Replacement shocks

[Nexstar7]

Goodmorning. I have a 2020 gladiator. Im wonder what's a better quality shock than oem I can install. It's all stock. 17" tires no lift. Thanks. Great site

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[Main Line Willys]

I have installed the bilstein 5100 0 -1.5 on the fronts.
Overall I am very happy. I replaced the factory Rubicon Fox shocks.

I am still waiting the rears to come in. I ordered almost a month ago.

 

[mgw750]

I did bilstine 5100's also. Like them.

 

[jcarbs]

Here's a third for the Bilstein's. Extremely happy with the move away from OEM

 

[Rusty PW]

I have the Bilstein 5100's too. Got them from @Northridge4x4 for $440 for 4. Good budget shock. A lot better than the oem shocks. The only place they are lacking is rock crawling. Need a bit more dampening.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Another here with Bilstein 5100.

I bought a set of 4 from Kolak Performance for $339, but that was a couple years ago. Nick at Kolak is a good guy to deal with.

 

[Nexstar7]

I like to say thank you very much for all the responses. Bilstein it is.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Hmmm, and yet people are saying that you need different shocks for different spring rates. This thread seems to contradict that - the same exact shock on all JTs?
Or does everyone in this thread have a Rubicon?
I can find posts and private messages where people have said "you need different shocks for stiffer springs than softer springs" and so on.
Looks like that's not really true if people are all using the exact same shock on every Gladiator situation.

Rubicon shocks are bouncy on an Overland rear, a bit stiff on the front.
My stock fronts are leaking - both sides. (yet they still dampen fine up front, but the rear is getting a bit bouncy now)

One thing is a given regardless - the stock shocks are almost like Jeep batteries.

 

[Minty JL]

I have installed the bilstein 5100 0 -1.5 on the fronts.
Overall I am very happy. I replaced the factory Rubicon Fox shocks.

I am still waiting the rears to come in. I ordered almost a month ago.

I agree with this 100%

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Hmmm, and yet people are saying that you need different shocks for different spring rates. This thread seems to contradict that - the same exact shock on all JTs?
Or does everyone in this thread have a Rubicon?
I can find posts and private messages where people have said "you need different shocks for stiffer springs than softer springs" and so on.
Looks like that's not really true if people are all using the exact same shock on every Gladiator situation.

Rubicon shocks are bouncy on an Overland rear, a bit stiff on the front.
My stock fronts are leaking - both sides. (yet they still dampen fine up front, but the rear is getting a bit bouncy now)

One thing is a given regardless - the stock shocks are almost like Jeep batteries.

You can pair soft shocks with stiff coils to get a softer ride. Or you can do the opposite, pair stiff shocks with soft coils to firm up the ride.

What one person thinks is a nice, comfortable ride, someone else will think it's too firm.

Lots of options when pairing springs and shocks. And subjective opinion about ride quality.

Bilstein 5100 are what I'd consider on the firmer side. I like them, some other people don't.

 

[rharr]

Hmmm, and yet people are saying that you need different shocks for different spring rates. This thread seems to contradict that - the same exact shock on all JTs?
Or does everyone in this thread have a Rubicon?
I can find posts and private messages where people have said "you need different shocks for stiffer springs than softer springs" and so on.
Looks like that's not really true if people are all using the exact same shock on every Gladiator situation.

Rubicon shocks are bouncy on an Overland rear, a bit stiff on the front.
My stock fronts are leaking - both sides. (yet they still dampen fine up front, but the rear is getting a bit bouncy now)

One thing is a given regardless - the stock shocks are almost like Jeep batteries.

Recommendations are based on price point. You are going to have a hard time finding a manufacturer that has custom valving for each unique sub model. They are going to build a valve stack for a shock that covers the widest range possible and market that for the general population when you are looking at out of the box products by model. (koni, bilstein, falcon, eibach, icon)

Bilstein does have a table (http://www.medievalchassis.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Bilstein-Shock-Absorber-Catalog.pdf) where it lists extension length, compression length, mount type and valve stack. These can be ordered but you need to have an idea what their listed valve stack options do and the spring rate and load you are trying to dampen.

Go up to the next level of custom built shocks, ADS, Bilstein racing, Crazy Cooter/SDI then they start tweaking valving to match closer to your use application which includes recommending springs/rates.

The biggest issue is spring rates are all over the place and very few publish the n/m or lbf/in of their springs or OEM rates.

End of the day it comes down to price, how much do you want to spend? Cheaper is greater compromise, more money is less compromise. Most seem to like the cheaper more compromise Bilstein's. I guess Bilstein hit their market goal with their design.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

And subjective opinion about ride quality.

Bilstein 5100 are what I'd consider on the firmer side. I like them, some other people don't.

Absolutely.
I actually prefer the ride of my JT over the last 2 or 3 Grand Cherokees we've had, but I liked the WJ ride a LOT. Smooth, but not at all soft. Sailed over RR tracks but not mushy and not bouncy.
It was suspension doing what it should do. The last GCs, though, I thought were rough over tracks and you felt a lot more of the road. But my wife liked them so that's what counted.
In the last several months I'd bet my wife has commented at least 3 times, out of the blue, how nice my JT rides. She likes riding in it.

I don't want bouncy or mushy, but want to keep the "smooth over tracks" ride - sort of like my Javelins have done. You just never felt rough tracks or pavement cracks in them and yet when you needed performance steering, they were right there -tight corners, never lost traction on rough roads.

I want the tires to stick to the road on washboard, and let the truck sail over as if the road was smooth. That takes shocks that act quickly to allow the springs to push the tires down, or let the tires come up quickly.

I do know the front spring rates - Synergy has a chart. The rear springs - factory, whatever Jeep plugs into the Overland is what the rate is (based on options, of course - so springs vary even among sub-models)
Anyway, I know the front rate, the rear I'd just have to accept what is good for towing with the factory springs. The fronts are dual rate. With my weight, I am pretty certain I'm into the stiffer part of the spring. (my weight and the truck's weight)

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Recommendations are based on price point. You are going to have a hard time finding a manufacturer that has custom valving for each unique sub model. They are going to build a valve stack for a shock that covers the widest range possible and market that for the general population when you are looking at out of the box products by model. (koni, bilstein, falcon, eibach, icon)

Couldn't agree more. That's what I'm used to in the auto repair business....... you buy replacement shocks that fit that car and give the middle-of-the-road ride and performance that is most likely to fit the masses - like the OEM did (only better quality, I hope)

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Recommendations are based on price point. You are going to have a hard time finding a manufacturer that has custom valving for each unique sub model. They are going to build a valve stack for a shock that covers the widest range possible and market that for the general population when you are looking at out of the box products by model. (koni, bilstein, falcon, eibach, icon)

Bilstein does have a table (http://www.medievalchassis.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Bilstein-Shock-Absorber-Catalog.pdf) where it lists extension length, compression length, mount type and valve stack. These can be ordered but you need to have an idea what their listed valve stack options do and the spring rate and load you are trying to dampen.

Go up to the next level of custom built shocks, ADS, Bilstein racing, Crazy Cooter/SDI then they start tweaking valving to match closer to your use application which includes recommending springs/rates.

The biggest issue is spring rates are all over the place and very few publish the n/m or lbf/in of their springs or OEM rates.

End of the day it comes down to price, how much do you want to spend? Cheaper is greater compromise, more money is less compromise. Most seem to like the cheaper more compromise Bilstein's. I guess Bilstein hit their market goal with their design.

BDS claims to have "vehicle specific valving" for their low end shocks. They use to advertise the same for their previous model of low end shocks they called the 5500.

https://bds-suspension.com/product-display?sr=nx2 shock

 

[rharr]

BDS claims to have "vehicle specific valving" for their low end shocks. They use to advertise the same for their previous model of low end shocks they called the 5500.

https://bds-suspension.com/product-display?sr=nx2 shock

thats interesting, to bad i am bias against twin tube shocks, once i had a taste of good mono shocks,i will never be going back to the old twin tube design.

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