mmenigma

Hi, I'm going to do this swap sometime soon but I'm looking for real world advice.

I know there's a difference between Black Sahara and Red Rubi shocks. From all accounts, they seem to be minor. However, I'd like advice on which is better for my use.

I have an 89 Cherokee with a 2" lift and Gabrial Ultra shocks. The shocks came with the jeep when I bought it and man, the ride is stiff. Don't like these shocks one bit.

Anyway, most of my driving is in Baja on rough dirt, gravel, and washboard roads full of pot holes. I don't go rock jumping or do serious 4 wheeling and I'm looking to take the roughness out by switching to either the red or black JK shock.

Which do you think is best for my use?

Thanks everyone.

thatXJguy

I should probably chime in, since I'm a JK owner.

There is a huge difference between black and red JK shocks. The red shocks compress at over twice the force, so you get greater handling.

RangerWeaver and I just installed a set of red JK shocks on his XJ, front and rear. You do have to replace the barpins, putting the XJ barpin inside the shock instead, but it's a direct fit.

They will be a stiff ride. But that's good for off-road handling. Black shocks will offer a softer ride, which will also result in more body roll on turns.

mmenigma

Hmm, I keep reading different accounts of red vs black so it's very confusing. My current shocks seem to hardly compress at all and it's like having steel rods for shocks. On the rough dirt roads, it's really jarring and lots of vibration. I feel every ripple and bump, but I'll never bottom out. My friends Chevy truck with stock shocks is so smooth on the same road compared to mine. So maybe the reds will be too stiff too like my Gabriels?

4BangerDanger

I have the Rubi Red shocks plus BPEs on my rig and I'm happy with the ride, on and off road.

mmenigma

Thanks, which BPE's are you using?

4BangerDanger

I'm using Rough Country BPE's. If you are only at 2" you may not need BPE's and can just press your old bar pins into the Rubicon shocks.

mmenigma

Ok thanks, I'm going to look for Rubi Reds then.

thatXJguy

Reds! *thumbs up*

The black shocks compress at about 30 pounds of force and come on all street JKs (the Sport, the Sahara, etc). You will notice all the Rubicons and Rubicon Hard Rocks come with the red shocks because they're made for off-road use, just like the rest of the upgrades to the model from the factory (Dana 44 HD, lockers, sway bar disconnects, mud tires, etc). The reds compress at about 80 pounds of force.

Go ahead and see just how stiff they are when you get your hands on them :P