Up until getting this Waggy of mine, I've never had a vehicle in which the suspension/steering played such an integral part to the vehicle/community. As such, much of my knowledge relates to the engine and transmission, with a very rudimentary understanding of said suspension and steering systems.

Having said that, I've got death wobble and a tired sounding/feeling suspension and steering system. Not bad, but things can get interesting on the highway when I hit a bump or pothole. The Waggy's not lifted, nor am I planning on lifting it. My first point of order is to change the shocks, as I'm fairly confident they haven't been done in the last 15 years.

Who makes a good set of shocks for a stock height XJ? There are hundreds of retailers/manufacturers for replacement suspension parts....where do I even start? Someone reputable, but I don't need the heaviest duty, most amount of travel, etc. out there...

Is there a good tutorial on how to give your suspension and steering systems a thorough going over, what components to check, and how to check them?

Thanks for the help!

Just for thoroughness' sake:
'87 Wagoneer
4.0L
AW-4
NP231
Dana 35 rear
Dana 30 front
200,750ish miles

 

Start out by checking all your tie rod ends, ball joints, and control arm bushings.

For shocks, if your not looking for anything crazy, I would suggest going to your local parts store, or rockauto.com

 

So I'm getting ready to do my tie rod ends and track bar. I'm a bit confused as there seem to be several options out there. I can find the TREs in either right hand or left hand thread and 20mm or 11/16". What did it come from the factory with? (will be staying stock and not getting beefy)