Need 1998 Ram 1500 shocks or struts? This page is catalog-backed ride control for the 2nd-gen Ram 1500 (1994–2001), including 1998. It is not Ram 2500/3500, not the 2019+ DT, and it is not a van, Rebel, or TRX.
KYB Excel-G / Gas-a-Just / MonoMax and Gabriel Ultra / Guardian / HiJackers numbers below come from the U.S. KYB shocks & struts catalog and Gabriel 2018 application guide. Do not mix KYB Europe SKUs onto these rows. 2WD vs 4WD (and air vs coil on some trucks) still change the corner.
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2nd-gen Ram 1500 (1994–2001) shock shop notes — 1998
These are ride-control shop notes for the 2nd-gen Ram 1500 that includes 1998. Numbers come from the KYB U.S. shocks/struts book and the Gabriel 2018 application guide we host under Catalogs — not from torque charts, and not from the KYB Europe PDF.
What usually brings people here
- Nose dive, hollow ride, or a wet shock body → front damper worn out. Start with the Front list on this page and match 2WD/4WD (and air vs coil on Rams) before you order.
- Rear sag under tow, cargo squat, or a floaty highway feel → rear shocks first. If Gabriel lists a HiJackers air shock for this truck, that is the load-assist path — not a substitute for broken leaf springs.
- Clunk that is not a ball joint or sway link → check upper strut mounts / bearing plates when the catalog lists them beside the strut row.
KYB vs Gabriel — how we pick a line
KYB Excel-G 344372 is the OE-style twin-tube daily driver; Gas-a-Just KG54102 is the firmer high-pressure monotube when both appear for the same corner — pick one philosophy, don’t mix left/right. Gabriel Ultra G63662 is the premium twin-tube path; Guardian/ProGuard 61600 is the value / fleet alternative when both show up. Gabriel HiJackers air shock 431818 is load-assist for tow/sag — air hose kit footnotes in the book mean pair packs; confirm before ordering.
While you’re in there
Replace dampers in axle pairs. Inspect bump stops and dust boots while the corner is apart. If the truck also clunks or wanders, see 1998 Ram 1500 suspension parts. If brakes are next, see 1998 Ram 1500 brake parts.
Shop notes only — not a service manual. Use the factory procedure or a Haynes/Chilton manual for wrench work, torque, and safety steps. Leave a comment with 2WD/4WD (and air vs coil if equipped) plus the symptom if you want a part-number check.
1998 Ram 1500 front shocks / struts
- KYB Excel-G: 344372 (2WD)
- KYB Gas-a-Just: KG54102 (2WD)
- KYB MonoMax: 565015 (2WD)
- KYB Excel-G: 344376 (4WD)
- KYB Gas-a-Just: KG54315 (4WD)
- KYB MonoMax: 565017 (4WD)
- Gabriel Guardian / ProGuard Classic: 81873
- Gabriel Max Control LTV: 77662
- Gabriel HiJackers air shock: 492357 (load-assist / tow / sag air shock)
- Gabriel Ultra: G63673 (4WD)
- Gabriel Guardian / ProGuard Classic: 61634 (4WD)
- Gabriel Max Control LTV: 58673 (4WD)
- Gabriel Guardian / ProGuard Classic: 81919
- Gabriel Max Control LTV: 77673
- Gabriel Ultra: G63661 (RWD)
- Gabriel Guardian / ProGuard Classic: 61599 (RWD)
- Gabriel Max Control LTV: 58661 (RWD)
- Gabriel Guardian / ProGuard Classic: 81928
- Gabriel Max Control LTV: 77661
1998 Ram 1500 rear shocks / struts
- KYB Excel-G: 344365 (2WD)
- KYB Gas-a-Just: KG54104 (2WD)
- KYB MonoMax: 565016 (2WD)
- Gabriel Ultra: G63662
- Gabriel Guardian / ProGuard Classic: 61600
- Gabriel Max Control LTV: 58662
- Gabriel HiJackers air shock: 431818 (load-assist / tow / sag air shock)
Fitment notes
These KYB and Gabriel numbers come from the U.S. KYB shocks & struts catalog and the Gabriel 2018 application guide (plus Gabriel HD only when a 1500 row appears). Year ranges in those books that cover 1998 are expanded onto this page. Mount/boot kits are omitted unless they rode beside a damper row we kept. Do not use KYB Europe application SKUs here. Skip 2500/3500, Mega Cab-only, SRT-10, Power Wagon, Rebel/TRX, and van rows. Air-suspension trucks still use passive aftermarket dampers only where the catalog does not send you to electronic/air OEM units. Gabriel HiJackers (air) shocks are load-assist for tow/sag — pair-pack / hose-kit footnotes in the book; they are not a fix for broken springs.
Related: 1998 Ram 1500 suspension parts. 1998 Ram 1500 brake parts. KYB shocks and struts catalog. Gabriel shocks and struts catalog. Ram 1500 catalog page.
Leave a comment with 2WD vs 4WD, coil vs air, and the symptom if you want a part-number check. #HAPPYMOTORING