Fred Williams
Brand Manager, Petersen’s 4Wheel & Off Road
Springs support and allow a 4x4 to flex, butwithout shocks you'll just rattle down the trail like a sketched-out junkie. The fact is that shocks slow the rate that your vehicle bounces over your axles as well as the rate the axle bounces over the dirt and rocks. Unfortunately not all shocks are created equal, and depending on your vehicle's weight, your daily drive to work, or the trails you hit, you'll be looking for something different from your shock absorbers. Luckily there are a few companies making adjustable shocks, and we tested out a set of 12-position shocks from Walker Evans Racing on our cheap little Suzuki. At around $1,000 for four shocks-you may wonder who in their right mind would want this upgrade-but if you wheel and daily drive your 4x4, quality shocks can make the difference in a wobbly slinky on wheels and a controlled ride that reacts like any other auto on the street. Plus, if you tow your Jeep or 'Zuki behind your motorhome, then you should definitely invest in a set since you'll be able to cruise any trail or holiday resort in comfort. W.E. Racing offers shocks for lifted Jeep TJs, YJs, CJs, and Cherokees (XJs) as well as lifted late-model Dodges, Chevys, and generic 6-, 8-, 9-, 10-, 11-, 12-, and 14-inch lengths. We found that the 6-inch and Dodge sizes worked for our spring-over lifted Zuki, and allowed us to just bolt them in.
