How tight do you tighten the nut for the top of the shock, is this free floating since its compressing rubber bushings

 

On any bolt on application, you tighten as tight as you can. So tighten the nut/bolt until you can't anymore, otherwise you run the risk of hit loosening through vibrations.

 

It doesn't need to be extremely tight. As long as the upper insultor is compressed a ways, you're good. Can't find the spec for a JK online, but for a TJ it's 45 lb/ft.

 

The bottom is 56 ft lbs and the top is as described here where yo want the washer to compress the rubber bushing a little

 

In the Rough Country instructions for their shocks.. it says to tighten until the bushing bulges a little. HTH.

 

If you're worried about it backing off, a little locktite or a second nut to hold it in place will do the job.

 

I've never seen the nut loosen itself once tightened to the description above. I actually blew out the upper insulator on my 07, stock shocks, nobody had touched anything yet, and I drove around on it for 2 days until the dealer could get one in Denver and had no issues of the nut loosening. This is including a winding section of interstate, 67 miles going from 9100 feet to 12000 feet and back down to 5280.