Shock and Hardware Combo for XJ w/3" Lift

Have a 1990 XJ...Looking for solid recommendation on shocks and the right hardware to get a nice ride...streets in Tampa have a lot of lumps and bumps and I get about 5% of my time off road.

I have a 3" lift by using ProComp coils up front with tube lower control arm and rear end is 3~3.5" Rubicon leaf springs.
My Rancho RS5000 are tired (harsh ride) and I am thinking I need to add shock adapter brackets for front shocks??? Also, how do I pick the size of the shock(s)?

Thank-you!!!

Adapters allow you to use shocks with eyes on both ends. They are not required. A good retailer or 4x4 shop will know what part numbers fit your lift size, or you can use the manufactures spec charts to find the compressed and extended lengths you need.

Doetsch Tech DT3000's work well for me. I have always found Rancho shocks to be disappointing in the ride quality.

Shock Lengths

Measured from eyelet to eyelet to get length

Brand/Model # Extended Collapsed Travel Position
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Monroe 32252 (* Stock) 21.25 13 8.1 Front
Monroe 37193 (* UpCcountry) 24.25 13.37 10.8 Front
Monroe 911524 (* UpCountry) 21.00 13.4 7.6 Front
Doetsch DT3350 ( 3-5” Lift 26.5 15.5 11.0 Front
ES1000 ES124515 (* 3" Lift) 24.50 14.38 10.0 Front
ES1000 ES121515 (* 0-2" Lift) 21.52 12.72 8.8 Front
ES3000 ES324515 (* 3" Lift) 24.70 14.52 10.2 Front
ES3000 ES321515 (* 0-2" Lift) 20.24 12.45 7.8 Front
ES9000 ES921515 (* 0-2" Lift) 21.75 13.06 8.6 Front
ES9000 ES924515 (* 3" Lift) 24.70 14.52 10.2 Front
Skyjacker SJA-H7016 (* 1-3" Lift) 22.75 13.54 9.2 Front
Skyjacker SJA-H7025 (* 3-5" Lift) 24.75 14.54 10.2 Front
Skyjacker SJA-N8016 (* 1-3" Lift) 22.75 13.54 9.2 Front
Skyjacker SJA-N8025 (* 3-5" Lift) 24.75 14.54 10.2 Front
Skyjacker SJA-M9016 (* 1-3" Lift) 22.75 13.54 9.2 Front
Rancho RS5239 (* 3" Lift) 23.75 14.37 9.38 Front
Rancho RS5128 (* Stock) 20.87 13.00 7.8 Front
Rancho RS99239 (* 3" Lift) 23.75 14.37 9.38 Front
Rancho RS99128 (* Stock) 20.87 13.00 7.8 Front
Rancho RSX17317 (* 3" Lift) 23.75 14.50 9.25 Front
Rancho RSX13036 (* Stock) 20.50 12.87 7.6 Front
Bilstein F4-B46-1798 (Stock+Upcountry) 21.50 13.25 8.25 Front


Brand/Model # Extended Collasped Travel Position
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Monroe 32269 (* Stock) 21.50 13.37 8.1 Rear
Monroe 37194 (* Upcountry) 21.12 13.87 7.2 Rear
Monroe 911525 (* Upcountry) 21.50 13.87 7.2 Rear
Superlift SLF-85112 (* 2-4" Lift) 24.00 14.50 10 Rear
Superlift SLF-84140 (* 3-5" Lift) 26.07 15.57 10.5 Rear
Superlift SLF-85080 (* 0-2" Lift) 21.57 13.32 8.25 Rear
ES1000 ES124509 (* 3" Lift) 24.86 14.84 10 Rear
ES1000 ES121515 (* 0-2" Lift) 21.52 12.97 8.5 Rear
ES3000 ES324509 (* 3" Lift) 24.84 14.82 10 Rear
ES3000 ES322509 (* 0-2" Lift) 22.58 13.71 8.8 Rear
ES9000 ES922509 (* 0-2" Lift) 22.58 13.72 8.8 Rear
ES9000 ES924509 (* 3" Lift) 24.84 14.82 10 Rear
Skyjacker SJA-N8058 (* 3-5" Lift) 24.84 14.82 10 Rear
Skyjacker SKA-H7058 (* 3-5" Lift) 24.84 14.82 10 Rear
Doetsch DT-3000 DOE-3265 (* 4" Lift) 24.50 14.50 10 Rear
Doetsch DT-3000 DOE-3268 (* 2" Lift) 24.50 14.50 10 Rear
Doetsch DT-8000 DOE-8265 (* 4" Lift) 24.50 14.50 10 Rear
Rancho RS5194 (* 2-3" Lift) 23.25 14.37 8.8 Rear
Rancho RS5259 (* Stock) 21.50 13.50 8 Rear
Rancho RSX13037 (* 0-2" Lift) 21.12 13.50 7.62 Rear
Bilstien F4-B46-1799 (Stock+UpCountry) 21.50 13.25 8.25 Rear


Note: * These lift heights were included where the shock lengths were found. These were the suggested shocks for that amount of lift. I have no way to ensure these are accurate.

Front Shocks = Bottom Eyelet With Top Stud Mount
Rear Shocks = Bottom/Top Eyelet Mount

Thanks!
I think I may try Doetsch if not OME or Rubicon and based on your chart I think I am looking for front ~25" extended and ~15" collapsed and rear ~24" / ~14".
But I am not sure about measuring the bayonet/stud mount (oem stock type xj shock) vs eye to eye with an adapter (about an inch long) ...

Do I ask for front shocks that are eye to eye about and inch shorter than the stud versions then add my own adapter as I think? In which case all 4 would be about 24"/14"
Thanks again - Vince

Using the adapters gives you more choices for the front shocks. I have never had any problems with the eye and stud style front shocks.

Your best plan would be to physically measure your actual axle compression and droop with no shocks installed. Adjust your bump stops to keep the tires off the metal and make sure your bump stops take action before your shocks bottom out.

pro comp shocks give a very nice ride! i have a set of es3000's running 33's, got the for $100 for the set new, love them! better than stock ride.

x2 on the doetsch, have them with 4" lift and do a lot of rough road driving with dips and potholes less then the ome's as well

Thanks all! I did orser the OME's, I will be waiting a bit until I get a chance to put them on, prob after new year will advise with my opinion of the ride I get...now just have to decide on steering improvement (she is a bit loose) and then new meats.