XJ guys and Gals got a shock question for you

[94ToyBear]

going to be replacing some shocks on an 01 XJ here soon, wanted to get some opinions.
price wise looking at a middle of the market, and for a 4 to 5 inch lift.

what do you XJ guys recommend?

[dieseldoc]

just like with your jeep.
its about what you can afford as well as a quality part.
I am partial to Billstine

[94ToyBear]

I have a YJ leafs all the way around, dang thing rides like a tractor lol
Figured XJ's ride different then my YJ or even a TJ

[Hypoid]

I'll have to get shocks soon enough. From my reading over at NAXJA, many with a preference like Bilstein.

[FINOCJ]

I have a YJ leafs all the way around, dang thing rides like a tractor lol
Figured XJ's ride different then my YJ or even a TJ

Ha - that makes me chuckle. The YJ does probably ride rough compared to an XJ, but a YJ is luxury ride compared to an early cj!
Don't know how it works with XJs, but the adjustable Rancho's (9000 I think...?) are well regarded in the CJ community and those running leafs all the way around...tune them to your liking and vehicle needs based on suspension and sway bar etc. I do run Billsteins on my Taco which is front coil and rear leafs...no complaints there and beat them up hard for over 100k miles. I think a lot of shock selection is about matching the shock to the suspension.

[dieseldoc]

Matching is tough sometimes. Once things start to get lifted biger bumper and such change the curb weight thus changing the pressures needed in the shocks.

[94ToyBear]

Ha - that makes me chuckle. The YJ does probably ride rough compared to an XJ, but a YJ is luxury ride compared to an early cj!
Don't know how it works with XJs, but the adjustable Rancho's (9000 I think...?) are well regarded in the CJ community and those running leafs all the way around...tune them to your liking and vehicle needs based on suspension and sway bar etc. I do run Billsteins on my Taco which is front coil and rear leafs...no complaints there and beat them up hard for over 100k miles. I think a lot of shock selection is about matching the shock to the suspension.

I got the tractor, you got the ww2 Tank lol

Its on 32s and has a 4.5 to 5.5 lift.
Really the lift is unknown.

[dieseldoc]

And there is part of the issue with getting shocks.
Unknown spring rates are tough to match a good shock to make the ride nice.

A set of addjustable bilstines would be a great option for you.
Nitrogen shocks are so tuneable that you can make them work well even with rigs that have big difference in each corner.

[xaza]

I have been running Skyjacker shocks for a while now. They ride extremely stiff but have held up to the abuse. To find the right length you will need to measure shock length at full compress and at full extension. When I was at 4.5" lift I was running a 6" lift shock up front because of the amount of droop I got, yet it was short enough to not bottom out. Bilstein shocks ride better and tend to last pretty well too.

[dscowell]

I have the cheapest skyjackers you can get. I'd suggest unless you want to feel every bump don't get them.

[94ToyBear]

Pretty sure the owner wants a soft ride..