5 Best Shocks For Jeep XJ 2022 – Reviews & Buying Guide

Despite riding an XJ jeep, are you struggling with bouncy and bumpy rides? Many Jeep Cherokee Xj owners seem to swear by the comfort and smooth ride that a jeep can provide. Are you not one of those lucky drivers? If you get exhausted easily after a few hours of riding on off-road trails because of the jerks and non-stop bouncing, then it is time for you to get shocks for your vehicle. Never thought of this before? Don’t worry. Here we have got all that you need to know before buying one for your vehicle.

There are numerous different types of shocks available in the market on the basis of their structure and the nature of the substance in between the tubes of the shocks. You can find gas shocks or hydraulic shocks. There are twin-tube, monotube, Coilover, acceleration sensitive, and reservoir types of shocks available in the market. I have found the gas and monotube much more efficient, affordable, and heat-dissipating as compared to the others. Keep reading to find out the best shocks for Jeep XJ.

Best Shocks For Jeep XJ Overview

Best Shocks For Jeep XJ

1. Bilstein 5100 Monotube Gas Shocks

People prefer the Cherokee jeep because of the comfortable ride, size, and luxury associated with it. If you don’t have a suitable shock system for your jeep XJ then you might even regret getting a jeep in the first place. You don’t have to plan on getting a new model. Rather you can get a set of shocks that will upgrade your vehicle’s on-road performance. One of the most reliable and renowned brands when it comes to compatible shocks for jeeps on off-road trails is Bilstein.

Innumerable vehicle owners believe in the Bilstein 5100 to help them with comfort and stability. This shock will provide your wheels with some extra height. This quality of the shock helps jeep drivers to avoid the tough time on the road because of the hurdles. The 5100 by Bilstein can increase the height of your wheel up to a height of 3.5 to a maximum height of 4 inches.

This shock comes with a digressive piston. So, it will be a bit stiffer and more rigid when you are driving at a slow speed. If you increase the speed, the piston will slowly start to become less rigid. The digressive piston is suitable for off-road trails as you will feel no jerks. This shock weighs around twenty-five pounds. One of the other best features of this shock is that you don’t need to buy different parts as the makers have provided you with a complete package.

The Bilstein 5100 Shock has a piston having a length of 1.8 inches. The valve is filled with gas and oil which is pushed with the pump. The silver-colored monotube shock has a dimension of 10 x 10 x 30 inches. These shocks are tested to provide stability up to 100,000 miles. Off-road driving can be a headache without a set of efficient shocks. The Bilstein can make you enjoy your ride.

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2. Fox 2.0 Performance Shock

If you are not a massive fan of high lift shock, then you can go for shorthand shock like the Fox 2.0 Performance Shock. Unlike other long-hand shocks which lift your wheels and give the vehicle additional height to be unaffected by the hurdle and obstacles on the road, that can reduce stability and comfort, these shocks by Fox Racing can give you a little lift that will not affect the stability and will provide more control.

The Fox 2.0 Performance Shock is one of my personal favorites. Over the years, I have been in search of a longhand shock that too under an affordable price range. Among all the high-end brands which offer long-hand shocks with exorbitant price tags, the Fox 2.0 is a bang for your bucks. Even though being an affordable shock for Jeep XJ, this shock doesn’t fail to impress the users with its performance.

This shock has a metallic body that is made up of aluminum metal. The aluminum build makes this shock much more durable, robust, and resistant. The aluminum has anti-rust properties which help the Fox shock bear the tough environmental effects. The tough build makes this shock ideal for off-road driving. Many longhand shocks tend to have poor cooling systems, but the Fox 2.0 outperforms the other competitors in the market in this feature also.

The Fox 2.0 performance Shock has a nitrogen gas that is rechargeable. In such types of shocks, nitrogen gas is present in a compressed form in the valve. The oil and gas within the tube increase the shock-absorbing capacity of these shocks. There is an internal floating piston. This piston prevents the mixing of the oil and gas which can result in foaming and cause a hydra lock inside the valve. All these features make the fox 2.0 secure position in the list of the top three most reliable shocks.

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3. Rancho RS5000X Gas Shocks

If you are in search of an affordable and shorthand shock for your jeep XJ or car then the Rancho RS5000X Gas Shocks is the one that you have been looking for. This gas shock can help you elevate your driving experience by providing you with more stability, balance, and control. When the shock is worn out or is not of good quality, then your jeep will bounce up and down even minutes after coming in contact with a hurdle on the road. This is also considered as one of the best shocks for Jeep Wrangler.

The Rancho RS5000X Gas Shock comes with a number of surprising features. This shock has a twin-tube design. So, if you want to get new shocks for your jeep, you can explore the twin-tube shock instead of the monotube design. The twin-tube design consists of two chambers. One is an outer shell inside which there is an inner chamber. The gas changer is in the outer chamber, while the oil mixture is in the inner tube.

The twin-tube feature helps the shock prevent the mixing of the two mixtures which can lead to the reduction of the space inside the pump. This shock has a different build than the slim and elongated shocks that are available on the market. The Rancho RS5000X Gas Shock has a comparatively thick and larger body than that of the Fox 2.0 Performance Gas Shock. This provides more space for oil and gas. The more pressurized gas present at 150 PSI, the more efficiently the shock can absorb the impact.

The Rancho RS5000X Gas Shock has progressive valves, which is one of the best-known shocks as you will not feel bumpiness when you encounter a little pothole or a little hump on the road. The special feature is that this shock will get stiff when the tire’s suspension system faces an impactful force. This will help the passengers not feel the sudden jerks or force which is experienced under such conditions.

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4. Bilstein 4600 Shock Absorber

Have you still not found the best shocks for your jeep XJ? The Bilstein 4600 Shock Absorber might be the one that you have been looking for. Because of the amazing features, performance, quality, and durability that Bilstein provides to its users, I am forced to add another product by the brand. The Bilstein 4600 is an ideal shock for not only rough rounds but can also help you overcome small hurdles on smooth roads.

Like all the other amazing models offered by Bilstein, the 4600 has also not failed to impress the users with its performance and efficiency. This shock is a blend of modern technology and quality that not only improves the efficiency of your vehicle but also provides you with a peaceful ride. It has a digressive piston. This type of piston is designed to be less flexible in comparison to the progressive ones when the speed of the vehicle is low. The rigidity declines as the speed of the vehicle increases.

The monotube piston designs are the best ones and are used by a number of jeep XJ owners worldwide. This type of shock has a single tube instead of dual-chambered twin-tube shocks. So, the pressure is stabilized accurately. The foaming is impossible in such types of shocks. Many shocks either provide too much or too little suspension damping. The Bilstein 4600 Shock Absorber provides a suitable amount of damping which neither makes it rigid nor too springy.

The Bilstein 4600 Shock Absorber has the just-right damping capacity, so your ride is smooth. But whenever the vehicle experiences intense shocks, the 4600 shock becomes stiff to keep the passengers safe from sudden impact. This not only makes your jeep XJ a safe ride but also a comfortable one. Thanks to this shock by Bilstein you can drive freely on wild roads for much longer.

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5. KYB KG5039 Gas A Just Shock

The KYB KG5039 Gas A Just shock is one of a kind when it comes to the design, material, and performance. This shock provides mind-blowing performance despite its super affordable price. The design is similar to that of the usual shocks that are available in the market. The difference is that this model by KYB has a monotube design rather than a twin-tube style.

The monotube design usually has a comparatively expensive price than the twin-tube design. The best thing about the KYB KG5039 Gas A Just Shock is that it is a monotube but with a much lesser price than those of the twin-tube shocks. So, getting this shock for your jeep XJ is a win-win deal. The KYB KG5039 has the ability to absorb and bear more pressure and load as compared to other shocks of the same size.

The metallic build has a painted finish. The metal body gives the shock extra strength, while the painting on the exterior gives protection against damage and environmental conditions. This shock is known for its impressive responsiveness, so you can enjoy a smooth ride even on uneven and rough off-road trails. It is best for off-road jeep rallies as it can accompany you through a rough time. With this shock, you will feel less tired after hours of driving on damaged or wild roads.

The KYB KG5039 Gas A Just shock has a separated hydraulic and gas chamber. So, your shock will not have the foaming which resulted from the mixing of the oil and gas. This will help in reducing the filling up of the piston with the foam which reduces the responsiveness. But this is not the case with the KYB as the two valves separate the liquid and the gas. Seamless mounting on the brushing increases the life of this shock.

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Buying Guide To Choose The Best Shocks For Jeep XJ

A suspension system might not be the most seen part of a vehicle but it truly is one of the parts that are of cardinal importance in the functioning of a vehicle. If your vehicle’s suspension system is lacking quality and performance, then your experience can become a nightmare. Your jeep will be out of control easily after encountering a small hump on the road. A shock can save you from all these harsh experiences. Here is all that you must look for in a shock before buying it.

1. Affordability

Thanks to the large and growing market, now you can find a huge number of products that not only vary in style, the material used, durability, performance, and affordability too. You will not find it hard to get a shock within your desired price range. There are many high-end brands in the market, but with a little effort, you can get affordable shocks that may outperform the expensive ones. So, you don’t have to suffer while driving because of a worn-out or old shock.

2. Suitability

Even if a shock is within your price range, it does not mean that it is the ideal one for you. A shock must be suitable and functional when it is installed in a vehicle. If your jeep is not suitable with a shock then buying and installing it will be of no use. The purpose of providing stability, comfort, and protection is not fulfilled by getting an incompatible shock. You will have to make sure that the shocks you are getting are compatible with your jeep XJ. You will have to see the description of the product to see if the shock is compatible with your jeep model or not.

3. Lift

Many shocks have just the function to provide stability by not letting the wheels bounce when the vehicle goes through an obstacle on the road. But there are many shocks that not only provide shock absorption and rigidity but also give a lift to the tires of the jeep. This lift provided by the shocks can help the driver drive through wild and rough trails with ease as small bumps and hurdles will pass unnoticed. On the basis of the length of the lift provided and the mounting, you can go for short and long hand shocks.

4. Cooling Mechanism

The cooling of the shock is very important. The shock absorber has a pump which is usually filled with gas, oil, or both. When force is applied to the shock again and again in case of bumpy roads this will produce heat inside the tube of the shock. This heat energy needs to be dissipated easily to not affect the performance of the shock. The shocks which have a metallic body tend to dissipate heat easily, so it is best to go for such shocks.

5. Design

Are you wondering if all shocks are the same? Then you are wrong. In order to get the best shock for your jeep XJ, you must know what are the numerous types of shocks available in the market and which one will suit your ride the best. You can go for the traditional twin-tube that has a dual tube for the gas and oil or for a monotube shock in which both the oil and gas are placed inside one tube in such a way that both can not intermix with each other. Monotubes have more load and pressure-bearing features than that twin-tube.

6. Easy To Install

If you are a jeep owner then you might want a shock that can be installed without an expert’s help. You will find different shocks that might not require much effort and skills in order to be installed in your vehicle. On the other hand, there are many shocks that are quite difficult as they need to be assembled before installation. If you are not good with technical stuff then you can opt for the pre-assembled shocks.

7. Quality

Even if a shock has all these technologies and provides the best performance, you might regret buying it if it is not durable enough. The longevity of a shock depends on the quality of the material used in the making of it. The shocks which have a metallic build and extra coating to provide protection against environmental factors like dirt and rain tend to last longer. The coating prevents rust and increases the life of the shock.

FAQ’s

What Shocks Fit On A Jeep XJ?

There is an abundance of shocks that can be compatible with the Jeep XJ. You can get a shock that is compatible with your jeep XJ model. A shock that is functional with one Jeep XJ model might not be compatible with another model. So, you will first have to see the compatibility. You can select anyone from the Bilstein 5100, Bilstein 4600, and Fox 2.0 Performance Gas shock.

Conclusion (Best Shocks For Jeep XJ)

Selecting the best shocks for jeep XJ might be a difficult task, but with a little help from the experts, you can get the suitable shocks for your jeep in no time. Shocks will help the suspension system work more efficiently, increase the smoothness, reduce impact, decrease bounciness, and have a comfortable ride even on rough trails. Here are some of the top picks that will help you get the best one for your jeep XJ.

• The Bilstein 5100 Monotube Gas Shocks are one of the most renowned and durable shocks. It has a gas-filled chamber and lifts the wheels of your jeep up to 3.5 to 4 inches in height. This shock has a monotube design, prevents foaming, and is easy to install.
• The Fox 2.0 Performance Shock has many amazing features at an affordable price. The shock has an internal floating piston, rechargeable nitrogen, efficient heat dissipation, and anti-rust metallic built that lifts the wheels up to 2 inches.
• The Rancho RS5000X Gas Shocks has a twin-tube design and a progressive piston that is filled with pressurized gas at 150 PSI. This shock can be used with 4WD and RWD vehicles.