JK shocks on TJ?

[TreverStevens]

I need a new set of shocks for my 4" lifted TJ. I've seen a few guys swap stock JK socks into their TJ for about 2" of lift. I found a local guy selling a full set of Bilstein 5100's for a JK with 2.5" of lift, asking $180. Brand new, never mounted. From what I can find these have a compressed length of 14.98" and an extended length of 24.63" for the front and the rears are 15.39" and 27.36". The Bilstein's for a TJ with 4" read collapsed length 14.98" extended length 24.63" on the fronts and collapsed length of 14.13" and extended length 22.58" for the rear. So on the front I'd have the same lengths, but on the rear I'd have a difference of (+)1.26" collapsed and (+)4.78" extended. So for the rears I'd get 11.97" of travel on the JK shocks and 8.45" of travel on the TJ shocks. If my math is correct I'd get 3.52" more travel from the JK shocks (JK 11.97"-TJ 8.45"= 3.52" right?). Would this be a reasonable swap or are they going to ride a lot more firm since the JK is heavier than a TJ. Keep in mind, I now have a V8 in the front end, so i do have the extra weight of that to help "soften" things. Thoughts? Opinions?

 

[kmas0n]

My math is a little fuzzy, but you are not going to get 12" travel in the rear with a 2" lift without moving upper and lower shock mounts. Usually involving out boarding or REALLY low axle mounts. 10" is very possible but again, you will have to fab up new lower mounts somehow.

A lot of people don't like the Bilseins on this forum, however I have a buddy who uses them and likes them. They say that small bumps are too harsh, like expansion joints, asphalt seems, speed bumps etc, but they start to shine at higher speed.

I've personally used JKUR shocks on a TJ with a 2" budget boost for years. When the first set wore out I replaced them with another. They were very cheap. The ride is ok. A little firm which is ok for the street, but jarring on larger bumps. Terrible on washboard until you go so fast it's stupid. A good budget option, but not great.

A lot of people swear by Rancho RS5000x shocks. You can find reviews all over the forums full of praise

Oh, and depending on which V8 you went with, some of them weigh less than the 4.0.

 

[TreverStevens]

Oh, and depending on which V8 you went with, some of them weigh less than the 4.0.

I didn't go with an aluminum block, so I'm definitely heavier than the 4.0, ha ha. I did the 5.9L Magnum swap.

I will have other limiting factors before getting nearly 12" of travel I'm pretty sure. I was more so meaning I had the potential of close to 12". I have a 4" lift currently and the JK shocks have a difference of +2" from what I've seen and read (stock JK shocks= 2" TJ lift, therefore 2.5" JK shocks= 4.5"-ish of lift on a TJ). I'm mostly just looking for a cheap shock setup at this time, not a final "this is it!" kinda setup. My rear shocks are done in and I'm sure my fronts are to follow once I finish up the swap. Before I started my engine swap I may as well not have any shocks mounted up in the rear.

 

[kmas0n]

I"ll let you know what I think of the Rancho RS5000x's in about a week, at about $150 after rebate, they will do until I get around the my foxes/outboarding/tuning etc

 

[TreverStevens]

I"ll let you know what I think of the Rancho RS5000x's in about a week, at about $150 after rebate, they will do until I get around the my foxes/outboarding/tuning etc

Did you get all 4 at that price?

 

[kmas0n]

amazon sells them for 53 a piece, plus (or minus) a $50 rebate direct from rancho.

I actually purchased the RS5000x's for my JL and was so impressed, I decided to get them for the TJ as well