The Jeep Wrangler is not only one of the coolest Jeeps around, but it has consistently stayed true to its heritage. The Jeep Wrangler (JK) is no different. Even if you think the newer JL has made the Jeep JK a bit old, there are enough ways to keep the JK updated. One of the most common mods for a Jeep Wrangler is upgrading the shocks. You can change the way your Jeep JK rides and handles both on the road and out in the wild. Let's look at some of the most popular choices to find the best shocks for Jeep JK.
Shocks with a lift
Pricey but worth it
Affordable choice
Stock replacement
We strive to always give you genuine, accurate information. To do this, all of mechanicguides.com reviews are based on market research, expert input, and practical experience. This knowledge comes from a team of automotive journalists and an independent mechanic, Steve "Whip" Whipple who has 11 years of experience in the auto industry. For more information, see here.
With a lift kit, not only does any truck/SUV get a better, more aggressive stance, it also gets more capable off the road. With the raised height, your Jeep Wrangler JK will be able to traverse harsher terrain with better clearance for larger obstacles. And if you could pair that with a set of off-road-ready shocks...that's what the Bilstein B8 5100 does. This set of high-quality shock absorbers is for Jeep Wrangler JKs with a lift kit of 1.5 - 3 inches. It's designed for 4WD vehicles and will complement the ride and handling of the vehicle accordingly.
The set includes two shocks for the front and two for the rear. Everything else like washers, bushings, reservoir clamps and nuts are included as well. If you want mounting plates, you'll need to purchase those separately. But the good thing is that you can use factory shock mounting bolts for installing the Bilstein 5100. The shocks are said to have a longevity of 100,000 miles and more. While that depends on the use and the road conditions, one thing's for sure: the Bilstein is tougher and better for vehicles that are bound to go off-road. Its single-tube body allows for the quick transfer of heat, therefore ensuring the shock keeps delivering strong performance consistently.
The Bilstein 5100 shock is backed by a lifetime warranty, so that should bring some added peace of mind. It's made for 2007 - 2015 Jeep Wrangler JKs, according to the listing. If you have any questions regarding compatibility or warranty, drop the seller a message before you make the purchase. Users are happy with the overall performance. They mention that it's fairly easy to install this Bilstein set.
The Rough Country N3 Shocks with Lift Kit kills two birds with one stone. If bought as a kit, you'll be able to increase your Jeep Wrangler JK's ride height (for both better stance and improved off-road performance) and complement that with a new set of shocks both at the front and rear. Made to offer improved (in comparison to stock) performance both on and off the road, the setup is made for the Jeep Wrangler JK 2-door model.
2.5-inch lift and leveled front
The installation is said to be easy, and Rough Country mentions that it can be done at home. Not just that, with the setup, you're also promised factory-like ride quality -something most kits can't offer. With the use of this kit, the front of the Jeep Wrangler gets leveled with the rear - a more aggressive stance, and a neat way of getting rid of the factory rake that a lot of users dislike. It's a 2.5-inch lift kit, and given its dimensions, it also allows for use of up to 33-inch tires. The installation is 100 percent bolt-on, and it requires no drilling either.
If you're looking at giving your Jeep an upgrade in the ride height/shocks department without emptying your wallet, the Rough Country kit is a good choice. It's backed by a 3-year warranty for the shocks and a lifetime one for the rest of the components. Regarding compatibility, it's mentioned that the kit can be fitted to 2007 - 2018 Jeep Wrangler JK models. You can drop the seller a message if you have any questions. Users appreciate the low price of the kit, its ease of installation, and an overall improvement in the vehicle the Jeep Wrangler drives.
This is a set of four shocks made for the Jeep Wrangler JK (more compatibility details below) by Fox Performance. It's one of the more expensive ones of the list and is made for use with an already lifted Jeep Wrangler JK. If you've got a JK with anywhere between 1.5 - 3.5 inches of lift at the front and the rear, this set of shocks will work. To make it ready for more challenging off-roading situations, you can also add shock boots and Roost Shields at an extra price.
Predictable handling and comfortable ride
The Fox Performance Series shocks come with the necessary washers, bushings, and nuts. The company also mentions that the existing factory shock mounting bolts can be reused for installation. They also say that the shocks come with race-proven damping control that offers predictable handling off the road, and comfortable ride on the road. The IFP in its name stands for Internal Floating Piston. That refers to the monotube design used on this shock, and the benefits include no oil aeration, therefore ensuring consistent performance from the precision valving.
The set of shocks is backed by a 1-year warranty that covers defects and premature failure. You can leave the seller a message if you have any queries regarding that. It's compatible with both 2WD and 4WD versions of the Jeep Wrangler JK (model years 2007 - 2015) but we recommend you check with the seller to confirm. Users mention that despite the higher price, the shocks make a lot of sense, thanks to their performance (both ride and handling, on and off the road), and overall customer support.
We have a couple of affordable shock absorbers here on the list, and the Teraflex makes a strong case for itself. It's a set of four shocks for the Jeep Wrangler with a lift kit installed. The company mentions that these shocks offer comfort in extreme off-roading with a "smooth highway ride".
Ready for use with lift kits
Compatible with both Wrangler JK and Wrangler JK Unlimited, these shocks can be fitted to vehicles with a lift of anywhere between 3 - 4 inches. The shocks have a twin-tube design, longer stroke travel, premium-quality rubber bushings, double-welded shock eyelets, large-diameter piston, and oil block and seal. All these help the shock absorber stand more off-road abuse than stock components. Also, there's an internal travel stop limiter and Jeep-specific bar pins. The kit is accompanied by all the necessary hardware required for installation.
It's hard to beat the value this shock absorber kit offers. It's not very expensive but has an off-road focus, and on top of all, it's compatible with the Jeep Wrangler JK with up to 4 inches of lift. The brand mentions that all model years of the Jeep Wrangler JK (previous generation) are compatible. And they haven't skimped on the warranty, either -you get a limited lifetime warranty with this. If you have any queries, check with the seller before making the purchase.
Made as a stock replacement, the Bilstein B6 4600 is a good choice for a shock absorber if your Jeep Wrangler JK hasn't had its ride height altered. The other thing that you should keep in mind is that it's made to perform as a stock shock absorber, so it won't be the first model to choose if you want to take your Wrangler off-road. But if you use your Jeep as a daily driver, then you'd enjoy the B6.
Easy to install; Made for stock-height Jeep Wrangler
The set includes both front and rear shock absorbers. These have a monotube gas pressure technology, which ensures better handling, stability, and even improved ride quality. Easy to install, the Bilstein set has a direct bolt-on installation, and there's no need to make any modifications to the existing stock-height Jeep Wrangler JK.
The Bilstein B6 shock absorbers work well as a stock replacement. You'll need to check with the seller about the warranty because the listing lacks that information. Regarding the compatibility, the listing suggests the set is compatible with the Jeep JK made in the model years 2007 - 2014. Check with the seller if you have any questions. Users are happy with the way their Jeep JK rides after the installation, in comparison to the factory units.
If you're looking at replacing your Jeep Wrangler JK's existing shocks, it's either because the originals are on their way out or that you feel the need to upgrade to something that improves the Wrangler's already dynamic abilities. Here's a recap of what we've covered.
If you're just looking at replacing the stock units with something that's an upgrade but don't want to go overboard, then the Bilstein B6 4600 is a great set. It works only with Jeep Wrangler JK on stock height - aka no lift kit installed. If you do have a lift kit installed, you can check out the Teraflex Shock Absorber . It's priced well, can accommodate up to 4 inches of lift and is compatible with all model years of Jeep JK. If you don't mind spending some extra, you can take a look at Fox Performance Series shocks . It's compatible with lift kits up to 3.5 inches. It's said to offer decent handling on the road but without compromising on the off-road ride quality. The only downside is that it's slightly more expensive than others.
The Rough Country shocks (N3) come with a lift kit. So with the entire setup, you don't just get new shocks for your truck, you get a lift kit as well. If that's what you're looking at, this is a good way of adding some ground clearance to your Jeep and matching it with a set of shocks. The top spot on the list is with the Bilstein B8 5100 shocks . This set of front + rear shocks is made for trucks with an existing lift of up to 3 inches. It can handle a variety of terrain and is guaranteed to perform well for at least 100,000 miles.
posted on 26 July at 23:42
Bilsteins and Fox shocks have been our top choice over the years. Extremely reliable even for the hard beating. We have an incoming JK project and the Bilstein, along with the wheel and tires package(https://4wheelonline.com/wheel-and-tire-packages.283376 ), are being ordered this week. This is going to be a fun weekend toy.