Which Shocks

[jdubya421]

The secret to shocks with regard to ride is matching shock compression/rebound to spring rate. The secret to getting the most out of your lift is using the correct shock length that will allow for max compression/rebound(this sounds like it doesn't apply to the OP).

So, a tunable shock is the way to go. I don't think you could go wrong with Falcon, Fox or King.

I will be doing the lift on my new Recon in two weeks and will be installing Falcon 3.3 SP2's and Fox 2.0 Race bumpstops. I ran the Falcon 3.3's on my previous JKU and loved them.


-Steven

Falcon 3.3s are going into my Jeep next week as well.

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[ExpeditionBuilds]

Falcon 3.3s are going into my Jeep next week as well.

Nice choice


-Steven

 

[ChattVol]

The main drawback with the mopar lift fox 2.5 shocks is they offer limited travel. 8.75" of travel in front and 9.25" in the rear isn't good considering they were designed around a lift that provides about 3" of lift to most jeeps. Mall crawlers and light offroaders prob wont care or notice this...but folks who plan on wheelin their jeep will definitely appreciate having another 2-3" of travel.

 

[Bearded_Dragon]

The main drawback with the mopar lift fox 2.5 shocks is they offer limited travel. 8.75" of travel in front and 9.25" in the rear isn't good considering they were designed around a lift that provides about 3" of lift to most jeeps. Mall crawlers and light offroaders prob wont care or notice this...but folks who plan on wheelin their jeep will definitely appreciate having another 2-3" of travel.

I wonder if Fox/Mopar made it that way to prevent the coils from popping out when flexing?

 

[ExpeditionBuilds]

I wonder if Fox/Mopar made it that way to prevent the coils from popping out when flexing?

Maybe, Jeep has to cover all the possible variables so they can warranty anything the vehicles might see.

This is where the aftermarket can make it work so much better.


-Steven

 

[ChattVol]

I wonder if Fox/Mopar made it that way to prevent the coils from popping out when flexing?

Maybe and to make sure to preserve the stock driveshaft. The lack of travel was a deal breaker for me.

 

[ExpeditionBuilds]

Maybe and to make sure to preserve the stock driveshaft. The lack of travel was a deal breaker for me.

Good point, I forgot about that!


-Steven

 

[jellis4148]

I’m thinking I’ll do the 3.3 or even the Fox 2.0. It comes down to cost. I can’t spend $2,700 on shocks. I’d love to be able too, but can’t. I can do the 3.3 for around $1,600 and the 2.0 Fox for around $1,400 if I get the rear LSC. So, now that I’ve narrowed it down. What’s the opinion? Main reason for upgrade, is I don’t want a tire to fall of a rock/ledge and bottom out or feel like it’s going to. I know it won’t bottom out, but I don’t want them to compress so much when that happens. BYW Accutune is the only place that offers the 2.0 with reservoir with no lift, and only the rear can come with an LSC adjuster. The 3.3’s can adjust both front and rear and more places sell them for no lift Rubicon’s.

 

[AnnDee4444]

best on road would be their tuned 2.0

Any thoughts on the Fox IFP vs Fox's remote reservoir 2.0? Are the remote reservoir shocks worth the extra ~$400?

The OP has a Rubicon with no lift, which means that at ride height the front shock is about 20" long. The Mopar shocks would only have 2.5" of compression, which in my opinion is not enough.

Also the Rancho shocks are terrible when it comes to stroke length. The OEM Sport shocks should flex more than the Ranchos.

 

[jellis4148]

Any thoughts on the Fox IFP vs Fox's remote reservoir 2.0? Are the remote reservoir shocks worth the extra ~$400?

The OP has a Rubicon with no lift, which means that at ride height the front shock is about 20" long. The Mopar shocks would only have 2.5" of compression, which in my opinion is not enough.

Also the Rancho shocks are terrible when it comes to stroke length. The OEM Sport shocks should flex more than the Ranchos.

So, what is your recommendation? You seem pretty knowledgable on Shocks. From what I can read and somewhat understand The Fox 2.0 IFP with no reservoir will help quite a bit over stock. They seem to have more length than the 2.0 with reservoir.

 

[rustyshakelford]

Any thoughts on the Fox IFP vs Fox's remote reservoir 2.0? Are the remote reservoir shocks worth the extra ~$400?

The OP has a Rubicon with no lift, which means that at ride height the front shock is about 20" long. The Mopar shocks would only have 2.5" of compression, which in my opinion is not enough.

Also the Rancho shocks are terrible when it comes to stroke length. The OEM Sport shocks should flex more than the Ranchos.

Absolutely the resi 2.0 are superior over the ifp. The resi can be rebuilt but more importantly be tuned to your specific Jeep. The folks at accutune are our go to shop for custom valved shocks and the ride you get will be improved over any off the shelf shock.

brett

 

[Roky]

So, what is your recommendation? You seem pretty knowledgable on Shocks. From what I can read and somewhat understand The Fox 2.0 IFP with no reservoir will help quite a bit over stock. They seem to have more length than the 2.0 with reservoir.

+1 on resi shocks over ifp.

 

[rustyshakelford]

I’m thinking I’ll do the 3.3 or even the Fox 2.0. It comes down to cost. I can’t spend $2,700 on shocks. I’d love to be able too, but can’t. I can do the 3.3 for around $1,600 and the 2.0 Fox for around $1,400 if I get the rear LSC. So, now that I’ve narrowed it down. What’s the opinion? Main reason for upgrade, is I don’t want a tire to fall of a rock/ledge and bottom out or feel like it’s going to. I know it won’t bottom out, but I don’t want them to compress so much when that happens. BYW Accutune is the only place that offers the 2.0 with reservoir with no lift, and only the rear can come with an LSC adjuster. The 3.3’s can adjust both front and rear and more places sell them for no lift Rubicon’s.

Ive ordered thru accutune the 0-2” fox 2.0 resi shock with LSC adjuster. At the time they were the JK shocks that accutune converted for a JL. They were the best riding shock on the street. Take my opinion with a grain of salt but I’m 100% against the 3.3 under any circumstance. I would not personally run them on our own JL if they were given to me and professionally politely decline to install them on customer builds. Even the folks that like them say they are firm. I like a smooth and comfortable ride personally. There are much better performing options out there at the price point.

brett

 

[AnnDee4444]

So, what is your recommendation? You seem pretty knowledgable on Shocks. From what I can read and somewhat understand The Fox 2.0 IFP with no reservoir will help quite a bit over stock. They seem to have more length than the 2.0 with reservoir.

Unfortunately, I don't have any actual experience with any of these shocks (except for the OEM Rubicon). I'm trying to make sense of it all, and decided to compare it in a spreadsheet.

Here's some things I've learned from the forum/internet:

• You want your ride height to be somewhere between 1/3 & 2/3 of the shock length
• Minimum up-travel (a.k.a. bump) per Accutune:
  • Rock Crawling = 4”
  • Trail Riding = 5”
  • Desert Racing / Ultra4 Type = 7”
• The OEM front driveshaft flange bends at about 26" of shock droop
• A long enough 2.5" shock will contact the frame. I'm not sure of the maximum length for no contact, but 26" is OK and 30" is not.
• Personally, I want the minimum bump stop possible so that you can achieve full stuff. Bump stops should be sized based on tire clearance at full stuff. The shocks should have a compressed length that doesn't bottom out before the bump stops, but not so short that there is wasted stroke.
• The 'Max. Axle Angle' I've calculated is probably the best way to compare flex on paper. In reality, there are many things that could prevent this from happening.

Edit: One more thing... the rear shock travel is not 1:1 with the suspension due to the mounting angle (it's closer to 1.2:1).

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