I just bought my first XJ a couple of days ago, a '94 Sport with a 5 spd, and I'm wondering why I hadn't discovered them years ago. It's a great vehicle, I think we'll be together for a long time.

This one is basically unmolested but also not that well maintained lately. In general I intend to keep it pretty stock, just repair and replace as need with minor upgrades here and there. First thing I'm looking to do is replace the shocks, looks like the factory set is still on there.

I'm shopping for Bilstein 5100's but I don't see them listed for stock ride height. The shortest available look to be a collapsed length of 13.58" (for a 2"-3" lift) and as far as I can tell the factory shock collapsed length is 13.0".

The question is, will the 13.58" 5100's work on my stock suspension?

 

Just a quick question--why Bilsteins if you're going to run it as mostly stock? Literally this past weekend I installed Monro-Matic Plus gas shocks on my '97 DD stocker XJ and like the ride just fine. Got mine at O'reilly's for a decent price and they should do a good job for a stock rig.

 

Check with Serious Offroad (a forum vendor), he will hook you up.

 

Good question. Maybe the Bilsteins are overkill, they just seem to be popular on this forum, but I'm open to other recommendations.

It will mostly be a DD but a few times each summer I travel out to some mining claims that involve 50-60 miles of pretty poor dirt roads pulling a 1000 lb gear trailer. Early and late in the season 4wd can be necessary because of the mud, but it's not quite rock crawling.

That said, if it has good gear under it I will go out and play a little bit. There's a lot of National Forest and BLM land around here with designated OHV areas.

 

Even on stock I'd say the 5100s would be worth it. They are bit stiff but they are seriously amazing. Never would have thought such a simple upgrade would do so much for my rig. Smoother ride, MUCH better handling and far better stability

 

I just got an email back from a vendor (4X4groupbuy.com). The 5100 will not work on a stock XJ. The Bilstein 4600 will. Which is nice since the price before shipping is $237.95 for a set, which is $62.00 less than their price for the set of 5100's.
I think I'm going to give them a try.

 

I think you're making a good decision. They'll ride nicer than any auto-parts store brand.

 

Don't the tacomas come with a version of the 5100? I bet those would work, i had a TRD Tacoma and the shocks were excellent!

 

They come stock with Bilsteins I believe. At least, my good friend's Tacoma did.

Don't know if a stock Tacoma and a stock XJ would 1. mount the same and 2. be the same size

 

I put on the "stock" Bilsteins and they were fine. Could use stiffer leaf springs though ////

Where in Oregon are you ? Used to travel to Bend 2-3 times a year.
Have a relative with a large cattle ranch in Klammath Falls area.

Randy from Oceanside

 

RainShadow,

There may be stiffer springs in my future also, sags pretty bad with a load/trailer just now.

Been in Bend 25 years now. Mountains to the west and desert to the east, lots of room to play.

 

Spent many afternoons/evenings at the Deschuttes (sp) Brewery and many mornings at the Fly Shop North of town .....

Good luck, Randy PS any good Off-Road shops in town now ???

 

I call BS on them not working on a stock rig.
Ill report back with my findings.

 

Here are stock length rears
http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.co....58-Shaft-Size

 

These list 2-3" for front..
But they are only 1" longer than a stock shock.. Im going to say these will work just fine

http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.co...Front-2-3-Lift