Which shocks and coils for my LJ?

[86cj]

I have been through this problem with my LJ. I run BDS 3" springs and 5100 Bilsteins, the fronts are perfect. I would be interested the 4" progressive rear coils from Currie but they are to tall for me. I also wonder how the 3" Nth progressive springs would work for me. I went for the Air lift bags and it cured the constant bottoming completely. I am very happy with high speed and low speed performance,I have ran them for 3 seasons and have no issues at all. I have had Air lift or Firestone air bags on 5 different Vehicles some for 15 years and only had to fix one air line that was 10 years old. It would seem the bumpstop is trying to pop the Bag but not yet anyway, and the almighty Flex seems fine. The timbren bumpstops seem like a easy way to add some improvement, the air bags require spring removal to drill the hole in the spring seat for air line.

I can recommend the Bilstein 5100's, I had hydro shocks installed and the Bilstein's made the Jeep way more stable and comfortable. Shane at Bilstein steered me away from the generic 5150's..

[nwoods]

What do you use to control the air lift bags?

[86cj]

I do have onboard air, but I set them for the condition manually and prefer to run individual lines to an easy to reach close location. I like to be able to have each bag at its own pressure for uneven weight or wheelhop issues.
I run between 10 and 25 PSI (usually 10 to 15 PSI), the bags lose a pound or more just checking the pressure so volume is small. For off road it should give better flex if you use the tee fitting that comes in the kit. Air should bleed over to the other side when axle articulates, (in theory) I don't know if the lines move air quick enough or not....


I have decided to try some timbrens on the front before I go to the Dunes next summer. If the rear air bags don't survive the whoops at the bottom of test hill I will let you know......

[ntsqd]

It looks like Air Lift leveling bags and new shocks might be the ticket. Will the air bags work with 6" coils? Does anyone think that Bilstein 5150s will give me the ride I'm looking for? Any other shocks I should look at?

No idea on the air assist springs. Suggest looking at applications like El Caminos and various full sized station wagons. I know both Ford & GM full size wagons are coils in the rear from the late 60's. No idea about Chrysler/Dodge's.

As far as I know all of the 51XX series Bils come valved the same, 255/70. That works well with leaf springs, but can be soft for coil springs. Their std valving for coils is 360/80.
I would look to see if there is a part number with the 360/80 valving, or if there is a specific p/n for your chassis and lift combo. Even if the valving for a specific combo isn't listed I would expect Bilstein to have arrived at a good set of valving specs.
I will say that I took Ranchos off of Patch to install Bilsteins, and I haven't looked back. I am in-process of doing the same, only with 2" Fox's on the FJ60.

It strikes me that the Rancho 9k shock control system could possibly be used to set air spring pressures from in the cab and still keep them separate.

[Roktoys84]

I finally pulled the trigger on some Bilstein 5100s and got them installed Saturday. Huge difference. The Jeep feels alot more firm now, but rides much smoother on rough roads. I also figured out the sagging problem. Once I actually pulled off a tire and climbed underneath it was pretty obvious, my coil had slid off the 1" coil spacer and crushed it. So I ordered new 1.75" Daystar spacers and I'll install the Air Lift 1000 kit at the same time. I'll report back when I get the air bags installed but I expect them to make the Jeep work much better when it's loaded down.

[ChemicalToilet]

I had the Air Lift 1000 bags in my LJ when I had OME springs. I recently put Currie 4" heavy load springs in, which aren't progressive like they used to be. The Currie springs are slightly smaller in diameter so those bags won't fit (not right anyway). Don't think I will need them now anyway. The last few times I was on the trail I spent half the day under the Jeep fixing the bags. First 2 trips with them they worked flawlessly, but the last 2 I kept pulling the line off the passengers side bag when it flexed.

[Roktoys84]

I had the Air Lift 1000 bags in my LJ when I had OME springs. I recently put Currie 4" heavy load springs in, which aren't progressive like they used to be. The Currie springs are slightly smaller in diameter so those bags won't fit (not right anyway). Don't think I will need them now anyway. The last few times I was on the trail I spent half the day under the Jeep fixing the bags. First 2 trips with them they worked flawlessly, but the last 2 I kept pulling the line off the passengers side bag when it flexed.

I plan on running the air lines with the brake lines. I know my brake lines are long enough.

[ChemicalToilet]

I plan on running the air lines with the brake lines. I know my brake lines are long enough.

My problem was that the bag would lift up along with the coil and pull the line off. I tried playing with the lines a little to give it some slack but then I tore a line on a rock. It depends on where you wheel I guess, the jagged rocks in eastern PA reach up and grab things. Maybe these bags will work out better out on the slick rock out west.

[Roktoys84]

My problem was that the bag would lift up along with the coil and pull the line off. I tried playing with the lines a little to give it some slack but then I tore a line on a rock. It depends on where you wheel I guess, the jagged rocks in eastern PA reach up and grab things. Maybe these bags will work out better out on the slick rock out west.

Good to know, I'll keep an eye on them.