself.

I'd look at the Pro Comp VSRT's if you're doing 37's. Cheaper but still a great shock. Only thing I don't know is if you can get the front's right now. Another decent option are the Bilstein 6100s (adjustable not the Ford Performance version, and not the 6112's which is for non-Sas). I would assume you have Sas since you mentioned 35s.

I would check out this thread:

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/2025-suspension-recommendations-by-snacktime.108733/

 

[5GENIDN]

Typical rebuild is at 50,000 miles.... I would not pay more than $500 for them. They need a complete rebuild assuming they are in good shape. If they are in poor shape they are trash. I would purchase them for that price if he had them rebuilt with a certification of the rebuild from someone I trust in the business.

$2500 is slightly over half the new in the box price. Would you pay half the new price for a car that was beyond it's expected life span?

 

[F-Spot]

Looking for some advice—there’s a local seller offering a set of King shocks with about 80K miles on them, which seems pretty high. He’s asking $2,500 and is including a new set of eyelet bearings, but also seems open to negotiating.

What would you consider a fair price for something like this? My initial thought was closer to half that, but I’m not sure if that’s realistic.

For context, I’m considering these as part of a potential move from 35s to 37s. Any input would be appreciated.

Speaking strictly about Kings, you can get the adjustable remote reservoir version brand new for around $4500, give or take a couple hundred, for the full set...and about $3800 for the full set of non-adjustable reservoirs. A full rebuild of those used shocks will likely be around $200-$300 each. If you don't have a rebuild shop near you, factor in shipping cost too...they are heavy and bulky so won't be cheap to ship.

 

[NateTTU]

That's a lot of miles on shocks, albeit rebuildable ones but still. Don't forget it'll be some coin to install unless you do it yourself.

I'd look at the Pro Comp VSRT's if you're doing 37's. Cheaper but still a great shock. Only thing I don't know is if you can get the front's right now. Another decent option are the Bilstein 6100s (adjustable not the Ford Performance version, and not the 6112's which is for non-Sas). I would assume you have Sas since you mentioned 35s.

I would check out this thread:

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/2025-suspension-recommendations-by-snacktime.108733/

Thanks.

Yes, I’ll be doing all the work myself. I don’t have a SAS, but I recently picked up a set of essentially new SAS takeoff coilovers along with some Goodyear 35s.

That said, after picking up the 35s last night and seeing his Bronco with 37s, it definitely got me thinking. I’m not fully sold on making the jump, as I know moving to 37s can quickly introduce additional cost and potential complications. However, since the opportunity came up, I figured it was worth asking the question.

 

[NateTTU]

Typical rebuild is at 50,000 miles.... I would not pay more than $500 for them. They need a complete rebuild assuming they are in good shape. If they are in poor shape they are trash. I would purchase them for that price if he had them rebuilt with a certification of the rebuild from someone I trust in the business.

$2500 is slightly over half the new in the box price. Would you pay half the new price for a car that was beyond it's expected life span?

Yeah no way at $2500, $500 I probably would roll the dice though.

 

[NateTTU]

Speaking strictly about Kings, you can get the adjustable remote reservoir version brand new for around $4500, give or take a couple hundred, for the full set...and about $3800 for the full set of non-adjustable reservoirs. A full rebuild of those used shocks will likely be around $200-$300 each.

I just got a local guy to quote me $225 per shock, so that lines up. FWIW, these are the fully adjustable ones.

 

[userdude]

Thanks.

Yes, I’ll be doing all the work myself. I don’t have a SAS, but I recently picked up a set of essentially new SAS takeoff coilovers along with some Goodyear 35s.

That said, after picking up the 35s last night and seeing his Bronco with 37s, it definitely got me thinking. I’m not fully sold on making the jump, as I know moving to 37s can quickly introduce additional cost and potential complications. However, since the opportunity came up, I figured it was worth asking the question.

I personally can't tell that much difference between 35's and 37's just eyeballing them. Especially truer 35's (my Maxxis Razr M/T's were 34.8" new), I just don't see the benefit unless I really needed the clearance (and then I might go skinny 38's instead if I'm going through the trouble). It's a lot more effort, wear, money etc.

 

[AccuTune Offroad]

Another vote for not buying used, and not just bc we want to sell you new shocks. You would be amazed at some of the shocks we get sent in for basic service work, that turn into a nightmare. Parts & labor add up quick and often times its hard to see without the shocks being opened up.

If you decide to buy new, keep us in mind! King with or without adjusters are in stock.

 

[5GENIDN]

Here is a big vote for contacting Accutune! Talk to them, ask questions... lots of questions. They are the experts I would trust.

 

[NateTTU]

Appreciate all the feedback. I'm definitely not going with the used shocks and I will keep Accutune in mind when I get to a point where I've saved enough to do it the right way.

 

[23OBX2.7]

It's all pretty much a shot in the dark unless you can give the tuner exact frequencies and other data points that they can accommodate and validate.

Best to ride in some custom tuned damper set ups and get that tune to derisk or the FP kit because you know it works all around.

Otherwise, just get the live valve options for stupid money and never look back it's only 100-150% more and possibly a write off if it's a business or work vehicle.

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