Shock Comparison: Rancho RS5000X vs Skyjacker Black Max vs KYB Monotube

[TJim]

So, I think I am going to go just with the longer Ranchos. Skyjacker BlackMax availability is not great in my area, and KYB MonoMax are not a good fit for my ride height, so that leave Ranchos as the only choice for my budget/use. Unless anyone has any other alternative to suggest. I will pull the trigger tomorrow.

Thanks everyone for documenting their experience with those shocks. I bet it will be useful for many members.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

If I do anything, I might use KYB's up front and Skyjackers in the back. The KYB compressed is almost exactly the same as the Rancho, but I'd have to add more bump in the rear, while SJ is either too short or too long in front and would be better in the rear.

 

[Irun]

Is the length of the front shock measured from the bar pin centerline to the top of the can where the bushing washer sits?

Yes.

 

[Irun]

There isn't much out there that really fits a 3" lift. I've been looking, and looking, and looking, lol

Yep, it's the red headed step child of lifts. I've been using that description way too much lately, lol!

This was exactly my experience. I literally spent hours researching shock options, including bar pin eliminator combinations. What I discovered was building a capable Jeep, with maximum shock travel, is very difficult in the 2 - 3 inch lift range. Much more difficult than when you hit the 4+ range. This is due to limited shock choices, because the springs put ride height lower. It's obvious once you try to do, but not so much when you start down this path. Overall, it was a very good learning experience!

 

[Billy06]

If I do anything, I might use KYB's up front and Skyjackers in the back. The KYB compressed is almost exactly the same as the Rancho, but I'd have to add more bump in the rear, while SJ is either too short or too long in front and would be better in the rear.

This is basically what I've done. KYB's in the front and Rancho in the rear. I have a pair of Shyjacker's ordered to try on the rear that should be here any day. Pretty happy for the time being with the current setup though.

 

[Mike_H]

Installed longer springs this weekend. No real difference. I'm using about 2" of travel up front and about an inch and a half in the rear, according to zip ties. I only have about a hundred miles on them, so I'll give em another half tank of fuel to break in... They are better than the Ranchos. Pretty stiff in compression though.

Also, the new springs make my tires look small...I wonder what I should do about that?

Also, @Irun or @MountaineerTom, how are those black max shocks working out? Got any travel reports?

 

[SSTJ]

Installed longer springs this weekend. No real difference. I'm using about 2" of travel up front and about an inch and a half in the rear, according to zip ties. I only have about a hundred miles on them, so I'll give em another half tank of fuel to break in... They are better than the Ranchos. Pretty stiff in compression though.

Also, the new springs make my tires look small...I wonder what I should do about that?


Also, @Irun or @MountaineerTom, how are those black max shocks working out? Got any travel reports?

Thanks for this update. Although you may have said it in an earlier post, could you remind us what you were hoping for, so that we know what you mean when you say you like them better than Ranchos, even though they are still pretty stiff in compression?

And yes, I'm eager to hear more about the Black Max results.

 

[Mike_H]

Thanks for this update. Although you may have said it in an earlier post, could you remind us what you were hoping for, so that we know what you mean when you say you like them better than Ranchos, even though they are still pretty stiff in compression?

And yes, I'm eager to hear more about the Black Max results.

It is above, but basically, the ride is still rough, but the KYBs have much more control than the ranchos. With the ranchos, the rear end felt like it had a mind of it's own. It was disconcerting, plus they were stiff and didn't handle that well. The Jeep felt unstable in corners, esp a decreasing radius curve. That is all fixed with the KYBs. They handle well, the rear feels planted, it's doing what I expect it to do. They don't absorb bigger bumps though, but they are stiff in a different way than bilsteins are stiff. They aren't jittery... But they lift the body on bumps. They don't react quickly enough when the payment raises, so the whole Jeep lifts up.
I think that means the high speed compression is more stiff than I like, but I'm still a newb at this stuff. Again, I'm hoping they loosen up with a few more miles on them. I don't know how reasonable an expectation that is though.

 

[MountaineerTom]

Installed longer springs this weekend. No real difference. I'm using about 2" of travel up front and about an inch and a half in the rear, according to zip ties. I only have about a hundred miles on them, so I'll give em another half tank of fuel to break in... They are better than the Ranchos. Pretty stiff in compression though.

Also, the new springs make my tires look small...I wonder what I should do about that?View attachment 257680


Also, @Irun or @MountaineerTom, how are those black max shocks working out? Got any travel reports?

I'm still liking them but I've still only driven with them on road though. But, Wednesday I'm taking the Jeep to the trails at Uwharrie National Forest, so I'll get to see how well they do there.

 

[bobthetj03]

Do you think this is a common denominator with a monotbue shock?

 

[hosejockey61]

Just to add my two cents on the Ranchos, I really can't see where everyone was raging about them. They are somewhat equivilent to my 10 year old Bilsteins, but a little squishier. I'm not a fan of running can down either. I put less than 10 miles on them and I put my Bilsteins back on until I outboard here soon. Two thumbs down from me and they will be for sale shortly.

 

[Mike_H]

Do you think this is a common denominator with a monotbue shock?

Not sure who you're asking this question to, buddy.

 

[Mike_H]

One other thing I noticed with the KYB monomax, when I was checking bumpstop, and jacking the axle up, the whole Jeep would lift momentarily until the body would press down on the shock. That was weird...

 

[TheBoogieman]

And the end result on the comparison is SOS! Everybody has a different opinion and nobody agrees on anything. Different strokes for different folks.
p.s. I'm glad my discontinued Zone hydro shocks still work perfectly after 4 years. I have the Rancho ones for back up.

 

[Irun]

Installed longer springs this weekend. No real difference. I'm using about 2" of travel up front and about an inch and a half in the rear, according to zip ties. I only have about a hundred miles on them, so I'll give em another half tank of fuel to break in... They are better than the Ranchos. Pretty stiff in compression though.

Also, the new springs make my tires look small...I wonder what I should do about that?View attachment 257680


Also, @Irun or @MountaineerTom, how are those black max shocks working out? Got any travel reports?

I'm waiting on new driveshafts, after the TT, and can't really put any miles on the new shocks yet. However, a buddy of mine ended up installing a set after he saw mine. He's running a TJ on a 2" suspension lift, 1" BL, and a 32" tire. He drives mainly back roads and is what I'd call a spirited driver. I warned him that these were on the soft side, but he bought anyway, based on price and available lengths.

He called me this weekend and said, overall, he's happy with the shocks. He has family that lives on a dirt road, which typically includes "washboard" sections. According to him, the shocks absorbed those easily and made the ride significantly smoother and more controlled than before. He did say that when he pushes the Jeep into curves, on the asphalt, he notices the shock softness, but it's something he's aware off, and can live with. FWIW, he's coming from a worn out set of Rubicon Express (monotube) shocks.

 

[Mike_H]

And the end result on the comparison is SOS! Everybody has a different opinion and nobody agrees on anything. Different strokes for different folks.
p.s. I'm glad my discontinued Zone hydro shocks still work perfectly after 4 years. I have the Rancho ones for back up.

So, We shouldn't discuss this? These kinds of discussion are the point of a forum, IMHO.

 

[jjvw]

So, We shouldn't discuss this? These kinds of discussion are the point of a forum, IMHO.

Not allowed!

 

[freedom_in_4low]

I'm LOVING the way my LJ is riding with the Ranchos right now.

Also, I have 500+ pounds of automotive fluids, solvents and aerosols, jeep parts, guns and ammo that I'm hauling to Oklahoma in advance of our move next week. Wish they rode like this at my normal weight.

 

[B34C0N]

I'm LOVING the way my LJ is riding with the Ranchos right now.

Also, I have 500+ pounds of automotive fluids, solvents and aerosols, jeep parts, guns and ammo that I'm hauling to Oklahoma in advance of our move next week. Wish they rode like this at my normal weight.

View attachment 257769

I have really noticed that as it's getting warmer. With the hard top off and the doors off.(plus also removing a few hundred pounds of armor) the ride on the ranchos is just jarring

 

[Mike_H]

I emailed KYB customer service yesterday about the stiffness of the shocks... I've copied and pasted my email and response, below:


Hello,

I recently installed a set of KYB Monomax shocks on my 2004 Jeep Wrangler. I used the 565096 / 565097 combo because I have a 4" lift. My concern is that they ride VERY stiff. I'm not getting very much compression out of the shock at all. I have placed a zip tie on the shock shaft, and for normal driving, I'm using 2" of shock travel or less. I do not have very many miles on them yet (less than 150), and I know shocks have a "break-in" period. So, I'm wondering if I need to put more miles on them, if they might be defective, or if they are simply too stiff? One other thing to note, When I jack the vehicle up, the body will lift with each stroke of the jack. It quickly settles back down, like it takes a while for the shock to adjust. I want to like these shocks, but if they aren't defective and they do, in fact, ride this stiff, I'm afraid I'll have to return them.

Thanks for your help

Mike


Hi Mike,



From your description, it sounds like the shocks are working as designed. MonoMax units are high performance shocks that are designed to work well when loaded down or off roading a lifted vehicle. If you are judging the shocks with no load in the vehicle and mostly on commuter type roads, they will feel firm.



They may need to settle on the vehicle: you can raise the vehicle off the ground, loosen the upper mounting points a little bit (do not fully remove), then set the vehicle fully on the ground and tighten them back up to OEM spec. This will help the shocks settle on the vehicle and may or may not soften the ride, but aside from that, shocks don’t typically break-in and get softer unless they are wearing out. It is unlikely the units you have are defective.



Regards,

Technical Support

KYB Americas Corporation

[email protected]

I have started the return process, based on this response. Next up on the list is the black max! It's for science....