Question about shocks

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HowardT64
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Question about shocks

Post by HowardT64 »

Since I cannot afford the whole lift kit to fix the springs, I came up with a crazy idea. I had thought of getting Air shocks all the way around as a temp fix until I can get the proper springs. I do not drive a whole bunch, mostly in town. And even then its not for very long. Heck I am not even close mileage wise for my oil yet :)

Any thoughts?

This is mostly for looks :) She looks sad sitting like she does...I hate Wag Sag
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Stuka
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Re: Question about shocks

Post by Stuka »

You can gain an inch or so with air or coil-over shocks. But it will ride a lot stiffer, and really unless you NEED an inch of clearance, I say just save your money and put it towards the lift.
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letank
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Re: Question about shocks

Post by letank »

X2, save the dough, or put blocks... but then you need a longer brake line above the rear axle, which is more $$ to spend and discover rusted bits and more headache...
Michel
74 wag (349 Kmiles... parked, next step is a rust free body)
85 Gwag (229 Kmiles... the running test lab)
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HowardT64
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Re: Question about shocks

Post by HowardT64 »

Okay... ill save the money for the lift :) Thanks!
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candymancan
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Re: Question about shocks

Post by candymancan »

I use coiled shocks on new springs.. Call me crazy but another reason for thr coil over shocks is to keep a vehicle from dropping a lot with the weight of whatever is in the back or also for trailers.

It does increase ride harshness like mentioned.. But another thing it did for me was the Jeeo can handle turns better.. I dont have to lean very much into a turn or on the freeway off ramps. Even my female friend noticed this.. So it deff improved the handeling on top of giving me an inch.

The coil over load shocks from gabriel are onky 60$ for a pair.. 120$ for all 4 sides.. which honestly isnt any different from normal shocks. I got mine online with free shipping too
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9L Limited 219k
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0 I6 laredo 430k
1990 Jeep Grand Wagoneer 155k
1976 Jeep J10.. 85k(repaired)
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ghcoe
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Re: Question about shocks

Post by ghcoe »

Shock mounts are for dampening forces not for lifting forces. Usually ends up with a broken shock mount.

You can pick up this kit for $389.95 with free shipping http://amzn.to/2APSjnH . I added rear XJ shackles, to replace the SJ fronts, and a drop pitman arm to complete the kit. I did not need to replace the brake lines with this kit.

People say the Rough Country kits are rough riding but I could hardly tell a difference in ride quality in my case. In fact I like it a bit better. These springs are not the straight cut springs like found on their other lifts. Tappered with spring pads between the springs.
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Re: Question about shocks

Post by candymancan »

ghcoe wrote:Shock mounts are for dampening forces not for lifting forces. Usually ends up with a broken shock mount.

You can pick up this kit for $389.95 with free shipping http://amzn.to/2APSjnH . I added rear XJ shackles, to replace the SJ fronts, and a drop pitman arm to complete the kit. I did not need to replace the brake lines with this kit.

People say the Rough Country kits are rough riding but I could hardly tell a difference in ride quality in my case. In fact I like it a bit better. These springs are not the straight cut springs like found on their other lifts. Tappered with spring pads between the springs.
Considering the shock mounts are 3.16th steel welded to the axle tubes in the back and welded in a box inside the c channle.. And also held on by 3 large bolts on the front. I doubt they will break off unless you have fractures in the welds or rust. The only thing i can see maybe breaking is the smaller mounting bolt on the top in the front but deff not the rear ones. The leaf springs are held on by a single bolt and the shackle mounts are thinner steel in the back then the actual shock mounts are. Im not saying for 100% sure it wont break off. Im sure its happened to other peoples vehicles but mine has been fine

Besides if they break off ill just weld it back on lol :-p
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9L Limited 219k
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0 I6 laredo 430k
1990 Jeep Grand Wagoneer 155k
1976 Jeep J10.. 85k(repaired)

letank
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Re: Question about shocks

Post by letank »

ghcoe wrote:Shock mounts are for dampening forces not for lifting forces. Usually ends up with a broken shock mount.

You can pick up this kit for $389.95 with free shipping http://amzn.to/2APSjnH . I added rear XJ shackles, to replace the SJ fronts, and a drop pitman arm to complete the kit. I did not need to replace the brake lines with this kit.

People say the Rough Country kits are rough riding but I could hardly tell a difference in ride quality in my case. In fact I like it a bit better. These springs are not the straight cut springs like found on their other lifts. Tappered with spring pads between the springs.
Blocks for the rear, no rear springs, this is why the price is good
Michel
74 wag (349 Kmiles... parked, next step is a rust free body)
85 Gwag (229 Kmiles... the running test lab)
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ghcoe
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Re: Question about shocks

Post by ghcoe »

You can always add rear springs at a later date if you want. This gets you a lift with shocks at a reasonable price. Even with the drop pitman and XJ shackles it was under $500.00. Plus the ride was not effected much like a lot of the cheaper 4" lifts do. Just my opinion of course.
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candymancan
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Re: Question about shocks

Post by candymancan »

arent XJ shackles the same as the wagoneers shackles anyway ? i used xj shackles to replace my shackles in the rear and they looked identical to me ?

Did the blocks cause the rear springs to ride more on the overload spring ?
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9L Limited 219k
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0 I6 laredo 430k
1990 Jeep Grand Wagoneer 155k
1976 Jeep J10.. 85k(repaired)
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ghcoe
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Re: Question about shocks

Post by ghcoe »

candymancan wrote:arent XJ shackles the same as the wagoneers shackles anyway ? i used xj shackles to replace my shackles in the rear and they looked identical to me ?

Did the blocks cause the rear springs to ride more on the overload spring ?
I think the only difference is that the XJ shackle is metric instead of SAE. Way easier just to replace the shackle than to try and replace the bushing in the old shackle.

I have no overload spring on my spring pack. I don't know why they would even if you did though. The blocks do not effect the spring any, it just moves the axle farther from the springs.
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ghcoe
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Re: Question about shocks

Post by ghcoe »

candymancan wrote:Considering the shock mounts are 3.16th steel welded to the axle tubes in the back and welded in a box inside the c channle.. And also held on by 3 large bolts on the front. I doubt they will break off unless you have fractures in the welds or rust. The only thing i can see maybe breaking is the smaller mounting bolt on the top in the front but deff not the rear ones. The leaf springs are held on by a single bolt and the shackle mounts are thinner steel in the back then the actual shock mounts are. Im not saying for 100% sure it wont break off. Im sure its happened to other peoples vehicles but mine has been fine

Besides if they break off ill just weld it back on lol :-p
You would think. The spring mounts share the weight between two locations and the spring absorbs most of the shock loads before it gets to the spring mounts/bolts. Once you start to lift with air shocks you are transferring all that weight to a single mount with little to no shock absorption. A little lift is not too bad since the air pressure is low. Once you start to lift farther the pressure increases and lessens the shock absorption of the shock. Take a sledge hammer and bang on something long enough and it will break. Working in the automotive business I have seen many a broken shock mount caused by air shocks. That is the main reason why air bags are more common today.
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1977 Jeep Cherokee WT
All-Terrain T/A® KO2
Safari Kit
Factory Brush Guard
Factory Tire Carrier
Custom Roof Rack
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