2005 TJ shock suggestions

[Ducati2]

My 2005 wrangler sport has a 3.5” long arm lift kit complete w the longer coil springs, etc. previous owner installed some really heavy duty shocks that I think are contributing to a very bumpy ride. So, I have two questions;
1. What is the benefit of such HD shocks and
2. What shock do you recommend for a softer ride on 3.5” lift setup?

 

[AndyG]

It’s a guessing game by most owners and shops- Rancho 5000x series and 26 -28 psi with load range C tires have been a proven combination for years on TJs-

Be sure to specify lift height when ordering.

 

[rasband]

Be sure to specify lift height when ordering.

I'd suggest measuring and not going off lift height. Ranchos, for example, tend to run long. At ~3.5" lift you might be in an odd size.

 

[Ducati2]

I'd suggest measuring and not going off lift height. Ranchos, for example, tend to run long. At ~3.5" lift you might be in an odd size.

What do I measure? I did recently had the front coils loose and they measured 18” what else do I measure to determine shocks?

 

[Ducati2]

It’s a guessing game by most owners and shops- Rancho 5000x series and 26 -28 psi with load range C tires have been a proven combination for years on TJs-

Be sure to specify lift height when ordering.

I know little about shocks, do you mean 26-28psi within the build of the shock? Or tire pressure? Or? Attached is the olny markings I could find on my current shocks.. no stickers or anything That I could see. … and I do have 33” class C tires.

 

[rasband]

What do I measure? I did recently had the front coils loose and they measured 18” what else do I measure to determine shocks?

You should measure to know ride height and full bump. Ideally you get shocks that are at or very near 50% their available travel at ride height (at least for most builds, LCOG types arent among this) and have enough room to use all that travel without being fully collapsed until full bump.

It's hard to do exactly this without messing with moving mounts, so you'll have to give or take a little performance on the table most likely and find something close enough. IIRC with my first and only ranchos set for the 2" lift I had were better for a 4" lift.

 

[AndyG]

I know little about shocks, do you mean 26-28psi within the build of the shock? Or tire pressure? Or? Attached is the olny markings I could find on my current shocks.. no stickers or anything That I could see. … and I do have 33” class C tires.

View attachment 373844

Tire pressure. If you’re looking for a better ride you’ll find a lot of good approaches from guys here- I’m not gonna say there’s one correct way but there is a lot of experience here on getting good results

 

[AndyG]

I'd suggest measuring and not going off lift height. Ranchos, for example, tend to run long. At ~3.5" lift you might be in an odd size.

Good example - these guys know the nuances op

 

[LONGJP2]

What do I measure? I did recently had the front coils loose and they measured 18” what else do I measure to determine shocks?

Normally, stock springs (loaded) measure 12" in the front, and 8" in the rear.
Anything more than that is your amount of lift.

 

[Kenneth G Zinis]

Check the TJ resources page above, I believe, various spring lengths are shown in a table so you'll know your lift amount

 

[Ducati2]

Thanks for all the great info folks! I am still curious why to po installed such stout shocks in the first place, why would one do that? I know he did a good deal of ‘rock crawling’, could there be an advantage there?