Skyjacker N8081 Nitro 8000 Front Shock Chevy GMC K1500/K2500 4WD 0-3in Lift

Vehicle Fitment

• 1988-1998 Chevrolet K1500 - 4WD | Front | 0-3 in. Lift
• 1988-1998 Chevrolet K2500 - 4WD | Front | 0-3 in. Lift
• 1988-1998 Chevrolet K3500 - 4WD | Front | 0-3 in. Lift
• 1988 Chevrolet V30 - 4WD | Front | 0-3 in. Lift
• 1989-1991 Chevrolet V3500 - 4WD | Front | 0-3 in. Lift
• 1992-1994 Chevrolet Blazer (K5 Blazer) - 4WD | Front | 0-3 in. Lift
• 1992-1998 Chevrolet K1500 Suburban - 4WD | Front | 0-3 in. Lift
• 1992-1998 Chevrolet K2500 Suburban - 4WD | Front | 0-3 in. Lift
• 1995-1999 Chevrolet Tahoe - 4WD | Front | 0-3 in. Lift
• 1989-1998 GMC K1500 - 4WD | Front | 0-3 in. Lift
• 1988-2000 GMC K2500 - 4WD | Front | 0-3 in. Lift
• 1988-1998 GMC K3500 - 4WD | Front | 0-3 in. Lift
• 1988-1991 GMC V3500 - 4WD | Front | 0-3 in. Lift
• 1992-1998 GMC K1500 Suburban - 4WD | Front | 0-3 in. Lift
• 1992-1998 GMC K2500 Suburban - 4WD | Front | 0-3 in. Lift
• 1992-1998 GMC Yukon - 4WD | Front | 0-3 in. Lift
• 1998 GMC C3500 - 4WD | Front | 0-3 in. Lift
• 1999-2001 Cadillac Escalade - 4WD & RWD | Front | Stock Height (0 in. lift)
• Note: N8081 is designed for stock-height to mildly lifted (0-3 in.) front applications on GMT400-platform full-size trucks and SUVs. For front lift heights of 4-6 in. on these same platforms, use N8085 instead.
• Note: The Cadillac Escalade application covers stock-height replacement only. The Escalade is compatible in both 4WD and RWD configurations.
• Note: This shock is front-position only. It does not serve as a rear shock on any listed platform.

Features

• 150 PSI nitrogen gas-charged pressure actively prevents fluid aeration and damping fade, delivering consistent front shock performance across stock to 3 in. lifted GMT400-platform GM trucks and SUVs
• True velocity-sensitive valving automatically adjusts damping resistance in real time to terrain speed and suspension inputs - optimal for the independent front suspension geometry of these coil-spring 4WD platforms at stock to mild lift heights
• Twin-tube construction with multi-stage valving provides stable secondary fluid chamber performance across the full 7.0 in. stroke, appropriately sized for the front suspension travel of these applications at 0-3 in. of lift
• Oversized bonded iron piston head ensures precise fluid displacement and consistent damping force throughout the front stroke range on the heavy-duty GMT400 platform
• 5/8 in. diameter hardened, double-chrome piston rod resists corrosion, bending, and surface scoring - critical for the front axle shock rods exposed to road salt and off-road debris on these truck and SUV platforms
• Leak-proof seal and orifice disk design prevents fluid bypass and extends service life for years of front suspension use on these long-running classic GMT400 trucks
• Red polyurethane bushings at both upper and lower Eyelet/Sleeve mounts provide improved vibration isolation and long-term durability superior to aged OE rubber on vehicles of this era
• Eyelet/Sleeve (top) / Eyelet/Sleeve (bottom) mount configuration installs directly to the factory front shock mounting points on all confirmed platforms - no modification required
• Red protective boot included to shield the piston rod from road debris, mud, and salt at the front axle
• Internal rebound bumper prevents metal-to-metal contact at full droop
• Shock must mount body-down - mandatory installation orientation for correct function and longevity
• Limited Lifetime Warranty backed by Skyjacker's SkyArmor Plus supplemental warranty program

Specifications

• Part Number: N8081
• Series: Nitro 8000
• Shock Type: Twin-tube, nitrogen gas-charged
• Nitrogen Charge Pressure: 150 PSI
• Extended Length: 19.07 in. (per Skyjacker official and H7081 Hydro equivalent cross-reference via PartsGeek and PartsHawk; ShockSurplus spec table lists 19.32 in.)
• Collapsed Length: 12.07 in. (per Skyjacker official and H7081 cross-reference; ShockSurplus lists 12.01 in.)
• Shock Stroke / Travel: 7.0 in. (per H7081 Hydro equivalent; ShockSurplus lists 7.31 in.)
• Upper Mount Type: Eyelet/Sleeve
• Lower Mount Type: Eyelet/Sleeve
• Bushing Material: Red polyurethane (both ends)
• Piston Type: Bonded iron (oversized)
• Piston Rod Diameter: 5/8 in. (hardened, double chrome)
• Boot Included: Yes (red)
• Adjustable Length: No
• Position: Front only
• Lift Height: 0-3 in. front (all platforms except Escalade, which is stock height only)
• Drivetrain: 4WD (GMT400 truck/SUV platforms); 4WD & RWD (Cadillac Escalade)
• Mounting Orientation: Body down (required)

Included Components

• 1x Skyjacker N8081 Nitro 8000 Front Shock Absorber
• 1x Red Protective Boot
• 2x Red Polyurethane Bushings (upper and lower Eyelet/Sleeve mounts)
• All necessary washers and nuts for installation (factory shock mounting bolts are reused)

Product Description

The Skyjacker N8081 is a Nitro 8000 Series twin-tube, 150 PSI nitrogen gas-charged front shock absorber with an Eyelet/Sleeve (top) / Eyelet/Sleeve (bottom) mount configuration and a 7.0 in. stroke. It is purpose-built for the front suspension of GMT400-platform Chevrolet and GMC full-size 4WD trucks and SUVs from 1988 through the late 1990s, covering a wide range of models at stock height through 3 in. of front lift: the Chevrolet K1500/K2500/K3500 (1988-1998), Chevrolet K1500 and K2500 Suburbans (1992-1998), Chevrolet Blazer (1992-1994), Chevrolet Tahoe (1995-1999), GMC K1500/K2500/K3500 (1988-2000), GMC K1500 and K2500 Suburbans (1992-1998), GMC Yukon (1992-1998), and the 1999-2001 Cadillac Escalade at stock height in both 4WD and RWD.

At 19.07 in. extended and 12.07 in. collapsed, N8081 is sized for the stock-to-mild-lift front coil spring suspension travel of these GMT400-family independent front suspension platforms. It is the companion to N8085 (22.71/13.93, 4-6 in. front lift) within the same Nitro 8000 family for these platforms. The 150 PSI nitrogen charge suppresses fluid foaming and fade, while the velocity-sensitive valving adapts to road and terrain inputs at the front axle across the vehicle's operational life.

A minor spec variance exists between sources: Skyjacker.com and the H7081 Hydro equivalent cross-reference both confirm 19.07 in. extended / 12.07 in. collapsed, while ShockSurplus lists 19.32 / 12.01. The Skyjacker manufacturer figures are used as the primary reference. Sold individually; order two for a complete front replacement. Newest confirmed application is 2001 (Cadillac Escalade). No 2025 fitment is applicable for this part number.