Cherokee Chat General non-tech Cherokee chat
XJ/MJ/ZJ/WJ

Shock Absorber ADVICE!

Old 10-01-2014, 02:10 PM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Devil's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default Shock Absorber ADVICE!

Hey fellow Jeepers, need some advice before I make a mistake and buy something I won't be satisfied with. I want a decent set of smooth shocks to add to my 2" lift on my 97 Jeep Cherokee XJ. I know Bilstein sells the best but I can't afford to buy those. Any suggestions would help out, thanks in advance.
Old 10-01-2014, 04:52 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Guntar13's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Indiana
Posts: 635
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

I can't help you much cause I've had them all, and always go back to bilstein. but sometimes those bilstein a can be had fairly cheap I usually get mine from Amazon they seem to be the cheapest.
Old 10-01-2014, 11:14 PM
  #3  
CF Veteran
 
mr white's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,648
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

My buddy got some zones that seemed decent enough. Don't buy rough country shocks unless you like it rough.
Old 10-02-2014, 10:42 AM
  #4  
CF Veteran
 
unidentifiedbomb's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DE
Posts: 6,098
Received 247 Likes on 206 Posts
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0
Default

If you're not going to stay at that height then I'd recommend just some cheap white body shocks. I recently put on some Doestch Tech 8000 baja shocks and love them, firm where I want it and couldn't be any happier, they are stiffer than bilsteins. They off a great amount of drop and built in bumpstops are a nice add to the oversized piston and body.
Old 10-06-2014, 01:15 PM
  #5  
CF Veteran
 
Fred/N0AZZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Monett, MO.
Posts: 7,554
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 14 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Shop around a little a saw a set of Bilstein 5100's for a 2" max lift the other day used that were only a couple of months old for $125 for a full set. The guy had went to a bigger lift and these were for sale online.
Old 10-06-2014, 10:55 PM
  #6  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Devil's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by Fred/N0AZZ
Shop around a little a saw a set of Bilstein 5100's for a 2" max lift the other day used that were only a couple of months old for $125 for a full set. The guy had went to a bigger lift and these were for sale online.
Where, I'm super interested. That is if you didn't buy them....
Old 10-07-2014, 02:22 PM
  #7  
Seasoned Member
 
Hammered's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 487
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee
Default

JK Stock front shocks. Or RUBICON JK shocks will be just what you want for the front.

Rear, get monroe sensatracks for the rear of a Comanche.

you'll be happy
Old 10-08-2014, 08:27 PM
  #8  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Devil's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Will that set up fit my 2" lift? I was told I needed slightly longer shocks. Do you have item number?
Old 10-09-2014, 04:00 AM
  #9  
Seasoned Member
 
Hammered's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 487
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee
Default

I ran these on one of my xjs. Rode nicer than stock. I found my JK shocks on craigs list from a guy who lifted his. But the stock jk shocks are perfect for 2" XJ lift. JK Front Monroe Sensatrac # 37285

MJ Rear sensatrac shocks # 37029 for a stock MJ = Rear 2" lifted XJ.

Last edited by Hammered; 10-09-2014 at 04:02 AM.
Old 10-09-2014, 11:53 AM
  #10  
CF Veteran
 
holycaveman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,643
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by Devil
Hey fellow Jeepers, need some advice before I make a mistake and buy something I won't be satisfied with. I want a decent set of smooth shocks to add to my 2" lift on my 97 Jeep Cherokee XJ. I know Bilstein sells the best but I can't afford to buy those. Any suggestions would help out, thanks in advance.
Alright I will be honest. I run bilsteins in the front. I like them. But honestly I can not tell a bit of difference between them and my cheap Monroe shocks. I want bilstein 5 160 ' s for more travel out of a shorter platform. But they are pricy.

My Monroe ' s and bilsteins have been on my jeep both for 2 years and have worked flawlessly.

I would not spend the extra money for 5 100 ' s if I had to do it over. I would just go with a Monroe or similar auto parts shock. Or go with 5 160 ' s and get what I want.

Auto parts stores usually carry a shock catalog where you can order about any size shock or fittings that you want. So i measure the jeep travel and buy accordingly. I never buy a shock that is for such and such a lift. Because as far as I am concerned they are never right.
Old 10-09-2014, 01:01 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
timamybrown's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: coon rapids MN
Posts: 558
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 H.O
Default

BBCS will be my next set of shocks.
Old 10-09-2014, 01:04 PM
  #12  
CF Veteran
 
unidentifiedbomb's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DE
Posts: 6,098
Received 247 Likes on 206 Posts
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by holycaveman
I never buy a shock that is for such and such a lift. Because as far as I am concerned they are never right.
Yup, I got lucky with my doetsch shocks and rear bpe. I order them for 3" from iro, the fronts are longer and even with the bpe, I'm at 4"a on 31s and the integrated bumpstops stop my wheels right at the beginning of the inner fender line, drop is good too, much better than the stock rusty's shocks from the lift.
Old 10-09-2014, 01:55 PM
  #13  
CF Veteran
 
holycaveman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,643
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by unidentifiedbomb
Yup, I got lucky with my doetsch shocks and rear bpe. I order them for 3" from iro, the fronts are longer and even with the bpe, I'm at 4"a on 31s and the integrated bumpstops stop my wheels right at the beginning of the inner fender line, drop is good too, much better than the stock rusty's shocks from the lift.
Glad it worked for you. I should have clarified my statement. I always am looking to get the most out of my suspension. So i measure my full travel and buy accordingly. I have installed tons of lift kits and on the majority the shocks are too short by my standards. However some can be right on the money.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ROCKRIDGE 4WD
Vendor Showcase
6
07-13-2016 12:11 PM
BlvdKreeper
Cherokee Chat
5
10-01-2015 06:34 AM
her89
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
9
09-26-2015 12:06 PM
studmuffin
Modified XJ Cherokee Tech
3
09-25-2015 09:50 PM
lukc22
Modified XJ Cherokee Tech
8
09-25-2015 12:30 PM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Shock Absorber ADVICE!



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:20 PM.