We are old people - no off roading etc for us, but where we live the roads are terrible for the most parts. We have potholes so deep we often hear the axle hit and unmarked speed bumps just about launch us into orbit.
We last replaced the front and rear shocks in 2013. The shop installed KYB shocks. A couple years back we also had an extra leaf added to the leaf pack, which really causes the rear end to jump over those speed bumps.
Today our mechanic said our shocks are shot. He suggested a brand Boge - but now that we are back home I don't see that that is an option for our 2001 cherokee sport.
The other thing we need are two new 'U shaped' brackets at the rear of the Jeep near the back of the leaf packs.

So given my description can anyone recommend a good replacement for our shocks ? Oh - and how long should shocks last ? In Florida I think our shocks lasted just about forever.

Thanks

 

The U shaped bracket is called a "leaf spring shackle". You can get a stock one with the bushing in it for about $20/e. Getting the old one off will either be a very quick job (if they've been replaced and there's no red loctite on the bolts, or a several hour headache. If you've only had the Jeep down south it may be on the easy side.

I have take-off JK rubicon shocks. They're a high quality replacement but a little stiff and a fair amount of work to fit on the XJ. If you want a fairly inexpensive and high quality option, you could get the black JK take-offs on eBay. If you just want a standard replacement, there are a wide array of opinions on the best brand.

6 years on terrible roads seems to be a pretty good lifespan for a set of shocks. Especially if it's as bad as you describe.

 

Haven't dealt with the shocks yet but at this moment I'm kind of leaning towards replacing the KYB shocks with KYB shocks (maybe the better ones).

Today we took the Jeep to a family owned shop which only does leaves, springs and apparently shackles. They must have had to undo the shackles two years ago when the inserted an extra leaf into the pack - but for some reason they did not replace the bushings then. Maybe the extra leaf caused the bushings to wear more quickly ?

Anyway - in at 8AM. picked up at 11AM - about $45 dollars - 2 new bushings w/ labor. The shackles look like the old ones.

 

Dang that's a good deal! Is that in Mexico?

A professional shop probably just pressed out the old bushing and pressed a new one in. Was the bushing for the shackle or the leaf spring? Either way, $45 is a heck of a deal. Around here you're paying at an absolute minimum $100 for 1 hour labor + the retail cost of the bushings (which may be $5-10).

It could be as simple as the bushings were OK a couple years ago and wore out. I doubt the extra leaf caused premature failure. I'd think the extra bumpy roads were much more of a factor.

If you like the KYB shocks and got 6 years out of the old ones, then you definitely are good to go with a new set of KYB's.

 

Yes Mexico. I had to smile - professional shop - heck I don't even think those guys have electricity. They work off the ground (as in dirt) and use a sawed off tree stump as a jack.

But they are extremely hard working and honest to a fault. And they do good work.