Last edit by: IB Advertising
See related guides and technical advice from our community experts:
Browse all: General Overview
- Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ 1999 to 2004 Crash Test and Safety Ratings
Important Information to help you understand your Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Browse all: General Overview
XJ Ask the Question Thread
Moderator of Jeeps
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Frederick, MD from Cleveland, OH
Posts: 21,029
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Year: 1993 YJ Wrangler
Engine: 4.0 I6
Hey guys, real simple recommendation question. My right front shock on my 2000 XJ classic finally rusted out today and was leaking hydraulic fluid. At this point I figured it would be logical to replace shocks all the way around. Its stock suspension, no lift. What brand of shocks do you recommend to give the best bang for the buck? obviously suspension isn't something to go cheap on, but I don't feel like breaking the bank either. Suggestions??
Newbie
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Michigan
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Ive heard good things about bilstein, they look to be about $80 for their HD series per shock. Monroe sensatrac are definitely more in the realm of what I was thinking, look to be around $35-40 per. Thoughts on pro comp or rancho? Don't need top of the line, but would like something a little better than what came stock.
Last edited by nickengels; 10-04-2015 at 07:56 PM. Reason: added more info
Moderator of Jeeps
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Frederick, MD from Cleveland, OH
Posts: 21,029
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Year: 1993 YJ Wrangler
Engine: 4.0 I6
Ive heard good things about bilstein, they look to be about $80 for their HD series per shock. Monroe sensatrac are definitely more in the realm of what I was thinking, look to be around $35-40 per. Thoughts on pro comp or rancho? Don't need top of the line, but would like something a little better than what came stock.
Newbie
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Michigan
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Moderator of Jeeps
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Frederick, MD from Cleveland, OH
Posts: 21,029
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Year: 1993 YJ Wrangler
Engine: 4.0 I6
Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Virginia
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Ive heard good things about bilstein, they look to be about $80 for their HD series per shock. Monroe sensatrac are definitely more in the realm of what I was thinking, look to be around $35-40 per. Thoughts on pro comp or rancho? Don't need top of the line, but would like something a little better than what came stock.
Bilsteins 5100s (the ones you want) are $60 on amazon for the cherokee. I guess it depends on how you drive, but I like being able to hold 80mph on the freeway and bilsteins are the only thing I've tried that keep up with bridges and bends. Keep the jeep centered in the dirt too. Only issue is they are very stiff for the first 500 miles, then they break in a bit. Monroe sensatracs are definitely nice for the money, tried and true, but I had some on the van and they didn't control the sway very well, worse than stock, although that was an excessively tall vehicle that wasn't meant to be driven over 60mph.
Don't think anyone can tell you exactly what shock to get, it's all a matter of how you drive, where you drive, and how much you're willing to pay. Monroes are a good deal as far as quality is concerned. I think they are a little softer than stock, but that might be a good thing.
CF Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Denver
Posts: 1,589
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Year: 99
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
The Bilstein 4600 series are supposed to be a little better for what you're looking for. The 5100 are a little stiff, better for a slightly more loaded down vehicle. That said, I like mine alot. They ride great even when I'm carrying a motorcycle on the back.
edit: Research says they're valved the same, 4600 is just for stock height shock lengths...
edit: Research says they're valved the same, 4600 is just for stock height shock lengths...
Last edited by kgm; 10-04-2015 at 09:14 PM.
Moderator of Jeeps
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Frederick, MD from Cleveland, OH
Posts: 21,029
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Year: 1993 YJ Wrangler
Engine: 4.0 I6
Hell, I was happy with my Monroes hauling a bike. But I didn't mind 4dr JK Rubicon shocks on my empty Cherokee, either.
CF Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Denver
Posts: 1,589
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Year: 99
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Yeah I have to use one of those crappy hitch racks, and I think they handle the load & bounce going over highway bumps really well. It unloads then never bounces, just stops it within 1 suspension cycle. I'm pretty satisfied!
Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Virginia
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Yeah that's the main reason I like the bilsteins. Almost everything I encounter is dealt with in one cycle. No bouncing at all.
Moderator of Jeeps
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Frederick, MD from Cleveland, OH
Posts: 21,029
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Year: 1993 YJ Wrangler
Engine: 4.0 I6
I've been driving my Wrangler without any shocks for a couple months, and it has a 9" spring over lift. It's annoyingly bouncy, but it still drives just fine
Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Virginia
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Yeah, but it's also much harsher relative to a softer shock that cycles twice. It's all a matter if preference.
I've been driving my Wrangler without any shocks for a couple months, and it has a 9" spring over lift. It's annoyingly bouncy, but it still drives just fine
I've been driving my Wrangler without any shocks for a couple months, and it has a 9" spring over lift. It's annoyingly bouncy, but it still drives just fine
Think the wheelbase in jeeps, especially non-jk wranglers, makes you pick and just between a soft ride and bouncy ride or a harsh and stable one. My jeep would bounce for the next quarter mile after a pot hole before the lift with Monroes, but was more comfortable than my friends stock JK.
CF Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Mercer County, NJ
Posts: 12,692
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6 HO
Yeah, but it's also much harsher relative to a softer shock that cycles twice. It's all a matter if preference.
I've been driving my Wrangler without any shocks for a couple months, and it has a 9" spring over lift. It's annoyingly bouncy, but it still drives just fine
I've been driving my Wrangler without any shocks for a couple months, and it has a 9" spring over lift. It's annoyingly bouncy, but it still drives just fine
Newbie
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 2004
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0