Replacement Shocks

[mrmo]

I have a 2022 Willys, w the diesel engine. It has the Jeep/Mopar 2.5" factory lift system, w an added 1" block on the front to level. I have approx. 55k on the truck since i installed the lift, and the shocks feel like they have given up. I need replacements and need some experianced help/opinions on what to go with. Falcons hace been discussed here, but i dont know about any if them in the real world. I dont want or cant afford the units w the remote resovours. Im using a 2" shock extender on the front to help w the added leveling block.

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[Bandit’s Lair]

Falcon Fox Bilstien. Depends really on what you do with the truck. I’m in the same boat with shocks. Same lift on a 21’ gasser Sport S. This morning it felt like the shocks weren’t doing a damn thing while they were cold. Ride was horrible bouncy like it was just on springs until I did about 20-30 miles then it evened out a bit. I’ve been in research mode for a while on them. If you want something you can just bolt on and do pretty much anything a good set of Bilstien 5100 or Fox 2.0 will get the job done for a decent price. I have to look more closely at the Falcons. They have some weird looking stuff at the bottom that’s supposed to be a shaft protector or something but I’m unsure on it with clearance and stuffing suspension/tires when it gets flexy.

 

[justbig]

Ditto what Bandit's Lair suggested with the addition of Eibach shocks. I enjoy the ride of mine. very similarly priced to Bilstein 5100's. Allegedly a touch softer than the the Bilstein 5100's , not having the Bilstein's I cannot confirm.

 

[wuykats]

I have the Falcon adjustables on our JKUR and liked them so much I got the same model for our Gladiator. We run in setting # 1 on the highway and then adjust to Setting # 2 off-road. The small adjustment knob is in position # 4, so when we are in Setting 2 we are about half way between "soft" and "firm". Very controlled ride, the Fox shocks on the Rubicon Gladiator were worn out at 20K miles. A friend behind us on a desert run asked if we needed Dramamine, the Jeep was rocking back and forth so much. LOL Teraflex warrants the Falcons for 3 years I believe and they are rebuildable.

 

[SamJ3]

I'm curious what those with rebuildable shocks do.

I recently acquired some new Fox 2.5s. No complaints about the shocks at this point. However, eventually they will wear out. Is it worth it going through the rebuild if I'm happy with the shocks? Where do you go to get them rebuilt? Is this cost effective?

 

[Fabtech Motorsports]

Often times when the shocks are in need of a rebuild, people will run an inexpensive white shock like a Rancho RS5000X, depending on if the shocks use stock mounts. A rebuild can take a couple of weeks, depending on where they are rebuilt. Obviously, the closer to where you live the easier to rebuild/refresh. And cost effective, most of the time yes.

I'm curious what those with rebuildable shocks do.

I recently acquired some new Fox 2.5s. No complaints about the shocks at this point. However, eventually they will wear out. Is it worth it going through the rebuild if I'm happy with the shocks? Where do you go to get them rebuilt? Is this cost effective?

 

[JonUpdegrove]

I have a 2022 Willys, w the diesel engine. It has the Jeep/Mopar 2.5" factory lift system, w an added 1" block on the front to level. I have approx. 55k on the truck since i installed the lift, and the shocks feel like they have given up. I need replacements and need some experianced help/opinions on what to go with. Falcons hace been discussed here, but i dont know about any if them in the real world. I dont want or cant afford the units w the remote resovours. Im using a 2" shock extender on the front to help w the added leveling block.

This was just discussed in a similar thread. These shocks are really easy to rebuild yourself with fox rebuild kits and basic knowledge. They also have a great upgrade to them by adding a shraider valve to adjust the canister pressure that helps as well.
Cheers

 

[JTdiRtyD]

Since you dont want/cant afford remote reservoirs I'll stick with these comparable models.

Bilsteins 5100- Great all around shock that wont break the bank. Ride is slightly firmer than a stock Rubicon. Great for highway, good for off road. Digressive valving, meaning starts out firmer and stays more consistent. Not serviceable, but known to last +50k miles without needing replacement. Non adjustable.

Fox 2.0- Another great all around shock that wont break the bank. Softer ride, good for off road but will see more body roll on highway. Progressive valving, meaning starts softer and firmness increases. Serviceable with recommended intervals every 30-50k miles. Non adjustable.

Falcon 2.1- Most expensive of the three in its class. Firm ride, more feedback felt from road surface. Digressive valving, so starts firm and stays more consistent. Serviceable and recommended intervals every 30-50k miles. Adjustable, but need to be removed to make adjustments (shock body rotates to adjust).


I can say this much, I have AEV HD springs with Bilstein 5100s. The ride is surprisingly comfortable on the highway, especially with HD springs. Washboards and rocky trails it can get a little rough, but airing down tires makes a huge difference.

My buddy has Falcon 2.1's with Metalcloak Gamechanger 2.5 springs. It has a noticeably rougher ride compared to my AEV springs with Bilsteins, even though his springs are softer than my AEV springs. Every crack in the road or slight bump in the surface I could feel, whereas my truck I don't notice them much at all.

 

[Antrmo]

Great thread, thx for the information, I am wondering thou if also changing the coils is necessary for a softer/less harsh ride. How much do coil springs play a part in changing up ride harshness? Thx for the help. I have a 2021 Gladiator, I tow a 21' camper and use a WDH. Only tow 5-7 times a year. Wanted a softer than stock ride feeling but cannot go to soft as it may cause sag? When I tow the camper.

 

[JonUpdegrove]

Great thread, thx for the information, I am wondering thou if also changing the coils is necessary for a softer/less harsh ride. How much do coil springs play a part in changing up ride harshness? Thx for the help. I have a 2021 Gladiator, I tow a 21' camper and use a WDH. Only tow 5-7 times a year. Wanted a softer than stock ride feeling but cannot go to soft as it may cause sag? When I tow the camper.

If you already have the Mopar 2” lift with fox 2.5’s then that already IS the softest package. The fact that you need a 1” spacer on the front coils to be leveled out, tells you that you are soft in both the coils and the damper.

I would argue, that you are too soft. I suspect you are feeling the weight transfer happening too suddenly and want to slow it down instead. In other words you are blowing through the soft low speed shim stack in the damper and getting to a bottoming out feel all the time and that is why it feels too harsh for you. That setup is known to have a lot of sag and only 3” of up travel in the damper.
Cheers

 

[GuzziMoto]

I have a 2022 Willys, w the diesel engine. It has the Jeep/Mopar 2.5" factory lift system, w an added 1" block on the front to level. I have approx. 55k on the truck since i installed the lift, and the shocks feel like they have given up. I need replacements and need some experianced help/opinions on what to go with. Falcons hace been discussed here, but i dont know about any if them in the real world. I dont want or cant afford the units w the remote resovours. Im using a 2" shock extender on the front to help w the added leveling block.

Everyone covered much of the questions about shock brands. But you mention running a 2" shock extension with the shocks from the lift. Are you also running additional bumpstop extension to match that? You need to be. Otherwise your shocks will bottom before the bumpstop halts upward suspension travel. If you have the right amount of bumpstop extension to protect the shocks, and then add 2" shock extensions, you would need about 2" or additional bumpstop extension to maintain the happy relationship between shocks and bumpstops.
If you are replacing the shocks, I would suggest you buy shocks that are the required length compressed and extended so you can run them without the shock extensions.
I have run a variety of shocks, but not all of them. I do like aluminum re-buildable shocks like Fox, King, and TF Falcons. I have heard from others that the Flacons are on the firm side, but as I have not run them I can't say. For aluminum shocks I would probably lean towards Fox, as they are quality shocks and easy to get re-built (either a shop or DIY). For non-aluminum shocks I would look at MetalCloak Reds.
Whatever you go with, when all is said and done make sure your suspension is cycled and your bumpstops are just enough to protect your shocks. Don't leave any shock travel on the table.

 

[Antrmo]

Hmmm I got my Gladiator used so I never really thought I might have the 2" lift.
It did have 35" tires on it before I went back to stock,(for towing purposes).
My shocks do not say fox on them, just black plastic casings. Are stock sport models with the lift giving the fox shocks?
Thx.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

If you’ve got the Fox you’ll know. It says it loud and proud all over the shock body. Unless a previous owner painted over it.

 

[OVERLORD]

I went with Bill Stein's!

Bill's a nice fella too.

Happy with them!

 

[Antrmo]

If you’ve got the Fox you’ll know. It says it loud and proud all over the shock body. Unless a previous owner painted over it.

Definitely not fox then.. stock mopar sport it must be...

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