I have some Rancho 5000X questions

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.

Okay I got to do a little wrenching, but only got the front done. I did get some numbers to work with to determine my options, well at least with the front so far. Looks like @imahnu may be correct, the b8525 looks to be the better option for the Black Max shocks. Here are some measurements of what I found:

Front full extension is 23". Full compression with no spring was 14.5", BUT full compression with the tire back on was 15" due to it hitting the shock tower on the passenger side. Looks like my bump stops are 2.25" to the cup, but 2" on the drivers side since it was no tower contact. I cut the poly ones that came with it to 2.5" just to give me some room. When I swap the front springs I will revisit and look at going back the OEM bump stops. All of this is with the 31" tires on canyon wheels. I have an extra set of steel wheels that may sport some 33x10.5 at some point. I may have to remeasure the bumps then.
I am interested to see how the back measurements break out. Going by just the front, the 239 or the 8525 both look like they would work well.
 
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Got some work done on the rear, not 100% done, but I believe good enough to get my important measurements. Looks like full droop with the swaybar reconnected is 23 3/8" for the shocks. Compressed 14". Using the BPE that adds another 1" of needed compression to the shock configuration. Not sure the RS55241 would be workable with those numbers since it's full extension is 21.6". I could limit the the compression with bump stop, but the droop is another 1" longer even with BPE. The B8528 could work with a 1" additional bump stop over the Rancho. Leaves me with a bump stop of 2" or 3" depending on choice. There is also the RSS55256, yet it needs more bumpstop than the BM model. I did find another Rancho 5000x that is closer to the measurements, the RS55165, but all my searching so that is for f250. If so, I suspect it would be quite bit stiffer.
That is giving me some things to think about and I have been reading up on the gas vs hydro shocks. Anyone using the Black Max shocks seeing much or any of the fade in the performance? How well do they perform or hold up offroading? Any one have any better combinations, or see a problems of long term running a mix of the brand options?
 
Got some work done on the rear, not 100% done, but I believe good enough to get my important measurements. Looks like full droop with the swaybar reconnected is 23 3/8" for the shocks. Compressed 14". Using the BPE that adds another 1" of needed compression to the shock configuration. Not sure the RS55241 would be workable with those numbers since it's full extension is 21.6". I could limit the the compression with bump stop, but the droop is another 1" longer even with BPE. The B8528 could work with a 1" additional bump stop over the Rancho. Leaves me with a bump stop of 2" or 3" depending on choice. There is also the RSS55256, yet it needs more bumpstop than the BM model. I did find another Rancho 5000x that is closer to the measurements, the RS55165, but all my searching so that is for f250. If so, I suspect it would be quite bit stiffer.
That is giving me some things to think about and I have been reading up on the gas vs hydro shocks. Anyone using the Black Max shocks seeing much or any of the fade in the performance? How well do they perform or hold up offroading? Any one have any better combinations, or see a problems of long term running a mix of the brand options?

I definitely miss the part about the rear.

What is your limit to downtravel? What’s your ride height shock length?

And I wouldn’t run the f-250 shocks
 
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Based off your new numbers I’d still probably run my last recommendation for the 8525s for the skyjacker blackmaxs. Depending on your ride height? What’s your shock length at ride height?

Compressed is 14.5”
Extended is 24.25”

So you could compress them fully giving up .5” of uptravel. What is the limit on your down travel that might be able to get you the full extension to 24.25”

I certainly wouldn’t run the f-250 shocks

So far the 8525/8528 looks to be the best fit for my overall measurements. They have a better range than the Rancho options that I have found so far. Not by much, but the down travel in the rear is more than the 241's max. Even with the additional 1" from the BPE. The rear is only limited by the sway bar. My research so far has been looking at the differences of gas vs hydro. The fade and cavitation of overworking the shock is a concern, but I am strongly leaning towards the BM combo now. I plan to keep this jeep much lighter than the last one so that may be another plus for BM. I do plan on rear bumper and hitch so I have the option to tow when I need it. That is another concern if there is a lack of firmness in the shocks with a trailer. I am still reading up and getting input from others is a great help too.

Forgot to add in my original ride height measurements - Front shock was 18 3/4" from eyelet to top cup stop below the rubber bushing. Rear measured 19 1/2" eyelet to eyelet.

I have a f250 with 5100s and I definitely don't want that stiffness on the jeep.
 
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So far the 8525/8528 looks to be the best fit for my overall measurements. They have a better range than the Rancho options that I have found so far. Not by much, but the down travel in the rear is more than the 241's max. Even with the additional 1" from the BPE. The rear is only limited by the sway bar. My research so far has been looking at the differences of gas vs hydro. The fade and cavitation of overworking the shock is a concern, but I am strongly leaning towards the BM combo now. I plan to keep this jeep much lighter than the last one so that may be another plus for BM. I do plan on rear bumper and hitch so I have the option to tow when I need it. That is another concern if there is a lack of firmness in the shocks with a trailer. I am still reading up and getting input from others is a great help too.

Forgot to add in my original ride height measurements - Front shock was 18 3/4" from eyelet to top cup stop below the rubber bushing. Rear measured 19 1/2" eyelet to eyelet.

I have a f250 with 5100s and I definitely don't want that stiffness on the jeep.

What length sway bar links do you have? Do you have a picture of them at ride height?
 
What length sway bar links do you have? Do you have a picture of them at ride height?

Factory rear links. I do not believe these were swapped out so they should be stock. I looked through my pics and these are the only ones I have with them from when I was first assessing what I have to work with. I know I haven't measured them, but I will try to grab some numbers the next time I am under there. I can get a couple more inches of drop if I disconnect the sway bar.

1679199305301.png


1679200335816.png
 
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Factory rear links. I do not believe these were swapped out so they should be stock. I looked through my pics and these are the only ones I have with them from when I was first assessing what I have to work with. I know I haven't measured them, but I will try to grab some numbers the next time I am under there. I can get a couple more inches of drop if I disconnect the sway bar.

View attachment 408535

View attachment 408544

Could be that replacing those could give you all you need to droop down to the full extension of the 8528s

And as you know, the stock jounces should be swapped in. Looks like you have some .75” spacers ontop of your springs. Same lift I had on my Jeep at first. RC sells rear sway bar links for 3” lift that I still use today. Should allow you plenty of downward movement assuming there isn’t something else binding up
 
Could be that replacing those could give you all you need to droop down to the full extension of the 8528s

And as you know, the stock jounces should be swapped in. Looks like you have some .75” spacers ontop of your springs. Same lift I had on my Jeep at first. RC sells rear sway bar links for 3” lift that I still use today. Should allow you plenty of downward movement assuming there isn’t something else binding up

The .75" spacer is temp. I stuck them on there since I had them already, and I removed a 2" spacer that was on there. I had ordered some 1/2" isolators, but Amazon shipping it getting way worse. Left their facility in Ky, shipped to San Fran, then back to Ky, then to 3 separate places in Oh before back to Ky. Still don't have them and I am about 50 miles from the original facility. So much for Prime 2 days, so maybe Monday.
On the bump stops. I have been looking at the OEM style jounces and pucks for the lower spring pad. I may already have some 2" pucks left over from my last jeep that maybe very close to what I need, just have to find them. I am not a fan of the existing stops, but they are on there now. I had no problem cutting them down when I measured the front travel.
 
I'm interested to hear your thoughts on them.

I got the rear shocks installed. Found I can not use the BPE brackets. They actually dropped the shock mount down 1.5" and I didn't want to give up that much more upper travel with bump stops to address. Another thing to note is the shock measured 15" from bar pin to eyelet fully compressed. I decided to just coat the bolts up with anti-seize and put the in stock location. The first shock went on with nothing to note. I found the second shock to be covered in oil right out of the box and bag. Enough oil the entire shock was slick. First shock and package was dry so not what I was expecting to find. I inspected it and didn't see anything to catch my attention. I wiped it down and installed it, but stopped to email Skyjacker about the difference. My concern is it leaked from the shock, but I wanted to get their input on what I found and what I should expect when I open the package. May be packaging oil, but it seemed like a lot. I cycled the shock and it had resistance, but I heard some air popping when I extended it. I fear it could be a bad shock right out of the box. I stopped there and didn't get the fronts installed or even open them yet. I will update what I find out.

After the rear install I jumped up on the bumper and bounced it a couple of times. It seems pretty squishy, but rebounds quite well. I am interested in seeing how it rides, but I have some time before I drive it. We are currently getting some bad storms, heavy rains, and flood watch warnings. I have been prepping to spray the internal frame paint and my frame is dry. I want to keep it that way so I won't be driving it in wet weather till I get it coated. It will also give me time to get the fronts installed before I hit the road with the jeep.
 
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Okay, mainly for @PRNDL and @imahnu. All 4 shocks have been swapped to the new Black Max. Skyjacker is shipping me a replacement for the leaking one on the rear. None of the rest had any oil on them.

We had more storms last night and it is really windy today, but I couldn't resist and I took it for a quick spin to check them out. I only drove it a couple of miles but it definitely rides better than before. Way better. With such harsh shocks before the ride now feels a little bouncy but does soak up the bumps. The Black Max do not have the firmness feel to them like the gas shocks. You push on a fender and the body moves now. I needed both hands to move the old shocks up to get them off, but 2 fingers on 1 hand to push the bar pins into position on the BMs. Bouncy may not be the best description, but the ride does seem more loose. Smooth but more movement. Different, yet not bad. I will also add that it may be the optics but the front corner looks to have more sag to it now. I think those stiff bastards were holding the front up more and now riding 100% on the spring. I will have to put more miles on them but it is a big change on how it ride and drives now. I will see how my views change after having them on for a bit.
 
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Bouncy may not be the best description, but the ride does seem more loose. Smooth but more movement.
I think this is a great description of how mine rides too. Interested in your continued feedback. This makes me want to swap my front Rancho's for BMs.

Side note: I had my Jeep out at the OHV park today and it was the best experience yet. The rear BMs soaked up everything on the gravel roads and the Jeep's movement was much more predictable.
 
I blew up my rear Black Maxes...they sent me a replacement set and so far so good. Thinking I overloaded the Jeep. Thinking the springs I had...ProComp... didn't do much...just swapped to Currie 4" and it raised the TJ by 2". Also didn't help that one of the lower bolts came out. Mostly using nylocks now.

Here's the video if you want to see the carnage...


-Mac
 
Little more feedback.

@PRNDL and @imahnu may find this of interest.

I have driven the jeep to work several days, which is 30 miles mix of country roads and state hwy. Not had it on the Interstate big road yet. The ride is much better, but still needs some work. A lot more body roll, which I believe to be the soft and saggy RC springs. I got some input from a trusted jeep buddy and he said the ride difference is huge in smoothness, but it feels like we are on 35s not 31s. Night and day difference for ride smoothness itself, Jeep glides over some washboard spots now. A wavy spot in the road, expect to feel the body and maybe the entire Jeep movement to go with it. It is enough that he asked me if I hooked my sway bars back up. At this point so far I actually think the Jeep drove best with the HD gas shocks in the front and the Blackmax's in the rear. I think the gas shocks provides more resistance to the spring movement and the jeep felt more sure footed. I am definitely looking for some replacement fronts to see if that improves the handling and hoping to fix the sway. I haven't added my winch on the front until I rebuild it, but I expect that to cause more sag. Searching the 2.5" spring options now.
 
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Little more feedback.

@PRNDL and @imahnu may find this of interest.

I have driven the jeep to work several days, which is 30 miles mix of country roads and state hwy. Not had it on the Interstate big road yet. The ride is much better, but still needs some work. A lot more body roll, which I believe to be the soft and saggy RC springs. I got some input from a trusted jeep buddy and he said the ride difference is huge in smoothness, but it feels like we are on 35s not 31s. Night and day difference for ride smoothness itself, Jeep glides over some washboard spots now. A wavy spot in the road, expect to feel the body and maybe the entire Jeep movement to go with it. It is enough that he asked me if I hooked my sway bars back up. At this point so far I actually think the Jeep drove best with the HD gas shocks in the front and the Blackmax's in the rear. I think the gas shocks provides more resistance to the spring movement and the jeep felt more sure footed. I am definitely looking for some replacement fronts to see if that improves the handling and hoping to fix the sway. I haven't added my winch on the front until I rebuild it, but I expect that to cause more sag. Searching the 2.5" spring options now.

This is interesting. I'm still running the Rancho 55239 front shocks with the BM rears. I have a winch about to go an as well and wanted to see how the extra weight effected the ride before moving to the BMs up front too.

Re: springs, for reference I'm on the JKS 3" coils and they gave me a full 3" over stock.