EZEARL,,, did you find the bar pins that you needed ? I was wondering what you ended up using ? I had to take the sleeves out of the new new black JKs, the front ones so far,,, and used the ones that came out of the old XJs. I could also use same top stem bolt and washers. I bought two Bilstein shock mounting kits. They came with new bushings, two washers and a new lock nut. The OEM washers were thicker and a bit larger in dia. So I painted the lower ones and reused them all. The OEM bar pins didn't fit as snug as would have liked. But I think that they may be fine with some weight on them, if not, I'll try new XJ lower bushings. LMK what you end up with.

 

If it helps at all, I used the bar pins from a leftover set of skyjacker shocks. Kept the jk bushings in there and it fits good. Should have mine all buttoned up on Friday so I can go for a test drive! I was surprised at how close in lengths these shocks are to stock. Well the front at least.

 

Were your pins as tight as the sleeves that were in them ? Mine were easy to put in, not as tight!

 

Yeah, I posted the lengths earlier. The fronts are only .5" longer. I wouldn't recommend them for anything higher than Upcountry. The Bilstein 5100s for 2-3" lift are 1" longer than stock, and using them my Upcountry clone is still shock-limited on extension with the front swaybar disconnected.


Let us know how those work out for you!

 

Not yet. I have all the part #'s. Just haven't ordered them yet.

I used the bar pins from the front shocks I replaced. They fit in to the Rubicon shocks TIGHT. I rounded off one end of the b/p's and greased them to get them started and so they wouldn't damage the bushings. Once stared I had to use a vice to press them through. Usually bushings are the same size among the brand of shocks so I don't know why yours would be loose? Did the bushings seem soft?

 

Yes they went in tight. Not super hard to get in since I greased them up.

You know I will!

I had to round off the corners on mine too. Made them go in much nicer.

 

[QUOTE=EZEARL;3491957]Not yet. I have all the part #'s. Just haven't ordered them yet.

Well went to order the parts but shipping is over the top.

 

No, bushings were firm. I too rounded off one end. I just felt that it was a bad fit, not that tight. Easy to get started and push thru?

 

Guys, I think we have a problem. Finally made an attempt to install the rear shocks.





These are way too long. I am sure I can get them on but that would leave the shock with 2" of up travel. Did I get the wrong rear shocks?

Edit - after saying wtf, I'm just going to try it out, I did. It rides amazing, there is no question about that. Took it for a quick trip down to the gas station. I didn't get the rear to bottom out but I have a feeling it will if ever loaded down. Guess this means I need to do the "country" lift?

 

Daggone ! I wasn't aware that they were that much longer ) . I haven't put my rear ones on yet. I got the front ones put on yesterday. They alone added 3/4" ! I had a brain fart for my loose fitting OEM bar pins. I had enough room that you could literally see daylight thru the bushings with the pins in them, about 1/32"- 3/64"? So I took a piece of copper pipe, 1/2". I cut it to length the same width as the bushings. Then I sawed it in half, right down the middle ! Formed the correct radius, using the bar pins. Filed off all the edges, and drove the right down in there beside the OEM bar pins !!! Worked like a charm ! Tightened them up just right. I figured that the copper will hold up against the rubber bushings. Have to watch to make sure they don't work thier way out or worse, chew the bushings up ! If they do, I'll just make a longer set and bend down some tabs at each end ! The eyelets on the JKs are a little bigger than the XJs. I don't know what bushing you'd have to use for the transition? Here's what mine looks like with the black JKs up front on 275/75/15s

 

Check them compressed.......

 

Compare them compressed

 

The bushings or the shock length ? I'll measure mine, before and after. Cruiser , the front shocks took a little of the off center out. I'm thinking it's due in part to a bad ball joint and axle u-joint on the short axle side. If that's not it, I'm going to pull the sway bar back off, see if it still does it, and check to see if it's bent.

 

Too late, they are already on. But the body on the JK shock is about 2" longer, maybe more which would directly effect compressed length.

I didn't swap out any bushings. Just used the ones that came in the JK shocks. The bar pins I used came out of an old set of Skyjackers that came on my other XJ. I noticed a slight lift with the shocks too. Enough to make the steering wheel not straight anymore.

 

My steering wheel was off beforehand? They actually brought it in towards center a bit. I still have a bad ball joint and inner axle u-joint on the short axle side to fix. Maybe a bent sway bar , not sure yet ?