Shock decisions between two picks...help me decide

[Buckrub]

Hey all , avid lurker here but I need some input. I am in a build right now frame off and I am just getting the axles squared away. Now it's time to decide on shocks. All is new for the lift going spring under with about 6" of lift . Its a CJ5 .
I am having trouble deciding between Bilstein 5125's and Rustys Mono tube shocks. I am a fan of low up keep, like both of these. Anodized or stainless. Both seem good. ALL the research on the 5125's are slighting me to that side. BUt looking at Rusty's mono tube makes me double think. I know Bilsteins rep and they have much variations. Has any one tried Rustys mon tubes on here yet? I can not find any thing in the review department. Seen alot on the 5125's. Lets hear your take on this duo and what you might be incline to operate with. I will even entertain another style but I am going with low up keep finish what ever I decide.

OKAy lets hear it ...THanks in advance!

Ernie

 

[Sasquach]

I'm not sure you will notice diff in most shocks mounted on a CJ, CJ's are not known for suspension travel depending on your spring set up of course but if the springs don't move that leaves little for a shock to do.
My 2 cents.
FYI I have the Rubicon Express kit shocks on mine and they seem fine.

 

[IOPort51]

So far that^^ is about the best recommendation for any shock I have seen.
If you are going to do "king of the hammers" I would say you need the shock capable of dealing with the most heat, unfortunately, the manufacturers I have researched just want to brag about what a great ride you get from their shocks. It is kind of hard to measure "ride".

I would think they would establish a standard of temperature change per cycles per time. With the kind of standard a shock is measured by,in reality, you may just as well choose them for the way they look, there is not enough available information to do otherwise.

If appearance is important to you I would go SS, anodized is never really as hard as it is advertised to be and once you have one scratch it's gonna be down hill from there.

 

[Buckrub]

Io Looks are not the reason I chose these shocks. Every painted shock I have ever owned wasd rusty at the end of it's life. If I was buying the throw aways I wouldn't care much on the paint. But i WANT TO SPRING A LITTLE PARDON THAT PUN ...FOR A LITTLE BETTER SHOCK.It looks as if Rustys shock is rebuildable. Not sure on the 5125.
I do not believe the temperature rating would be in consideration for me. I just enjoy wheeling and like more challenging destinations. Extreme crawlin' is out for this CJ too much lift with those nasty narrow tracks. I thing she will be a bit tippy for the extreme stuff.
I will moderately wheel with this CJ with my family and occasionally get a little bit of beer balls with a few of my braver friends.
Ride would be nice but those fab tech springs look as if they will need some weight to soften em up. I did do the YJ conversion so I know I will get a little better flex.
Rubicon express is something I did not consider. I was going to do that whole lift on my jeep when I started and then when I was ready to push the button they closed up shop for a while. Almost did the same with BIG DICKS. Glad I pieced mine out.

 

[CJ]

Qa1 - Jeep-CJ WEB Links

 

[IOPort51]

I understand what you are saying. I find shocks to be frustrating, mostly from the stand point of there being no true means of comparison. I know what they do and how they do it and I have a pretty good idea what will destroy one but there is no information available that makes any thing but a "best guess " possible. I understand that rust is a problem that needs consideration by all of us. As far as a rebuild able shock, I'm not sure I want a shock that I would ever find it necessary to rebuild. So far I have only had one shock failure that I am aware of. Skyjacker nitro failed while cutting across a plowed field at about 40 MPH. Took out the oil seal, without the original receipt they were not inclined to replace it under the "life time warranty". The thing is that although I am sure there are a number of shocks that would handle this for hours at a time and maybe not require a second mortgage on the house, I have nothing but an add in a catalog or JP magazine to base a decision on. I don't call that a very informed decision.

Io Looks are not the reason I chose these shocks. Every painted shock I have ever owned wasd rusty at the end of it's life. If I was buying the throw aways I wouldn't care much on the paint. But i WANT TO SPRING A LITTLE PARDON THAT PUN ...FOR A LITTLE BETTER SHOCK.It looks as if Rustys shock is rebuildable. Not sure on the 5125.
I do not believe the temperature rating would be in consideration for me. I just enjoy wheeling and like more challenging destinations. Extreme crawlin' is out for this CJ too much lift with those nasty narrow tracks. I thing she will be a bit tippy for the extreme stuff.
I will moderately wheel with this CJ with my family and occasionally get a little bit of beer balls with a few of my braver friends.
Ride would be nice but those fab tech springs look as if they will need some weight to soften em up. I did do the YJ conversion so I know I will get a little better flex.
Rubicon express is something I did not consider. I was going to do that whole lift on my jeep when I started and then when I was ready to push the button they closed up shop for a while. Almost did the same with BIG pinkieS. Glad I pieced mine out.

 

[PaRenegade]

You bring up a very good point I/O. What does the consumer have to go by other than price and name recognition, when shopping for shocks? They can buy $35 Superlift softrides or they can buy $90 Old Man Emu's. Is the higher price paying for the brand name or are they really almost 3 times better???? It used to be (decades ago) that quality was related to price. Nowadays I'm not so sure.

 

[Kane]

Unless is it adjustable then they are all the same to me. I come from the motorcycle road racing world and shock valving can be all over the place. You never know what you need until you adjust them to your liking. My RS9000's at least have some adjustment but I still want more.

 

[IOPort51]

How do you decide what to adjust to what degree and why??

Unless is it adjustable then they are all the same to me. I come from the motorcycle road racing world and shock valving can be all over the place. You never know what you need until you adjust them to your liking. My RS9000's at least have some adjustment but I still want more.