Shocks....What do I need to know?

Hey everyone,

Ok, My last "large" purchase is for shocks. (It's a '57 Cj5) I ran outta Jeep Bucks a while ago, so I have to kinda slide this one in under the spousal unit's cash radar. I hate to do it, but I gotta go cheap, like under $100 for all four if possible.

Anyway, onto details....
As it sits now with the original springs, there is an average of 16.5" from mount to mount all the way around. Fairly consistent in this regard. The tub is on, the engine is in, I'm only short the fenders, hood, a tank of gas, driver, and a passenger. The shocks that came off only had about about 2" left to go OUT, and a whole bunch in. I'm thinking that the travel should be more "centered" than this. As an example, if one wheel is left off the ground, I'd only get 2" more travel before the shock stopped it. This probably leads to other handling issues I would think.

So, here I am asking the ones who have BTDT....

How much range should a stock CJ5 have? (I'm hoping to do some light to moderate/difficult trails as I gain appropriate skills...)

Any recomendations as to brand or type given my Scrooge like wallet? (I'm not against upgrading later when I have more $$$)

Any suggestions as to what to avoid?

I'm really hopeful that it'll be street worthy REAL SOON.... Can't say exactly when, I might Jinx it!

Many TIA

 

You can get some pretty low budget shocks at NAPA. For this kind of rig I don't think you gain much with a fancy, expensive shock.

Biggest thing is to measure the length you need compressed and extended - you don't want your shock to limit your suspension travel. You could jack up a corner and measure with a tape measure or perhaps drive through a ditch at an angle. I would error on the side of having extra compression travel in case you hit a bump hard or have a heavy load on board. I've broken two shocks because I didn't have enough.

Once you get your measurements it's just a matter of reading through the book at your FLAPS - or search the web.

 

"cheap for now" is always ok to get it on the road soon. Go to Autozone or Napa or any FLAPS and get the Monro shocks $15-20 a piece. You can always upgrade...

 

Roger that, on the Monroe shocks. I bought a set, they work well enough. Certainly better than the old ones I took off.

 

New to this, what the heck is FLAPS?

 

FLAPS= Friendly Local Auto Parts Store