MGrobe
NAXJA Member #968
- Location
- Chicagoland-area, IL
I have a shock upgrade dilemna that I wanted to receive some feedback on. Here is a little background.
I have a 98 that is sitting roughly 4.5" over stock. The suspension is a combination of OME springs/shocks and TeraFlex BB components minus swaybars front and rear. The roads in my area of Illinois are constantly in need of repair so my suspension does get a fair work out.
The front has OME ZJ V8 springs with ACOS for height adjustment. Currently has OME Long Travel Shocks about 2.25 years old. Also there is TeraFlex UCA and TeraFlex Long Arm lowers. With the OME shocks everything is dialed in as far as bump stops and brakelines are concerned. I do have a heavy custom front bumper and Warn winch.
The rear is OME JC1a leaf pack with the JCXL extra leaf and TeraFlex Revolver shackles. Once again OME shocks that are 2 - 4 years old.
I do have a heavy custom rear bumper with a spare and a quite a bit of equipment in support of my business, which I take out when going offroad.
I have always loved OME components so I can honestly say I have been very pleased with my setup. It works great for me as a daily driver and does what I ask of it offroad which is once or twice a month for about 8 months of the year.
What ultimately brought me to this point is one of my front shocks has failed, but I have been kicking around buying new shocks seen as I am getting ready to purchase another set of tires. Now on occassion I have had a OME shock weep some fluid (ARB kindly replaced one or two before under warranty), but this is the first one that has completely dumped all of its oil (although I am sure I am partially at fault by not adjusting the bump stops quite right).
So I am ready to buy 4 new shocks. I was just going to buy the same 4 OME LT's for all around, but then I wanted to investigate better performing alternatives. As much as I like the OME shocks, I occassionally like to try something different. I don't mind shelling out more than what I am currently paying for the OME shocks as long as I am going to get something back for the investment. Part of my problem is that I am going on a offroad trip in 3 weeks, so time is an issue, I don't want to dilly dally in making a decision.
Although I may stay the course with the OME LT's, I am considering shocks such as Bilsteins 5150, 7100 or something from Sway A Way or a better Doetsch Tech shock.
The 5150's are the least expensive, but I worry the two valving options might not be appropriate for my setup. I did read in Peterson's 4Wheel that they were characterized as being firm over three other vendors shocks that had been tested. I don't know how these would compare with my OME and which vavling would be appropriate.
The 7100's+SAW+DT are desireable to me due to the ability to modify the valving to better accomodate the vehicle. But how does this rebuilding occur? Do you send them in to be modified or is it something I can do? What is the time between rebuild on a mostly daily driver vehicle? Are these fancier shocks bought directly from the manufacturer? How long does it take to get them? Any pro or cons on brands?
How does the front upper shock mount work on these without the stab that the Cherokee normally uses? Is there some sort of adapter that one can buy or fabricate?
I am sure I can think of a few more questions, but hopefully this will be enough to get me going in the right direction.
Thanks.
-Marc-
I have a 98 that is sitting roughly 4.5" over stock. The suspension is a combination of OME springs/shocks and TeraFlex BB components minus swaybars front and rear. The roads in my area of Illinois are constantly in need of repair so my suspension does get a fair work out.
The front has OME ZJ V8 springs with ACOS for height adjustment. Currently has OME Long Travel Shocks about 2.25 years old. Also there is TeraFlex UCA and TeraFlex Long Arm lowers. With the OME shocks everything is dialed in as far as bump stops and brakelines are concerned. I do have a heavy custom front bumper and Warn winch.
The rear is OME JC1a leaf pack with the JCXL extra leaf and TeraFlex Revolver shackles. Once again OME shocks that are 2 - 4 years old.
I do have a heavy custom rear bumper with a spare and a quite a bit of equipment in support of my business, which I take out when going offroad.
I have always loved OME components so I can honestly say I have been very pleased with my setup. It works great for me as a daily driver and does what I ask of it offroad which is once or twice a month for about 8 months of the year.
What ultimately brought me to this point is one of my front shocks has failed, but I have been kicking around buying new shocks seen as I am getting ready to purchase another set of tires. Now on occassion I have had a OME shock weep some fluid (ARB kindly replaced one or two before under warranty), but this is the first one that has completely dumped all of its oil (although I am sure I am partially at fault by not adjusting the bump stops quite right).
So I am ready to buy 4 new shocks. I was just going to buy the same 4 OME LT's for all around, but then I wanted to investigate better performing alternatives. As much as I like the OME shocks, I occassionally like to try something different. I don't mind shelling out more than what I am currently paying for the OME shocks as long as I am going to get something back for the investment. Part of my problem is that I am going on a offroad trip in 3 weeks, so time is an issue, I don't want to dilly dally in making a decision.
Although I may stay the course with the OME LT's, I am considering shocks such as Bilsteins 5150, 7100 or something from Sway A Way or a better Doetsch Tech shock.
The 5150's are the least expensive, but I worry the two valving options might not be appropriate for my setup. I did read in Peterson's 4Wheel that they were characterized as being firm over three other vendors shocks that had been tested. I don't know how these would compare with my OME and which vavling would be appropriate.
The 7100's+SAW+DT are desireable to me due to the ability to modify the valving to better accomodate the vehicle. But how does this rebuilding occur? Do you send them in to be modified or is it something I can do? What is the time between rebuild on a mostly daily driver vehicle? Are these fancier shocks bought directly from the manufacturer? How long does it take to get them? Any pro or cons on brands?
How does the front upper shock mount work on these without the stab that the Cherokee normally uses? Is there some sort of adapter that one can buy or fabricate?
I am sure I can think of a few more questions, but hopefully this will be enough to get me going in the right direction.
Thanks.
-Marc-