[Slithering_Joe]

My stock 105,000 miler shocks have to go. Since they will be getting replaced, I would like to get good long lasting quality shocks that will most likely see more street duty and some trail duty. While I am in there, I would like to lift it up approx 2 to 2.5 inches.

Some brands are new to me since owning a Jeep while others are widely known but I am unsure of their quality. Any thoughts on the following would be great.
I just don't want to buy a set/kit that everyone else knows is typically junk.
How many manufacturers could there really be??

A simple "good" or "bad" answer would be fine.

New to me:
------------------------
Rubicon Express
Old Man Emu
4WheelDrive
Pro Comp
Black Diamod
Superlift
Trailmaster
Fabtech
Teraflex

Familiar Brands:
------------------------
Rancho*
Monroe
Skyjacker
Gabriel
Bilstein (No brainer. I know they have a good reputation)

(* A Monroe company)

What type is better, gas(nitrogen) or hydraulic?

Thanks.

[Dravintoad]

Procomps are as stiff as a shock on viagra can be
I will be upgrading to the OME soon. ( i've heard good things)

[tmfrench]

skyjacker nitros.....well theyare STIFF. I have them and absolutely hate them, not to mention their shocks for the 4" lift wont even allor full flex on my Full Traction lift when disco'd....

[Toolshed]

I think you would be most satisfied with Old Man Emu. Kinda depends on your price range. Skyjacker hydro is good too. Just my opinion though.
Nitro provides more of a stiff ride than Hydro.

[bigj1974]

I think either Old man Emu or BDS, who you don't have listed, is a good way to go.

I have BDS and love them.

[servozn]

I jus installed Old Man Emus after riding on my stock suspension for 120k miles. Holy cow, I didn't know a Jeep could ride so nice!
The 2.5" lift kit is phenomenal. I cannot say enough good things about it.

[airframer]

if u go with ome u can get new springs aswell so that way everything is "meant" together

[bman9089]

go OME and call it good.

Else if you're rich, spring for some Walker Evans.

[Red_]

Procomp MX-6s ride nice once you get them dialed in.

[Wheelin98TJ]

Rubicon Express - Good according to those who have used them
Old Man Emu - Good according to those who have used them. One of the softer riding shocks
4WheelDrive - ??
Pro Comp - Bad for the most part. Their adjustable shocks are decent though.
Black Diamod - ??
Superlift - I have them on my TJ now and they are a too firm.
Trailmaster - Junk. Ride rough and develop leaks fast.
Fabtech - ??
Teraflex - Good according to those who have used them. They supposedly ride pretty soft

Rancho* - Generally bad. Most are too stiff. Their adjustable shocks are nice.
Monroe - Good. Ride soft and are cheap.
Skyjacker - Hydros ride soft and are cheap. Finish quality is poor and they rust very quick. Other than that, good shock for the $. Nitros ride pretty firm according to those who have used them
Gabriel - ??
Bilstein (No brainer. I know they have a good reputation) - Don't know enough about them to comment.


Of all the shocks I have had on my TJ, BDS 5500's were my favorite.

[Jerry Bransford]

Avoid Rancho's R5000 which gives all kinds of misleading info inferring it's a gas shock but it's not. It's a VERY stiff-riding hydraulic shock.

Also avoid ProComp's ES-3000 and ES-9000, they are just as stiff as the R5000.

RE's twin-tube shocks are just as rough riding as the above two.

What rides good? Old Man Emu, Rubicon Express Monotubes, Skyjacker Hydraulic, and both of the adjustable shocks from Rancho (R9000x) and ProComp MX-6 if they're turned down to their softest settings. Bilstein's 5100 gas shock rides good but ONLY if you get the SPECIFIC MODEL 5100 made specifically for the Wrangler. Otherwise, the other non-Wrangler versions of their 5100 will ride too stiff.

The others are just not popular enough to know anything about them.

What would I buy? the Rubicon Express Monotube or Old Man Emu.

[Thunderstrike]

Originally Posted by servozn

I jus installed Old Man Emus after riding on my stock suspension for 120k miles. Holy cow, I didn't know a Jeep could ride so nice!
The 2.5" lift kit is phenomenal. I cannot say enough good things about it.

OME has three settings, light, med and heavy load... which one would suit me? I typically go on a long 4x4 trips with rear area full of cargo and recovery gear.

[ASUsax]

I'll reinforce Wheelin98 & BigJ, go with the BDS 5500's. About $50 a shock, they ride very nice, and they aren't pricey.

Other than that, OME's are allegedly wonderful, but I can't stomach the price.

[Thunderstrike]

Originally Posted by ASUsax

I'll reinforce Wheelin98 & BigJ, go with the BDS 5500's. About $50 a shock, they ride very nice, and they aren't pricey.

Other than that, OME's are allegedly wonderful, but I can't stomach the price.

Which brand is this BDS 5500?

[Thunderstrike]

One poster suggested springs with OME shocks. This kit is Heavy Load, 2" lift kit. I run 31" tires with MOAB wheels. I have 1" spacer to counter winch sag.

Will this kit require a TC drop or 1" MML?
How do I choose between light, med or heavy load set?

http://www.quadratec.com/products/16090_015.htm