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Running with no shocks

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Old May 25, 2010 | 07:29 PM
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rocket83's Avatar
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Default Running with no shocks

I need some actual experience responses on running with no shocks. How bad would it be on and offroad? Ive heard that heavy vehicles can get away with no shocks because the weight keeps the vehicle from bouncing all over the road. But would a xj be too light?
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Old May 25, 2010 | 08:01 PM
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Shocks are, in many parts of the world, referred to as dampeners, because thats what they do: dampen the bouncing of the the sprung weight of the vehicle.

Shocks are a safety item: do not remove them. Even the slightest bump at parking lot speeds will be enough to demonstrate how unsafe and uncontrollable a cherokee without shocks is.
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Old May 25, 2010 | 08:03 PM
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Yeah I would not recommend no shocks on an XJ....no fun at all
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Old May 25, 2010 | 08:05 PM
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It will bounce all over, try it and see how you like it.
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Old May 25, 2010 | 08:45 PM
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Originally Posted by rocket83
Ive heard that heavy vehicles can get away with no shocks because the weight keeps the vehicle from bouncing all over the road.
Where did you hear that? I sell tractor-trailer parts for a living and your typical Freightliner or Peterbilt weighs about 37,000 pounds (Just for the tractor) and they all have shocks and the drivers don`t hesitate to come in and replace them as soon as they go bad so it must be noticable.
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Old May 25, 2010 | 08:59 PM
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i remember seeing someone offroad without shocks last year, it was hilarious they were floppong all over the place and couldnt take any corners at more than jogging speed because of the body roll, but i think they were missing more than just shocks. anyways it wasn't a good idea
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Old May 25, 2010 | 09:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Programbo
Where did you hear that? I sell tractor-trailer parts for a living and your typical Freightliner or Peterbilt weighs about 37,000 pounds (Just for the tractor) and they all have shocks and the drivers don`t hesitate to come in and replace them as soon as they go bad so it must be noticable.
X2
ever see a car going down the freeway with a tire bouncing like a basketball? aside from the safety aspect of it, think about how it will destroy your tires. a tire thats bouncing gets NO traction.
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Old May 25, 2010 | 09:17 PM
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Originally Posted by shenandoahcrawler
Yeah I would not recommend no shocks on an XJ....no fun at all
You never slammed over a train crossing at 60mph before.......crap loads of fun....hey hold my beer we're going around and doing that again.
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Old May 25, 2010 | 09:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Programbo
Where did you hear that? I sell tractor-trailer parts for a living and your typical Freightliner or Peterbilt weighs about 37,000 pounds (Just for the tractor) and they all have shocks and the drivers don`t hesitate to come in and replace them as soon as they go bad so it must be noticable.
That's a fact.
Drivers have a sixth sense for shock wear.


Here
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f46/pr...asmacut-48562/

Last edited by GSXR_Mike; May 25, 2010 at 09:40 PM.
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Old May 25, 2010 | 11:11 PM
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Default maybe its not that bad?

maybe its not that bad. on a recent off road trip a guy in his YJ ran no rear shocks because he couldnt get the correct length ones in time for the trip. he did bounce around a lot, but i dont think it was toooo bad. but this was also just no REARs. no shocks all around might be a different story. heres a video of it just to give you an idea.

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Old May 26, 2010 | 05:38 AM
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You MIGHT get away with no shocks on the rear--leaf springs have inherent friction that dampens them a little. Especially at walking speed, you might be OK.

Coil springs are completely different. In many cars the shock is what keeps the suspension from rebounding to the extent that the coil spring will be ejected. If you've ever dropped the shocks when the wheels weren't supported, you know what I mean--the suspension arm drops and in some cases the spring exits the vehicle.
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Old May 26, 2010 | 05:47 AM
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Yeah.. Definitely need shocks. When I first completed my lift, I had to drive my jeep about 4 miles with no shocks... it was a horrible ride. Imagine the videos of the Golden Gate Bridge moving up and down like a snake during the big earthquake in the late 80's.. thats what my jeep was doing.. not fun. Hit a bump at 50, and you could pretty much consider yourself in the hospital if you are lucky.
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Old May 26, 2010 | 06:32 AM
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Originally Posted by Willys55
You never slammed over a train crossing at 60mph before.......crap loads of fun....hey hold my beer we're going around and doing that again.
Now thats funny... are you sure you are not from Tennessee?
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Old May 26, 2010 | 06:41 AM
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run shocks

/thread


i have had blown out shocks before and could not find traction on the stickiest of rocks. the axle would just bounce all over the place and not stick to the ground.

and if you like driving at any rate of speed, it sucks
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Old May 26, 2010 | 06:51 PM
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actually now that i think about it, running no front shocks can probably cause DW. happened to my friend, except his fronts were just defective. http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...ad.php?t=39332
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