Shock advice

[Gasman1979]

The ride on my TJ SUCKS. Like my wife refuses to ride in it. I’m almost certain it’s the shocks. They look like rough country possibly. I popped a lower rear end off to see if they were possibly worn out. OMG! I’m not a small nor weak guy and it took both hands, flat on my back pushing with all I had to get the shock back to the carrier to put in the bolt. So yeah. A bit too stiff lol. My question is. I have no idea what the lift is. I think 3-4”. I want to start with my rear shocks and see how much that helps and go from there. The static ride height on the shock is 19 1/2” eye to eye. Any advice on the lift height from that measurement ? Also what do yall recommend for a good ride on the highway and country backroads. I don’t off road for pleasure. My off roading is to and from a deer stand at most. Right now if there is any roughness to the road at all it just jars the shit outta you. Feels like there’s zero give to the suspension at all.

Thanks !!

 

[macleanflood]

Black Max shocks are cheap and soft. I'd recommend them!

-Mac

 

[Duck Doctor]

Your tire choice may also impact ride quality.

 

[JMT]

Proper length Black Max shocks and tire psi are your best friend for improving ride quality at your build level.

31’s - 28psi
33’s - 26psi
35’s - 24-25psi

 

[Gasman1979]

I know the 20” rims I’m running aren’t helping the ride quality. But when I saw how stiff that shock was I knew that wasn’t good at all. Currently on 32x10.5x20 Nitto Ridge Grapplers. It was really all I could get in my price range at the time. I want to drop to a 16 or 17” rim and 33’s this spring.

Any advice on how to proper size the Black Max shocks for application ? As stated I have no clue what lift is on the jeep. I’m going to measure the springs tonight under load as per the chart I found on another thread.

 

[jjvw]

.... OMG! I’m not a small nor weak guy and it took both hands, flat on my back pushing with all I had to get the shock back to the carrier to put in the bolt. So yeah. A bit too stiff lol. ...

The very nice shocks on mine take almost my entire body weight to compress.

 

[JMT]

I know the 20” rims I’m running aren’t helping the ride quality. But when I saw how stiff that shock was I knew that wasn’t good at all. Currently on 32x10.5x20 Nitto Ridge Grapplers. It was really all I could get in my price range at the time. I want to drop to a 16 or 17” rim and 33’s this spring.

Any advice on how to proper size the Black Max shocks for application ? As stated I have no clue what lift is on the jeep. I’m going to measure the springs tonight under load as per the chart I found on another thread.

You measure the amount of space for the shock. You pick a shock that will be at the middle of it's travel when it is fit within that space.

 

[Gasman1979]

The very nice shocks on mine take almost my entire body weight to compress.

But how soft is the ride ? When I say I have to push as hard as I can I mean a sustained good 45 seconds to a minute to compress them just over an inch. I know shocks are supposed to be stiff and a slow travel. I’ve replaced lots. This is ridiculously stiff tho. My TJ will throw you around in the cab over what I consider moderate terrain. 4-5” deep chug holes in the fire lane on the way to the deer stand. Anything over 10mph is like riding a bull.

 

[JMT]

But how soft is the ride ? When I say I have to push as hard as I can I mean a sustained good 45 seconds to a minute to compress them just over an inch. I know shocks are supposed to be stiff and a slow travel. I’ve replaced lots. This is ridiculously stiff tho. My TJ will throw you around in the cab over what I consider moderate terrain. 4-5” deep chug holes in the fire lane on the way to the deer stand. Anything over 10mph is like riding a bull.

You pressing on the shock is nothing compared to how much weight the Jeep exerts on the shock. It really doesn't mean anything. You could be weak. Even if you were strong it wouldn't mean anything as far as ride quality. JJ is running outboard tuned shocks, so you aren't going to be able to approach the ride quality he has under his current iteration without a few years of work. If you want to drive the Jeep soon, then give up on that pipe dream, get a cheap shock, smaller wheels, and set your tire pressure right.

 

[jjvw]

But how soft is the ride ? When I say I have to push as hard as I can I mean a sustained good 45 seconds to a minute to compress them just over an inch. I know shocks are supposed to be stiff and a slow travel. I’ve replaced lots. This is ridiculously stiff tho. My TJ will throw you around in the cab over what I consider moderate terrain. 4-5” deep chug holes in the fire lane on the way to the deer stand. Anything over 10mph is like riding a bull.

Currently, mine rides and handles a bit like a race car and it is absolutely delightful. But, if you wish, I can make the ride as boaty or as harsh as you like.

 

[Gasman1979]

You pressing on the shock is nothing compared to how much weight the Jeep exerts on the shock. It really doesn't mean anything. You could be weak. Even if you were strong it wouldn't mean anything as far as ride quality. JJ is running outboard tuned shocks, so you aren't going to be able to approach the ride quality he has under his current iteration without a few years of work. If you want to drive the Jeep soon, then give up on that pipe dream, get a cheap shock, smaller wheels, and set your tire pressure right.

Ok. So I believe you have the misconception I’m looking g to recreate JJ’s ride. I’m not. And I’m not looking for a major project to see if I can make it ride like an Escalade. I just want advice for a good all purpose shock that will suit my needs on the current 3”ish lift. I don’t rock crawl, I don’t mud ride. It’s a weekend deer camp rig that occasionally gets driven to town or I drive to ball practice. I don’t expect excellence. I just want a decent ride over rough terrain. Know what I mean ?

 

[JMT]

Ok. So I believe you have the misconception I’m looking g to recreate JJ’s ride. I’m not. And I’m not looking for a major project to see if I can make it ride like an Escalade. I just want advice for a good all purpose shock that will suit my needs on the current 3”ish lift. I don’t rock crawl, I don’t mud ride. It’s a weekend deer camp rig that occasionally gets driven to town or I drive to ball practice. I don’t expect excellence. I just want a decent ride over rough terrain. Know what I mean ?

I know what you mean. That information is in post #4.

 

[jjvw]

Ok. So I believe you have the misconception I’m looking g to recreate JJ’s ride. I’m not. And I’m not looking for a major project to see if I can make it ride like an Escalade. I just want advice for a good all purpose shock that will suit my needs on the current 3”ish lift. I don’t rock crawl, I don’t mud ride. It’s a weekend deer camp rig that occasionally gets driven to town or I drive to ball practice. I don’t expect excellence. I just want a decent ride over rough terrain. Know what I mean ?

My only nitpicky point was that your physical ability to squeeze a shock says little about what that shock does when it is installed in a vehicle.

 

[Gasman1979]

My only nitpicky point was that your physical ability to squeeze a shock says little about what that shock does when it is installed in a vehicle.

Oh I know. I was just saying in relation to other new shocks I’ve messed with these are extremely stiff. I guess what I meant was it takes the same amount of pressure a lot longer to compress than other shocks I’ve messed with. The front are for sure Rough Country. The rears are not labeled and are silver in color. I do appreciate the advice.

 

[Gasman1979]

I know what you mean. That information is in post #4.

Ok. But do you kinda see that being slightly douchy in your replies makes me want other opinions ??? Prolly not ….. I’m sure those are fine shocks, maybe the best there is for what I want. But opinions are in fact like assholes, everyone has one and each one smells slightly different. I just was looking for a few different smells before I picked. I mean…..I don’t think we are communist yet right ???

 

[JMT]

Ok. But do you kinda see that being slightly douchy in your replies makes me want other opinions ??? Prolly not ….. I’m sure those are fine shocks, maybe the best there is for what I want. But opinions are in fact like assholes, everyone has one and each one smells slightly different. I just was looking for a few different smells before I picked. I mean…..I don’t think we are communist yet right ???

This is douchy?

“Proper length Black Max shocks and tire psi are your best friend for improving ride quality at your build level.

31’s - 28psi
33’s - 26psi
35’s - 24-25psi“

I’ve been on here since 2017. It doesn’t mean I’ve seen every post or read every thread, but I’ve seen your question probably 150 times. For several years the answer was Rancho 5000X. Then the answer was Rancho 5000X in the front and Black Max in the rear. Then it was Rancho 5000X or Black Max. That’s kind of where it stands. So, douchy or not, that’s just the majority opinion unless you want to outboard. Most TJ’s drive like shit even on Rancho 5000X or Black Max. They’re a short wheel base vehicle which exacerbates topographical imperfections. Seek another minority opinion if you want, but douchy does not describe my response in post 4.

 

[jjvw]

This is douchy?

“Proper length Black Max shocks and tire psi are your best friend for improving ride quality at your build level.

31’s - 28psi
33’s - 26psi
35’s - 24-25psi“

I’ve been on here since 2017. It doesn’t mean I’ve seen every post or read every thread, but I’ve seen your question probably 150 times. For several years the answer was Rancho 5000X. Then the answer was Rancho 5000X in the front and Black Max in the rear. Then it was Rancho 5000X or Black Max. That’s kind of where it stands. So, douchy or not, that’s just the majority opinion unless you want to outboard. Most TJ’s drive like shit even on Rancho 5000X or Black Max. They’re a short wheel base vehicle which exacerbates topographical imperfections. Seek another minority opinion if you want, but douchy does not describe my response in post 4.

The fundamental problem is that there are no good bolt on shock options for a vehicle like this. There is no good reason why, except that the market is not there to spend the money or get past the belief that a Jeep cannot (or should not) ride and handle well.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

The fundamental problem is that there are no good bolt on shock options for a vehicle like this. There is no good reason why, except that the market is not there to spend the money or get past the belief that a Jeep cannot (or should not) ride and handle well.

That’s pretty douchy, JJ…

 

[jjvw]

That’s pretty douchy, JJ…

Its the kind of thing that makes Jerry go away.

 

[Apparition]

Its the kind of thing that makes Jerry go away.