New Lift and have a quick question

monstrousmac

monstrousmac

Caught the Bug
I just installed the Rock Krawler JK 3.5 X Factor System lift ( http://www.rockkrawler.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=RKJK35XF ). I currently have the Bilstein 5160 Series reservoir shocks, which are for a 1.5 to 3 inch lift (Front Part Number: 25-187656 ( http://cart.bilsteinus.com/product/25-187656/309505/4WD ) and Rear Part Number 25-187663 ( http://cart.bilsteinus.com/product/25-187663/309505/4WD ). I installed the Rubicon Express shock extension brackets ( http://www.quadratec.com/products/16301_3900.htm ) and (http://www.quadratec.com/products/16301_3901.htm ). Which are good for a 3.5 inch lift?

My Question is basically what are the advantages and disadvantages of doing this instead of buying new shocks, the shocks I currently have are only 4 months old. I was not originally planning on putting on a lift this soon and that is why I bought these shocks, I had a Rubicon Express 2 Inch budget boost on for the time being.

My other question is, since I have done this is there a risk of damage and do I need to do anything else.

Thanks in advance for any advice you all have.
 
wayoflife

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
monstrousmac said:
My Question is basically what are the advantages and disadvantages of doing this instead of buying new shocks, the shocks I currently have are only 4 months old. I was not originally planning on putting on a lift this soon and that is why I bought these shocks, I had a Rubicon Express 2 Inch budget boost on for the time being.

My other question is, since I have done this is there a risk of damage and do I need to do anything else.
Click to expand...

The advantage of using shock extensions is that they are a cheap way to keep your existing shocks after installing a taller lift. The disadvantage is that they are a cheap way of keeping your existing shocks and while they will allow you to have more droop, they will not give you more stuff. In other words, you will need to make sure you run bump stops that will take your extra lift into account or else you will ruin your shocks. The other disadvantage is that the brackets put more stress on your shocks and, if you play hard enough, this is what can happen:

http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?12899-Broken-parts
 
cozdude

cozdude

Guy with a Red 2-Door
i would say try to sell your shocks you have now and get the longer ones ment for the proper lift you are about to run. you should get a fair amount of $$ back since they are only 4 months old
 
monstrousmac

monstrousmac

Caught the Bug
Problem is, I am stationed in Germany (Active Duty Military) and not to many people have lifted Jeeps, plus it is also my DD. Anything I order takes like 2 to 3 weeks to come in through APO AE mailing address.
 
wayoflife

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
Being that you are in Germany and not able to play the way you can back in the States, I would think you will be fine.
 
monstrousmac

monstrousmac

Caught the Bug
Yea, most of the stuff here is forest and lots of mud. Hardly any Rock crawling, maybe some stump crawling.
 
turbineguy

turbineguy

New member
wayoflife said:
The advantage of using shock extensions is that they are a cheap way to keep your existing shocks after installing a taller lift. The disadvantage is that they are a cheap way of keeping your existing shocks and while they will allow you to have more droop, they will not give you more stuff. In other words, you will need to make sure you run bump stops that will take your extra lift into account or else you will ruin your shocks. The other disadvantage is that the brackets put more stress on your shocks and, if you play hard enough, this is what can happen:

http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?12899-Broken-parts
Click to expand...

Having been stationed in Europe for 12 year, the chance of him playing hard are nill.
 
suicideking

suicideking

New member
Sorry for the threadjack -- Just wondering what your opinion is on the Bilstein 5160? Resovoir shocks are on my short list and I've heard Fox run stiff/too firm. What's the ride like on the 5160?
 
wayoflife

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
suicideking said:
Sorry for the threadjack -- Just wondering what your opinion is on the Bilstein 5160? Resovoir shocks are on my short list and I've heard Fox run stiff/too firm. What's the ride like on the 5160?
Click to expand...

They're just like the 5100's only they have reservoirs. If you do a lot of high speed desert running and for long periods of time, they will help keep your shocks from fading.
 
monstrousmac

monstrousmac

Caught the Bug
I really like them. The ride is great with them, big difference over the stock ones. Especially on these European roads that are small, with lots of curves and plenty of bumps. Not all of Germany is autobahns, which many of my friends back home think? Hahahaha
 
suicideking

suicideking

New member
wayoflife said:
They're just like the 5100's only they have reservoirs. If you do a lot of high speed desert running and for long periods of time, they will help keep your shocks from fading.
Click to expand...

monstrousmac said:
I really like them. The ride is great with them, big difference over the stock ones. Especially on these European roads that are small, with lots of curves and plenty of bumps. Not all of Germany is autobahns, which many of my friends back home think? Hahahaha
Click to expand...

I currently have the 5100's and they seem to not handle bumps in the road well. Getting them for that and because many of the trails I run, you have to take a bumpy fire road. They don't handle well on that.

I'd like to get the King, but don't really want to pay that much. Something like these or the Fox.
 
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