Installed Rancho 5000X shocks

[BendLarry]

Today I installed the Rancho 5000X shocks on my 2006 Rubicon with load range E tires with 25 psi. I removed OME Nitro shocks.
My objective was to improve my very harsh ride which is either a shock or tire issue or both.

I have only driven around the block and I do see an improvement. Not as much as I had hoped but later today I will take it down a road I travel every day which has some teeth jarring ripples in the asphalt.
I will update this thread after that short drive.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Load Range E tires are just not a good choice for a vehicle as light as a TJ is when compared to heavier trucks they were designed for.

 

[Rob5589]

They will settle in a bit after some use.

 

[bobthetj03]

Did you buy the shocks for your current lift height, or for your lower lift height you want to end up with?

 

[BendLarry]

Did you buy the shocks for your current lift height, or for your lower lift height you want to end up with?

Oh don’t over complicate things [emoji6] I bought the shocks for my current lift and when the day comes I lower the beast I will buy them again. They are pretty cheap. I didn’t want to ruin these shocks in Moab next month because they were too short. I see you are still paying attention [emoji106][emoji4]


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[bobthetj03]

Oh don’t over complicate things [emoji6] I bought the shocks for my current lift and when the day comes I lower the beast I will buy them again. They are pretty cheap. I didn’t want to ruin these shocks in Moab next month because they were too short. I see you are still paying attention [emoji106][emoji4]


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Just looking out for you brah! I really do care.

 

[BendLarry]

Okay took the drive over the rough road I drive every day. I would say that I’m glad I replaced the shocks, there is a definite improvement. My Jeep still has a rougher ride than any other Jeep I have driven. The only solution is to replace the Load range E tires with some load range C tires. I have the stock 16 inch Moab wheels so there really isn’t any 33 inch tire options available. For now, these shocks have bought me some time.


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[bobthetj03]

Those shocks will soften up a wee bit after you put a few hundred miles on them. Glad you got some improvement from them. I'm pretty happy with mine.

 

[BendLarry]

Those shocks will soften up a wee bit after you put a few hundred miles on them. Glad you got some improvement from them. I'm pretty happy with mine.

Hey I have a question for you. This is the first time I have replaced shocks on a Jeep. As I’m sure you know you have to remove the air box to be able to get to the top nut on the passenger side shock. Here’s my question... am I the only guy to let those air box nuts fall down into the abyss? 2 of the 3 fell down into some little places that no mans fingers would ever find them. I expected those damn nuts to be captive but to my surprise, I heard that awful tinkle of bad Things happening. I did finally find them, but would have loved to kick the design engineers in their special place !


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[Chris]

Yep, I've got the same setup as you with the stock Moab wheels, 33" tires (285s) that are Load E, and the Rancho RS5000X shocks. I wish they made a 285 Duratrac in a load C for 16" wheels, but sadly they don't. I could get 15" wheels, but I don't want to do that because all of them have such extreme backspacing that I'll be forced to go with a wheel that sticks further out than the fender flares. Not to mention I'm not a fan of 12.5" wide tires.

 

[BendLarry]

Yep, I've got the same setup as you with the stock Moab wheels, 33" tires (285s) that are Load E, and the Rancho RS5000X shocks. I wish they made a 285 Duratrac in a load C for 16" wheels, but sadly they don't. I could get 15" wheels, but I don't want to do that because all of them have such extreme backspacing that I'll be forced to go with a wheel that sticks further out than the fender flares. Not to mention I'm not a fan of 12.5" wide tires.

I like the wider stance that wider wheels offer, especially on my Jeep with a higher center of gravity.


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[Rob5589]

Yep, I've got the same setup as you with the stock Moab wheels, 33" tires (285s) that are Load E, and the Rancho RS5000X shocks. I wish they made a 285 Duratrac in a load C for 16" wheels, but sadly they don't. I could get 15" wheels, but I don't want to do that because all of them have such extreme backspacing that I'll be forced to go with a wheel that sticks further out than the fender flares. Not to mention I'm not a fan of 12.5" wide tires.

Hey tire manufacturers, 3/4 and one ton trucks aren't the only vehicles running 16" wheels any longer!

 

[Chris]

Hey tire manufacturers, 3/4 and one ton trucks aren't the only vehicles running 16" wheels any longer!

I wish they would make more tires for 16s. They have a lot, but they’re almost all load E. Ugh... I really dig the Moab wheels.

 

[BendLarry]

I wish they would make more tires for 16s. They have a lot, but they’re almost all load E. Ugh... I really dig the Moab wheels.

I completely agree!


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[glwood]

Hey I have a question for you. This is the first time I have replaced shocks on a Jeep. As I’m sure you know you have to remove the air box to be able to get to the top nut on the passenger side shock. Here’s my question... am I the only guy to let those air box nuts fall down into the abyss? 2 of the 3 fell down into some little places that no mans fingers would ever find them. I expected those damn nuts to be captive but to my surprise, I heard that awful tinkle of bad Things happening. I did finally find them, but would have loved to kick the design engineers in their special place !


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Hmm...I've replaced TJ shocks quite a few times, and never removed the air box...who knew? Didn't even cross my mind...

 

[Chris]

Hmm...I've replaced TJ shocks quite a few times, and never removed the air box...who knew? Didn't even cross my mind...

I never removed my airbox either. I just used a box-end ratcheting wrench to remove the top nut on the passenger side.

 

[glwood]

I never removed my airbox either. I just used a box-end ratcheting wrench to remove the top nut on the passenger side.

X2.

 

[BendLarry]

Hmm...I've replaced TJ shocks quite a few times, and never removed the air box...who knew? Didn't even cross my mind...

Ya I realized I could have gotten to the top nut without removing the air box after I removed it, but after removing the driver side from the top I was programmed to do the same on the passenger side [emoji38]


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[BendLarry]

I was using an air ratchet so i was committed [emoji846]


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[CodaMan]

Hmm...I've replaced TJ shocks quite a few times, and never removed the air box...who knew? Didn't even cross my mind...

I've never removed the air box either.