Topic: Stock Suspension

[DanMarino]

My 1994 YJ is running on the original shocks and springs. I'm thinking about replacing the shocks. I'm thinking that anything new will be better than the 22 year old originals. Any advice for me? There are no plans to lift the Jeep. I'll be keeping it stock. I priced leaf springs out a year or two ago and was amazed that they were not cheaper.
Thanks,
13

[Jeffy]

Lift springs still have the same number of leafs as stock springs.  Most spring shops will charge the same for 0-6" lift.  Honestly though I'd probably go for OME 2.5" leafs and shocks.  They're a little taller then stock but ride much better.  Keeping is stock is okay too but keep in mind that you're not really taking advantage of any advances in technology.  If you have the stock black shots then anything probably better.

[tucked]

Lift springs still have the same number of leaks as stock springs.  Most spring shops will charge the same for 0-6" lift.  Honestly though I'd probably go for OME 2.5" leafs and shocks.  They're a little taller then stock but ride much better.  Keeping is stock is okay too but keep in mind that you're not really taking advantage of any advances in technology.  If you have the stock black shots then anything probably better.

I wholeheartedly 2nd the OME leafs.   I am running 2.5" OME Springs with BDS Shocks.    The ride improvement is night and day between the two!   Doesn't lift too much either.   31's on mine, which still rub when flexing. 

[DanMarino]

I've got some TJ Grizzly wheels, and stock sized all terrain tires.
I'm not sure I want to shell out the cash for the Old Man Emu kit.  I'll have to price that vs. replacing the stock springs.  So far I'm leaning towards some $23 NAPA shocks.

[Jeffy]

Well, if you're looking at spending $23 for shocks then I'd just leave the leafs alone and drive it.  New stock leafs are going to make it ride stiffer.  This is doubly so if you still have the stock track-bars on.

OME leafs are around $76-106.  You're going to need new U-bolts and probably new bushings.  This is also true if you just get new stock leafs.

Front (each): http://www.quadratec.com/products/16090_5032.htm
Rear (each): http://www.quadratec.com/products/16090_5059.htm

Those are their 'Light' leafs.  They have an Add-a-Leaf for the front to account for winches and Medium and Heavy leafs for the rear.  Soft top you want to go light unless you're packing a lot of stuff or have a hard top then you want to go medium or heavy.

http://www.arbusa.com/uploads/PDF/accessorizeYourRig/jeepWranglerYJ.pdf

It's not a good idea to go cheap on the suspension since that's what you're going to be feeling down the road when you drive it.  More so with the shocks then leafs.

If you're still running the stock track-bars, I'd recommend at least removing the rear one.  It's like night and day when it's gone.  Better greasable shackles also make a big difference especially over the stock units.

[DanMarino]

Well something is up with my YJ.  Something is different with the suspension and it rides way harder than it used to.  I didn't see anything obviously wrong when I looked at it.  It is totally stock and original from 1994.  I don't plan to off road.  I don't need more lift.  I do want the movement of the suspension to be controlled though, so I'm thinking replacement shocks similar to stock is a good first start. 

[bootguy]

Redo every bushing that you can, as that will help dramatically.

[mark23]

OME 2.5 lift was well worth the money, between that and removing the track bars the ride was so much better.  I did end up with about 3-3.5 inches of lift though.

[Jeffy]

I've noticed that Omix-Ada now sells a complete stock YJ suspension.  $699.93

http://www.quadratec.com/products/918290_06.htm



Stock shackles still suck and they are designed to bind.  I think you'd be better off replacing the shackles with Rugged Ridge greasable shackles.  They're cheap and work well. 

http://www.quadratec.com/products/16049_4011.htm

[jfrabat]

If you do offroading, you can also consider using reverse U-Bolts.  That way, the threads will not bank into all the rocks you climb over...  I did mine a LOOOONG time ago, and do not regreat it AT ALL!

[DanMarino]

I know this is slow progress, but had some issues came up that delayed working on the YJ.  A few weeks ago I installed the $23 NAPA shocks on the YJ and the ride is much better.  The rest of the suspension is original and the track bars are still in place.  The ride is certainly better than the 22 year old shocks.  Hard top is on now for the winter so there is more weight on the rig right now.