XJ Shock input needed

[IH8RDS]

I am about to pull the trigger soon on new shocks for the XJ.

I currently have Rancho RS 9000's for 3" lift. They have worked great, but I am now sitting around 4.5. I am also looking for a comfortable ride. Most of my trails now a days consist of fire roads, but I do the occasional rocks at Crozet, Virginia and Tellico type places so I could benefit from extended travel.

I need some new shocks. I figure I can budget about $70-$80 each. What would be a good shock for 4-6" lift? I have been eyeing the OME (OMEN35L and OMEN36L). What do you run?

I would like to be able to "grow" with the new shocks to maybe fit 33" tires in the future.

Current specs:
31" tires
Rear: 4" spring pack in rear JKS 1" shackle settles at 4.5"
Front 3" pro-comp coils with ACOS adjustable spacer currently set at 4". The front is fully adjustable with JKS adj. track bar and Rusty's adj. upper and lower UCA's
The front end is weighed down by a ARB Bull Bar and M8000 Warn winch

Thanks for your input!

 

[cshontz]

I think you should look no further than the OME shocks you mentioned. They're popular for a good reason, in my opinion. I've heard Bilstein 5150's are nice, but a little more firm.

 

[Brett M]

I'm running Rubicon Express monotube's and have been happy with them. I don't know who makes them for RE, but they've been great for me. Good ride and matched to my suspension.

 

[ExpoMike]

Everything I own has Bilstein and I personally won't go with anything else. Been using them for the last 15 year on different vehicles. I love them on the XJ.

 

[OverlandZJ]

I just picked up a set of Bilstein 5150's for the front of my XJ, i'll be pulling off my Rancho 9010's and throwing them as far as possible.

A friend has a set installed and i rode shotgun in his last year, ride was awesome. That was enough incentive for me to try them.

OME make a length suitable for 6.5" and a LA setup?

 

[Backwoods Rambler]

What's the problem with RS9000's ?? I thought they were the supposed to be awsome?

 

[stomperxj]

I love my Bilsteins but one of my 5150's is pissing oil out the bottom i just noticed the other day. I thought "no problem, I'll warranty it and get a new one." Yeah the 5100 series only come with a 90 day warranty.

Otherwise, they are great shocks. I have heard a lot of good press about the RE monotubes and they are cheaper...

 

[IH8RDS]

First off, thanks for the replies

So far....

3 for Bilstein
1 for RE
and 1 for OME

What's the problem with RS9000's ?? I thought they were the supposed to be awsome?

Nothing in my opinion. I just noticed after having them for a couple months and figuring out what worked I never adjusted them anymore. They stay at 4 all the time. I used to adjust them on and off road, but I got lazy lol. I just need longer shocks and I dont think I need adjustables anymore. :sombrero:

 

[OverlandZJ]

What's the problem with RS9000's ?? I thought they were the supposed to be awsome?

They salt the highways here. Every year i had to remove the adjustment knobs, spray in PB Blaster and work the plunger loose to keep them adjustable. I'v come to the realization i dont need adjustable shocks.

The Bilstein 5150's i got were slightly used from a club member who sold them after lifting his Jeep more, couldnt pass up the set for $50. If i dont like them i'm not out much..

 

[AZTrooper]

X2 on RE monotubes. Love 'em!!!

 

[IXNAYXJ]

I've run the same Bilstein 5150s for about the last 2 years and 50k miles and have only good things to report. People always comment on how nicely my Jeep rides (a lot of this is proper springs and LA's) and I've never had any issues with the shocks.

They've absorbed (no pun intended) lots of abuse on the trail and thousands of miles of washboard gravel roads. I'm running 4.5 RE ZJ coils and Clayton's LA's front, and (very sagged) RE 4.5 leaf packs with a 1.75 shackle, just for reference.

Join the upside-down shock club!

-----Matt-----

 

[OverlandZJ]

I'm running 4.5 RE ZJ coils and Clayton's LA's front, and (very sagged) RE 4.5 leaf packs with a 1.75 shackle, just for reference.



-----Matt-----

Matt, i'm running the same coils, RE LA's and Claytons crossmember. Happen to know the collapsed and extended lengths of your 5150's?

I havent installed my 5150's yet, waiting till i finish a new D30. I "think" i have correct length shocks.

:safari-rig:

 

[IXNAYXJ]

Matt, i'm running the same coils, RE LA's and Claytons crossmember. Happen to know the collapsed and extended lengths of your 5150's?

I havent installed my 5150's yet, waiting till i finish a new D30. I "think" i have correct length shocks.

:safari-rig:

I'll try and find out tomorrow for you.

-----Matt-----

 

[IH8RDS]

Ended up buying the OME's today. N35L and N36L they should get here in 5-6 days. I'll let you know how they work out.

 

[IH8RDS]

Sam had his trailer out today at Sandy Bottom for the DSO4x4 coffee run. I got to the bed without the rear coming off the ground. The new shocks have good travel. and the stuff well too. I had no weight on the passenger front coil.