Replacing shocks 77 CJ7

[Leedog13]

Hi guys, not a real vet of the Jeep as of yet, but a couple of questions if you please. I need to replace the shocks/steering damper on my CJ, I'd like to do it without going broke.

1. Best option in terms of combination of performance and cost?
2. Best option for average off roading, no high speed pothole hits, basically cruising forest service roads, some steep incline/decline with potholes/washouts/washboards/rocks?
3. Degree of difficulty in changing them myself?

THANK YOU!

 

[Sasquach]

Dif brands of shocks in a given price range are going to be pretty much equal in performance IMO, buy what you can afford.
As far as difficulty goes it is about as easy as it gets.

 

[Leedog13]

Sounds good, thank you for the reply, I appreciate it.

 

[54cj3b]

If you know what a wrench is then you qualify to change out a shock

 

[Leedog13]

I believe I should be ok then THANK you guys!

 

[BajaEdition]

only thing you need to remember is the quality of the shock you get will reflect how much you like how it performs.

 

[Leedog13]

only thing you need to remember is the quality of the shock you get will reflect how much you like how it performs.

Makes perfect sense to me!

THANKS TO EVERYONE

 

[IOPort51]

So basically we have given you no usable information at all.
I have found this to be true with whatever source you look, even the manufacturers.
You will learn how they are built and what they are charged with but as far as actual performance information I think you will find most a bit lacking. Every one you talk to will generally have a good opinion of what they have but mostly because they have never broken one. Just about everyone I have talked to has the good sence not to put passenger car shocks on there 4X4.
I have Skyjacker Nitro shocks, the biggest reason I have these is that they came with the lift kit and I think the biggest reason they came with the kit is because they are the least expensive of the Skyjacker shocks.
Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with these shocks, although I have blown a seal in one and had to replace it. I drove across a plowed field at about 35 MPH for about a mile which, looking back, was a bit on the foolish side. I can say that while doing this foolish thing I was in control of the vehicle all the time, this speaks well of the shock.
If you expect to take advantage of a "life time guarantee" I suggest you put the receipt in the safe deposit box because with out it you will be SOL.
If you do stumble on any "hard data" I would hope you share it with the rest of us.
I , personally, stay away from gimmicks like adjustable and remote reservoir shocks , I think this is a good place to practice the KISS principal.

 

[BajaEdition]

I will say Skyjacker or Rancho shocks are a good all around sturdy shock, and use them
I run Old Man Emu shocks myself finding them in the same price range bust the dampening is a bit firmer.

 

[nyeti]

One of the first things I did when I got my 77 CJ7 was to replace the worn out and mismatched shocks. Over the years the best across the board shocks I have found are Bilsteins, which is what I put on my CJ. They were a HUGE improvement and I am very happy with them. I got them from Summit Racing, who were GREAT to deal with. They should be an easy install........unless the prior owner decides to put some funky exhaust system in that makes it impossible to get to the bolts (which is why the front and rear shocks were mismatched and the rears were in horrible shape when I got my Jeep).