New Jeep Wrangler JL Suspension & Shock Buyers Guide
Posted by Sean Reyes on
Available Wrangler JL Shocks
Bilstein
| Lift | Position | Part # | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-1" | Front | 24-286350 | $84.00 |
| 0-1" | Rear | 24-286367 | $84.00 |
| 1.5-3" | Front | 33-292625 | $95.00 |
| 1.5-3" | Rear | 33-292632 | $95.00 |
Fox
Fox has redeveloped their 2.0 Performance shock offerings for the new JL, providing a softer response on the highway, while still maintaining off-road trail capability, " New look & improved tune for light trail/on-road comfort " Translating marketing speak, this basically means they softened up the compression response for the beginning range of the shock for softer highway and paved road feel, while still maintaining firmer compression at the more extreme ranges of the shock for off-road handling.
Good move, maybe we'll get less people trading in their FOX 2.0 for Bilstein 5100s now, and an overall happier experience.
| Lift | Position | Part # | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-1.5" | Front | 985-24-171 | $159.95 |
| 0-1.5" | Rear | 985-24-172 | $159.95 |
| 2-3" | Front | 985-24-177 | $159.95 |
| 2-3" | Rear | 985-24-178 | $159.95 |
| 3.5-4" | Front | 985-24-179 | $169.95 |
| 3.5-4" | Rear | 985-24-180 | $169.95 |
| 4.5-6" | Front | 985-24-181 | $169.95 |
| 4.5-6" | Rear | 985-24-182 | $169.95 |
| All | Stabilizer | 985-24-173 | $159.95 |
Rancho
| Lift | Position | Part # | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-2" | Front - RS5X | RS55063 | $53.95 |
| 0-2" | Rear - RS5X | RS55064 | $53.95 |
| 0-2" | Front - RS9X | RS999063 | $113.94 |
| 0-2" | Rear - RS9X | RS999064 | $113.94 |
| 2.5-4" | Front - RS5X | RS55065 | $53.95 |
| 2.5-4" | Rear - RS5X | RS55066 | $53.95 |
| 2.5-4" | Front - RS9X | RS999065 | $113.94 |
| 2.5-4" | Rear - RS9X | RS999066 | $113.94 |
| 4.5-6" | Front - RS5X | RS55067 | $53.95 |
| 4.5-6" | Rear - RS5X | RS55068 | $53.95 |
| 4.5-6" | Front - RS9X | RS999067 | $113.94 |
| 4.5-6" | Rear - RS9X | RS999068 | $113.94 |
Teraflex / Falcon
| Lift | Position | Part # | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-1.5" | Front and Rear - 4 Door | 11-01-21-400-000 | $698.99 |
| 0-1.5" | Front and Rear - 2 Door | 10-01-21-400-000 | $698.99 |
| 2-3" | Front and Rear - 4 Door | 11-01-21-400-200 | $698.99 |
| 2-3" | Front and Rear - 2 Door | 10-01-21-400-200 | $698.99 |
| All | Stabilizer | 09-02-21-110-000 | $249.99 |
| All | Adjustable Stabilizer | 09-02-22-110-000 | $349.99 |
ICON Vehicle Dynamics
| Lift | Position | Part # | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-3" | Front | 26523 | $167.95 |
| 2-3" | Rear | 26524 | $167.95 |
| 2-3" | Front + Reservoir | 27821P | $1,009.55 |
| 2-3" | Rear + Reservoir | 27726P | $1,009.55 |
JEEP WRANGLER JL SUSPENSION OVERVIEW
Front Suspension
Solid axle, link coil, leading arms, track bar, coil springs, stabilizer bar
Electronic sway-bar disconnect system — standard on the Rubicon
Shock type
Extended Length: 21.96"
Collapsed Length: 15.96"
- JL Sport: Gas charged twin tube shock absorbers with full displacement Multi-Tuned Valve (MTV) technology
- JL Sahara: High pressure gas charged monotube shock absorbers with MTV technology
- JL Rubicon: High pressure gas charged monotube shock absorbers with MTV technology and hydraulic rebound stop
Rear Suspension
Solid axle, link coil, trailing arms, track bar, coil springs, stabilizer bar
Shock type
Extended Length: 24.5"
Collapsed Length: 17.25"
- JL Sport: Gas charged twin tube shock absorbers with full displacement MTV technology
- JL Sahara: High pressure gas charged monotube shock absorbers with MTV technology
- JL Rubicon: High pressure gas charged monotube shock absorbers with MTV technology and hydraulic rebound stop
As you can see, from Sport to Sahara to Rubicon, the shock absorbers gradually increase in capabilities. A monotube shock is an upgrade over a twin tube shock, there are less moving parts, there is a larger active piston for more consistent damping, and heat dissipation is better as the oil in the shock is in direct contact with the body, and the body will shed heat better than two bodies.
The Hydraulic Rebound Stop within the main shock absorber body, is attached to the working piston. If the rebound stroke of the shock (extension cycle) achieves max travel, the internal Hydraulic Rebound Stop will then act as an internal shock absorber for the working piston.
This diagram, taken from US Patent US5024301 shows precisely how this works. Figure 1 shows the shock, oriented vertically, with the piston rod coming out of the top of the shock. The figure 14/15 is the active piston, and when this piston reaches the top of the shock at figure 30, the rebound stop activates. Figure 2 and 3 on the second diagram shows the shock in partial and full rebound, which is compressing the internal hydraulic rebound stop (fig3).
What does all this mean for the ride in a Wrangler JL Rubicon?
Going over bumps, rocks, and other obstacles will be a more forgiving ride. As the shock rebounds from being compressed on an obstacle, any maxxing out the droop or extension of the shock will be dampened first by the internal bumpstop before transferring that energy to the vehicle, and then the passenger.
