I have a 99 rwd XJ with a 2 inch Rubicon Express lift kit on 33s. I'm looking to get new leaf packs and coils to achieve a 4.5 inch lift. All I need to know is if the rubicon express shocks that are already on there will do the job or if they wont work. Anyone?

 

You need new shocks. Best bet would be to install springs then measure to get the proper length.

 

What would happen if I ran the current shocks? Since that is the case I'll most likely buy a kit. Do you have any recommendations for a 4-5 inch lift.. on the cheap side.

 

If you ran those shocks they would be at full extension all the time would ride like crap and probably tear themselves apart. Pretty common reccomedation here seems to be rustys but i don't know first hand as when I lift its not gonna be a kit it will lots of off the wall parts.

 

yeah i wanted to do the same, finding leafs and shackles and coils but what will you do for shocks?

 

Measure a set of bilstein 5165. I will also be doing far more than just coils and leafs.

 

This is exactly what happened when I went from 4.5" to ~6.5".

I measured and purchased Bilstein 5100 series. Best price I saw was through AutoAnything.

 

would 2.5 inch lift RC shocks for a JK work for an xj with 4-4.5 inches of lift?

 

I wouldn't use jk shocks they are valved for the weight of a jk which is almost 4k vs xj 3k ish depending how its dressed.

 

I bought Rusty's shocks last year for my 3.5 inch lift and I am not too impressed. Yeah they replaced my blown shocks so that was a plus and for the money, I couldn't beat it but it I was to buy shocks again, I would go with better shocks such as fox or bilstein

 

fox and bilstein are looking at roughly a grand for a set.. way out of my price range

 

Look at Rusty's. I think I paid $48 each shipped. Like I said above... They are OK. Just not comparable to more expensive shocks. Also, doetschtech I think that's how its spelled, they're good for cheap too

 

Rustys has entry level shocks that come with his kits like all the others I used a set for a year or so before I increased my lift from 3 to 4 1/2" then went to Bilstein 5100's. The Bilstein shocks are no where near a grand for a set of 4, way less than half that in fact.


When you go over a 3" lift you must spend a lot more money for things to do it right go to Rustys and look at his kits they are made in NA not China. Very reasonable in cost for "Quality" entry level kits both leafs and coils including shocks and all new hardware. My 4 1/2" lift is based on His 3" lift kit I used the leafs and coils with ACOS and Boomerang Shackles.

 

Just a heads up that Fox is much better than Bilstein. Bilstein builds a quality shock but the valving is usually wrong. Fox puts more effort into getting the valving correct.

Unfortunately I'm out of the loop on the current budget shocks, but in general you get what you pay for in terms of ride quality and durability.

 

That would be why I'm doing 5165 and figuring the valving myself.