Preferred Shock to replace stock

[WagzDad]

I’m coming up on 60k in a mostly stock JLUR 3.6 ( + bumper, winch and skids) and have 2 leaking shocks. I will not be lifting any time soon. I’m leaning towards the Bilstein B8 0-1.5” model x4. Experiences/ thoughts?

TIA.

Sponsored

 

[REDSEAL199]

I’m coming up on 60k in a mostly stock JLUR 3.6 ( + bumper, winch and skids) and have 2 leaking shocks. I will not be lifting any time soon. I’m leaning towards the Bilstein B8 0-1.5” model x4. Experiences/ thoughts?

TIA.

Several people are running Belstein 5100's. I have not personally run them but I was just in a Chevy 3/4ton Diesel pickup of a buddy's that just put them on and it was nite and day difference. Ask @GATORB8 how he likes his.

 

[RandyMarion CDJR]

Several people are running Belstein 5100's. I have not personally run them but I was just in a Chevy 3/4ton Diesel pickup of a buddy's that just put them on and it was nite and day difference. Ask @GATORB8 how he likes his.

These seem to be the most well represented brand on this forum with many individuals using them. I would start here for sure.

 

[TxJeepers]

Shocks are like opinions which are like buttholes....
Some would say a step up from those Bilstein would be the Fox 2.0. Either and other choices would all work fine. Just stay away from bargain bin options.

 

[Swagger]

I gave up on replacing the rubicon shocks. Can get them pretty cheap online, but got tired of replcing them every 30k miles. Replaced them with Fox 2.0 and I am happy. Hopefully they will last more than 30k.

 

[GATORB8]

Several people are running Belstein 5100's. I have not personally run them but I was just in a Chevy 3/4ton Diesel pickup of a buddy's that just put them on and it was nite and day difference. Ask @GATORB8 how he likes his.

It's hard to weigh in subjectively on ride quality as everyone has sligtly different preferences on firm vs. soft, etc and I'm so much heavier. I can say our Jeep is my wife's daily and I've had no complaints from her on ride with either stock springs/spacers or MC Dual Rates.

In my research I found Bilstein 5100 series to be an excellent value/quality point. Like the Fox 2.0s they are gas charged monotubes with an internal floating piston (IFP) seperating the oil from the gas. The Bilstein bodies are slightly smaller and are coated (galvinized?) steel instead of aluminum when compared to the Fox's at a significant cost savings.

If you do look at the Fox's, you are getting pretty close to the price point of the B8 5160s, which is the remote reservoir upgrade to the 5100s.

Bilstein is huge, a common OEM upgrade manufacturer, and has been around forever. QC seems to be on point and durability is certainly a design goal.

Note, front and rear will be different part numbers and you'll need two of each.

Northridge with forum discount should be close to the best price you can find. I have noticed some availability issues (like everything else these days).

Length specs for the BS 5100s compared to the stock Rubi and Fox 2.0s:

 

[slapshot12]

I’m coming up on 60k in a mostly stock JLUR 3.6 ( + bumper, winch and skids) and have 2 leaking shocks. I will not be lifting any time soon. I’m leaning towards the Bilstein B8 0-1.5” model x4. Experiences/ thoughts?

TIA.

I have the 5100's on my JLUHA and really like them. I've had them on my past 3 Ford Super Duty trucks as well with no issues. The ride is good on road, haven't had them off road yet. I'm running a 2" spacer lift and they're perfect for it. I have no lift on my truck and they are fine there too. Do not get the 5100 steering stabilizer though. That caused a hard right pull after installing it. The Wrangler needs a neutral stabilizer that doesn't have constant pressure.

 

[Burntoutaccountant]

Several people are running Belstein 5100's. I have not personally run them but I was just in a Chevy 3/4ton Diesel pickup of a buddy's that just put them on and it was nite and day difference. Ask @GATORB8 how he likes his.

I run them in my bronco and love them.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

I'm having great luck with the TeraFlex Falcon piggybacks.

 

[JEEP4U]

Since, you are not installing a lift at this time, I'd go with Old Man Emu Nitrocharger shocks......They have shocks valved differently based on winch and bumper installs.

I have bought and installed 5100's................NOT impressed.

 

[Megawatt]

I try to go with adjustable shocks when upgrading. Carry heavy cargo, driving alone, towing, desert running, bouncing along the mountain side etc the adjustable shock let’s you dial it in and change IF needed.

Some people buy a shock and later that year they have added steel bumpers, skid plates, winch etc and the shock isn’t right for them anymore.

Nothing worse than shelling out $$ and the ride is not what you like. Go ride in similar Jeeps and test ride what someone has for real suggestions.

 

[SilverSurfer]

Shocks are like opinions which are like buttholes....
Some would say a step up from those Bilstein would be the Fox 2.0. Either and other choices would all work fine. Just stay away from bargain bin options.

…and Bilsteins are like Hemorrhoids every second @sshole have it…

 

[word302]

Fox from Accutune all day long.

 

[cavguy]

I ran Bilstein B8 5100's on my JLUR for a few months. My thoughts;

Pro's:

1. Affordable
2. Good quality (for that price point anyway).
3. Better handling characteristics than factory Rubicon shocks.

Cons:

1. Ride quality a bit stiff to my liking.

 

[RandyMarion CDJR]

Shocks are like opinions which are like buttholes....
Some would say a step up from those Bilstein would be the Fox 2.0. Either and other choices would all work fine. Just stay away from bargain bin options.

For sure! This is not the place to go cheap. Go cheap on something the wheels don't depend on lol

Sponsored