Softest Available Replacement Shocks?

[krochus]

but Cadillac's are pieces of shit and I like the bulletproof-ness of the Jeep and how it can take what the shitty Chicago streets and weather can throw at it,

You're buying the wrong Cadillac then.

You get an old body on frame RWD "d-body" based caddy 1996 down and you can run over crap that'll have you bouncing off the inside of the roof of your xj and they'll do this for years and beg for more.

They're pretty much a lengthened beefed up B-body police package and the cops loved those for years because they could run over curbs, perps, mailboxes, cross medians, ram folks all at WOT and still not make thier back hurt after spending 9 hrs in one

If I had a lift and totally new suspension with 3+ inches of lift I would expect the rough ride, but I dont, I am stone stock and want to keep it that way.

If you did and did your homework on the lift you'd have a much better ride than stock.

You're driving a light + or - 3200 lb mini pickup based rig on small tires @30+ PSI with solid axles and leaf springs in the rear with spring rates intended to provide durability, control and a moderate cargo carrying and towing capacity.....no magic shock is going to make this thing ride good without massive reconfiguring of the suspension

 

[StevieRT]

I didn't buy the cheapest ones I could find, I bought the ones recommended most by the board. They really weren't cheap at all. I think the 'magic shock' must be the Mopar ones, because the stockers rode great and were actually engineered for the XJ. Hopefully they are still available...

Sorry to all the cadillac guys, I should have known better than to open that can of worms...

 

[NCjeepgirl83]

I'm interested in this too. I have a 3.5" lift on my 99 XJ and Pro Comp shocks and I feel it rides very rough, and I do 99% of my driving around town, so it's very noticeable to me.

 

[krochus]

I'm interested in this too. I have a 3.5" lift on my 99 XJ and Pro Comp shocks and I feel it rides very rough, and I do 99% of my driving around town, so it's very noticeable to me.

how much tire pressure and what size tires?

how much torque on the rear shackle bolts? (huge factor on my yj's ride)

what springs and control arms?

 

[NCjeepgirl83]

how much tire pressure and what size tires?

how much torque on the rear shackle bolts? (huge factor on my yj's ride)

what springs and control arms?

31" tires, 25-25psi

No idea on the torque will have to find out

Rubicon Express 3.5" Super-ride springs and RE lower control arms, stock upper control arms

 

[StevieRT]

An update; I bought and installed some 'Mopar Value Line' shocks that I got from the dealer. Never heard of the value line before but I guess they are made so dealers can compete with the midas' and merlin's and such. I guess nobody was willing to pay all the money for an OEM piece and going somewhere else. Apparently, they are built to Chrysler engineer specs too...

Anyway, the OEM Mopar was like $105 per shock, the value lines were about $40 per shock. I thought it was risky but I was not about to pay over $400 for stock shocks. They came in Mopar packages and had Mopar part numbers so I know they weren't just shipped over from Napa. They are dark blue in color. They ride AWESOME! Huge step up over the sensa-tracs which were just way to firm and bouncy. The ride is what I believe to be as close to stock as you can get, maybe a touch firmer, but they aren't broke in yet. They dont handle quite as well as the sensatracs but they still are very, very good. In fact, it is not at all worth the slightly better handling of the sensatracs to the very crappy ride they have.

I highly recommend these shocks and they seem to be of very good quality. If you want a firm, bouncy ride, dont go with these. If you want a quality, decent, nice riding stock shock, go with the Mopar Value Lines.

Front part # 1-0SG23197
Rear part # 1-0SG23252

 

[$700later]

awesome! now if only they made them 8"s longer than stocks...

i'm glad you got a decant shock. now rub it in the faces of those you who doubted you.

 

[NCjeepgirl83]

An update; I bought and installed some 'Mopar Value Line' shocks that I got from the dealer. Never heard of the value line before but I guess they are made so dealers can compete with the midas' and merlin's and such. I guess nobody was willing to pay all the money for an OEM piece and going somewhere else. Apparently, they are built to Chrysler engineer specs too...

Anyway, the OEM Mopar was like $105 per shock, the value lines were about $40 per shock. I thought it was risky but I was not about to pay over $400 for stock shocks. They came in Mopar packages and had Mopar part numbers so I know they weren't just shipped over from Napa. They are dark blue in color. They ride AWESOME! Huge step up over the sensa-tracs which were just way to firm and bouncy. The ride is what I believe to be as close to stock as you can get, maybe a touch firmer, but they aren't broke in yet. They dont handle quite as well as the sensatracs but they still are very, very good. In fact, it is not at all worth the slightly better handling of the sensatracs to the very crappy ride they have.

I highly recommend these shocks and they seem to be of very good quality. If you want a firm, bouncy ride, dont go with these. If you want a quality, decent, nice riding stock shock, go with the Mopar Value Lines.

Front part # 1-0SG23197
Rear part # 1-0SG23252

Damn! Wish they made these for lifted Jeeps! Sounds like exactly what I've been wanting!

 

[Jasper911]

I put a cheap ass set of Monroes on the rear of mine to get it across the country. The bushings in the stock shocks were all beat to death and rattling. They seem pretty mushy and cheesy. But then again, the last three sets of shocks I bought were Bilsteins and I am a fan.

 

[StevieRT]

i'm glad you got a decant shock. now rub it in the faces of those you who doubted you.

haha, no, no nose rubbing; just thought i would follow up on to the thread and pass along some info in case anyone else was looking for a set of decent shocks for those of us who dont go the lifted route. I appreciate very much all of the help I have gotten on this board and cant thank you guys enough!

 

[kastein]

My Gabriel Guardians (the ultra cheap 17 dollar ones from autismzone) rode great, at least till I lifted it 3.5" and continued using them because I didn't care. They're just a little bagged out now... make great (if too short) limit straps though.