How long of shocks do I need.

My buddy John just got an XJ and he wants to start building it. He just bought a 4.5" RE lift but it did not come with shocks. How long of shocks does he need for the front and rear? At 4.5" does he also need to replace his driveshafts or maybe get a Slip Yoke eliminator? I am running on 8" of lift so I had to replace/upgrade everything, but I am not sure about what needs to be replaced or upgraded for 4.5" of lift. Also, any advice on which shocks work well with the RE 4.5" lift? I would appreciate any input on this.

You need to flex up the Jeep and measure!

RCP Phx said:

You need to flex up the Jeep and measure!

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We kind of need the lift on the vehicle to meaure and the Jeep is going to be his daily driver. He would prefer to have the shocks before hand so we can install everything at once. I figured there are plenty of guys on here who have 4.5" lifts that already did the measuring and know exactly what length is best. I also need to know if a SYE and after market driveshafts are a MUST on a 4.5" lift.

I was just told that stock TJ shocks are about 3-4" longer and would work for a 4.5" cherokee lift with the use of some bar pic eliminators. Is this true?

I heard...and this is hearsay only...that the JK Rubicon or X model stock shocks work. Not necessarily the TJ ones.

I am looking for JK shocks for my 3.5 inch RE lift.

he may or may not need an SYE at 4.5". in general the 97+ are more susceptible to drive line vibes than the older xjs. he may be able to keep them at bay for a while with a tc drop and shims. have him contact RE and see what length shocks they recommend for their lifts.

If the place you are buying your shocks from can't sell you the right shocks based on your lift size, you shouldn't be spending your money there.

Almost all shock manufactures have tech pages that list the extended and compress lengths of their products. Use the chart below to estimate your needs.

Shock Lengths



Brand/Model # Extended Collapsed Travel Position
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Monroe 32252 (* Stock) 21.25 13 8.1 Front
Monroe 37193 (* 1-3 “ Lift) 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
Bilstein F4-BE5-6241-H8 (4” Lift)……………………………………….………….Front


Brand/Model # Extended Collapsed 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
Monroe 37029 (1-3” Lift ) 23.00 14.375 8.6 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 (* 2" Lift) 22.50 13.50 9 Rear
Doetsch DT-3000 (* 4" Lift) 24.50 14.50 10 Rear
Doetsch DT-8000 (* 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
Bilstein F4-BE5-6686-H6 (4” Lift) …………………………………………….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

Contacted RE and we were able to get the correct shocks. The only info needed now is to see if we need a SYE and a longer rear driveshaft. I want to be able to help my buddy with his build but I do not want him to spend money on things he doesn't need. If there are guys out there with 4.5" lifts that could share some knowledge here, I would greatly appreciate it.

the SYE will get rid of the slip yoke at the trans so you would need a CV driveshaft(like the front shaft stock), not just a longer rear driveshaft. I think the SYE is a very good upgrade for strength as you get a fixed yoke...... necessary? I guess that would depend on what he plans to do with the truck.
Good luck

Skullver said:

the SYE will get rid of the slip yoke at the trans so you would need a CV driveshaft(like the front shaft stock), not just a longer rear driveshaft. I think the SYE is a very good upgrade for strength as you get a fixed yoke...... necessary? I guess that would depend on what he plans to do with the truck.
Good luck

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It's Good to hear from you Chris. Your old Jeep has finally gotten through it's issues and has been one kickass rig for me. I get comments on it's bumpers almost every day. I always give you your props on that. In regards to John's rig. I don't even think HE KNOWS what he is planning to do with it. He simply saw my rig and badly wanted one like it. Owning a Jeep and living in the mountains kind of go hand and hand and he figured if he was going to have a snow vehicle he might as well build it up like mine. He doesn't have the cash to go long arm, lockers, dana 44's front and rear, so he is doing what he can with the budget he has. With the lift, shocks, and tires, he budget is about shot. Re-gearing, lockers, armour, bumpers, and lights all have to come later, but he wants to make sure it is at least street worthy.

From what people have mentioned, it seems like a SYE is not a MUST. He will probably go with a t-case drop kit and some shims in the rear to get it rollin and then upgrade when the cash flow is better. I am hopeful but not certain that the t-case drop and shims will work. Maybe someone could chime in here who has actually done that set up with a 4.5" lift. Will it work?

I never recommend using the shocks that come with most lift kits, most of the time the shocks are the wrong length. The only right way is to lift the rig and then measure for the shocks. Anything less than that is a compromise.

Goatman said:

I never recommend using the shocks that come with most lift kits, most of the time the shocks are the wrong length. The only right way is to lift the rig and then measure for the shocks. Anything less than that is a compromise.

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Thanks for the insight but unfortunately the shocks are already on their way. We now just need to know if the CV drive shaft and SYE is a MUST.