How do I know what size shocks to get for my 2005 Rubicon tj? It rides very rough off-road with the current Rough Country shocks, and the suspension is really soft. I'm not sure how big the lift is. I am looking at the Rancho 5000x's. Also how do I know if the springs are bad to? Thanks
How do I know what size shocks I need?
- Thread starter conlopez
- Start date
Couple basics you can start with, post up some pics of the suspension springs and shocks.
Measure the Springs, stock is 12" in front and 8" in back. So spring perch to spring perch. If you have more, then that's the lift.
RC shocks do not have a great reputation. You have 2 options with going to the rancho's you mentioned:
1. Pick the ones for your height lift, look at some threads here that are similar, compare and go with it.
2. Get very exact, and go through cycling your suspension, bottoming out the bump stop, measuring what you need for your tires, and then getting shocks that won't bottom out, won't over stretch, and the total distance of travel is roughly "in the middle" when sitting at ride height.
2 is ideal, but if you're not a wheeling person, and good is good enough, then you can do 1. Not what I would do, but you'll be 95% good and only have trouble if you really get out and get after it.
On the front, you’re measuring spring height, that’s fine.
Looks like you have a 2” spacer on top of the front spring, so to measure “lift” height you need to measure perch to top, including that spacer. If you were to replace, then it would be good to get a Spring the full distance there.
12” is stock, above that is “lift”, so measure top metal there to bottom perch where the could sits.
Rear stock is 8”, the Jeep doesn’t have crazy rake, so the lift should be similar front and rear.
Measuring just the spring isn’t helpful in this exercise.
Looks like you have a 2” spacer on top of the front spring, so to measure “lift” height you need to measure perch to top, including that spacer. If you were to replace, then it would be good to get a Spring the full distance there.
12” is stock, above that is “lift”, so measure top metal there to bottom perch where the could sits.
Rear stock is 8”, the Jeep doesn’t have crazy rake, so the lift should be similar front and rear.
Measuring just the spring isn’t helpful in this exercise.
Front springs came out to 15 inches, so 3 inch lift. I want to be exact with the shock size, what do you mean by cycling the suspension and how do I bottom out the bump stops? I'm confused on that part
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/questions-on-cycling-the-suspension.16504/
This thread will give a lot more about cycling suspension.
To get the exact shock lengths needed, cycling is the most accurate.
This thread will give a lot more about cycling suspension.
To get the exact shock lengths needed, cycling is the most accurate.
So is there an actual lift, or did they just put spacers on the springs and get different shocks, or does it have a lift? If it does have a lift I would assume it's Rough Country. I am thinking of getting a new lift and pairing it with Rancho 5000x shocks. I found some lifts from Rubicon Express that are in my price range.
https://rubiconexpress.com/Suspensi....aspx?t_c=1&t_s=38&t_pt=3533&t_pn=R/ERE7000-3https://rubiconexpress.com/Suspensi...00.aspx?t_c=1&t_s=38&t_pt=3533&t_pn=R/ERE7000
What is your opinion on these lifts?
So it says I need a cv driveshaft for the 4.5, but it's only recommended for the 3.5. What are some of my options for a good one and how much would that cost? Is it only the rear driveshaft, what about the front driveshaft? I don't need a slip yoke eliminator because I have a Rubicon correct? Is there anything else I would need to do if I got the 4.5 over the 3.5?
And finally, how hard would this be to install myself?
You've got a lot of questions that aren't just one simple answer, and I am not a Rubicon owner, ha, I'm a glutton for punishment and got the X and adding all the Rubi type stuff, ha.
First, @Chris has a great detail on lifts
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/a-beginners-guide-to-lifting-your-jeep-wrangler-tj.733/
Yours looks to me like it has spacers. If you get a 3.5" or 4" kit, you take current springs and spacers out and add new springs that lift the jeep to the new lift height.
The front driveshaft you don't need to worry about, it's long enough the angles don't get extreme, you shouldn't have issues.
When you go above 2", the rear driveshaft is short, the angles extreme, it will cause vibrations. You can offset that 2 ways:
1. Budget - Transfer case drop or Motor Mount Lift - Each is pretty cheap, and changes the angle of the output on the TC....to hopefully lessen the angle and eliminate vibes. Not ideal, but it is a solution, and I inherited it, and if you don't need extreme clearance, and looks and mild wheeling is your goal, this can work.
2. SYE and CV driveshaft, this is far more expensive than solution 1, but much better. This leads to also needing adjustable control arms to fix angles in the axle etc, so there is a chain effect.
I do not know the output of the Rubicon TC if it's that much different, I just haven't researched...didn't need to for me.
Going to 3.5 or 4.5 is absolutely doable, but don't be fooled that it's just that kit, it can lead to much more investment. That's why you'll see many suggest 2.5" suspension lift....and a 1" body lift to get clearance and looks, but hopefully not have to do so much to fix vibes.
First, @Chris has a great detail on lifts
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/a-beginners-guide-to-lifting-your-jeep-wrangler-tj.733/
Yours looks to me like it has spacers. If you get a 3.5" or 4" kit, you take current springs and spacers out and add new springs that lift the jeep to the new lift height.
The front driveshaft you don't need to worry about, it's long enough the angles don't get extreme, you shouldn't have issues.
When you go above 2", the rear driveshaft is short, the angles extreme, it will cause vibrations. You can offset that 2 ways:
1. Budget - Transfer case drop or Motor Mount Lift - Each is pretty cheap, and changes the angle of the output on the TC....to hopefully lessen the angle and eliminate vibes. Not ideal, but it is a solution, and I inherited it, and if you don't need extreme clearance, and looks and mild wheeling is your goal, this can work.
2. SYE and CV driveshaft, this is far more expensive than solution 1, but much better. This leads to also needing adjustable control arms to fix angles in the axle etc, so there is a chain effect.
I do not know the output of the Rubicon TC if it's that much different, I just haven't researched...didn't need to for me.
Going to 3.5 or 4.5 is absolutely doable, but don't be fooled that it's just that kit, it can lead to much more investment. That's why you'll see many suggest 2.5" suspension lift....and a 1" body lift to get clearance and looks, but hopefully not have to do so much to fix vibes.
So is there no way to figure out the exact size of shock I need before installing lift to cycle the suspension? Would I have to install the lift, figure out what size shock I need, and then install the crappy Rough Country ones until I can get new ones? When you buy a lift that already includes shocks are those exact already?
Also, where do you get a Currie lift? I don't see those for sale anywhere but they have been recommended in several other posts. I'm not sure how much it is and if that's within my budget or not. Is it worth it over the Rubicon Express? I do a lot of off-roading but we don't have many rocks here in Florida that I know of.
EDIT: Is this it? https://savvyoffroad.com/product/ce-9801sc1/
It says they teamed up with Currie and it includes those Johnny Joints I hear about and Currie Anti-Rock sway bars as an option.
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Rockjock4x4 is the website for Currie direct, but yes that Savvy link they sell Currie there.
If you are getting super exact, yes pulling and measuring and ordering is the most super exact, but it’s not 100% necessary. You can research the right Rancho shock for the lift height you’re ordering .
If you are getting super exact, yes pulling and measuring and ordering is the most super exact, but it’s not 100% necessary. You can research the right Rancho shock for the lift height you’re ordering .
I have the Zone 4.25" combo lift on mine with Rancho RS5000X shocks. Works great and nothing else was needed. You can do other upgrades later on if you want to. I've used these on a few of my Jeeps.
