MetalCloak 6Pak BLACK Front Shocks for the Jeep Wrangler JK, 3.5/4.5in Lift, Pair

On a well built JK the shock is usually the bottleneck. The suspension has the springs, the arms and the room to move, but a conventional shock runs out first — because to give 14 inches of stroke it would have to be physically longer than the body allows.

The 6Pak solves that differently: instead of one long tube it works across six, in a floating body carrying two parallel shafts. The result is 14 inches of stroke at a collapsed length of 14¼ inches — a ratio a conventional shock does not reach. This version is for the front of a JK with a 3.5in lift, and MetalCloak also uses it on 4.5in mid-arm kits.

Key benefits

• Maximum stroke in the shortest collapsed length – a patented design; 14 inches of stroke fits into 14¼ inches collapsed and 28¼ inches extended. That ratio is what buys articulation while preserving up-travel.
• Dual opposing nitrogen charged reservoirs – arranged symmetrically alongside the body, they add cooling capacity. The shock holds its damping longer over a long, rough section.
• 5/8in shaft – heavier than typical, resisting bending and flex under extreme load.
• Titanium nitride coated shafts – a slick, low-friction surface that resists wear and extends seal life.
• Billet rod ends, fully rebuildable – the shock is designed to be serviced rather than replaced once worn.
• Upgraded main seal material – the usual failure point on shocks working in mud and salt.
• Upper brackets included – CNC formed from 3/16in steel in a gold zinc finish, mounting in the factory locations. Lower mounting spacers are included too.

What's in the kit

• 2 × 6Pak BLACK shock
• upper front shock mounts
• lower front shock spacers
• all required hardware

Technical data

• Application: Jeep Wrangler JK, 2007–2018, front axle
• Intended lift: 3.5in (MetalCloak also uses this version on 4.5in mid-arm kits)
• Contents: pair of shocks
• Stroke: 14in (approx. 356 mm)
• Collapsed length, eye to eye: 14¼in (approx. 362 mm)
• Extended length, eye to eye: 28¼in (approx. 718 mm)
• Shaft diameter: 5/8in (approx. 16 mm)
• Shaft coating: titanium nitride
• Reservoirs: two, opposing, nitrogen charged
• Rod ends: precision machined billet, rebuildable
• Upper mount: 3/16in hot rolled steel, gold zinc finish
• Installation difficulty: easy
• Installation time: about 1 hour
• Body modification: none
• Shipping weight: approx. 8.6 kg
• Country of manufacture: USA

Important note on the manufacturer's warranty

MetalCloak states on this product page that 6Pak shocks are not shipped outside North America, and that ordering them from outside the USA or Canada waives the rights to lifetime customer service and the manufacturer's warranty. We state it plainly because it applies to every unit bought in Europe. Warranty and complaint handling for purchases made in our shop are governed by the Szekla4x4.pl terms and conditions — if this matters to you, contact us before ordering and we will explain the details.

Who they are for

For JKs with a 3.5in lift, and for 4.5in mid-arm kits — that is how MetalCloak itself specifies them. This is a choice for a vehicle whose suspension is already sorted and where the shock is the limiting factor: if the springs and arms allow more than the current shock delivers, the change is felt on the first drive. It pays off in rocks, where articulation counts, and on fast broken gravel, where heat resistance decides.

Installation notes

MetalCloak rates the install as easy and quotes about an hour — the upper brackets mount in the factory locations with no body modification. The bracket design also accommodates a 15in shock, should you want to go further with travel later.

An alignment by a suspension specialist is recommended after any suspension change. The shocks are rebuildable and MetalCloak handles the service.

You can leave the fitting and the choice of shock length to us. Szekla4x4.pl is an authorised MetalCloak dealer with a workshop specialising in off-road suspension.

Why they are worth it

• They remove the limitation that articulation on a built JK usually runs into.
• Twin reservoirs and a heavy shaft are not marketing — they are what survives a long, fast, rough section.
• A rebuildable design, so the shock is not a disposable part.

Not sure which 6Pak version suits your lift and arm type? Get in touch and we will pick the right one.

Frequently asked questions

What lift are these shocks for?

A 3.5in lift on the front axle. MetalCloak also uses this same version on 4.5in mid-arm kits; on 4.5in and 5.5in kits with long arms it specifies a different length.

Are the brackets included?

Yes. The kit includes the upper front shock mounts in 3/16in gold zinc steel, the lower mounting spacers and all required hardware.

Does the install require body modification?

No. The brackets mount in the factory locations, and MetalCloak rates the install as easy at around one hour.

Can the shocks be rebuilt?

Yes. The rod ends are precision machined billet and fully rebuildable, and MetalCloak runs the rebuild service.

How much stroke is there?

14 inches, at a collapsed length of 14¼ inches and an extended length of 28¼ inches, measured eye to eye.