The Ultimate MagneRide Delete Guide for GMC Sierra & Silverado Denali (2015–2025)

You bought a Sierra Denali or Silverado High Country because you wanted a truck that performs. But somewhere between 60,000 and 100,000 miles, the MagneRide system that once impressed you is now the most expensive line item at your dealership. Fluid degrades, sensors fail, and suddenly you’re staring at a $3,200-$5,600 bill just to restore what the truck had from the factory.

There’s a better path. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about bypassing your GM 1500 truck’s adaptive ride control system and, more importantly, replacing it with the shocks YOU choose, not the ones someone else picked for you.

Why MagneRide Fails on the 2015-2025 Sierra & Silverado Denali

MagneRide is an electromagnetic suspension technology licensed by GM that uses a magneto-rheological fluid inside each shock absorber. The system reads road conditions up to 1,000 times per second and adjusts damping in real time. In theory, it’s impressive. In practice, the fluid breaks down.

After 60K-100K miles, MagneRide fluid loses its viscosity response. The iron particles in the fluid begin to clump, reducing the system’s ability to respond to the electromagnetic field. The result? A ride that starts feeling unpredictably harsh over small bumps, exactly the opposite of what you paid for.

What owners actually report:

• Service Suspension System warning appearing on the dashboard with no obvious cause

• Harsh, choppy ride on well-paved roads even at low speeds

• Dealership quoting $800-$1,400 per corner for OEM shock replacement

• Sensor failures triggering speed limiter engagement on some configurations

• No aftermarket OEM-equivalent shocks available at a reasonable price point

What ‘Adaptive Ride Control Bypass’ Actually Means

When people search for “adaptive ride control bypass” or “MagneRide delete,” they’re looking for one of two things: either a way to silence the dashboard warnings after removing the factory shocks, or a way to completely exit the MagneRide ecosystem and run conventional aftermarket dampers.

A proper bypass does both. It communicates with the truck’s CAN bus, the electronic nervous system that manages communication between modules, and emulates the signals the MagneRide system would normally send. The truck’s body control module (BCM) sees nominal readings, the “Service Suspension System” light never appears, and the speed limiter that some configurations engage during fault states is never triggered.

This is critically different from simply unplugging the shock connectors or installing a resistor, both of which are crude workarounds that leave the fault code active and often trigger the truck’s limp mode.

The Kit Trap: Why Pre-Packaged Competitor Kits Limit Your Build

Here’s something most guides won’t tell you: the biggest competitor products in the MagneRide delete space aren’t selling you freedom. They’re selling you a new kind of lock-in.

The dominant model from brands like Magdelete is a bundled kit, with different types of bypass modules and a set of shocks packaged together. At first glance, this seems convenient. But think about what you’re actually agreeing to:

• You’re buying shocks chosen by someone else, not matched to your build, your terrain, or your payload requirements.

• If the shocks or module fail, who do you contact, Magdelete or the manufacturer for support?

• You’re locked into replacing components on their schedule, with their parts, at their prices.

• You’re trusting electronics that were not designed specifically for GM’s CAN bus architecture.

Truck builders in Dallas running leveling kits have different suspension needs than a family hauling a fifth-wheel out of Chicago. A weekend warrior in LA building a light-duty street truck has different damping priorities than someone running an overland rig. A one-size kit serves none of these people well.

The better approach: a standalone OBD-II module that handles the electronics completely, properly, from the cabin and lets you source the exact shocks you want from the aftermarket.

Introducing the OBD/SS ARC: US-Engineered, Plug-and-Play

The OBD/SS ARC is ShockSims’ purpose-built solution for 2019-2025 GM 1500 trucks equipped with Adaptive Ride Control. It is engineered in the United States, specifically for GM’s fifth-generation CAN bus architecture, not adapted from a generic overseas module.

How it works:

• Plug the OBD/SS ARC taps into your truck’s CAN bus.

• The module continuously emulates the signal handshake that GM’s BCM expects from the MagneRide shocks.

• No wiring runs under the truck. No splicing. No physical modification to the vehicle.

• The “Service Suspension System” warning is eliminated at the source.

• Speed limiter engagement triggered by suspension fault codes is bypassed.

What stays in the cabin:

The entire electronics solution lives on the CAN bus. This is not a philosophical preference; it’s an engineering decision with real-world consequences. Running wiring under a truck exposes that wiring to heat cycling, moisture intrusion, road debris, and corrosion. Cabin-based solutions avoid all of that.

Quick Compatibility Guide: OBD/SS ARC & OBD-SS Classic for GM 1500 Trucks

Use this table to confirm compatibility before purchasing. If your configuration isn’t listed, contact our Florida-based support team directly at (407) 542-4848.

Not sure which module you need? The split between the OBD/SS ARC (2019+) and OBD/SS Classic (2015-2018) reflects a significant architectural change in GM’s suspension control modules between generations. The 2019+ trucks use a revised ARC-specific protocol that requires the updated module.

Top-Tier Shock Pairings for Your Deleted Denali Truck

Once you have the OBD/SS ARC handling the electronics, the entire aftermarket is open to you. Here’s how we break down the top choices by use case:

Our Top Recommendation: Bilstein 5100 Series

For the majority of Sierra and Silverado Denali owners running stock ride height or a modest 2″ level, the Bilstein 5100 is the gold standard pairing for the OBD/SS ARC. The monotube design delivers consistent damping across a wide temperature range, it’s specifically valved for GM full-size truck weights, and it’s available at most major retailers for straightforward sourcing.

ShockSims vs. Magdelete: The Real Comparison

Here’s an objective look at how the ShockSims OBD/SS ARC compares against our international competitor:

Step-by-Step: What the OBD/SS ARC Install Process Looks Like

One of the most common questions we receive is about installation complexity. Here’s the honest answer: if you can change your own air filter, you can install the OBD/SS ARC.

1. Turn the vehicle OFF and disconnect the battery negative cable.
   
   
2. Remove your MagneRide shocks and install your chosen aftermarket shocks (Bilstein, Monroe, Fox, etc.). Standard lift procedure applies.
   
   

3. Disconnect the OEM shock wiring harness connectors at each corner. Leave them disconnected; they will not be reused.

4. Permanently remove Fuse F56 (SADS 15A) from the fuse box located on the passenger side of the engine in front of the battery.
   
   

5. Locate your BCM under the driver’s side dash and tap 2 wires. If you have the ARC-R, connect it in-line to the sensor under the passenger seat and skip to step 7.

6. Connect the other two wires to Power and Ground.
   

7. Connect the battery negative cable and start the truck. Confirm no suspension warning lights are active. The module is communicating correctly.

Total install time, assuming shocks are already off the truck: under 17 minutes. No professional mechanic required. No special diagnostic tools needed.

Unlock Your Suspension Freedom

The MagneRide system on your Sierra or Silverado Denali was impressive when it was new. But when it starts costing you thousands in repairs and limiting your ability to build the truck you actually want, it’s time to make a change.

The OBD/SS ARC gives you the only real answer: a US-engineered, cabin-based module that eliminates every suspension electronic fault, bypasses every suspension speed-limiter trigger, and leaves you completely free to choose Bilstein, Monroe, Fox, or whatever shock fits your build.

You’re not locked into someone else’s kit or limited only to slow email support when you have a question you need answered now.