The shocks on my WJ went out back in the fall. So being a newbie in the Jeep community, I ran down to the local auto store, picked up a couple sets of shocks and slapped them on. After about two weeks the back shocks started making this horrible noise, pulled them off and the shocks were bad, so I got a replacment set. Another week or two later they started the same noise again, but the shocks are good. Its hard to describe the sound the jeep makes with these shocks. Everytime I hit a bump it sounds like some sort of metal on metal sound. I assume the problem is that these shocks just arent made to handle the WJ. Has anyone else had this sort of encounter? What kind of shocks should I look at putting on my WJ (I do not have any lift on it at this point).
I was kinda stumbling around and found skyjackers as well, any good? or should I stay away from them? Are there any that I SHOULD most deff stay away from??
Thank you! No, no mods at this point. This jeep had been in a couple minor accidents, so most of the money that I have put into it has been just to bring it back to normal. Also have had a few mechanical things that have needed fixed. If all Goes well, I plan on putting some money into mods this summer. Now the big question...where to start!
I was kinda stumbling around and found skyjackers as well, any good? or should I stay away from them? Are there any that I SHOULD most deff stay away from??
Thank you! No, no mods at this point. This jeep had been in a couple minor accidents, so most of the money that I have put into it has been just to bring it back to normal. Also have had a few mechanical things that have needed fixed. If all Goes well, I plan on putting some money into mods this summer. Now the big question...where to start!
I'm biased so I would say new headlights, maybe an HID kit? A lot of owners roll with the 3rd Generation projectors for the WJ which offer the best output yet for the 3 generations of projectors. You can get them on Ebay for a good price but here are good pictures of what they look like. They offer excellent light output when coupled with an HID kit.
IMO, Bilstein HD shocks are a must for a WJ! They are kinda expensive, but they will probably be the last set of shocks you put on.
For the lights, I recommend finding ones that use CCFL halos instead of LED, I have heard the CCFLs are much brighter, and I have seen some LED halo models, they were unimpressive in the brightness dept.
You're telling me! lol I was thinking the same thing. Once you start getting into it and come to the realization of how many different things you can do it's pretty staggering.
what you're describing is common with most generic shocks and Jeeps. The bushings on the rear are notorius for "clunking" b/c they're just a little small and don't fit as snug as they should. I had the same problem with Monroe shocks on an XJ.
I put Bilstein 5100's on my Jeep and they came with the CORRECT bushings meaning no clunk! If you go with the Bilstein HD's you won't have any problems and you're ride will be amazing! They're pricey but they're worth it (and I'm a cheap-ass).
Another advocate for the Bilstiens and the CCFL Gen 3's with HID's... FO SHO. I also replaced the rear shock BOLTS with some stainless shouldered bolts. Tighten them down real good, and you should be fine. It's the upper bolt that is often the culprit.
I used to use Monroe Sense-A-Track shocks on everything we had, but I have not tried them on the Overland. From what I am reading here, Bilsteins may be the best bet. Either way, you need to make sure they fit right and are tight. Other wise the bushings will take a beating.
I have the Rancho RS9000XL shocks and love them! you can only use them for stock height but ive had them since june and they work great and being able to adjust them is perfect if yours is a DD like mine so i have a smooth ride on the highway and a stiff ride for offroad
I'll have to agree with my fellow Giants fan...I had those on my lifted TJ, and they were awesome. It's all about finding your adjustment, but once you have it dialed in....fugettabahdit.
yup! love knowing i can just dial in so they can handle whatever i throw at them, or as much as they can take for a stock height jeep at least lol. and tjxjwj your a giant fan? great game this sunday love when the cowboys go down lol
Would you guys recommend a shock that is best suited for my application?
I have a stock 2002 Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4 with a 4.7 V8 and regular suspension NOT Up Country with 95,000 miles. Tires are Michelin Latitude Tour P225/75R/16.
The suspension components are stock/original. All four shocks and the steering stabilizer are leaking and need to be replaced.
The Jeep is used for Highway and City driving only and will never be used off road. I like the smooth plush ride I have now, think Luxury SUVs like Acura MDX or Lexus RX, but I think I’m getting some excess body roll in the corners. Worn shocks could be the cause.
I would like a shock that delivers this smooth ride while providing good cornering and minimizing body roll.
What shocks do you/and or have you previously used on your WJ and are/were you happy with?
Would you guys recommend a shock that is best suited for my application?
The Jeep is used for Highway and City driving only and will never be used off road. I like the smooth plush ride I have now, think Luxury SUVs like Acura MDX or Lexus RX, but I think I’m getting some excess body roll in the corners. Worn shocks could be the cause.
I would like a shock that delivers this smooth ride while providing good cornering and minimizing body roll.
What shocks do you/and or have you previously used on your WJ and are/were you happy with?
Well if you're looking for the plush ride and complaining about the body roll I would say as with most to couple the Bilsteins if you get them with an Addco Rear Sway Bar. They claim that one of those bars is an improvement up to 700% in resistance compared to the OEM bar and virtually eliminates body roll.
Bilstein is where its at, while I would probably say that about anything over 130,000 mile OEM shocks, but they really helped smooth out the suspension.
I had two sets on my 99 4.7. edilbrock IAS shocks they were good but bushings wore out. The next set was Rancho RSX shocks they were cheaper than the IAS shocks and IMO worked better. At the time a bought them from summit the IAS shocks were $75 and Rancho RSX were $68 apiece.