[whiteyj]

Probably one more area of personal preferance, but the RE lift kit
just arrived with it's set of Doetsch shock and no boots.

I've seen boots on other shocks?

Necessary or preference?

Thanks,

 

[whatajeep]

usually a warrenty issue.

 

[JeepCrawler98]

Shock boots do nothing to protect the shock, even with fine dust. The accordian-sleeve will still suck in just as much dirt, but it will keep it there instaed of letting it go. Also - just look at all the really high end vehicles and the shocks they run..... no boots!

 

[Ed in North Ga.]

"boots" physically keep mud and debris from sticking onto the piston shaft when directly splashed on-- its a way to keep the piston`s seal happy, and promotes long life of the shock. *Most* boots will have at the minimum 1 hole in the bottom, most have 2- some have 4, two up, two down- that keeps the condensation to a minimum, and lets water have a way to leave after you try your hand at submariene captain. They do work, but its more of a preference than a true protection method. Some geniuses have even used the boots on slipjoint driveshafts- keeps the crap out of the splines to keep rust freezeing to a minimum, and makes a handy looking do~dad.

almost all of the mud/debris will be swipped off as it enters the shock body-the top seal cleans it well. Almost all are hard steel/chromoloy/non-rust promoting metals-so corrosion really isnt a factor on vehicles used frequently-

Lastly, its an equilizer of sorts. No one likes to look at a manly 4 inch thick shock with pretty stickers and nice paint job, sitting on a thin little chrome shaft. Adding that boot makes it look equal in size.