Notices
Modified JK Tech Tech related bulletin board forum regarding subjects such as suspension, tires & wheels, steering, bumpers, skid plates, drive train, cages, on-board air and other useful modifications that will help improve the performance and protection of your Jeep JK Wrangler (Rubicon, Sahara, Unlimited and X) on the trail.

PLEASE DO NOT START SHOW & TELL TYPE THREADS IN THIS FORUM

To boot or not to boot is the question

Thread Tools
 
Old 04-27-2011, 08:08 PM
  #1  
JK Enthusiast
Thread Starter
 
mjones's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Dela Where?
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default To boot or not to boot is the question

I purchased Bilstein 5100's I didn't install the boots. Today at the alignment shop I received mixed reviews from fellow JK'ers. I read a few posts that say not too, and i prefer the look. The roads here get overloaded with salt in the winters. I also play in sand often (NJ Pine Barrens) and would love some feedback. Thanks

Also is it ok to mount the rears inverted?
Old 04-27-2011, 08:14 PM
  #2  
MTH
JK Enthusiast
 
MTH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Durham, North Carolina
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

No boots on my Old Man Emus. No reason really.
Old 04-27-2011, 08:14 PM
  #3  
JK Freak
 
willypapooh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: BonitaCA
Posts: 629
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

i have ran my 5100 for over 2 years with out boots, when fully extended the boot pops off. i think they look better with out. + the boot keeps in moisture, sand and other garbage.

and yes you can can mount them inverted

Last edited by willypapooh; 04-27-2011 at 08:17 PM.
Old 04-27-2011, 11:08 PM
  #4  
JK Super Freak
 
Red Dog's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Lakeside, CA
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

The boots are mainly to keep the shaft of the shock from getting pitted. They don’t keep the salt and other stuff in the environment out. I keep putting my boot back on and I’m not sure why I bother.
Old 04-28-2011, 03:20 AM
  #5  
Eternal ***erator
 
HappyCurmudgeon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Niagara, New York
Posts: 18,270
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

While i DO like the way they look, I vote no boots.

IMO after owning multiple vehicles and playing in the mud most of my life and living in the salt belt of western NY they hold mud/sand/salt other crud up against the shaft of the shock and cause it to pit, which wears out the seals and causes the shocks to leak prematurely. On a purely street driven summer vehicle i have nothing against them.

Just my
Old 04-28-2011, 03:30 AM
  #6  
JK Freak
 
Jknockers's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: The living room
Posts: 682
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

It was a 80's thing,,, now everybody is goin bootless and those darn black wheels,, course you could go with em, and if ya keep it long enough I'm sure the trend will come back around, I'm still holdin on to my bell-bottoms just waiting for the day,,,
Old 04-28-2011, 08:17 AM
  #7  
JK Enthusiast
 
DownhomeMoto's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Nampa ID
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Jknockers
It was a 80's thing,,, now everybody is goin bootless and those darn black wheels,, course you could go with em, and if ya keep it long enough I'm sure the trend will come back around, I'm still holdin on to my bell-bottoms just waiting for the day,,,
This is so ture.... boots are a thing of the past. Now black wheels.... I had a set in 97 on my first truck (79 Dodge PowerWagon) and everyone thought they looked dumb. Know you can get anywheel in black. I also have ran boots on everything... only problem was the boots would come off. As far as running them upside down... most manufactures will have a note with the shock if you can't mount them inverted.
Old 04-28-2011, 08:31 AM
  #8  
JK Freak
 
SLVR07's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Denver Colorado
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

no boots in my opinion
Old 04-28-2011, 09:45 AM
  #9  
JK Freak
 
highwayman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Inl Empire
Posts: 502
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Ive never ran boots. Never an issue.
Old 04-28-2011, 09:51 AM
  #10  
JK Enthusiast
 
HotFrosty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Castle Rock, Co
Posts: 353
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Great information. I see how no boots would make it easier to clean off the crud after the trails. Good thing to keep in mind.


Quick Reply: To boot or not to boot is the question



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 06:46 PM.