I have some Rancho 5000X questions

heady1

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Feb 28, 2023
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Location
Kentucky
I have been searching for how people are mounting the 5000x shocks. Does anyone run this can up in the rear or can you with the Rancho shocks? Any damage to the shock body on the axle or clearance issues?

Another question I have is trying to figure out which one will work best with my RC 2.5" springs. I was initially looking at the 239/241 combo for 2-3" lift. I am also comparing it with the 128/240 version for 0-2" I am greatly considering using bar pin eliminators, especially on the rear, since I had to do the drill and re-tap threads on my last jeep. If I do go that route, the 128/240 combo looks to be a better option and the spec numbers are getting close to the same. The 239/241 would still have a little better travel range.

Thanks for any input you would like to share.
 
You can run the rear Black Max shocks shaft down. Very comparable price point. I've run both (in the rear) and greatly prefer the Black Max over the 5000x. Their ranges are a bit different than rancho. If the lengths work for you, I highly recommend them.

Front:
B8516 (0-3" Lift)
B8525 (4-6" Lift)

Rear:
B8508 (0" Lift)
B8518 (1-3" Lift)
 
You can run the rear Black Max shocks shaft down. Very comparable price point. I've run both (in the rear) and greatly prefer the Black Max over the 5000x. Their ranges are a bit different than rancho. If the lengths work for you, I highly recommend them.

Front:
B8516 (0-3" Lift)
B8525 (4-6" Lift)

Rear:
B8508 (0" Lift)
B8518 (1-3" Lift)

I would second what @PRNDL is saying. I’ve ran both and like my blackmaxs more than the ranchos plus I got better travel numbers than I did with the ranchos.
 
What did you like better about the BlackMax shocks?

I’m not the best at describing how a suspension feels. With the ranchos I’d say they allowed for a little too much body movement when hitting a decent bump. They seem to not handle small variations in the road surface as well as the blackmax.

They are far better than the OME, Bilsteins and RC shocks I’ve also tried out but with the blackmax shocks there is noticeably less body movement and the axles feel like they’re moving more without moving the body.

The ranchos did a good job with the BBRSP roads which are miles upon miles of rough and washed out roads/trails. I haven’t seen how the blackmaxs perform on that kind of terrain for long durations.

To be fair though it’s not a perfect comparison because my Blackmaxes are set with a practically perfect even split in travel and the ranchos were more favored to downtravel which could have an aspect to how they rode.

That being said if the ranchos gave me a better travel setup I wouldn’t hesitate to run them.
 
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I have been searching for how people are mounting the 5000x shocks. Does anyone run this can up in the rear or can you with the Rancho shocks? Any damage to the shock body on the axle or clearance issues?

I believe in general, all your twin tube designs are not designed be inverted. The Blackmax being the exception. Monotubes can be inverted.
 
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What did you like better about the BlackMax shocks?

I run pretty light most of the time and the rear felt very stiff running around town. Going down the road bumps would almost make the Jeep feel like it was see-sawing front to back, like the fronts and rears were fighting each other. I get none of that with the BlackMax in the rear now. They are softer and more compliant and generally absorb the road better. Still running the 5000x in the front, but I'll probably swap those this summer too.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/what-did-you-do-to-your-tj-today.1784/post-1201352
 
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Any of you Black Max users have issues with them leaking? Seems to be too common in the reviews.

I haven’t had any issues with leaking even with running them through lots of deep water crossings and mud. I don’t run the boots they come with either.

It was a concern of mine when I bought them but so far they have been amazing.
 
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How long have you had them?

Almost exactly a year now. Slightly over. Not exactly sure but roughly a dozen trips with probably 15-20 water crossings each trip and at times never ending mud (hit mud the moment you start a trail and don’t get out of it until you get back to the front sometimes)
 
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I've done some experimenting over the last few years with Ranchos and BlackMax on my LJ. I had similar issues as the above with the Ranchos. They are great on the front axle but in the rear they rode like an old wagon. I started off with the Rancho 9000xl's. They were by far the stiffest feeling even on the lower settings. They were, however, the most controlled on the street and felt like they had a much quicker response. The 5000x's were a little less compliant but did seem to absorb impacts better. I initially switched my rear shocks to the BlackMax and was impressed in how much it improved the ride. I ran the 5000x's in the front and BlackMax in the rear for a while with no complaints. I'm not sure if running gas charged and hydraulic shocks together can cause issues but since my Jeep is far from a daily driver I didn't worry about it. This past fall, out of curiosity, I switched the front shocks to BlackMax. I didn't find that much of a difference on the front axle when compared to the 5000x's. They are a little softer feeling but it was not the night and day difference I felt with replacing the rears. The BlackMax have a little longer stroke than the Ranchos and can be run inverted but they do feel like a hydraulic shock. If my Jeep were a daily driver I would still run the 9000xl shocks as they felt the most controlled. For a good all around shock the 5000x's are still and excellent choice. The BlackMax are the softest riding shock but have mixed reviews on longevity. Despite the ride quality issues with the Rancho's I would still recommend them to most people. They are a quality shock that does most everything well. If you absolutely want the softest ride or are trying to get even a little bit more suspension travel then the BlackMax may be a better choice. On a side not, the front BlackMax do not come with the bushing and bar pin installed. If you don't have a vise this might be a source of frustration.
 
On a side not, the front BlackMax do not come with the bushing and bar pin installed. If you don't have a vise this might be a source of frustration.

That is an annoyance for sure. I ground down one side to make it easier to press them in.

A little trick I learned is to use a tie rod puller and then you don’t need a vise. Worked very easily for me.

94B8331A-FDCE-4B79-8799-EF0C7A15B5F6.jpeg
 
You can run the rear Black Max shocks shaft down. Very comparable price point. I've run both (in the rear) and greatly prefer the Black Max over the 5000x. Their ranges are a bit different than rancho. If the lengths work for you, I highly recommend them.

Front:
B8516 (0-3" Lift)
B8525 (4-6" Lift)

Rear:
B8508 (0" Lift)
B8518 (1-3" Lift)

Thanks. I am going to check out the BlackMax options. I know I need something better than the RC shocks on it. Rancho have been recommended a lot and seem to be a good option. Seems having a little rear weight makes a big difference with them. Having another competitive choice is a great problem.
 
Okay I grabbed some quick measurements of my existing shocks when I got home. I am not sure if the Rancho 128/240 combo will work well for me even with the BPE added. Front shock was 18 3/4" from eyelet to top cup stop below the rubber bushing. 19 1/2" to the bottom of the shock tower. Rear measured 19 1/2" eyelet to eyelet. I know I have some front sag to address but that doesn't appear to leave much room before maxing out. Even if the Rancho's do run long the 128's full extension is 21". There is 4 3/4" of shaft exposed on the front and 5 3/4" of shaft exposed on the rear. I tried looking up the RC shock numbers to see what I find, but the only reference is their 2.5" install docs. (F# 660742/R# 660775) I think they may be their N3 shocks. Looking at those specs they seem to line up better to the 2-3" Rancho X shocks or the Black Max b8516/b8518 numbers.
 
Caveat: this is all theoretical and the only way to know travel limits is to measure at full bump and full droop.

Based on your measurements, the collapsed length of your shocks are front: ~14" and rear: ~13.75". This is close enough to the N3 listed on RC's website. Your exposed shaft suggests the fronts look to be pretty well biased but the rears might be on the shorter side, favoring up travel.

Shock​
Compressed​
Travel​
Extended​
Up (Exposed Shaft)​
Down​
Up Bias​
RC N3 1-3”Front (23169_E)​
14.32​
9.08​
23.4​
4.75​
4.33​
52%​
RC N3 0-3” Rear (23168_B)​
13.57​
7.83​
21.4​
5.75​
2.08​
73%​

The fronts are fairly straightforward.
Front shock
Compressed
Travel
Extended
Rancho RS55239​
14.43​
9.41​
23.84​
SkyJacker Black Max B8516 (0-3" Lift)​
13.52​
8.78​
22.3​
SkyJacker Black Max B8525 (4-6" Lift)​
14.52​
9.78​
24.3​

The rears are a bit more interesting.
Rear Shock
Compressed
Travel
Extended
Rancho RS55241​
13.51​
8.16​
21.67​
SkyJacker Black Max B8518 (1-3" Lift)​
13.93​
8.78​
22.71​
SkyJacker Black Max B8528 (3.5-4" Lift)​
14.91​
10.02​
24.94​

Again, using Shock Math™ only, either the Rancho 239/241 combo or the BM 8516/8518 would be a decent fit for your springs on paper.
 
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Caveat: this is all theoretical and the only way to know travel limits is to measure at full bump and full droop.

Based on your measurements, the collapsed length of your shocks are front: ~14" and rear: ~13.75". This is close enough to the N3 listed on RC's website. Your exposed shaft suggests the fronts look to be pretty well biased but the rears might be on the shorter side, favoring up travel.

Shock​
Compressed​
Travel​
Extended​
Up (Exposed Shaft)​
Down​
Up Bias​
RC N3 1-3”Front (23169_E)​
14.32​
9.08​
23.4​
4.75​
4.33​
52%​
RC N3 0-3” Rear (23168_B)​
13.57​
7.83​
21.4​
5.75​
2.08​
73%​

The fronts are fairly straightforward.
Front shock
Compressed
Travel
Extended
Rancho RS55239​
14.43​
9.41​
23.84​
SkyJacker Black Max B8516 (0-3" Lift)​
13.52​
8.78​
22.3​
SkyJacker Black Max B8525 (4-6" Lift)​
14.52​
9.78​
24.3​

The rears are a bit more interesting.
Rear Shock
Compressed
Travel
Extended
Rancho RS55241​
13.51​
8.16​
21.67​
SkyJacker Black Max B8518 (1-3" Lift)​
13.93​
8.78​
22.71​
SkyJacker Black Max B8528 (3.5-4" Lift)​
14.91​
10.02​
24.94​

Again, using Shock Math™ only, either the Rancho 239/241 combo or the BM 8516/8518 would be a decent fit for your springs on paper.

It is possible I’m reading this wrong but wouldn’t the Blackmax (B8525/B8528) combo be better? Gives a more even split in shock travel based on his 19.5” measurements.

Obviously the other part which we won’t know till @heady1 pulls his springs and checks for bumpstops, is how much usable uptravel and downtravel he has.
 
Caveat: this is all theoretical and the only way to know travel limits is to measure at full bump and full droop.

Based on your measurements, the collapsed length of your shocks are front: ~14" and rear: ~13.75". This is close enough to the N3 listed on RC's website. Your exposed shaft suggests the fronts look to be pretty well biased but the rears might be on the shorter side, favoring up travel.

Shock​
Compressed​
Travel​
Extended​
Up (Exposed Shaft)​
Down​
Up Bias​
RC N3 1-3”Front (23169_E)​
14.32​
9.08​
23.4​
4.75​
4.33​
52%​
RC N3 0-3” Rear (23168_B)​
13.57​
7.83​
21.4​
5.75​
2.08​
73%​

The fronts are fairly straightforward.
Front shock
Compressed
Travel
Extended
Rancho RS55239​
14.43​
9.41​
23.84​
SkyJacker Black Max B8516 (0-3" Lift)​
13.52​
8.78​
22.3​
SkyJacker Black Max B8525 (4-6" Lift)​
14.52​
9.78​
24.3​

The rears are a bit more interesting.
Rear Shock
Compressed
Travel
Extended
Rancho RS55241​
13.51​
8.16​
21.67​
SkyJacker Black Max B8518 (1-3" Lift)​
13.93​
8.78​
22.71​
SkyJacker Black Max B8528 (3.5-4" Lift)​
14.91​
10.02​
24.94​

Again, using Shock Math™ only, either the Rancho 239/241 combo or the BM 8516/8518 would be a decent fit for your springs on paper.

I am in agreement with you. I hadn't recorded the Black Max travel numbers but started looking it over on paper. Either one of the selections would work well, but the tape will tell which would be best setup.

I am planning on pulling the springs to measure for bumps, but I am also looking at replacing the front coils. At the moment I have been aiming on some RE 2.5" that just happen to be on sale. I am not sure what they will settle out to be, but that will change my measurements. Still probably in the ballpark as the measurements I grabbed where from the higher side. The jeep isn't may daily so there is no hard press to get it done ASAP, but I am working to get it knocked out soon. Trying to beat the growing "honey do" list with spring coming.
 
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