Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator

Shock replacement on stock suspension

Beluga's Mom

Beluga's Mom

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Pt. Pleasant, NJ
Not looking to buy the best shocks, but also not wanting to cheap out, so what shocks do you guys recommend for a stock suspension? Not exactly a pavement princess, but not going crawling or anything like that. Maybe some sand once I a while or mild trails.

I'm likely doing the fronts, but not only no, but hell no is there any way I'm doing the rears again.

That being said, does anyone have a guesstimate as to what a shop charges for labor or how many hours they take for a shop?

Thank so much!!!
 
Larry L TJ said:
I just put Rancho 5000 x on my 04 last month. Front took about 30 minutes. rear took another 5 hours. Broke 3 out of the 4 bolts had to drill and re-tap to bigger size.
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I replaced the rears on another 2005 I briefly owned... in January, in the northeast, on a stone driveway. If memory serves me correctly, we finally hammer jacked the bolts out and I ordered the parts to move the bolts. Never again. Ever. Lol
 
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Shop quoted me an hour for both fronts. Shop owned by a friend, said he’d give me a break if they got them done faster but factored dealing with rust into estimate.

We ended up doing them, took 20 minutes for one side, 1.5 hours for the other, had to dremmel the top nuts off.

Rears are a different animal. Fronts pretty easy for a shop on a lift.

Edited to add:
He quoted me 1.5 hours to do both rears. Should’ve taken him up on that…
 
Gerty21 said:
Shop quoted me an hour for both fronts. Shop owned by a friend, said he’d give me a break if they got them done faster but factored dealing with rust into estimate.

We ended up doing them, took 20 minutes for one side, 1.5 hours for the other, had to dremmel the top nuts off.

Rears are a different animal. Fronts pretty easy for a shop on a lift.
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I'm doing the fronts, they are easy lol. Don't even wanna consider doing the rears again. I just don't have any clue how long it takes a shop to do them.

Any suggestion on what brand, etc shock to buy?
 
Beluga's Mom said:
I'm doing the fronts, they are easy lol. Don't even wanna consider doing the rears again. I just don't have any clue how long it takes a shop to do them.

Any suggestion on what brand, etc shock to buy?
Click to expand...

Edited my previous response to add - shop quoted 1.5 hours for rears - but I’d be impressed if they got them done in that time frame even with a lift and real mechanic skill.

Other folks gave good brand recs. I’d not recommend what we put in (FCS) because we were on a budget but they were night and day better than that the shot 19 year old OE ones we pulled out.
 
Gerty21 said:
Edited my previous response to add - shop quoted 1.5 hours for rears - but I’d be impressed if they got them done in that time frame even with a lift and real mechanic skill.

Other folks gave good brand recs. I’d not recommend what we put in (FCS) because we were on a budget but they were night and day better than that the shot 19 year old OE ones we pulled out.
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Only 1.5hrs?! Damn. If only I knew that like 6 years ago!
But seriously, thank you so much for letting me know that. Really helps!
Was leaning towards to Bilsteins, but this forum always gives such great advice and ideas so I had to ask.
 
TheBoogieman said:
The rear shocks don't take any longer to replace than the front do, unless you snap off the bolts. Then, use an air chisel to pop them loose.
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They do if they are rusted and you can't get them out at all. Or have a power chisel
TheBoogieman said:
The rear shocks don't take any longer to replace than the front do, unless you snap off the bolts. Then, use an air chisel to pop them loose.
Click to expand...

Ugh. My phone does not play nice with the forum.
 
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I threw on a set of Rancho RS500X about a month ago, I like them.

I didn't like having to cut access ports in the rear tub because 3 of the 4 upper bolts snapped. Oh well, now it's easy access.
 
Thankfully I didn't have to cut into the tub. Whoever designed the rear shock placement needs to be dealt with pulp fiction style... A pair of pliers and a blow torch hehehe.

The Rancho 5000s are very popular with this group.

Wondering which is a stiffer ride... The Ranchos or Bilstein 4600s.
 
Beluga's Mom said:
Thankfully I didn't have to cut into the tub. Whoever designed the rear shock placement needs to be dealt with pulp fiction style... A pair of pliers and a blow torch hehehe.

The Rancho 5000s are very popular with this group.

Wondering which is a stiffer ride... The Ranchos or Bilstein 4600s.
Click to expand...

The Bilstein will be stiffer.

If you want a nice ride you are looking for a firm shock that is not harsh. Stiffness is just a term.

Bilstein has a very quick return resulting is the harshest ride of the 3 (Bilstein, Rancho, Kyb). The 4600 would be your best choice for your criteria even though 5100 is becoming legendary for off roaders. Too harsh for your quest.

Rancho will have a slower response with a less firm ride. You will feel like you are riding down the road in a lazy boy. Good shocks at a good price.

KYB is squarely in the middle. Where this one shines is the way it controls the roll of the vehicle on turns. Again, if I am looking for an upgrade to stock without being jarred over road cracks, this would be my choice.
 
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DuckNut said:
The Bilstein will be stiffer.

If you want a nice ride you are looking for a firm shock that is not harsh. Stiffness is just a term.

Bilstein has a very quick return resulting is the harshest ride of the 3 (Bilstein, Rancho, Kyb). The 4600 would be your best choice for your criteria even though 5100 is becoming legendary for off roaders. Too harsh for your quest.

Rancho will have a slower response with a less firm ride. You will feel like you are riding down the road in a lazy boy. Good shocks at a good price.

KYB is squarely in the middle. Where this one shines is the way it controls the roll of the vehicle on turns. Again, if I am looking for an upgrade to stock without being jarred over road cracks, this would be my choice.
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I genuinely appreciate your explanation. Thank you, Sir!
 
I put Bilstein 4600 on my dad’s Jeep. It took me an hour front and rear. No rust issues here in Cali. I did spray Kroil on the rear upper bolts.

They are a little firm but I don’t mind it at all. The jeep feels planted. My dad does have full size metal bumpers so the 4600 do a good job supporting that weight.

Ride quality is going to be personal preference though. Some people like the shocks to be soft some people want the shocks to be firm.

Softer shocks have more body roll and sway.

Firmer shocks will be the opposite.

We took off KYB gas a just that came with the Jeep but they looked old and worn. I’m sure they were no longer working. So I’m not going to knock them down.

KYB gas a just are suppose to be one step up form the Excel G.


KYB and Bilstein have a lifetime warranty. Just make sure you can contact the company for a warranty claim. As the vendor will need to submit the claim. I don’t recommend Amazon or rock auto for this. Good luck trying to contact them.

https://www.shocksurplus.com/produc...-shocks-set-1997-2006-jeep-wrangler-4wd-tj-lj


https://www.shocksurplus.com/produc...-shocks-set-1997-2006-jeep-wrangler-4wd-tj-lj
 
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