Shock Absorber Guide for Jeep Wranglers — Choosing the Right Ones

What Shocks Do

Shock absorbers control the oscillation of the springs. When your Wrangler hits a bump, the springs compress and then rebound. Without shocks, the springs would continue bouncing until the energy dissipates. Shocks dampen this motion by forcing oil through small internal passages. The resistance of the oil flow controls how fast the suspension moves, which determines how the vehicle rides and handles.

Shocks are tuned for specific applications. A shock designed for on-road comfort has lighter valving that moves easily over small bumps but can bottom out on big hits. A shock designed for off-road use has heavier valving that provides more control at high speeds over rough terrain. A good off-road shock should still ride well on the road, but most specialty shocks are a compromise in one area or another.

Types of Shocks

Hydraulic shocks use oil and nitrogen gas. The gas prevents the oil from foaming under hard use, which would cause fade — a loss of damping performance. Gas-charged shocks are standard on most modern vehicles. Remote reservoir shocks have a separate canister connected by a hose that holds additional oil and gas. The extra oil capacity helps prevent fade during extended hard use, such as high-speed desert running.

Adjustable shocks allow you to change the damping force by turning a dial. This is useful if you use your Wrangler for both daily driving and hard off-roading — you can set the shocks soft for the commute and firm for the trail. Coilover shocks combine the spring and shock into one unit and are used on long-travel suspension systems.

Recommended Shocks by Use

For a daily-driven Wrangler that sees occasional dirt roads, Bilstein 5100 shocks offer an excellent balance of ride quality and off-road control. They are gas-charged, durable, and reasonably priced. For a Wrangler that sees frequent off-road use, Fox 2.0 series shocks provide better control and fade resistance. For serious off-road use with high-speed desert running, Fox 2.5 remote reservoir shocks provide the best performance.

Shock length matters. When lifting a Wrangler, the shocks need to be longer to accommodate the increased suspension travel. Measure the distance between the shock mounts with the suspension at full droop and full compression to determine the correct shock length. A shock that is too short will limit suspension travel and can bottom out internally, damaging the shock.

Bottom Line

Choose shocks based on how you use your Wrangler. Bilstein 5100s are the best all-around choice for daily drivers. Fox 2.0s are a step up for frequent off-road use. Remote reservoir shocks are for serious off-road performance. Match the shock length to your lift height and use bump stops to prevent the shocks from bottoming out.

---

Look up AMSOIL products for your Wrangler

Back to the Jeep Wrangler Problems Guide

To order AMSOIL at wholesale pricing visit Where Can I Buy Amsoil Oil.