A guy is selling a set of 2019 Jeep rubicon shocks with what he claims is around 1K miles use on them for $50 and I am wondering if I can use these on my bone stock 1997 XJ? He says they are off a 2019 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited, I am assuming he is talking about a Wrangler, not some other Jeep model. They are red and black and I think the part number is 210AA, but his picture is kind of fuzzy so not sure about that.

I have a desperate need for new shocks and I can't afford much more than the $50 for at least the rest of this summer, so does anyone know if they will fit and work good for me for now? He says he also has the sway bar connections, do I need those also?
Thanks sorry I am a noob so i have no idea if this will work out.

 

Really no one has bothered to answer at all?

This used to be a great and helpful forum, what happened?

 

To my knowledge jk shocks wont work due to a weight difference in vehicles and will ride bad and i do believe they are longer as well.

 

The JL model shocks are not the same design as the JK and will not fit any of XJ, TJ or JK from what I understand.

It's not a length or weight thing.. I believe [Edit - confirmed, different design. Checked JL shocks on Quadratec] they don't use the threaded bar at the top for the fronts and are the traditional eye on both end design.

 

Sorry brother - I didn't see your original post.

JK shocks work really nice - I'm running a set of JK Rubicon take offs (the red ones) on my 95. They did make a JK in the '18 model year (You know it's a 2018 JK since it has a decal on the fenders) along with the new JL, but for 2019 they only make the JL (I'm not sure about the new Gladiators, they're either this year or next.. but again, it's the new design.)

 

Not to steal this thread but I have been following it hoping might get some clarification on this:
What is a 2016 JKU (Hard Rock special edition)?
Would the red shocks off this work with a stock height '00 XJ?
Would they work with a XJ that you duplicate the Up Country suspension on?
You know the Moog coils, the Dorman Springs, etc that guys do.

 

My understanding is that JK shocks come in 2 flavors (so this would cover all JKs from 2007-2018) Black - Standard shocks and Red "Rubicon" shocks. (The U is for Unlimited, in other words, 4 doors instead of 2). The difference is a slightly more stiffer shock for the Red ones.
If the Hard Rock edition has the red ones, they're the stiffer "Rubicon" style. These are compatible with a stock height XJ, but probably even better if you have a bit of a lift, like an "upcountry" or budget boost and I'm sure there's some lift height limit, but it's going to be like the 4+" ballpark.

Either shock is highly regarded for their function and durability, so it's a comfort question with the possibility that the red ones may allow a bit more lift. -- As I understand it anyway.

I'm running the Red JK's with a very very mild spacer lift in the front that I needed to even out the added height in the rear that I got when I replaced my leafs with the Dorman pre-installed bushing replacements. They didn't mention upcountry, but it was enough lift (standard shackles) to warrant bumping the front up a smidge.
I did have to remove the existing inner metal bushings in order to install the JK's on my XJ which was not fun, but not too much work that I'd ever regret the decision or NOT do it again given the choice.

 

That explains some of my confusion. The "U" part that is.
You have to understand something.
To me they are all CJ's. LOL.
My first being a '46 CJ2A when I was 16 about 45 years ago.

 

No worries.

They need to make the distinction between the 2 and 4 door design for anything that varies in size from the rear of the transfer case to the front of the rear axle. So driveshafts, exhaust pipes, wiring, fuel lines, tops, windows, rollbars and carpets, etc. The shocks are the same however, so the U is irrelevant in this case.
Interestingly, the "unlimited" version of the TJ era used an entirely separate model code (LJ). Of course, these were still only offered in the 2 door variety and were only made for the last couple years of the TJ era wranglers.

 

This^^. I've installed about 10 sets. Some self explanatory mods needed.

 

Hey thanks for the replies everyone, sorry I was a little snarky. Here are pics from the post and he said his is a JL

I am sorry but I am still not sure who to listen to on if they will work for my 97 XJ, oh and I have the 4 door model if that matters.

 

Great deal and all, but they won't fit on the front for sure. JK is what you want.

 

What Cruiser said.

Don't take our word for it, look up front shocks (any brand) for the XJ. You'll see the top is a threaded rod, not a loop.
Look at your XJ - in the engine compartment where the top of the shock connects - see the nut and top of that rod...

Do you see a way to mount the JL shocks pictured to that setup?

Maybe there's a conversion kit or something (like the bar pin eliminator thing popular for the rear shocks) but I'm not aware of one.

 

Thank you Cruiser and PatHenry you guys just saved me wasting $50 and a huge headache! I knew I could count on this forum after all. So do you guys have any cheap shock recommendations that will fit for sure? Again I don't have much more than $50 to possibly $100 to spend total

 

JK (in other words, any 2007-2017 Wrangler or the 2018 JK Wrangler) take-offs on Ebay if you can find them.

In theory, you could find ones at a junkyard (any JK or TJ wrangler or XJ), but it's not worth it when you can get a new budget shock for a low price.

Have you checked Rockauto.com? - lots of economy options and you know they'll fit.