Need some shock advice, please.

[longfiredragon]

I have 2021 JLUW sport. Came with the Rubicon shocks.

A full lift will come later. Something like the Clayton 1.5 overland. But, right now I need shocks, two are leaking. I'm not upset because I have wheeled the piss out of my jeep this last year. It's just time for an upgrade.

I am on a 2" spacer lift currently, so someone correct me here, but I believe I just need stock size/travel shocks.

2 questions.

Can I get shocks that will work with the Clayton (or other 1.5" lift) now?
Then I won't need shocks later when I get the lift. Which will actually be around 2"s of lift on my sport.

Second question.

What shocks would some of you recommend. My budget is between $600 to $800 dollars.

There is just so many. Bilstein,fox,king,falcon,etc.

Thanks for the help.

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[GATORB8]

What are you bumped at?

 

[longfiredragon]

What are you bumped at?

Are you referring to the bump stops?

I am not sure. There what came with the spacer kit. It is a Daystar 2" spacer lift with the longer LCAs.

I am going to say the spacer kit kept the jeep at exactly where it was stock. Just spacers to lift it 2"s.

Another words the shock travel is stock, I'm pretty sure.

 

[GATORB8]

Are you referring to the bump stops?

I am not sure. There what came with the spacer kit. It is a Daystar 2" spacer lift with the longer LCAs.

I am going to say the spacer kit kept the jeep at exactly where it was stock. Just spacers to lift it 2"s.

Another words the shock travel is stock, I'm pretty sure.

I'm gonna guess the bump extensions are 2". So you are only at stock shock travel with the extensions, otherwise it'd be 2" less.

Assuming 2", you need shocks with no more than 18.25" compressed length in front. Front driveshaft needs to be replaced if you go longer than 29" extended.

I think you'll be okay with free length all the way to driveshaft conflict. You may need new rear sway links if they aren't long enough.

Throw away the extensions, and get shocks built for the longer length, you'll get more shock travel out of it. If you like it firm, nothing wrong with the Bilstein 5100s and they're a great value for the money. I'd go with the 3-4.5s to max out flex, but you can run the 2-3" and still gain an inch of droop compared to your current setup. Want somthing a little more compliant? Fox 2.0 IFPs are in the budget, you'll only get an extra 1/2" out of the 2-3s, the 3.5-4 also get you basically max flex with the stock driveshaft.

I'm not real familiar with the Falcons are Kings. The Falcon 2.1 2-3s have good extension in that lift height category.

 

[longfiredragon]

I'm gonna guess the bump extensions are 2". So you are only at stock shock travel with the extensions, otherwise it'd be 2" less.

Assuming 2", you need shocks with no more than 18.25" compressed length in front. Front driveshaft needs to be replaced if you go longer than 29" extended.

I think you'll be okay with free length all the way to driveshaft conflict. You may need new rear sway links if they aren't long enough.

Throw away the extensions, and get shocks built for the longer length, you'll get more shock travel out of it. If you like it firm, nothing wrong with the Bilstein 5100s and they're a great value for the money. I'd go with the 3-4.5s to max out flex, but you can run the 2-3" and still gain an inch of droop compared to your current setup. Want somthing a little more compliant? Fox 2.0 IFPs are in the budget, you'll only get an extra 1/2" out of the 2-3s, the 3.5-4 also get you basically max flex with the stock driveshaft.

I'm not real familiar with the Falcons are Kings. The Falcon 2.1 2-3s have good extension in that lift height category.

Thanks brother.

It's been a while since I was doing all this stuff. Yes, I believe you are correct. The bump stops are 2". The kit came with both front and rear longer sway bar links. So I should be good there?

Doing some research I am looking at monotube shocks like the Fox 2.0 IFP and the Rancho RS9000XL, but also the Bilstein.

I didn't think about the extension's though. That's a good idea, get the longer shock and get rid of the extensions. Thanks.

 

[AcesandEights]

Just so I understand, you have a 2" lift now, and you will later; swapping from spacers to springs?

You should get some Bilstein 5100 for a two-inch lift and get rid of the extensions. They are the right length shocks now, and they will be later.

 

[longfiredragon]

Just so I understand, you have a 2" lift now, and you will later; swapping from spacers to springs?

You should get some Bilstein 5100 for a two-inch lift and get rid of the extensions. They are the right length shocks now, and they will be later.

Yes, correct.

So kinda narrowed it down to the Bilstein or fox 2.0 IFP.

Of course I would like a little better off road performance, but like a lot of us most driving is on the street. I would prefer not to have too stiff of ride on the street and I don't know which is better between the two. Checking into it.

 

[Roky]

Second question.

What shocks would some of you recommend. My budget is between $600 to $800 dollars.

There is just so many. Bilstein,fox,king,falcon,etc.

Thanks for the help.

Hey man, just my .02 …….. there’s nothing wrong with the other brands listed, but if you’re end game is Clayton springs, then Fox will pair with them better than the others, imo…..also I’d get the 3-4” and adjust bumps as needed… you’ll likely get at least 2-2.5” of lift…. Also if you decide you need a little more lift you won’t have to buy shocks again…..like I said, just some .02 …….

 

[swampflyer]

What’s the opinion out there for the stock Rubicon shocks on the stock JLR? I don’t have a lift and not going to get one. Never had a problem with the stock JLR shocks on or off road. Seems to be pretty well balanced. But then again I’m sure with lifts etc upgrades would be needed. I’ve just replaced front steering system with steersmarts and mopar beedlock wheels and rides good on or off road.

 

[longfiredragon]

Hey man, just my .02 …….. there’s nothing wrong with the other brands listed, but if you’re end game is Clayton springs, then Fox will pair with them better than the others, imo…..also I’d get the 3-4” and adjust bumps as needed… you’ll likely get at least 2-2.5” of lift…. Also if you decide you need a little more lift you won’t have to buy shocks again…..like I said, just some .02 …….

Thanks Roky

You know I value your opinion. To be clear, I can keep the jeep setup the way it is with the 3 to 4" for now and when I get the lift change the bump stops for a little added flex?

Swampflyer

My experience (which isn't a lot) with the Rubicon shocks is there okay. I never felt they were great on or off road. I have done considerable off roading with my jeep. Not really rock crawling but countless forest service roads, 9 BOH trails and a bunch of trails where sometimes I wasn't even sure where the road was.

Anyway, they may be better than stock jeep shocks but after punishing mine for 44K there shot.

Hopefully this helps you a little.

 

[GrayWolf.Overland]

Fox 2.0 IFP monotube shocks
2-3" lift version

That'll be fine in the current setup and with the Clayton lift. In current setup i blv the additional bump stop you have added with the spacer is going to help not bottoming out the shock.. Nevertheless, check how far it goes at full stuff on a ramp and add bump stop if needed.

 

[AcesandEights]

Shocks are a wear-item and should be replaced ~50k miles. Nothing wrong with stock, but same as shocks ten times the price, they need to be replaced or rebuilt. When you pay more for shocks, it's for performance, not longer life. A rig with $500/ea shocks still need them replaced or rebuilt.

 

[longfiredragon]

Fox 2.0 IFP monotube shocks
2-3" lift version

That'll be fine in the current setup and with the Clayton lift. In current setup i blv the additional bump stop you have added with the spacer is going to help not bottoming out the shock.. Nevertheless, check how far it goes at full stuff on a ramp and add bump stop if needed.

This is where it can get a little confusing, lol.

And nobody takes this the wrong way because I really appreciate all the feedback from you more experienced jeepers. It's why I ask because I don't know.

So do I need the 2 to 3" or the 3 to 4"?

I would think the 2 to 3" would be fine with a 1.5" lift on a sport. But Roky maybe is thinking a little wiggle room?

Thanks

 

[J.Ferreira]

You can @ folks otherwise they won't get a notification.
@longfiredragon
Just an @ followed by their username.

You can also reply to multiple posts at the same time.

Hit the reply button on one post, type away. Hit the reply button on another post and type away.
But at a minimum you should @ folks you're referring to otherwise they won't see that you replied, unless they just randomly decide to check and see what else has been going on in the thread.

 

[Roky]

This is where it can get a little confusing, lol.

And nobody takes this the wrong way because I really appreciate all the feedback from you more experienced jeepers. It's why I ask because I don't know.

So do I need the 2 to 3" or the 3 to 4"?

I would think the 2 to 3" would be fine with a 1.5" lift on a sport. But Roky maybe is thinking a little wiggle room?

Thanks

Yeah, the longer shocks give you a little more articulation, and the room if you decide you need another 1/2” or 1” for whatever reason….The 2-3” will be fine with your 2” lift now, and will be fine if you get the same amount of lift from the Clayton springs but I’ve yet to hear anyone getting exactly 1.5”……..I’m not concerned about compression, that can be controlled with bumps, the only thing I’m not sure about is droop with your setup now ( it’s controlled by the shock when swaybar is disconnected)……If you can, you should jack it up unhook the shock and sway bar end link and droop the axle until the spring comes loose, then measure eye to eye of the shock mounts, and subtract a 1/2” . That number is the longest extended length shock you should run with your 2” spacer……..

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