Zone Offroad ZON7971 Nitro Rear Shock for 1999-2004 Grand Cherokee WJ 4" Lift

Vehicle Fitment

• 1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WJ), All Trims incl. Sport, Laramie, Limited, Overland, Special Edition; 4WD & AWD; Gas & Diesel - Rear, 4" Lift

Fitment Notes

• This is a rear shock absorber - designed specifically for the rear axle position on the 1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ with a 4" suspension lift.
• This shock is the rear shock component of the Zone Offroad ZONJ17N 4" Coil Spring Lift Kit for the WJ. It is also sold individually for replacement or standalone use.
• The companion front shock for this application is ZON7978 (24.70 x 14.80 x 2-3/8 - S1/EB1), designed for the 4" front lift position on the same vehicle.
• Vehicles equipped with the 4.7L V8 engine may not achieve the full stated 4" lift height due to additional engine weight affecting front spring compression.
• AWD (Quadra-Drive) models may require front driveline modification after installation. Refer to Zone Offroad installation instructions for details.
• Some WJ models may experience minor front wheel shimmy attributable to OE steering design - alignment and/or tire and wheel changes typically correct this condition.
• Shock absorbers are sold individually - order 2 for a complete rear axle replacement.
• Bushings and sleeves are included with each shock for direct bolt-on installation.

Features

• Vehicle-specific valving engineered for the 1999-2004 WJ's rear coil-spring suspension geometry at 4" of lift, delivering optimized damping throughout the rear suspension's full range of travel.
• Twin-tube, nitrogen-charged design provides consistent, fade-free damping on- and off-road, eliminating fluid foaming during sustained aggressive use.
• 10-stage velocity-sensitive valving automatically adjusts damping response in real time to suspension movement speed, providing a compliant on-road ride and firm off-road control in the same shock.
• Fully displaced valving increases the effective range on both compression and extension strokes, maximizing rear wheel travel for improved articulation and trail capability.
• Nitrogen gas charged at 50 psi ensures split-second damping response and prevents aeration during high-heat, sustained off-road use.
• 1-3/8" Fluon-banded piston minimizes internal friction and maintains consistent, accurate damping performance throughout the shock's full service life.
• Heavy-duty 14mm (5/8") hard-chromed alloy steel shaft resists surface wear, corrosion, and rock chip damage during off-road operation.
• Steel alloy body with dual-welded ends ensures structural integrity and long-term durability under the dynamic loads of off-road driving.
• Dual eyelet (EB1/EB1) mount configuration matches the WJ's factory rear shock mounting locations for a direct bolt-on replacement.
• Matte black powdercoat finish provides lasting corrosion resistance in all weather conditions.
• Backed by Zone Offroad's Shield Limited Lifetime Warranty.

Specifications

• Part Number: ZON7971
• Shock Type: Twin-tube, nitrogen gas charged
• Position: Rear
• Lift Height: 4 inches
• Extended Length: 26.20 inches
• Collapsed Length: 15.67 inches
• Travel: 10.53 inches
• Body Diameter: 2-3/8 inches
• Shaft Diameter: 5/8" (14mm), heavy chromed alloy steel
• Piston Size: 1-3/8" Fluon-banded
• Upper Mount Type: EB1 (Eyelet with bushing)
• Lower Mount Type: EB1 (Eyelet with bushing)
• Nitrogen Gas Pressure: 50 psi
• Valving Stages: 10-stage velocity-sensitive
• Adjustable Damping: No
• Finish: Matte black powdercoat
• Reservoir: No
• Quantity: 1 shock absorber per purchase
• Warranty: Zone Offroad Shield Limited Lifetime Warranty

Included Components

• 1x Zone Nitro Series rear shock absorber (ZON7971)
• 1x Mounting bushing set (upper and lower, EB1 eyelet type)
• 1x Mounting sleeve set

Product Description

The Zone Offroad ZON7971 is a vehicle-specific Nitro Series rear shock absorber engineered for the 1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ at 4" of suspension lift. It serves as the designated rear shock in the Zone Offroad ZONJ17N 4" Coil Spring Lift Kit and is also sold individually for replacement or standalone builds. With 26.20" extended and 15.67" collapsed lengths and 10.53" of travel, the ZON7971 is correctly sized for the WJ's rear coil-spring suspension geometry at 4" of lift - long enough to allow full rear suspension droop for maximum articulation, without being so long that it introduces binding or bottoming at full compression. The dual EB1 eyelet mount configuration at both ends matches the WJ's factory rear shock mounting locations exactly, making installation a direct bolt-on exchange.

Zone's Nitro Series twin-tube design pressurizes the shock body with 50 psi of nitrogen gas to prevent oil aeration and heat fade during sustained off-road use. The 10-stage velocity-sensitive valving self-adjusts damping rate based on the speed and force of rear suspension movement - softening for small bumps and rougher pavement and firming up under hard trail hits and high-speed terrain changes. These characteristics are specifically calibrated for the WJ's rear suspension behavior with 4" of lift and Zone's matching coil springs, providing a damping character tuned to the spring rate and geometry of the complete system. The 1-3/8" Fluon-banded piston keeps internal friction minimal throughout the shock's service life, and the 14mm hard-chromed alloy shaft resists rock chip damage and corrosion inherent to off-road environments.

WJ-specific installation notes apply: owners of 4.7L V8-equipped models should be aware that additional front-end weight may slightly reduce the achieved front lift height, though rear lift is unaffected. AWD (Quadra-Drive) models may require front driveline modification - see Zone Offroad's installation instructions for the specific procedure. Shocks are sold individually, so order two for a complete rear axle pair. For the matching front shock at 4" lift, use ZON7978. Backed by Zone Offroad's Shield Limited Lifetime Warranty, the ZON7971 is the proven, purpose-built rear shock for the WJ platform at 4" of lift.