Are changing shocks a worthwhile mod??

[thegame81]

Hey guys,

I don't plan on doing a lift or bigger tires. I feel the XR is perfect for my use. The only desire I have to mod is to make it even better than stock configuration.

Better ride quality on the street and since it's a 392 I actually use it more like a desert runner than a rock crawler.

Just wanted to see if you guys thought better shocks could actually improve the drivability and not upset the geometry or give me the dreaded death wobble.

As a jeep in stock configuration I think it's so good it's just as a guy I have a desire to screw with things mod them and try and make them even better. Half the fun of ownership isn't it lol

Thanks and any suggestions would be appreciated.

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[AcesandEights]

If you think of it in basic terms, springs provide ride height and weight capacity. Shocks (I call them dampers) provide response to road conditions (ride quality).

So, YES, new shocks will change your ride quality and are a worthwhile modification to some people. Some folks drive to and from work, a few miles each way, on a smooth paved road. It won't make a difference for those folks. If you drive aggressively, or on varied terrain, you'll notice more of a difference. If you get your shocks tuned to the vehicle and the terrain, it'll make a night and day difference. The "thing" if there is one, is that most of us think we're a race car driver, or a rally racer, or a Baja 1000 desert racer, and we're not. Most of us drive a few miles to work everyday and dream about the Rubicon trail and racing to Ensenada. If we're honest with ourselves, a nice set of Bilsteins will be more than adequate. If you're a 1%'er, then pay $1k per corner and blast down desert roads at 10 - 20 mph faster than the rest of us!

 

[dragoneggs]

What do you want? A softer ride? Stiffer ride? The ability to adjust the ride depending on road/off road? I think unless you are going off pavement and/or plan to run hard or add a bunch of weight to the Jeep… it would be a waste of money.

The springs/shocks are engineered by Jeep for best all around ‘drivability’ for 4dr, 2dr, engine type, weight, etc. If you don’t know what you are after… don’t chase it.

 

[Bill_BCNtoNY]

I can vouch for the prerunner kit from 4x4Proyect - definitely oriented towards desert running and driving fast(-ish, it’s still a Jeep!). They are self-adjusting, and can be further custom tuned to your rig and driving use if you ask for it, too.

full disclosure - the 4x4proyect people are friends and former clients of mine and I have their kit on my Jeep. I paid for the kit and got a nice friends/family discount.

If you’re curious, check out what this MotoGP racer did with the kit during off-season in the Sahara desert:
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Also, they even make a kit for Sprinter vans which I think is cool for a suspension engineering firm, too:

 

[Kbinspections]

How long do OEM Rubicon shocks last? When do most people replace them?

 

[Tank2112]

Sounds like classic FOMO.
Factory XR shocks have been tested by Jeep for a balance of both on-road and off-road performance. They did their research out in the field.
Issue with simply replacing shocks is you are not gaining travel. With more travel, a high dollar shock can improve for Baja style driving.
Most that just “upgrade” shocks end up with a stiffer ride. If that’s what you want?
Stock length shock has to be stiffer to help reduce bottoming out.
if you are Baja’ing to the point that shock fluid is heating up causing shock to fade, then a reservoir with more fluid may help. But you have to be really running hard to get to that point.

 

[GATORB8]

Better ride quality on the street and since it's a 392 I actually use it more like a desert runner than a rock crawler.

How real are you being with this statement?

There are several things you can do, even close to factory height.

 

[BDinTX]

@thegame81 what has you thinking about new shocks?

I'm guessing it is because you keep hitting your bump stops.
The XR and some other models have longer jounce tubes that results in annoyingly little up travel. If that's what is going on you might be better served with spring spacers.

Here's a pretty good thread discussing the issue.
XR observations | Jeep Wrangler Forums (JL / JLU) -- Rubicon, 4xe, 392, Sahara, Sport - JLwranglerforums.com

Here's another one about a 392 that broke the front axle and was likely the result of high speed driving and not enough up travel.
392 broken axle | Jeep Wrangler Forums (JL / JLU) -- Rubicon, 4xe, 392, Sahara, Sport - JLwranglerforums.com

 

[AcesandEights]

How long do OEM Rubicon shocks last? When do most people replace them?

Most OEM shocks have a ~50k mile life.

More expensive, rebuildable, "tuned" shocks have a shorter life. When you pay more for suspension you're paying for performance, not life. If you opt for more adjustable, tuned, shocks, you'll probably want to rebuild them every 25k miles, more or less, depending on use.

 

[Fast-n-Furious]

I spent a lot of time looking into the shocks last year. Didn’t change mainly because I’m still happy with the XR shocks after 2 years with 15k miles, daily driver.

I’ve bought the Clayton performance coils and they should improve the on-road performance due to higher spring rates.

Still plenty time to decide how to waste my money.

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