This page includes affiliate links. If you buy through them, RC Tech Tips may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Shock upgrades only make sense when the front/rear length, pair count, springs, oil, hardware, and Slash model match your truck.
Quick Verdict: Which Slash Shock Upgrade Makes Sense?
For most Slash owners, Traxxas GTR shocks are the best upgrade when you want threaded aluminum bodies, more tuning range, and a Traxxas-native fit path. Traxxas Big Bore shocks are the simpler upgrade because they are sold as a set of four. Pro-Line PowerStroke shocks are a strong tuning option, but you need to buy the correct front and rear pairs and verify setup details before ordering.
| Shock option | Best for | What to verify | Avoid if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traxxas GTR long and XX-long | Slash owners who want the premium Traxxas upgrade path and threaded spring collars | 7461-family long fronts, 7462-family XX-long rears, pair quantity, springs, color/version, and Slash fitment | You want one box with all four shocks and springs handled for you |
| Traxxas Big Bore 5862 | Owners who want a simpler set-of-four aluminum shock upgrade | Complete set of four, included oil/spacers/spring notes, and whether your model should use included or vehicle springs | You specifically want GTR threaded collars or more separate tuning options |
| Pro-Line PowerStroke | Drivers who want more tuning range and are comfortable checking front/rear part numbers | Front pair, rear pair, Slash model fit, oil/spring contents, and any mounting needs | You want the easiest Traxxas-only parts path |
| Rebuild stock Ultra shocks | Budget repairs, light backyard driving, or a truck that only has a leak or bent shaft | Caps, shafts, seals, oil, and whether the shock body is still worth saving | You keep popping caps, bending shafts, or changing ride height often |
What Shocks Come On A Traxxas Slash?
Many Slash models use Traxxas Ultra shocks from the factory. They are serviceable plastic-bodied oil shocks, and for normal driving they can be good enough. The common reasons to upgrade are leaking caps, bent shafts, rough landings, inconsistent damping, or wanting easier spring-preload adjustment.
If you already own a Slash Ultimate, check your truck before buying shocks. The Ultimate trim is the factory-upgraded path and may already include GTR shocks. If you are comparing trucks instead of parts, read the Slash Ultimate vs VXL guide before buying duplicate upgrades.
Traxxas GTR Shocks: Best Premium Traxxas Path
GTR shocks are the cleanest premium Traxxas upgrade path when you want aluminum bodies, threaded preload collars, and rebuildable tuning room without leaving the Traxxas ecosystem. The buying risk is that Slash owners generally need different front and rear shock lengths, and GTR shocks are sold in pairs. Traxxas lists long GTR shocks and XX-long GTR shocks as pair products, with shock oil included and springs sold separately.
Use the long GTR pair for the front path and the XX-long GTR pair for the rear path only after confirming your exact Slash model and part-number family. Color letters such as `G` or `X` usually indicate finish/version, not a different basic length.
GTR shock buying checks
Traxxas GTR long shocks
Best for: Slash owners who want a Traxxas-native front/long GTR path
Avoid if: Drivers who want a complete four-shock kit in one box or do not want separate spring checks
Confirm 7461-family long length, pair quantity, color/version, Slash fitment, and springs sold separately.
Buy on AmazonTraxxas GTR XX-long shocks
Best for: Slash owners completing the GTR long/XX-long setup
Avoid if: Readers who have not confirmed springs or rear XX-long fitment
Confirm 7462-family XX-long length, pair quantity, color/version, rear fitment, and springs sold separately.
Buy on AmazonTraxxas XX-long GTR springs
Best for: Readers who need a spring check after choosing XX-long GTR shocks
Avoid if: Readers who need a universal spring or oil solution
Use only if 7449 XX-long spring length and rate match the setup; shock oil choice still needs separate tuning judgment.
Buy on Amazon| GTR part path | Use for | Verify before buying |
|---|---|---|
| 7461-family long GTR shocks | Front shock path on compatible Slash setups | Pair quantity, long length, Slash model fit, color/version, oil included, and springs sold separately |
| 7462-family XX-long GTR shocks | Rear shock path on compatible Slash setups | Pair quantity, XX-long length, rear fitment, color/version, oil included, and springs sold separately |
| GTR springs | Spring support after choosing GTR bodies | Long vs XX-long length, spring rate, pair quantity, and whether the rate fits your surface and truck weight |
For the deeper head-to-head choice, use the Pro-Line vs GTR shocks comparison. This page stays focused on the broader Slash shock upgrade path.
Traxxas Big Bore 5862: Simpler Set-Of-Four Upgrade
Big Bore shocks are the simpler Traxxas upgrade when you do not want to piece together separate front and rear GTR pairs. Traxxas lists the 5862 Big Bore set as four shocks and describes the kit as including 30-weight shock oil, ride-height spacers, and progressive-rate springs for 2WD Slash models. For other models, Traxxas says to use the springs included with the vehicle, so still check your exact Slash setup before buying.
Choose Big Bore if you want a cleaner all-in-one shock upgrade and do not need GTR threaded collars. Choose GTR if you want the more adjustable Traxxas shock path and are willing to buy/check springs separately.
Traxxas Big Bore shock set
Best for: drivers who want a practical handling and durability upgrade
Avoid if: drivers who want threaded GTR tuning or unrelated scale shocks
Verify 5862 set contents oil spacers and Rustler fit before buying.
Buy on AmazonPro-Line PowerStroke: Tuning Option, Not The Simple Path
Pro-Line PowerStroke shocks are worth considering if you want more tuning range and are comfortable matching front and rear pairs. They are not the easiest path for every owner because you need to avoid front/rear mixups and verify whether the listing includes everything your setup needs.
Use Pro-Line when you are intentionally tuning suspension and want an alternative to Traxxas GTR. If your main goal is a straightforward Traxxas upgrade, GTR or Big Bore will usually be easier to explain, buy, and maintain.
Pro-Line PowerStroke buying checks
Pro-Line PowerStroke front shocks
Best for: Slash owners choosing the more tunable Pro-Line setup
Avoid if: Readers who want the simplest Traxxas-only parts path
Confirm front pair, 88mm fit, Slash model fit, oil/spring contents, and adapter needs.
Buy on AmazonPro-Line PowerStroke rear shocks
Best for: Slash owners choosing the more tunable Pro-Line setup
Avoid if: Readers who have not confirmed front/rear matching
Confirm rear pair, 102mm fit, Slash model fit, oil/spring contents, and adapter needs.
Buy on AmazonShock Oil And Springs: Do Not Skip This Check
Shock bodies are only part of the setup. Springs hold the truck up and affect ride height. Shock oil controls damping and how quickly the suspension moves. Heavier oil slows movement; lighter oil lets the suspension react faster. The right setup depends on truck weight, tires, terrain, jump size, driving speed, and whether you are running more power than stock.
Do not assume the stiffest spring and heaviest oil are automatically better. If the truck packs down, bounces, bottoms out, or traction gets worse, change one variable at a time and keep notes. If you are also moving from 2S to 3S, read the 2S vs 3S LiPo setup guide because extra speed can expose suspension and drivetrain weaknesses faster.
Fitment Checklist Before Ordering Slash Shocks
- Confirm whether your Slash is 2WD, 4X4, VXL, Ultimate, or another trim.
- Check whether the truck already has GTR shocks before ordering upgrades.
- Verify front and rear shock lengths separately.
- Check whether the listing is a pair or a full set of four.
- Confirm whether springs are included or sold separately.
- Confirm whether shock oil is included and whether the weight makes sense for your use.
- Check mounting hardware and spacers before taking the truck apart.
- Avoid generic aluminum shocks unless fitment, length, and parts support are clear.
Suspension is only one part of the upgrade path. If you are mapping out the whole truck, use the broader Traxxas Slash upgrades guide. If steering is the next weak point, keep the best servo for the Traxxas Slash page on your list for the next upgrade pass.
Helpful Source Checks
- Traxxas lists Big Bore shocks as part of its Slash upgrade path.
- Traxxas product pages for long GTR shocks and XX-long GTR shocks are useful for pair quantity, oil, and spring requirements.
- The Traxxas 5862 Big Bore page is the source to check for kit contents and spring notes.
Traxxas Slash Shock Upgrade FAQ
What Is The Best Traxxas Slash Shock Upgrade?
For most owners who want the premium Traxxas path, GTR shocks are the best Slash shock upgrade. Big Bore shocks are better if you want a simpler set of four, and Pro-Line PowerStroke shocks fit owners who want more tuning options.
Do Traxxas GTR Shocks Need Springs?
Yes, GTR shock listings often sell the shock bodies in pairs with oil but without springs. Confirm the exact long or XX-long spring length and rate before ordering.
Do Traxxas Big Bore Shocks Fit The Slash?
Traxxas 5862 Big Bore shocks are a Slash upgrade path, but you still need to verify your exact Slash model and the spring notes. Traxxas says the kit includes progressive-rate springs for 2WD Slash models, while other models may use the vehicle springs.
Are Pro-Line PowerStroke Shocks Better Than GTR?
Pro-Line PowerStroke shocks can offer more tuning flexibility, but GTR shocks are usually the easier Traxxas-native upgrade. The better choice depends on whether you want tuning range or simpler fitment.
What Shock Oil Should I Use In A Traxxas Slash?
There is no single shock oil weight for every Slash. Start from the oil included with the shocks or a common baseline, then tune one step at a time based on terrain, jumps, traction, spring rate, and truck weight.
