lonewolf411

So im getting all my parts for a 3inch lift together and i plan on buying JK shocks. My question is if i use BPE would they still work on my jeep? Ive read articles about pushing the JK bar pins out and putting the stock ones back in but im not sure if i would have enough time because its a DD and I would be getting help from another jeep guy with the lift. Or does anyone sell stock bar pins to put in the JK shocks before i start taking things off the Jeep. Im kinda confused as you can tell. Ha

gpXJ

Edit to actually answer your question: If you use BPE (bar pin eliminator) then no, you don't need bar pins. Because you just eliminated them

If you have a bench vise and some KY, it takes about 5 minutes to push the pins out of your stock shocks and into the JK shocks. I grinded off the corners to make them rounded before pressing them in, to keep them from cutting my new shock bushings.

You are more likely to wind up spending most of your time addressing the broken rear upper shock bolts.

ericfx1984

JK shocks are fine in the rear but inthe front they are only 1" longer than your OEM XJ shocks... even with a 1.4" spaced BPE you still only get about 2.5" longer... and they will not even bolt up with 4.5" coils... you need an extra 0.5" just to bolt up... lol

lonewolf411

I dont plan on going to 4.5 inches (atleast not for a while) but if i order BPE's how many should i order...4? And ive heard alot of guys using JK shocks for 3inches with no problems but you may be right.

TheJerm

I ran JK shocks on my homebrew 3.5" lift and never had any problems with it. Swapping the bar pins doesnt take very long at all, Just spit on it and push harder! lol

If I were you, I would swap the bar pins and install. If you find the shocks are limiting down travel in the front then pick up a set of BPE's.

lonewolf411

Okay sounds good! Also i just read up on some stuff and has anyone used JK rear upper control arms as lower control arms for 3 inches of lift? Would this work?

gpXJ

Those are gonna be too long for only a 3" lift. If I remember right they are 2" longer than stock, which is gonna push your axle too far forward, and without longer uppers you pinion angle and caster are gonna be wack.

ericfx1984

what I am ssaying is that at 3" of lift with BPE the fronts will still limit your down travel

Freemansxj

I have been using the JK rubicon shocks on the front of my XJ for several years now without any issues. Mine is used for camping and medium trails. It really is easy to put the stock XJ bar pins in the JK shocks, just remember to round the edges first. Here is my write up from 2008 on it.

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=966436

Good luck,

John