Time to replace shocks

[Eddie Greenlee]

Tons and 40s?

Yes weld it yourself. You'll give a damn and spend the time to do things right.

-Mac

Amen to that !!!

 

[JMT]

If like me, not a welder, why not a set of relocation brackets? I know from prior experience that bolt-on track bar relocation brackets often result in fatigue failures but it seems unlikely same applies for lower shock mounts. My buddy's 03 Rubi has brackets likewise welded at the wrong angle. Shocks mount OK with shaft clearance but tear up the rubber boots. He bought these, along with other MC parts on sale, which we'll install in the coming week or so...

Metalcloak Bolt-On Shock Mount Kit, TJ/LJ Rear

If the lower shock mount is not lined up a solution like that won’t help since they bolt to the shock mount.

 

[Eddie Greenlee]

If the lower shock mount is not lined up a solution like that won’t help since they bolt to the shock mount.

Yeah, when I mounted the top of the shock and then push the eyelet to where it would not bind up to the axle it was more than an inch off. so frustrating

 

[JMT]

Yeah, when I mounted the top of the shock and then push the eyelet to where it would not bind up to the axle it was more than an inch off. so frustrating

No biggie. This way you can set up a new mount and weld it exactly where you want it to get 50:50 shock travel.

 

[Eddie Greenlee]

No biggie. This way you can set up a new mount and weld it exactly where you want it to get 50:50 shock travel.

Absolutely

 

[Eddie Greenlee]

No biggie. This way you can set up a new mount and weld it exactly where you want it to get 50:50 shock travel.

Hey when your measuring for 50/50 shock travel do I measure from the bottom of the shock to the center of the eyelet OR only the length of the rod itself. ??

 

[JMT]

Hey when your measuring for 50/50 shock travel do I measure from the bottom of the shock to the center of the eyelet OR only the length of the rod itself. ??

At ride height you want half of the rod to be showing and the other half inside the shock body.

 

[Eddie Greenlee]

Hey, how can I tell that my springs are for a 4” lift ? They have been on there since I’ve had the jeep. I’m assuming they are Rough country since that was the brand of the shocks that were on it when I bought it.
Here’s a couple pictures I took some years back. I’m having a hard time getting my shock at 50/50

 

[JMT]

Stock front is 12”. Anything over that is the amount of lift in front (e.g. 16” would be 4” lift).

Stock rest is 8”. Anything over that is the amount of lift in rear (e.g. 12” would be 4” lift).

If you bought shocks for a 4” lift you need to add spacers or longer springs to get up to 4” lift.

 

[macleanflood]

Hey, how can I tell that my springs are for a 4” lift ?

 

[Eddie Greenlee]

Stock front is 12”. Anything over that is the amount of lift in front (e.g. 16” would be 4” lift).

Stock rest is 8”. Anything over that is the amount of lift in rear (e.g. 12” would be 4” lift).

If you bought shocks for a 4” lift you need to add spacers or longer springs to get up to 4” lift.

Well, the fox shocked that I bought shows there for 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 “ lift.
are you referring to a spring spacer

 

[Eddie Greenlee]

Stock front is 12”. Anything over that is the amount of lift in front (e.g. 16” would be 4” lift).

Stock rest is 8”. Anything over that is the amount of lift in rear (e.g. 12” would be 4” lift).

If you bought shocks for a 4” lift you need to add spacers or longer springs to get up to 4” lift.

If I add a spring spacer to the rear, that would make my jeep set high in the rear right ? Because it sets level right now

 

[JMT]

If I add a spring spacer to the rear, that would make my jeep set high in the rear right ? Because it sets level right now

Usually you need 5” of total lift for 35’s. You can do that with just a suspension lift or usually with a suspension plus body lift.

Then you fit your shock to the space between the two mounting points with 50% of your shaft showing. So, in other words, you usually buy shocks to fit the amount of lift that your springs give you.

Fox doesn’t know or care what your springs are or how much lift you have. Just follow the rules above and don’t worry about the rest.

 

[Eddie Greenlee]

I supposedly have a 4 inch suspension lift. And I also have a 1 inch body lift because I did a belly up. For some reason, the passenger side of my Jeep is almost an inch lower than the driver side of my Jeep. So I have some other issues somewhere that I’m going to have to find.

 

[GoldenGorilla]

Hey, how can I tell that my springs are for a 4” lift ?

It doesn't matter for your shock selection. Assuming you don't have a leveling issue to sort out, which it sounds like you might.

You only care about the length of the shock with jeep sitting static. Your optimal shock will be

(static shock length - minimum length of the shock) = (shock travel/2)

 

[Eddie Greenlee]

Well I’m going to get a new 4” rear right spring or a 1” spacer. To level out my jeep, which will give me closer to 50/50 ratio on my new shocks.

 

[JMT]

Well I’m going to get a new 4” rear right spring or a 1” spacer. To level out my jeep, which will give me closer to 50/50 ratio on my new shocks.

That passenger side being low is super common. I have it in both my Jeep’s to different degrees.

 

[Eddie Greenlee]

Just want to thank all of you for your comments and help! Hanging out the rear shocks solved sooo many things !
I’m going to adjust my shock mounts so they are perfectly inline with the natural shock angle soon and replacing rear springs to adjust the lean on my jeep.
Would love to outboard my shocks one day.
Thanks again
Eddie

 

[JMT]

Just want to thank all of you for your comments and help! Hanging out the rear shocks solved sooo many things !
I’m going to adjust my shock mounts so they are perfectly inline with the natural shock angle soon and replacing rear springs to adjust the lean on my jeep.
Would love to outboard my shocks one day.
Thanks again
Eddie

I don’t think replacing the springs helps fix the lean. I think you’ll still have it. I don’t know if it came that way from the factory or if they develop it over time, but a spacer or moving the upper spring mount will fix it.

 

[leon jones]

having been out of the Jeep parts n accessory purchasing game for a few years when i got my '01 TJ i ended up going to a local Jeep/4wd/off road focused garage to have the suspension restored

their recommendation which i took was for Bilstein B6 4600 Series Shocks

sticker shock smacked me soundly($102ea) butt ... the ride is good sew far

just an old man's personal experience

leon