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Rear Shocks for 4" Lift MJ


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OK guys, I am still learing about some of the idiosyncracies of the MJ.    Now it's the rear shocks.  I know they are different than those on the XJ, so where do I search to find a decent set for the MJ rear axle with a 4" lift?

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1 hour ago, DirtyComanche said:

Measure and order based on that.

OK, I am a dumbass on some things.  I assume you mean measure the overall extended length of the existing shock, correct?

 

I can do that, but many of the standard "Jeep Parts Websites" don't sort shocks by overall length, and instead list them by vehicle application.

 

I found some Fox brand shocks that match those that should be used for a 4" lift MJ, but I am getting a butt-cramp spending $135 a pop for those.

 

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Most of the shocks you find will have a 9" stroke. 

 

I took a static measurement, then found a shock that was at half stroke (4.5") at my static measurement. 

 

Both eyelets are 5/8, others will say 9/16, 5/8 is fine. 

 

Find a shock chart and start comparing. 

I'm running Bilsteins. 

 

Good shocks will cost you, butt cramp or not. 

 

And no, you won't find MJ shocks listed anywhere (lifted), you'll need to find them on your own. 

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12 hours ago, AZJeff said:

OK, I am a dumbass on some things.  I assume you mean measure the overall extended length of the existing shock, correct?

 

 

I'd assume the existing ones are wrong and measure the compressed distance between the upper and lower mounts.  That's with the current shocks off, axle squished to the bumpstop...  which you probably can't replicate so it's easier to measure from the the bumpstop to whatever it contacts (axle tube) and subtract 1", then subtract that from the current shock mount to mount distance.  From there look for the longest travel shock you can find that meets the minimum distance.  Monroe has a decent catalog, along with Bilstein,  and you can browse through random stuff on Rockauto that should be similar and see if specs are listed.

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30 minutes ago, DirtyComanche said:

 

I'd assume the existing ones are wrong and measure the compressed distance between the upper and lower mounts.  That's with the current shocks off, axle squished to the bumpstop...  which you probably can't replicate so it's easier to measure from the the bumpstop to whatever it contacts (axle tube) and subtract 1", then subtract that from the current shock mount to mount distance.  From there look for the longest travel shock you can find that meets the minimum distance.  Monroe has a decent catalog, along with Bilstein,  and you can browse through random stuff on Rockauto that should be similar and see if specs are listed.

Duh...that makes so much sense I don't know why I did not think of that.  THANKS!

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According to the NAPA website........

Stock Shock Specs are... 

Shock Compressed Length 14.375 in.
Shock Dust Shield Yes
Shock Extended Length 23 in.
Shock Travel Length

8.625 in.

 

You stated that you have a 4in. lift.

Basics are, add the lift height to the Length Dimensions.

However, 4 Wheel Parts (https://www.4wheelparts.com/ ), has Listings, according to Lift Height.

 

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4 hours ago, GrizzzzBear said:

According to the NAPA website........

Stock Shock Specs are... 

Shock Compressed Length 14.375 in.
Shock Dust Shield Yes
Shock Extended Length 23 in.
Shock Travel Length

8.625 in.

 

You stated that you have a 4in. lift.

Basics are, add the lift height to the Length Dimensions.

However, 4 Wheel Parts (https://www.4wheelparts.com/ ), has Listings, according to Lift Height.

 

 

No, not unless he's added enough bumpstop length that the compressed length still works.  If you just go to a 4" longer shock, you will likely see a 19-20" compressed length which will become your bumpstop and will kill the shocks in short order.  Those specs for the factory shocks are very ideal, many shocks have a much longer compressed length to travel ratio; although certain aftermarket shocks are certainly much better in this regard.

 

You have to figure out how the suspension should travel, bumpstop accordingly, then measure for shocks.  Failing bumpstopping, which many people often don't need to do since the wheelwells are fairly large in the rear of a MJ, you must measure for the shocks on the factory bumpstops.  Otherwise you will kill the shocks or rip the mounts off.

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Hey DirtyComanche,  

Like I said in my post, NAPA Chart is for STOCK.

As for the Bumpstops, I have yet to meet anyone dumb enough, who doesn't know enough to get an Extended Bumpstop when Lifting.

 

4 Wheel Parts (https://www.4wheelparts.com/ ) Sales people seem to be knowledgeable enough, to ask about the Bumpstop when someone orders the Shocks for a Lifted Vehicle. I know they asked when I was talking to them.

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And here's the technical info from the Monroe web site. http://www.monroe.com/downloads/install-instructions-guides/MonroeMountingLengthSpecifications.pdf

 

Once you find a shock with the length you want, you can go to another area on the Monroe web site to look up what vehicle(s) it fits. Once you know that, you can look up other brands and models of shocks for that vehicle.

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