Shocked and Confused.

[bluemoon110]

I'm just a little confused about shock setups. Background info: I have been driving a Jeep daily for almost 9 years, last three years, a 2022 Glad Sport S with Max Tow suspension. Most of the mods I have made to my JT have been cosmetic. I started reading on this site in early '22 while my new JT was on order. Read many posts about swapping out shocks and coils to Rubicon Fox takeoffs. So I jumped in and bought a lightly-used set for one of my first Mods, even before my Sting Gray JT landed in SC. I was not planning on a lift as my wife and I aren’t spring chickens anymore. I had to get running boards for her to convince her I could use the Gladiator as my daily. Well, before I arranged to do the swap, that setup was out of favor here. Then there was talk about changing the front shocks & coils to the Rubi takeoffs and leaving the MXTOs on the rear as they were better than the Rubis. That never happened; they are still sitting in a box. My 3-year factory warranty is almost out, and I might be ready to change something soon. I'm a little mechanically inclined, but not a vehicle mechanic, much less a Jeep suspension mechanic.

Now, finally, the question. I see posts about the Bilstein 5100 shocks as a good upgrade. If I do this, would you change the front to the 5100s and leave the factory MXTO rear setup?
Or should all 4 be changed and not mix different types of shocks?
If the rears are changed from the MXTO setup, how will this affect the intended factory load capacity and daily handling?
I also plan to change bumpers and go to 285/70-17 tires but not lifted.

Thanks for listening.

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[Mr._Bill]

Stick with your stock Max Tow suspension until the shocks need replaced. They should be good for at least 50k miles. Since you already have the FOX shocks, put those on and see how they work (you may need four of the older style bolts). If you don't like the ride, get some Bilstein shocks or some Max Tow take-offs.

I would not worry about changing the front springs unless you get a significant sag after swapping bumpers.

I bought a set of the Rubicon take-off FOX shocks for my first Gladiator. I traded it in for another one before the shocks needed replaced. I also have a complete Max Tow suspension that I got from someone who installed a lift. He gave it to me, I just had to drive an hour to pick it up. For now, it's all sitting on a shelf.

 

[Minty JL]

Bilstein 5100s all day and yes, do all 4

The MaxTow is going to be about the springs not the shocks.

 

[ChrisNLA]

Bilstein 5100s all day and yes, do all 4

The MaxTow is going to be about the springs not the shocks.

This. The springs carry the weight. The shocks control the movement.

I'm just a little confused about shock setups. Background info: I have been driving a Jeep daily for almost 9 years, last three years, a 2022 Glad Sport S with Max Tow suspension. Most of the mods I have made to my JT have been cosmetic. I started reading on this site in early '22 while my new JT was on order. Read many posts about swapping out shocks and coils to Rubicon Fox takeoffs. So I jumped in and bought a lightly-used set for one of my first Mods, even before my Sting Gray JT landed in SC. I was not planning on a lift as my wife and I aren’t spring chickens anymore. I had to get running boards for her to convince her I could use the Gladiator as my daily. Well, before I arranged to do the swap, that setup was out of favor here. Then there was talk about changing the front shocks & coils to the Rubi takeoffs and leaving the MXTOs on the rear as they were better than the Rubis. That never happened; they are still sitting in a box. My 3-year factory warranty is almost out, and I might be ready to change something soon. I'm a little mechanically inclined, but not a vehicle mechanic, much less a Jeep suspension mechanic.

Now, finally, the question. I see posts about the Bilstein 5100 shocks as a good upgrade. If I do this, would you change the front to the 5100s and leave the factory MXTO rear setup?
Or should all 4 be changed and not mix different types of shocks?
If the rears are changed from the MXTO setup, how will this affect the intended factory load capacity and daily handling?
I also plan to change bumpers and go to 285/70-17 tires but not lifted.

Thanks for listening.

What are you trying to gain with playing with the suspension?

I specifically ordered a Max Tow as I wanted 4.10 gears and the most payload capacity I could get. It wasn't really about the tow capacity specifically. I put a 1.5" Teraflex leveling spacer kit in the front and I have 285/70R17 tires. Since I do not want to adversely affect my payload capacity, I plan to keep the stock springs in the truck (all around lift kit was never part of the plan).

Now, at 25K miles I found that one front shock is completely blown out (shock oil is pouring out of it) and a rear one may have some residue coming out. So I have Bilstein 5100's laying in the back seat to install tomorrow.

There shouldn't be any affect on payload capacity since the springs aren't being changed. I am curious to see how the ride quality and handling changes (if at all). Should know more this weekend.

 

[Sandman 4x4]

Anyone thinking about shock upgrades? I’ll tell ya all right now, for the $$$, around $500, Bilstein 5100’s are the best all around. Oh there are better, but for the same overall level of reliability and performance? Dollar for dollar? Bilstein is the way to go.

 

[Stan H]

Bilstein 5100s all day and yes, do all 4

The MaxTow is going to be about the springs not the shocks.

Agree , I did not like the longevity of the factory fox shocks as mine bit the dust hard about 40k. Went bouncy bouncy for 4 months till I could change entire suspension went with Falcon and Tera flex. But think @MintyJL is correct 5100's and max tow springs .
If it is a clue in the Mopar 2 " lift Jeep quit using fox shocks now it comes with billsteins

 

[Jaxmax]

Sam, I run a Mojave with a cap, winch and fridge in bed and tow up to 4500 pound trailers . Rear was a bit soft and a guy here told me Max Tow springs work great but get the Icon 1 3/8” spacers for the rear to make up the difference in the shorter springs. The Max Tow springs are about that difference shorter but with spacer height is right and ride is firmer but still great, I also added a differential shock as my jeep has the mounts that made another improvement. Perhaps putting Rubicon front springs on , the spacer in rear and Rubicon shocks all around and see what ya think. The guy that helped me was “White Rabbit” RIP, did say without weight the ride was harsher …..Jack

 

[Minty JL]

Agree , I did not like the longevity of the factory fox shocks as mine bit the dust hard about 40k. Went bouncy bouncy for 4 months till I could change entire suspension went with Falcon and Tera flex. But think @MintyJL is correct 5100's and max tow springs .
If it is a clue in the Mopar 2 " lift Jeep quit using fox shocks now it comes with billsteins

Yeah, now that I have the full MC GC 4.5 kit installed, I think I need to pony up and get some new shocks that support the full travel I have now. Throwing the drop brackets on the OEM Fox remote reservoir shocks isn't cutting it for me. The rear feels great, but the front is too light and bouncy for my liking.

 

[Stan H]

Yeah I had a chance to snag a used set of fox standard height shocks with 5k on em. Almost went that way @Minty JL but, I am so glad I went with the Falcons ,I love em. I can take a swoop like a boss. I would bottom out all the time with those factory shocks and springs . I can attest for a fact that I have never bottomed out since installation of these new ones. So glad I didnt go with extentions Very rugged and super solid near zero body roll either.

 

[bluemoon110]

Thanks for all the good info. Since I don't plan on a lift at this time, it sounds like I need to just change shocks to the 5100's.

I like the front rake on the MXTO but will add the front leveling kit if needed after changing tires.

 

[Uparms]

This. The springs carry the weight. The shocks control the movement.



What are you trying to gain with playing with the suspension?

I specifically ordered a Max Tow as I wanted 4.10 gears and the most payload capacity I could get. It wasn't really about the tow capacity specifically. I put a 1.5" Teraflex leveling spacer kit in the front and I have 285/70R17 tires. Since I do not want to adversely affect my payload capacity, I plan to keep the stock springs in the truck (all around lift kit was never part of the plan).

Now, at 25K miles I found that one front shock is completely blown out (shock oil is pouring out of it) and a rear one may have some residue coming out. So I have Bilstein 5100's laying in the back seat to install tomorrow.

There shouldn't be any affect on payload capacity since the springs aren't being changed. I am curious to see how the ride quality and handling changes (if at all). Should know more this weekend.

I want to hear what you think , keeping the MT springs and swapping in the Bilsteins . Please let us know.

 

[ChrisNLA]

I want to hear what you think , keeping the MT springs and swapping in the Bilsteins . Please let us know.

Ask and you shall receive.

Sometimes.

Definitely only sometimes.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/bilstein-5100-upgrade-on-22-sport-max-tow.90171/

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