So do I really have to replace my shocks when I lift it?

long_tall_texan · **Posted:** Thu Oct 01, 2009 12:30 am

No, I am not really asking this question. I have just seen it asked so many times, I thought I would post, and answer it to the best of my ability and include my experience regarding the subject. Hopefully it will save someone else some time down the road.

So here is the answer:

NO. You do not HAVE TO change your shocks when you add a lift kit or new springs to your Liberty. I didn't when I installed my Daystar lift and I thought it still rode OK.

BUT... There always has to be a but. :lol:

The "I thought" from my previous statement was the issue. Many people (Rev. Mudd and TJ have been most vocal time after time after time) said that the OEM shocks were junk by 30,000 miles. And while you have the front torn apart to install the lift, do yourself a favor and go ahead and replace the shocks, so you don't have to tear it all apart again later just to replace them. Well, I heard them, but did not listen. I tried to go the "less expensive" route and stayed with the OEM shocks. Like I said earlier, I thought it rode just fine. Then I ended up buying some Ranchos for the front from another LOST member for a great deal. So at 28,000 miles, apart the whole front suspension came again. Spent a few hours pulling it all apart, compressing springs, swapping shocks, and putting it all back together. (I did use this as an excuse to add a 3/8" top spacer plate too). Had it realigned, since I had increased the front lift from the additional spacer plate. Then went for a quick test drive over some bumps. WOW! Huge difference. Like they all tried to tell me before, you don't realize how bad it is, until you replace the OEM shocks and feel the difference. I am no ride control, suspension freak. Just a regular guy, but I could tell a huge difference in the ride. It is hard to explain until you feel it for yourself.

At that point I still had the stock rear shocks with a 2.5" lift in the rear. I knew I needed to replace them with longer shocks eventually, but figured that since I don't wheel mine much and don't really flex it, what is that going to matter? Well, I found another really good deal on some KYB Gas-A-Just shocks for the rear of my KJ (4WD Durango shocks - actually a slightly longer stroke than the Ranchos). So I went ahead and replaced them too at 34,000 miles. Again, I was amazed at the improved ride. What I then realized was that every time I was hitting a bump, pothole, or speedbump in a parking lot, I had been reaching maximum extension of the OEM shocks. And that was giving me a much rougher ride.

Now that I have replaced shocks on all 4 corners, It rides great. And since I learned the hard way, I hope this will save someone else down the road, and help them to understand why everyone says just replace it all at once.

So do you really have to replace the shocks when you lift? No. Should you? Absolutely!

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Oct 01, 2009 12:56 am

Some listen and do as we say :wink:

Some listen and it takes them a while, but they do after a while come around to the right side :lol:

Go now and preach the gospel of "Its better to replace NOW than later"

long_tall_texan · **Posted:** Thu Oct 01, 2009 12:59 am

Yep. Should'a listened. :oops:

So do I really have to replace my shocks when I lift it?

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