Which shocks?!

[xj1999sport]

So I got some cash to spend on shocks and I want something nice but not too expensive, I’m looking for something that can handle speed through the desert but are also good for crawling. I’ve been looking into the bilstein 7100’s but what’s the difference between the short bodies and the normal ones? Also what valving do you guys prefer? Is there something better than the 7100’s but within the same price range? I’m running RE 5.5 inch coils up front and a custom deaver pack out back so I want something that’ll go good with the deavers. I know nothing about shocks so all help is appreciated! Thanks!
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[XJLI]

search, yo.

 

[NorCalChris]

I want 7100s again, but I just started looking into the FOA's.

 

[Serious Offroad]

PM sent.

 

[TJDualsport]

id avoid FOAs like the plague. the difference will be night and day between bilstein and FOA.

 

[Larrythedog]

id avoid FOAs like the plague. the difference will be night and day between bilstein and FOA.

So is the cost.

 

[xj1999sport]

The FOA's were like 60 bucks cheaper, I'd rather spend the extra cash now for some good quality shocks.

 

[XJLI]

i like my 9100s... went with bilstein from all the recs for joel on this board. he built me a nice set for my jeep.

 

[Darky]

My 7100s with 360/80 valving up front are awesome. Wish I had gone heavier than the 255/70 out back.

Difference between short body and regular? Short bodies have a shorter body... Basically a 12" travel shock with a 10" body. More travel, smaller space. Generally you can fit a 12" travel shock up front (depending on lift of course). With the short body, you can fit a 14" travel shock.

Also, yeah, search. Here in the Jeepspeed section there is a ton of info on shocks. Pretty sure there's a thread with almost this exact title that has a lot of info.

 

[NorCalChris]

So is the cost.

Thats why I'm considering them

id avoid FOAs like the plague. the difference will be night and day between bilstein and FOA.

What are some issues you've had with FOA's?

i like my 9100s... went with bilstein from all the recs for joel on this board. he built me a nice set for my jeep.

I've heard a lot of good things about him.

My 7100s with 360/80 valving up front are awesome. Wish I had gone heavier than the 255/70 out back.

How does the 360/80 do on the streets? What about slow crawling?

**Edit** found my answer in another thread you posted in Darky **Edit**

Go stiff. I went with the second stiffest valving Bilstein offers in their 7100s and love it. I was worried it would be to much on the street, but it's very nicely controlled and does awesome in the dirt.

 

[Darky]

Thats why I'm considering them

What are some issues you've had with FOA's?

I've heard a lot of good things about him.

How does the 360/80 do on the streets? What about slow crawling?

**Edit** found my answer in another thread you posted in Darky **Edit**

I haven't had any issues with crawling with these, but they do an awesome job of controlling the front end through "whoops" and bumps and such. Speedbumps can be a bit sharp, but it's a very minor trade off.

 

[Johnnie Walker]

I recently noticed that Fox has 2.0s (res and non) that are "OEM repalcement". For example, the fronts are stem - bar pin on the ends so you can bolt in and go. Whereas the Bilstein 7100s, good shock dont get me wrong have heims and you have to up adapters. Not a big deal, but that is extra coin being spent.

 

[TJDualsport]

i recently pulled apart a new set with a friend and man between the metal shavings in the oil, wrong size wear band on the seal head, leaky seals, the spacer between the seal head and piston is a piece of tube someone cut with a dull hand saw.... and it was wobbly on the piston shaft....
the seal head material is very soft we had to be careful not to damage it. bah!! open up a fox, bilstein or king and the difference is very clear. do FOAs work. sure many people run them and are happy.... i just dont recomend them

 

[sallys xj]

I bought bilstien 5165s used...too soft found Joel on and he converted them and re-tuned them to a 7100 series shock and love em..Talk to joel he will set you straight

 

[Goatman]

FOA has serious quality issues, until they can prove for awhile that they can build a quality shock there's no reason to waste money on them. There is no difference between a shock that works well for desert and works well on the trail or in the rocks, if it goes fast well it will crawl well. Short body 7100's are the well proven best choice for an XJ for mild go fast and trail running. If it works good in the dirt it will also work well on the street. Since Fox has vehicle specific shocks, they could be worth a try.

 

[XJRunner]

FOAs are fine. You just need to rebuild them when you get them. My dad did that and valved them at the same time. 1.5 years of abuse later, no leaks and they work great.

 

[xcm]

No, actually, foa's arent just fine.... any shock that shows up, with aluminum curly q's floating in the oil, is not any good.

As was said before, sure, you can make em work, but why bother? They just arent cheap ENOUGH, to justify being forced to rebuild them before theyve ever been used.... If they were half the price of fox'es... MAYBE...
They also look like shit compared to foxes or kings, and hold allmost zero resale value...


x2 about the oem fitment foxes.... great stuff.

 

[Goatman]

FOAs are fine. You just need to rebuild them when you get them. My dad did that and valved them at the same time. 1.5 years of abuse later, no leaks and they work great.

You got lucky. The next guy might not, as many have not. There are plenty of FOA shocks out there that have been rebuilt numerous times and still don't work. I'm not trying to hurt FOA, they are trying to build a good product, they just aren't there yet for whatever reason, and it's not worth taking a chance on them.....in my opinion.

 

[GrimmJeeper]

FOAs are fine. You just need to rebuild them when you get them.

why is that fine? LOL

 

[ocean_jet]

I was just over at Bilstien's shop in Poway last week, and, I have to say the service is simply awesome. This was my second trip over there and the service has been great both times.

Jaun from the service dept helped me get the rebluild parts I needed, and went through each step of the rebuild process with me, giving me his tips and pointers and how to do certain things. He probably spent 30 minutes with me, and went through each step and made sure I had every little part I would need to finish the job.

If you want to buy from a company who will be there for you when you need something, I don't think you can go wrong with Bilstein.