bilstein 5150's vs. fox shox vs. ome's vs. rubicon mono tubes

[bandit455]

my question is which shock will be better for high speed fire roads and low speed trails.

these shocks will be used with a re long arm kit at 5.5" or 7.5"




Bilstein 5150's vs. fox shox vs. ome's vs. rubicon mono tubes

 

[Goatman]

The answer to your question involves the shock valving more than it does the brand of shock. I'd eliminate the OME right away because it's not a monotube shock like the rest are.

The 5150's only come in one valve setting, which is 255/70, and most that run them are pretty happy with them. That is a very good valving for the rear, the front could be a tad stiffer but unless you really haul ass you'd probably not notice.

I really like the Fox shox, they did specific valve testing based on the application, and I think it's pretty close. I don't know that they did specific testing for an XJ, but they did for a TJ and it should be close enough to work well on an XJ.

The RE shocks are valved specifically for the XJ, but I don't know what ride and handling they were going for. A cushy street ride might leave them a little soft for go fast stuff.

The info on the 5150's is all over here if you do some searching. I'd call Fox and RE and ask them about what their particular shock was valved for, you might learn enough to be comfortable in which way to go.

Bottom line, for what you are likely to do, you'd be happy with any of the three.

 

[JNickel101]

Not sure why you'd eliminate OME.....they are some of the best shocks out there...

 

[HaleYes]

If there not white,....... they're not right.

 

[Goatman]

Not sure why you'd eliminate OME.....they are some of the best shocks out there...

The answer to your question involves the shock valving more than it does the brand of shock. I'd eliminate the OME right away because it's not a monotube shock like the rest are.

 

[tjmwr7]

hahahaha

 

[XJ_ranger]

if Fox shocks are in your pricerange, it might be worth your time to step up to the 7100 series Bilstein shocks...

I couldnt be happier with mine...

 

[mjma]

I can't really compare because I've only got 5150s, never any of the others. And I wouldn't say that I ever do any "highspeed fire roads" but I will say that with the bilsteins I can travel much faster over really rough terrain and be much much much more comfortable than I was with my regular old shocks, even before I air down. Where as I used to want to be crawling down rocky slopes slower than my gears wanted me to move, now I actually will hit the gas and go faster!

 

[rcmf5525]

Im with MJMA on this one. I have a set of the 5150s and I thought when I first put them on that they were over priced, but the first time i went hawling ass down some of the trails around here I was amazed at their performance. I am sure the 7100 are that much better but $$$$$. Fox I am sure is a good bet. They know shocks. Fox has a great racing reputation, as does Bilstein.

 

[bandit455]

i think im gonna go with bilstein 5150s
thanks guys

 

[Dirk Pitt]

if Fox shocks are in your pricerange, it might be worth your time to step up to the 7100 series Bilstein shocks...

I couldnt be happier with mine...

Why did you go with the Bilsteins over the Fox or SAW?

Commonality of parts with others you run with?
Mounts interchangeable with what you previously ran?
Just like saying the name Bilstein?

What?

I like them too, just wondering why you chose them.

 

[silverslk]

If you up to the 7100's you can get better valving for the front. Call Lee at raceshock.com (in Arizona) he knows his shit and can set you up. Even put 12" shafts in 10" bodys....you name it. Sometimes has deals too!!!

 

[bandit455]

the foxs were not exactly in my price range
i just wanted to see the the 5150's would stack up
the main comparison is ome's (which i can get for free at red rock 4x4 with my re lift) and the 5150's

 

[themud]

I would do the 5150s but with heavier valving depending on lift longarm vs shortarm...
themud

 

[Matt S.]

If there not white,....... they're not right.

 

[330LICIOUS]

I would do the 5150s but with heavier valving depending on lift longarm vs shortarm...
themud

i'm also in the market for some shocks and have been very interetsed in the 5150's. i'm currently at 5.5" RE coils and using OME long travels. i have TNT longarm kit, so what does that mean for the valving and 5150?

what's the pro's and con's of switching from my OME nitro's to the 5150's? i drive on the road/highway a lot too.

thanks.

 

[mjma]

I have 5150s with a TnT longarm, and well....somewhere in the 6" (+/- 1/2"ish) range and Q78s. I LOVE the 5150s. They're rediculously nice for the road (helped by the longarm, no doubt) but with bias ply TSLs they make my XJ ride nicer than a cadillac!

I've got 12" ones because I intend on moving my shock mounting so that I can use the 12" of travel, but for now I jsut have it bumpstopped so that they don't bottom.

I don't daily drive this jeep so much but I do occasionally (when the other jeep breaks down) and I whip down the highway at 70+ mph (I know, kinda stupid) but it rides nice. My favorite part about them though is how now my fiance doesn't complain about a bumpy ride on trails. You know how beat you get after a day of wheeling, and then you have to still drive over some uneventful, yet very rocky, rough, bumpy stuff to get back to where you wanna be. Well, that used to be torcher with regular shocks, but now it's like I'm riding on air with the 5150s.

Get them.

 

[330LICIOUS]

i'm also in the market for some shocks and have been very interetsed in the 5150's. i'm currently at 5.5" RE coils and using OME long travels. i have TNT longarm kit, so what does that mean for the valving and 5150?

what's the pro's and con's of switching from my OME nitro's to the 5150's? i drive on the road/highway a lot too.

thanks.

forgot to mention, i have an ARB Bullbar + Winch, so that's about 150lbs of added weight in the front. is that too much for the 255/70 valving?

 

[silverslk]

forgot to mention, i have an ARB Bullbar + Winch, so that's about 150lbs of added weight in the front. is that too much for the 255/70 valving?

Again, see the post I put up on page 1. Call Lee, he will help you with EVERYTHING. eace:

 

[cal]

forgot to mention, i have an ARB Bullbar + Winch, so that's about 150lbs of added weight in the front. is that too much for the 255/70 valving?

I have a loosenuts bumper + winch (similar in weight), and with 255/70 I could haul ass down desert washes as fast as my tires would let me steer.

I'm running 275/78 now, and I'm not really positive I noticed much difference. You should be fine with 255/70.