Stock-Wheel-Friendly Alternatives for Shock Relocation?

[HighCountryJLU]

Got all my work completed on my JLUD and took it in to get flex'd out to check for contact, and the biggest issue I was advised of is that my shocks make contact with the frame before full extension. The shop recommended Metalcloak shock relocation brackets, but after checking them out, they say they need a 2" spacer on the stock wheel or a wheel with different backspacing. I've about reached the end of my limit on funds at this time, and things are starting to pile up.

• Is there an alternative relocation solution I'm missing that would not require all new wheels?
• Is there such a thing as limiting straps for the front axle to artificially keep the shock off of the frame before contact?

They additionally recommended 1" of bump stop in the front and the rear to keep the springs from over-compressing, but said that it won't stop the shock contact. I'll be doing that as it is relatively simple and cheap.

My original short-term aspiration was to just leave the Rock Krawler front sway bar disconnects connected for the time being to limit articulation and skip the shock contact until I have more time and cash to fix it. However, on my first trail, I threw one (passenger-side, top mount popped off, separated the ball from the rod, and yeeted the pin somewhere that I never found). After calling the company, I've been told this will happen over and over as the disconnects aren't meant to be used on the trail, only on flat ground / pavement. Sure wish they had shared that info in the information before I had bought them...

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[Roky]

Got all my work completed on my JLUD and took it in to get flex'd out to check for contact, and the biggest issue I was advised of is that my shocks make contact with the frame before full extension. The shop recommended Metalcloak shock relocation brackets, but after checking them out, they say they need a 2" spacer on the stock wheel or a wheel with different backspacing. I've about reached the end of my limit on funds at this time, and things are starting to pile up.

• Is there an alternative relocation solution I'm missing that would not require all new wheels?
• Is there such a thing as limiting straps for the front axle to artificially keep the shock off of the frame before contact?

They additionally recommended 1" of bump stop in the front and the rear to keep the springs from over-compressing, but said that it won't stop the shock contact. I'll be doing that as it is relatively simple and cheap.

My original short-term aspiration was to just leave the Rock Krawler front sway bar disconnects connected for the time being to limit articulation and skip the shock contact until I have more time and cash to fix it. However, on my first trail, I threw one (passenger-side, top mount popped off, separated the ball from the rod, and yeeted the pin somewhere that I never found). After calling the company, I've been told this will happen over and over as the disconnects aren't meant to be used on the trail, only on flat ground / pavement. Sure wish they had shared that info in the information before I had bought them...

https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/...dev|m&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22207976308

 

[HighCountryJLU]

https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/3027b-evo-manufacturing-protek-front-shock-relocation-brackets-black?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=22207976308&utm_term=|CjwKCAjw_pDBBhBMEiwAmY02NmV7f3vx9wb3-WDX0M3nPahlX4KthRUcOnin_bYd34eqh5oVjPSa6RoC2PAQAvD_BwE|agid|178436947430|adid|731940869502|ntwk|g|targetid|pla-294680686006l|ocp|9012340|matchtype||dev|m&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22207976308

Hadn't seen these before. Do you have experience with these? This is what I got from the manufacturer:

Good Morning

Thank you for reaching out. I am not sure, these were intended for use with large coilover shocks which require bigger backspacing. Installing on a stock wheel with a standard shock setup is not something we have tested.

EVO

If someone has used them and knows they clear, that would be awesome...

 

[Roky]

Hadn't seen these before. Do you have experience with these? This is what I got from the manufacturer:



If someone has used them and knows they clear, that would be awesome...

Yeah I ran these for a few years….. I have 4.5” backspace wheels though… I can’t see that they would interfere with stock wheels, here’s pic…..

The MC brackets you seen that said you need 4.75 backspace are the relo brackets that raise the shock as well as outboard it….. I switched to the new MC brackets that just outboard the shock without raising it…..

here’s the link, if you see where they say anything about wheel bs please let me know……


https://metalcloak.com/jl-wrangler-...Z6XxaIsTkh_-7SSl_MIG73__nWAMTw8-fDi1L-u_oWP-S

You might reach out to @Metalcloak and ask them….

 

[kah.mun.rah]

Are the shocks on both sides of the Jeep rubbing? If not, is your axle centered side-to-side with a new track bar or brackets?

 

[HighCountryJLU]

Yeah I ran these for a few years….. I have 4.5” backspace wheels though… I can’t see that they would interfere with stock wheels, here’s pic…..

The MC brackets you seen that said you need 4.75 backspace are the relo brackets that raise the shock as well as outboard it….. I switched to the new MC brackets that just outboard the shock without raising it…..

here’s the link, if you see where they say anything about wheel bs please let me know……


https://metalcloak.com/jl-wrangler-...Z6XxaIsTkh_-7SSl_MIG73__nWAMTw8-fDi1L-u_oWP-S

You might reach out to @Metalcloak and ask them….

I’ll have to reach out to them and ask. This is the product I was looking at:

https://metalcloak.com/outboard-sho...eyTCVqaE0LBEehNFp6FaqEC0Kgz5MSt_iMZ1dzC9AzzGy

It has a big warning saying “If using OE wheels 2" spacers will be needed to give proper clearance. These mounts are intended for use for wheels with 4.5" of backspacing or less or an equivalent of a 2" spacer on factory wheels.”

The one you linked to looks the same but in black, so I’ll reach out and see if there actually is a difference or not.

Are the shocks on both sides of the Jeep rubbing? If not, is your axle centered side-to-side with a new track bar or brackets?

I have an adjustable track bar and my axle is centered within a 1/16”.

 

[Roky]

I’ll have to reach out to them and ask. This is the product I was looking at:

https://metalcloak.com/outboard-sho...eyTCVqaE0LBEehNFp6FaqEC0Kgz5MSt_iMZ1dzC9AzzGy

It has a big warning saying “If using OE wheels 2" spacers will be needed to give proper clearance. These mounts are intended for use for wheels with 4.5" of backspacing or less or an equivalent of a 2" spacer on factory wheels.”

The one you linked to looks the same but in black, so I’ll reach out and see if there actually is a difference or not.



I have an adjustable track bar and my axle is centered within a 1/16”.

The one I linked is different than the one you linked, I just painted mine black…..the one you linked raises the bottom of the shock as well as outboards it…… the one I linked just outboards the bottom of the shock without raising it…they are two different brackets….

 

[HighCountryJLU]

The one I linked is different than the one you linked, I just painted mine black…..the one you linked raises the bottom of the shock as well as outboards it…… the one I linked just outboards the bottom of the shock without raising it…they are two different brackets….

Ah. I see it now. It’s like playing that game spot the differences… the rise wasn’t easy to see in comparison. Thanks! I’ll bug them to confirm fitment.

 

[AnnDee4444]

I wonder why the slight difference in mounting height changes what wheels fit.

 

[HighCountryJLU]

No dice here sadly.

 

[c20040215]

No dice here sadly.

I have the MC raise relocation brackets. I honest cant see how factory wheels would cause issues. Granted, I have 1.25" wheel spacers, but I dont see wheels or tires are even close to make contact with shocks under full tern full flex.

 

[Roky]

I wonder why the slight difference in mounting height changes what wheels fit.

I don’t know…. Just thought it was odd that there wasn’t any mention of wheel fitment on the new level bracket website, unless I missed it. I don’t know to much about oem wheels, my only interaction with them is when I’m replacing them….

 

[HighCountryJLU]

I don’t know…. Just thought it was odd that there wasn’t any mention of wheel fitment on the new level bracket website, unless I missed it. I don’t know to much about oem wheels, my only interaction with them is when I’m replacing them….

Yeah, seems like an omission considering their response to my question. I tried to call it out as a nudge-nudge, might be important to know. Who knows if that message was received.

 

[AnnDee4444]

I think I figured it out... The same height ones are listed as a "RockSport Black" part, which comes included with the RockSport Black front shocks. The kit states "All 2.5 in diameter shocks will require model specific consideration for “proper” fitment; additional bump stops, properly back spaced wheels, brake caliper clearance, etc... "

@Metalcloak should really list the limitations on their individual components, or design to work with OEM parts.

 

[ColonelSanders]

Did the shop say the shock hitting the frame would damage the shock, or is it just limiting travel?

I’m running my shocks (rocksport reds) in the stock location and haven’t noticed any issues. Will have to check. I have a 2.5” MC lift on a JLUR.

Did you get a CTI score on the flex? Not sure if that is just something MetalCloak does.

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