New shocks, what to get?
 

Need some help picking some new shocks out for the XJ. ('96 classic stock w/ upcountry package)

Looking at Bilstein 5100's
Rough Country Nitro 9000's
or Rubicon Express Monotubes

Here's the kicker, how do I make them work with a 2" BB for now and still work if I go to a 3.5" lift down the road? The XJ needs new shocks now. I'm in Australia and they're anal about mods here, max 2" lift including larger tires without getting it engineer certified, even then max is 6" and no more.

So I'm considering putting in 2" bb for the time being and maybe going the route of a 3.5" kit in a year or so. Can I run the same shocks on with both kits? Is it possible to mod the shock mounts with conversions & bar pin elimanotrs to gain an inch or two if I switch to the longer lift and maintain the shock travel?

very strange. I would think Australia would be more lenient about lifts than that. Unfortunately I don't really know much. I think you can do a 2 inch lift with stock shocks, that's what I was told when I only wanted to do a 2 inch budget lift.

I decided to save up the extra money and go with the rough country 3 inch lift instead though.

Bilsteins will be the best ride. I have tera-flex 9550 and I love them If you want for now just get cheap stock style shocks and bar pin elimanaters the'll give an extra inch on your shock. plus you can use a standard eye to eye. by the by ex ozzy here raised in Adelaide. good luck to ya.

cheers, I'm ex yank raised in Maine, but in Perth now.

looks like I'm leaning towards the BB & shocks to suit for now, I can spend the money I save on other goodies like a locker or new front winch bar/winch.

bilstein or nothing.

Both the bilstiens, and the RE monotubes are very nice.

im running a 2" rustys on stock shocks but upgrading to a 3.5" IRO lift just waiting for the 5150's to show up