A simple Guide to Shocks
Thread Starter
JK Jedi
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,222
Likes: 376
From: Southwest Reno, NV
I think this is my 1st post. I have a JKU on order...1st Jeep since my CJs from 15-20 yrs ago...and things have changed.
Dirtman, I have read your lift thoughts and your guide to shocks...most helpful. And thou I would probably never post "what lift should I?" because I post so little in generAL, it was informative and made me decide to go with a BB to start with and see & grow from there.
But this thread has left me with few questions.
1- I reckon I can take from this that Bilstein 5100s are good shocks for most people...but it also seems to imply all those "cheap" $40 white bodied SUper-Sky-Comp-Master shocks may be plenty good enough for most people. $80 for a 5100 is by no means chump change buts its far from $150+ for the likes of a 7100.
2- I loved the explaination of how to get correct shock lenght but it leads to more. Would it be better to get a BB with EXTs (which is +$100 or so) to use the stock shocks until all that measuring can be performed or put that $100 to 4 5100s for the 2.5" BB and and then move the lower mounts to make custom to the rig/lift/tire setup later when the the analysis can be performed? (I guess the answer is dependant on whether the 5100s for the 2.5" BB at stock mts is truly the correct shock to end with when following it up by doing custom work.)
Further info for consideration, I can weld & Fab. I did build custom shock mounts and oter suspension stuff for my CJs but that was a totally differnet animal. And I plna to add limiting straps. I am concerned with the exhaust/DS thing and your stance on straps convinced me this is the solution.
Dirtman, I have read your lift thoughts and your guide to shocks...most helpful. And thou I would probably never post "what lift should I?" because I post so little in generAL, it was informative and made me decide to go with a BB to start with and see & grow from there.
But this thread has left me with few questions.
1- I reckon I can take from this that Bilstein 5100s are good shocks for most people...but it also seems to imply all those "cheap" $40 white bodied SUper-Sky-Comp-Master shocks may be plenty good enough for most people. $80 for a 5100 is by no means chump change buts its far from $150+ for the likes of a 7100.
2- I loved the explaination of how to get correct shock lenght but it leads to more. Would it be better to get a BB with EXTs (which is +$100 or so) to use the stock shocks until all that measuring can be performed or put that $100 to 4 5100s for the 2.5" BB and and then move the lower mounts to make custom to the rig/lift/tire setup later when the the analysis can be performed? (I guess the answer is dependant on whether the 5100s for the 2.5" BB at stock mts is truly the correct shock to end with when following it up by doing custom work.)
Further info for consideration, I can weld & Fab. I did build custom shock mounts and oter suspension stuff for my CJs but that was a totally differnet animal. And I plna to add limiting straps. I am concerned with the exhaust/DS thing and your stance on straps convinced me this is the solution.
The 5100 series shock should be more responsive then those $40 white rebranded shocks but are still throw away and I really think people run them because of looks and the forums. When it all comes down to it in the end is the set up that you want at the price point you can afford. There is a price for everything and you typically get what you pay for so knowing as much about the product and how they are built and perform will help you make the descision that is right for you.
Good luck with the build.