WHAT SHOCKS TO GET

[CherokeeNewbie]

Hey guys, I am finally buying my long arm kit tomorrow. The kit I am getting has the option to come with Doetsch Tech 8000's, Bilstein 5125's, or Bilstein 5150's. Which one do you guys recommend, I am not a hammers type guy but more of a TruckHaven type guy but I want the flexibility to do all types of trails. I want a shock that can go over whoops nicely but also has great articulation. If you guys don't recommend any of these shocks what do you recommend and maybe I will buy the kit with no shocks and buy the shocks separate. Thanks for all of your veteran thoughts on this. This is for a 6.5" long arm.

[crazyjim]

Your best bet would be bilstein 7100's, as they are rebuildable and will essentially last you the life of your vehicle. But if you want to purchase them with the kit, the 5150's are the next best bet, small reservoir to keep 'em cool.

[silverslk]

It's a matter of money really. Of what you listed, I would say Bilstein 5150's but they are not "technically" rebuildable. I would buy Bilstein 7100's so that you can change valving and rebuild them and never have to buy new shocks again (assuming you dont break one).

[silverslk]

STUPID JIM beat me to it. hahaha

[crazyjim]

Haha why does that make me stupid? Stupidhead!

[SPXJ]

Definately spend the extra mony and do it right the first time. Go with Bilstein 7100's or a shock that is rebuildable (Fox, King, DT 2.2)

[tcm glx]

Jim and Andy are both stupid, I would recommend Bilstein 7100s.... those are way better than anything those guys said.......

[CherokeeNewbie]

i appreciate all the responses so quickly. I dont know if I can spend that much to go with the 7100's right away. If you all say the 7100's are the best I will have to continue to save a couple more weeks because the long arm is already a lot and then to add another $800 for the 7100's would almost kill me right now. does anyone have the hook ups on them hahaha

[tcm glx]

Look for used one on the web... DR, RDC are typically good places to start. Also keep an eye on craigslist

[CherokeeNewbie]

ok i will defiantly consider the 7100's but if not I am going with the 5150's. Also, what valving do you guys suggest for an xj.

[AJTorris]

What size shock do i need for a 7in lift?

[djblade311]

7100's were a much worthy purchase for me. absolutely love em. I considered the 5150s too but the ride, ability to rebuild and getting short bodies sold me.

AJTorris - very common question and there is no right answer since each rig is unique. Best bet is to remove your old ones, flex like mad and measure to really know. On AVERAGE, 6" lift you can get 12" travels for the front and 10" for the rear assuming stock shock mounts.

[AJTorris]

7100's were a much worthy purchase for me. absolutely love em. I considered the 5150s too but the ride, ability to rebuild and getting short bodies sold me.

AJTorris - very common question and there is no right answer since each rig is unique. Best bet is to remove your old ones, flex like mad and measure to really know. On AVERAGE, 6" lift you can get 12" travels for the front and 10" for the rear assuming stock shock mounts.

ya i kinda figured that lol. Ill have to wait until i get a 35 because i just went to 35s and a bolt on my fence caught one of my tires.:smsoap: So as soon as i get one from my buddy i will take my shocks off and go out to my back field and flex it on my parts jeep LOL. Im thinking of the 7100s also but dang they are pricey!

[rpraterxj]

I have been running 5150's on 5" of lift for a few years and I like them. I can't flop down the dough for 7100's yet, but that or the Fox 2.0's will be my next shock!

Good luck!

[AJTorris]

how do you like the 5150s?

[jeeperjohn]

I run Pro Comp MX6 remote res adjustables. I absolutely love them. I like the adjustability and they soak up the whoops like butter. They are also rebuildable. They run about $189 each. I have heard they are built by Fox but I have no confirmation of that.

[rpraterxj]

how do you like the 5150s?

Good choice for the money. I drive my Jeep every day. I have yet to wheel my 99, but I did wheel my 2000 with the same shocks and it did well. Not a desert racing shock for sure, but nice ride. I did opt for the heavier valving, 270/55 or something like that.

I also went for the stem conversion on the top of the front shocks and bar pin elinators front and rear.

[CherokeeNewbie]

when all of you guys say 7100 are you talking Reservoir Shock, Shrader Valve Shock, or short body and what is the difference of each in terms of performance and why do you choose the one you chose. thanks again for all the help

[crazyjim]

7100 is Bilstein's 2.0 reservoir shock. You can get it with a short body or a normal length body. Go resi.

[CherokeeNewbie]

Jim they do make the 7100 without a remote reservoir as well and it is the shrader valve version but I dont exaclty know what a shrader valve shock is. would you guys suggest the short body or regular resi

[Clean Racing]

If you are going with the 7100's get the short body shocks with reservoir.. The schraider valve is there to charge the nitrogen, and not to be played with. Personally I am very happy with my Fox 2.0's. Had my 7100's apart 6 times to change the valving and never had it totally dialed. If I had money to burn then I would have Ohlins make me some shocks that were adjustable both hi and low compression and rebound.

[besthaticouldo]

Jim and Andy are both stupid, I would recommend Bilstein 7100s.... those are way better than anything those guys said.......

agreed

[CherokeeNewbie]

the longest 7100 series that will fit on the stock mounting points will only give 26" of extended length the 5150 will give 30" of extended length. I dont know what to do. this suspension shit is tough hahaha and I know no matter what I get I am going to have a blast

[silverslk]

What are you basing this on? Are the compressed lengths the same? If they are and ultimate articulation matters then 5150's it is. If not, you need to decide uptravel vs. down travel and see what works best for you. Also, most people relocate the lower mount and it is fairly easy to do.

[djblade311]

the longest 7100 series that will fit on the stock mounting points will only give 26" of extended length the 5150 will give 30" of extended length. I dont know what to do. this suspension shit is tough hahaha and I know no matter what I get I am going to have a blast

nope, not true. see http://www.bilsteinus.com/offroad_7100.php

AK7112R gives 31.34" extended length
AK7112SB gives 28.06" extended length (ones I have)

the 14"s have even more ext length. But droop is overrated :)

[cracker]

But droop is overrated :)

Drivers droop is important to limit. One's CV on the front driveline is limited to only SO much angle. I would suggest unbolting it from the axle and see how much it hangs down. You will be surprised on how little it does hang down.

Limit straps are a must for most with significant travel.

[dirtbagXJ2103]

i ran 5150s they are good for a daily driver with some offroading mixed in, ive had foxs too they are very nice, but i have 7100s now 12" short bodys and they are valved perfect, not the smoothest on the street but i have the softest landings and i float over whoops valving is 255/70. the only way id get rid of these is to run a 2.5.

[CherokeeNewbie]

ya the guy at 4wp says that the ak7112r wont fit on stock mounts because the col length is 19.61. the short bodies will fit but the ext length is only 28 where as the 5150's are 30 ext for the same col length. I went with the 5150's and if i dont like them o well i will try again in a year when i get some more tax money


nope, not true. see http://www.bilsteinus.com/offroad_7100.php

AK7112R gives 31.34" extended length
AK7112SB gives 28.06" extended length (ones I have)

the 14"s have even more ext length. But droop is overrated :)

[crazyjim]

Rule one, don't listen to anybody at 4wp. They're minimum wage parts sales guys for a reason.

[xcm]

call mike at kartek, or mike at offroadengineering if you have questions for a knowledgeable salesman.

[RWKHausSupply]

I have a set of 5100 stock upper mount for a TJ/XJ that is for 5-6.5" lift. I will give you them for 20$ but you have to send them in and pay 65$ ea for the valving you need (best way to go anyways) and have the one fixxed (the rod came out). they are typically 100-125$ each. so its a good deal on a rebuildable, custom valved shock with the stock upper mount so you dont loose 1.5-2" of coompression due to adapters...

Oh and they are I seem to remember they are 2" shorter then ext lengeth of a 12" short body 7100... and

[CherokeeNewbie]

I called kartek about 4 times and they wouldnt even return a call and I was gonna buy the shocks from them

[knuckleuppunk]

Don't forget about Sway-A-Way's. I love Bilstein and know a few guys over there, but SAW has decent quality items as well.

Don't go with standard mount front shocks. Get the T&J front upper mount and then run BPE front and back. You can one step further and put your lower rear mounts in double shear as well. Flex it out and limit stap it when you're done. Run it this way and you'll never worry about your shocks!

[RWKHausSupply]

Don't go with standard mount front shocks. Get the T&J front upper mount !
Thats the stupidest crap I ever heard!

What is the advantage to loosing 1.5-2" of compression and needing a shorter shock? :skull2:

[djblade311]

knuckleuppunk, JKS shock adapters work perfectly fine for 7100s. T&J mounts are beefy / blingy and really only needed if you are jeepspeedin.

[RWKHausSupply]

knuckleuppunk, JKS shock adapters work perfectly fine for 7100s. T&J mounts are beefy / blingy and really only needed if you are jeepspeedin.

yes they "Work" great. but there is No need to go looking for a shock that requires them... IF the shock you find needs them and your ok loosing the length by using them, then yeah run em. but to say Dont go standard mount, is assanine...

[johnnyc]

I've been disappointed with my front 5150s. They were nice when they were new, but they only lasted about a year. I was talking about this to Cal and Cracker at the M&G last night, and I guess it's a common problem. Gotta get some new shocks soon.

[Darky]

In the "New King shocks" thread in the prerunner forum, I posted up about some Foxes that bolt in and Off-Road Warehouse is having a sale on them right now. I might get those for the front and 7100s for the back.

[knuckleuppunk]

yes they "Work" great. but there is No need to go looking for a shock that requires them... IF the shock you find needs them and your ok loosing the length by using them, then yeah run em. but to say Dont go standard mount, is assanine...

Relax. No reason to attack people if they don't agree with your way of thinking.

I don't believe in the strength of the stock upper mount, just like I don't agree with the rear lower being in single shear. I don't crawl, as I prefer the go fast stuff. I'd lose a little compression to trade for strength. One step better would be an engine cage with raised shock mounts attached. You get the better mount and lose no compression.

I apologize that we have a different opinion, but I'd ask that you keep the personal attacks out of it. It only looks negative to forum visitors.

Thanks,

JC