Are these Rubicon Express Shocks a good setup?

[blnewt]

4WParts has them for a seemingly smoking deal right now, but are they decent??

https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/2021-Jeep-Wrangler-(JL)-Rubicon-ExpressRubicon-Express-2.5"-Front-Piggy-Back-Reservoir-Shocks-RXP901/_/R-BKTG-RXP901

https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/2020-Jeep-Gladiator-Rubicon-ExpressRubicon-Express-2.5"-Rear-Piggy-Back-Reservoir-Shocks-RXP902/_/R-BKTG-RXP902?ppcfon=1&gp=1

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[engineXI]

It's a great question. $1680 for a full set of reservoir style shocks. How bad could they be? It's at least 1/2 the price of some of the Fox or King shocks.

 

[blnewt]

It's a great question. $1680 for a full set of reservoir style shocks. How bad could they be? It's at least 1/2 the price of some of the Fox or King shocks.

Actually that price is for the pair, so it's $840 for the full F&R set. That's why I was rather eager to know how they are

 

[Sholmberg0311]

Actually that price is for the pair, so it's $840 for the full F&R set. That's why I was rather eager to know how they are

I have RE LCA's and track bar and they are pretty beefy and have held up well. Interesting these shocks are priced so low.

 

[GATORB8]

@blnewt
Found the lengths on Car ID:
Front:
Extended Length: 27.20"
Compressed Length: 18.04"

Rear:
Extended Length: 30.00"
Compressed Length: 18.04"

So you'll need ~2" of front bump and ~1" rear to protect them.

What's your suspension setup? I have AnnDee's spreadsheet handy and can drop them in for you so you can compare to some other options.

 

[blnewt]

I have RE LCA's and track bar and they are pretty beefy and have held up well. Interesting these shocks are priced so low.

Good to know, it seems only 4WPs has that deal going, others list them at over $1k for the pair.

 

[blnewt]

@blnewt
Found the lengths on Car ID:
Front:
Extended Length: 27.20"
Compressed Length: 18.04"

Rear:
Extended Length: 30.00"
Compressed Length: 18.04"

So you'll need ~2" of front bump and ~1" rear to protect them.

What's your suspension setup? I have AnnDee's spreadsheet handy and can drop them in for you so you can compare to some other options.

Thanks for that info, I'll have some researching to do there!
I only have Rubicon 4dr springs/shocks on my 2dr Sport S, so basically it's setup like a stock Rubi 2dr.
And FWIW I don't want to lift it further as I'm going for a LCG build.

 

[GATORB8]

Thanks for that info, I'll have some researching to do there!
I only have Rubicon 4dr springs/shocks on my 2dr Sport S, so basically it's setup like a stock Rubi 2dr.
And FWIW I don't want to lift it further as I'm going for a LCG build.

Unfortunately, without bump stops, looks like you'll be compression limited (and pretty bad) in the F&R. Also, it's gonna shrink your uptravel pretty bad without a lift.

This is assuming @AnnDee4444 's measurements carry for the JL as well, maybe they know if it's the same.

 

[GATORB8]

@blnewt
Played around with the spreadsheet a bit to try to come up with some options for you on a straight Rubicon height with no bumps. I looked to see if there was a lower lift version of the RE resi's and didn't see any, but they do have a standard Monotube (not sure if it's IFP) that has a compressed length that works and lists a great extended length that would get you some serious droop disco'd.

Edit: Note, I don't know if the stock Rubi springs are still retained (wouldn't fall out) at 27.8" of extension.

 

[AnnDee4444]

Unfortunately, without bump stops, looks like you'll be compression limited (and pretty bad) in the F&R. Also, it's gonna shrink your uptravel pretty bad without a lift.

This is assuming @AnnDee4444 's measurements carry for the JL as well, maybe they know if it's the same.

JL vs JLU? I have no reason to believe the bump stops are any different between the two.

So far the only the Diesel, Recon Xtreme, JT Mojave, and possibly the 392 have different factory bump stops than the standard 3.6 or 2.0 Sport/Sahara/Willys/Moab/Islander/High Altitude/Rubicon.

 

[blnewt]

Thanks for the heads-up guys, looks like I'll have to pass on these, but damn, that deal is pretty crazy!
I assume adding spring retaining clips would be a fairly heavy duty application as those loose springs are pretty heavy, and the option of just hoping the springs wouldn't pop loose w/out them isn't appealing at all Also like @GATORB8 mentioned, the overall travel when using that shock size is compromised by a lot.

Looks like Fox shocks w/ the zero to 1.5" lift (IIRC) would be my best option.

 

[GATORB8]

Thanks for the heads-up guys, looks like I'll have to pass on these, but damn, that deal is pretty crazy!
I assume adding spring retaining clips would be a fairly heavy duty application as those loose springs are pretty heavy, and the option of just hoping the springs wouldn't pop loose w/out them isn't appealing at all Also like @GATORB8 mentioned, the overall travel when using that shock size is compromised by a lot.

Looks like Fox shocks w/ the zero to 1.5" lift (IIRC) would be my best option.

Can you get your shock eye to eye measurement at ride height? With the 4 door springs, you may be a little higher than just a JL Rub. Baseline in the spreadsheet is 20" eye to eye for the Rubicon.

What size tires are you running? A small bump may open up a couple other shock options if you have the height to still have decent uptravel.

 

[AnnDee4444]

A small bump may open up a couple other shock options if you have the height to still have decent uptravel.

FYI: The Fox 2"-3" lift shocks are a good match with a 1/2" bump stop extension in the front.

 

[blnewt]

Can you get your shock eye to eye measurement at ride height? With the 4 door springs, you may be a little higher than just a JL Rub. Baseline in the spreadsheet is 20" eye to eye for the Rubicon.

What size tires are you running? A small bump may open up a couple other shock options if you have the height to still have decent uptravel.

I can get those measurements tonight, I currently run 295/70s but have 315/70/17 Mickey ATZP3s (which run pretty true to size) that will be installed in a couple months.

 

[blnewt]

BTW, are Rubicon Express made by Billstein??

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