Budget Boost time :) hydro or nitro?????

[wesley4x4]

soo i saved up some money to get a budget boost for my jeep... i am settled on getting this 2" BB

but idk whether to go with hydro or nitro shocks..

also what would you guys think is a more bang for your buck BB kit

Hydro: http://www.quadratec.com/products/16117_108.htm $261.99
nitro: http://www.quadratec.com/products/16117_109.htm $289.99

only a $28 difference which in you opinion is better

[nostaw]

Not sure what you mean by "nitro" shocks... Didn't see them on the page. If you mean the OME Nitrogen gas shocks -- they're pretty good. I've been running them for the life of my lift... At this point their probably just slightly more functional than decorative, but they still seem to get it done.

JW

[wesley4x4]

Fixed the link

[johnsxj]

Skyjacker Nitro's are a Nitrogen gas charged shock. Gas charged shocks tend to cut down on the oil foaming under hard use.

Hydro's are a regular non gas charged shock. Oil can foam up under hard use, but many people think they work better off road.

Personally, I'd go with a gas charged shock.

[PaulT]

i had the skyjacker hydros on my rubicon for 2 seasons, and never had a problem. Its only a budget boost, you probably won't be wheeling hard enough to make it foamy.

I didn't mind the ride at all, thought it was softer than stock.

[ZAEDOCK]

I've had Heckethorn Nitro's in my rig for 16 years. One just started leaked a couple months ago, so I figure it has another 16 before I'll replace it.

[wesley4x4]

okay... so i think im going to go nitro... here is my second qwestion...

im going to try and buy those rubi coils that have a 1" lift over stock coils
then have a 2" BB kit
with a 1" body lift..

so will those coil springs work with the BB's shocks or should i just get the pucks and buy the shocks for a 3" lift seprately??

[88jeepxj]

OK XJ guy here but I've been around Jeeps long enough to pick up a few things. Others will chime in I'm sure.

#1 A simple spacer BB with new shocks is a great place to start. Usually with TJs and XJs if you go much over 2-3" you'll start to cause drive-line issues that require more parts and more money (it gets expensive real quick).

#2 TJ Rubicon coils do not lift a TJ so I've heard.

#3 Body lifts are typically frowned upon. It can allow you to get bigger tires under their for cheap, but it causes problems too. While you're replacing springs you might as well just get the lift you want.

[wesley4x4]

#1 A simple spacer BB with new shocks is a great place to start. Usually with TJs and XJs if you go much over 2-3" you'll start to cause drive-line issues that require more parts and more money (it gets expensive real quick).

ive heard 4" and up causes drive line issues but im not going over 4" with the rubi coils + BB if anything ill put the old coils in and just stick with the BB

#2 TJ Rubicon coils do not lift a TJ so I've heard.

the rubicon coils are holding up a 6 cylinder engine and i have a 4 so there will be at least a 1" lift i have talked to others about this mod and all the 4cly guys say they have put a 6cyl coil in there jeep and got a lift with it so why not more with the rubi's coils

#3 Body lifts are typically frowned upon. It can allow you to get bigger tires under their for cheap, but it causes problems too. While you're replacing springs you might as well just get the lift you want.

as you may not know but i am on a constant budget and cant afford the nicer things in life but would still love to update my lift... and i have never heard of anyone complaining about there 1" body lift... its only an 1" so it shouldn't do much.. i also need the 1" body lift to maybe later upgrade to a nice gas skid and tummy tuck..

not trying sound like an *** the internet is hard to pass emotion threw text.. but im just passing on the knowledge i have collected

[ZAEDOCK]

YJ's/TJ's can get driveline vibe from only 2" of lift. Some had vibe from the factory!

Wes, don't confuse spring height with spring rate. Just because a spring is designed to carry more, doesn't mean it will provide lift. I'd be willing to bet Rubi springs are thicker than standard springs.

[88jeepxj]

not trying sound like an *** the internet is hard to pass emotion threw text.. but im just passing on the knowledge i have collected

Don't worry you didn't sound bad.

I know its hard to hear information that goes against a plan you've developed. If you want to give you plan a shot go for it, you/we may be surprised by the outcome. Every Jeep is a little different. I'm just trying to give you some common information so you don't make any mistakes that cost you more money than it would to do it right from the begining.

Example: I was cheap and went with a trans drop rather than doing it the right way and getting a SYE. I saved myself about $175. Then my motor mounts died because of the new drive-line angle, then the exhaust hanger broke off from the lower mounting point...plus the tranny was now hanging down over an inch lower!

I just got finished installing a SYE and I'm much happier. Just my two cents. Give it some serious thought. My recommendation, install the BB and get some good tires and go wheeling. Then decide what you need more, my guess is that you'll want body armor before you want any more lift.

[wesley4x4]

ya know, i think ill install the BB for now and see how it go's and then put the body lift in when i get around to it, then all in all just throw the rubi springs in there when i do my tranny swap, that way i have the SYE installed and *crosses fingers* everything go's great... like someone told me on the old forums.. "roam wasn't built in a day"

thanks for the help... ill look for you at GTD

[nostaw]

Wesley -
Another option for a cheap TJ lift... look into what you can do with stock XJ/ZJ coils for the front, ZJ coils in the back... I think you can get 1"-2" out of stock XJ/ZJ springs on a TJ, but I'm not positive... This would probably be the cheapest route -- you can get 'em at any salvage yard for cheap! I have a pair of stock XJ coils I'll donate to your jeep if you can use them.

JW

[wesley4x4]

Wesley -
Another option for a cheap TJ lift... look into what you can do with stock XJ/ZJ coils for the front, ZJ coils in the back... I think you can get 1"-2" out of stock XJ/ZJ springs on a TJ, but I'm not positive... This would probably be the cheapest route -- you can get 'em at any salvage yard for cheap! I have a pair of stock XJ coils I'll donate to your jeep if you can use them.

JW

awesome!! and im always open to donations!!!!! are you going to be at GTD???

[nostaw]

awesome!! and im always open to donations!!!!! are you going to be at GTD???

No, but I'll be at Jeep 101.

Don't thank me... I've been trying to come up with creative ways to get the krap I don't want out of my garage (so I can replace it with other krap I do want)...

At this point the remaining bits of my XJ's OE suspension fall into the category of krap I don't want... I'd rather see you get use out of them then donate them to the Nashua DPW's metal recycling dumpster.

If you want to come by Nashua and pick them up sooner let me know.

JW