Shocks/Struts

[2Libbys]

Hello

I am new! I know this question has been asked TIME AND TIME AGAIN!

Trust me, I have been reading this forum for months now. I finally decided to become a member because I noticed that anytime something broke--I was searching around here.

I have a 2006 Jeep Liberty and a 2011 Jeep Liberty. The 06 has been passed down to my gf--going strong with 200k. Catcher? It has NEVER had suspension replaced. WOWZERS, I know.

Time for new struts, shocks, springs I suppose.

We don't do any offroading so don't need a huge lift or anything.

I am very familiar with the OME packages, etc.

I know NOTHING about vehicles. I went to start ordering parts and just found myself beyond confused.

Do I need 2 struts, 2 shocks and 4 coils? Or 2 struts, 2 shocks 2 coils? or 4 shocks, 2 coils?

I would like to do Rancho shocks. Do they make a satisfactory coil as well? If not, i can do the OME coils.

If you all could literally--piece by piece what I should put in my online 'shopping cart' I would appreciate it. Any reccommendations of where to buy from too. I know all the Jeepinbyal, Frankenlift, boulderbar, etc.

Thank you very much.

 

[2Libbys]

Also I saw on another forum--someone put this.
OME 927 front springs, OME 948 rears
Rancho RSX 17004 rear and RSX 17505 front

 

[tjkj2002]

You need 4 shocks(coil over shocks in the front) and 4 coils.Rancho stopped making the only good shocks they made for the KJ many years ago.Stick with OME or Bilstien and using OME light duty coils will net you about 1.5" of lift over brand new stock height.You can check out Ironman stuff also,there supposed to be good to and very affordable.

 

[Porkchop]

4 shocks 4 coils and OME or just get the Tom economy lift. Have you checked out the Jeepin by als Web site?

 

[tjkj2002]

Rancho RSX 17004 rear and RSX 17505 front

Those have been discontinued years ago,sad shame to since those were the best shocks for a lifted KJ bar-none.

 

[2Libbys]

Thanks that was super quick--I work overnights, figured noone would be up to respond lol.

So I order 4 shocks, 4 coils. OME light duty coils. On the shocks-- Any specific length? On the JeepinbyAl site now

 

[tjkj2002]

Thanks that was super quick--I work overnights, figured noone would be up to respond lol.

So I order 4 shocks, 4 coils. OME light duty coils. On the shocks-- Any specific length? On the JeepinbyAl site now

No choice for the fronts but the rears with light duty OME's just get the N132's if going with OME shocks.The N132L's are for the higher lifts.

 

[2Libbys]

TJKJ2002. Thanks for the info.

Now, I plan to do a full OME lift kit with my 2011.

The 2006 is a daily driver for my girlfriend--all highway roads other than a cdirt/mountain road to our house.

I'll be splitting the cost with her on it--since its my hand-me-down.. but she doesn't have a lot of money to spend.

Are the Rancho RS 5000 no good? I'd do two Rancho RS 5000 struts and two ranch RS 5000 shocks?
If they are acceptable, what coils could I use with them?

Secondly, on Jeepinbyal. I thought about going with Ironman coils and Bilstein to save some money. Would these parts be acceptable and correct:

- 2 Bilstein heavy duty rear shocks
-4 Ironman rear coil springs
-2 bilstein heavy duty front struts

Thanks !

 

[Porkchop]

Maybe I don't understand what your saying but you need 2 front coils 2 rear coils 2 front shocks and 2 rear shocks per vehicle.

 

[2Libbys]

Sorry to be confusing.

The two fronts are "struts"?

On all the websites for a KJ it says the rear shocks and front struts. So 2 shocks 2 struts 2 rear coils 2 front coils

Any idea what set up I can use with the Rancho5000 ?

 

[tommudd]

Personally I would NOT use the rancho shocks, the only good ones they had are discontinued. If going Ironman then go ahead and use the Ironman shocks, like OME they are designed to compliment the springs with the proper rates etc . It may save you 75-100 bucks today but down the road it may cost you more when you have to replace those cheaper shocks.
Do it right the first time and be done, thats from experience and not trying to sell or anything else. The shocks that come from Ironman and OME are valved for the KJ not some other vehicle like a Dodge pickup or Wrangler etc

 

[dude1116]

For reference:

Difference Between Shocks and Struts | Difference Between | Shocks vs Struts

 

[tommudd]

For reference:

Difference Between Shocks and Struts | Difference Between | Shocks vs Struts

They need some revisions on that article , esp. the statement
quote:
2. Struts are present on the front part of the vehicle, and shocks are found on the rear part of the vehicle.

Read more: Difference Between Shocks and Struts | Difference Between | Shocks vs Struts Difference Between Shocks and Struts | Difference Between | Shocks vs Struts
Maybe they have never seen a car/truck/SUV etc with front shocks before shyco:

 

[streetglideok]

For reference:

Difference Between Shocks and Struts | Difference Between | Shocks vs Struts

Too bad both of those links are full of errors. Seems the techs that know the difference are too busy fixing cars. The ones who can't make it in the shop write articles.

 

[streetglideok]

Struts can be found on both the front, and the rear of a vehicle. Some SUVs have them at all four corners(KL Cherokee most likely does). Shocks an be found on the front or rear as well. Both are used to slow down suspension travel velocities, and thereby stopping excessive movement as a result. Shocks are not a stressed suspension component, they merely dampen bounces. Struts, typically seen as McPherson struts, serve as a major suspension component that is stressed by the vehicle directly. They normally take the place of an upper balljoint, or upper link in the suspension. As a result they hold the knuckle in place, and have lateral forces applied to them. They have much larger diameter shafts as a result of the weight as well. McPherson struts also have the coil spring that supports the weight of the vehicle on them. This is normally seen in front wheel drive cars. A quick look at a Compass or Patriot will allow you to see this. Non-McPherson struts, the ones without the springs mounted on them, can be seen on Fox body Mustangs('79+) and Camaros('82-'92). Shocks can be found with coil springs on them sometimes, and is seen on Jeeps of the KJ,KK, and WK platforms. It is a captured spring design much like a McPherson strut, however it does not take the place of a balljoint or any other locating suspension piece. It only handles the weight of the vehicle directly. Some like to call these struts, while others call them shocks. I call them shocks.