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All 4WD ZJ shocks you're likely to get should allow you to run a 2" lift in the front. There were upgraded shocks that were a bit longer and heavier duty than most (off of the Overland equipped models) but those are kind of hard to get.

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I've never heard that, so I looked it up. Not much difference. From the Monroe site:

 

96 ZJ, 37081, Compressed Length 13.000", Extended Length 20.750"
96 ZJ (Up Country), 911524, Compressed Length 13.375", Extended Length 21.000"
92 MJ, 37083, Compressed Length 13.250", Extended Length 21.125"

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Shock length should be based on extended and compressed measurements of your suspension, two 2" lifts on the same rig but using different components could need different length shocks due to differences in the way the suspensions cycle.

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What I'm looking for is new shocks to fit a 2" budget lift without paying $50-$60 a shock.Kinda defeats the purpose of a budget lift.I'm needing new shocks.Advanced Auto list stock MJ shocks for around $25 ea. When you add 2" lift to the conversation their computer throws you up to the $55-$60 range.Stock ZJ shocks are back down to the $25 range,I'd like to get them at Advanced Auto do to a 20% off coupon I have.But now the above responses has me confused. Thanks again

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What's confusing? ZJ shocks are nearly the same specs and travel as MJ/XJ shocks. Do you have your "budget" lift installed yet? If not, install it, then get your shocks based on what lift you actually get. Have you thought about the rear shocks? Also think about bar pin eliminators. That will give you about a 1-1/2" extension, and you can possibly use your existing front shocks.

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What I'm looking for is new shocks to fit a 2" budget lift without paying $50-$60 a shock.Kinda defeats the purpose of a budget lift.I'm needing new shocks.Advanced Auto list stock MJ shocks for around $25 ea. When you add 2" lift to the conversation their computer throws you up to the $55-$60 range.Stock ZJ shocks are back down to the $25 range,I'd like to get them at Advanced Auto do to a 20% off coupon I have.But now the above responses has me confused. Thanks again

I don't have any answers for shock length but 'TRT30' is a 30% coupon code for Advanced that ever expires. I use it when I don't have the patience to wait on Rockauto to ship. Have you checked Rockauto prices?

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Most people I've known with budget boosts just run the stock shocks. There are other options to adapting for a budget boost, but your anticipated use has to be factored into the equation. One approach (at least for the front) is shock stud extenders:

 

mrg-1290_w_ml.jpg

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mrg-1290/overview/

 

They're cheap enough at $12 for the pair. But if you plan to wheel hard, with the suspension fully articulated, these won't be a good choice because you'll risk bottoming out the shocks before the suspension hits the bump stops. For street and mild wheeling they should be fine.

 

I'd suggest just going to the specifications section of Monroe's catalog and looking for a shock that fits your needs.

 

Hornbrod posted the following:

 

92 MJ, 37083, Compressed Length 13.250", Extended Length 21.125"

Based on those specs, the shock travel is 7.875" and the mid-height (which is where the shock should sit at curb weight on a level surface) is 17.188". So look for a shock that has a mid-height of somewhere around 17" and a stud at the top and a bar pin at the bottom.

 

Once you find one or more shocks that will work, you can jump to the cross-reference part of Monroe's web site and see what vehicle(s) the shocks fit. Once you know that, you can use that information to shop other brands of shocks if you don't like Monroe. (I happen to like Monroe, FWIW.)

 

Keep in mind that, as with stud extenders, you'll either have to restrict your wheeling or extend your bump stops to prevent bottoming out the longer shocks if the suspension compresses.

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I just spent a couple of hours going over the Monroe on-line data and a printed catalog from Rancho. The mount codes for the XJ/MJ front shocks are S1 (or S4 in the newer system) for the upper end, and XP4 or XP7 for the lower end. After scrolling through the entire list of shocks by dimension. I found that the XJ/MJ replacement shocks are the longest offered with those mounting codes. There is some variation, depending on which shock series you're in, and I also found that in some series there are more than one shock number with the exact same dimensions. Dunno why -- different valving, perhaps?

 

I have this compiled in a spreadsheet. If anyone has a way of posting it in a format where everyone can see it, drop me a PM with your e-mail and I'll send it to you.

 

The bottom line for the longest available is the following, listed with the mid-travel length for each. Stock mid-travel runs from 16.188 to 17.188.

 

Monroe 37083 ... 17.188 OESpectrum (Listed for 91-92 MJ and 91-01 XJ)

 

Monroe 911161 ... 16.875 Reflex (Not Listed for XJ & MJ)

 

Rancho 17041 ... 17.188 Rancho RSX (Listed for 91-01 XJ & MJ)

 

Monroe MA822 ... 19.438 Max-Air (Listed for 84-01 XJ & MJ). This is the longest Monroe shock listed with the correct end fittings, and it's an air-adjustable shock -- which may not be appropriate or acceptable for many people.

 

Link to Monroe dimension chart: http://www.monroe.com/assets/downloads/english/MonroeMountingLengthSpecifications.pdf

 

Edit to add: I did a screen grab of the spreadsheet. It may be a bit small for reading, but let's try it:

 

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Thanks a lot guys,Great job Eagle that will make it easier for me to decide what to get,I hate making these decisions at the sales counter.don't do any hard crazy wheeling any more but the natural terrain and a little ditch crossing around here makes for a little flexxin.Thanks again

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Thanks a lot guys,Great job Eagle that will make it easier for me to decide what to get,I hate making these decisions at the sales counter.don't do any hard crazy wheeling any more but the natural terrain and a little ditch crossing around here makes for a little flexxin.Thanks again

Stock shocks should be fine. Depending on which one you get, they offer (in front) 7" to 8" of total travel. Assuming the stock configuration splits that equally between up-travel and down-travel, that's 3-1/2 to 4 inches each way. Put in a 2" lift and you move that to 1-1/2 up and 5-1/2 down. Still enough travel for normal driving, just a bit less droop than optimal for severe off-roading.

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I threw YJ shocks up front (stock spec Monroe Sensatracs), paired with a 1" spacer and Moog variable rate ZJ springs. Looks like I got about 2-3 or so inches lift and a far better ride. I really should bust out the tape one day.

Anyway, they are 3" longer than stock, but need the sleeve pressed out and the barpin pressed in, easy enough in my world.

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