New front shocks/springs without a lift

kj-dec · **Posted:** Sat Apr 04, 2015 5:47 pm

I'm sure its been asked but so far I haven't found the topic(s).

2002 pre-dropped KJ, about 73K miles. 100% street driven. Its time for new front shocks (and maybe springs); I'm getting bounce and some vagueness up front. There's lots of info on small to mid-lifts but for now I just want stock (but stock early 2002) ride height.

New tires will be going on at the same time, stock size, name brand but not yet determined which.

Rear shocks were replaced a couple of years ago and test ok. Rear ride height also ok.

It seems to be generally assumed the springs should be replaced at the same time?
What options/brands should I consider? I've seen a bunch of chinese ones, Monroe Sensatrac (both the shocks and complete struts), and OME but could not determine part numbers for stock height on those.

Thanks for any info.

WhitbyKJ · **Posted:** Sat Apr 04, 2015 9:57 pm

Have you changed the springs/struts out before? Are they the original ones now?

I ask because if your at stock ride height you could save yourself money and just changed the strut body.

Mined bowed EPIC before I started messing with with lifts. It had like no dampening action in the front what so ever. The struts were TOAST.

WhitbyKJ · **Posted:** Sat Apr 04, 2015 9:58 pm

^^ pressing the brake and the front end would nose dive

tombo_ontario · **Posted:** Sun Apr 05, 2015 11:28 am

Don't think you can get stock height OME springs. However, the Ironman springs give slightly less lift than the OME if you don't want to go too high, but you'll benefit from improved ride quality overall. Pair the springs with either Bilstein or Ironman shocks and you'll be in business. The bilstein front shocks are the same for standard ride height and lifted libertys

WhitbyKJ · **Posted:** Sun Apr 05, 2015 11:31 am

Rockauto is one of my fav. Probably find what you want there

tommudd · **Posted:** Sun Apr 05, 2015 6:19 pm

If going near stock Monroe Sensatrac is the only one I'd use in those all together setups.
And yes if replacing shocks replace the springs, rears shopuld of been done the same time as the shocks were
You'll still get some nose dive with the Sensatracs but will be about as good as new which is marginal

kj-dec · **Posted:** Mon Apr 06, 2015 12:27 am

Thanks all for the responses.

My struts aren't leaking but nose-dive and bounce/jounce tests sure point to them being "perished".

I was hoping to get things done in time for a road trip in a couple of weeks but my mechanic can't fit the Jeep in in time (and we're now officially banned from driveway work by our HOA).

May look at the sensa-tracs after all. I know they're not the best but tires are already going to be a chunk of money, and we're not going offroad, so nice as it would be to go for premium parts across the board, I'm going to spend the extra on tires and any needed driveline parts (unit bearings, ball joints, etc) and stick to adequate for the struts. Can't do it all.

New front shocks/springs without a lift

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