Can OP update the original post if any new information as been gleaned? Or maybe it has?
I dont have 16 pages in me. Lol.
I dont have 16 pages in me. Lol.
Shock Comparison: Rancho RS5000X vs Skyjacker Black Max vs KYB Monotube
- Thread starter TJim
- Start date
Just ordered the black max's to replace some rancho 5000x's (because i recently dented the rancho can). Man is it hard to find good lengths for a 3" lift. the black max's were the closest I could get; and I like that the can is up. Excited to hear everyone is starting to like them!
This is what drove me to them in the first place. Finding shocks in the 4 - 6 inch range was easy. Finding them in the 2 - 3 inch range, with the amount of travel and ride height I needed, was surprisingly difficult!
Th last time I had it weighed I came in at a little over 3700 lbs. The big weight additions for me were the 241OR, Dana 44, and the winch. By the time I'm done I expect to be a little over 3800.
My Rubicon has been dieting, wish the wife took the hints. Irun you're giving me mixed signals on the shocks. Good or bad on the street? Offroad?
p.s. I don't read all of your posts, so I might have missed a ton of crap.
p.s. I don't read all of your posts, so I might have missed a ton of crap.
PLEASE post another review after a month. First impressions are misleading. I had RC shocks on my 5.5" lifted XJ, rode like shit. Switched to Rancho RS5000X and it was great until I got used to a bad ride. I think shocks are like brakes and everyone just adjusts and thinks better than "NOTHING" is great.
No mixed signals here. My experience thus far is that they are a very good shock for the money. I haven't taken them off-road yet, but since my style is slow and steady, I don't expect anything strange there. I mentioned this in a previous post, where one of my good friends bought a set after me. He is a "spirited" driver and tells me he's very happy with them. Of course, I'm still in the honeymoon phase with the shocks, so there is that!
I still don't like my Rancho RS9000xl shocks lol.
I’m running the RC N3 shock on my rig and I’m happy… but I haven’t tried any of the others!
Huh, opened my black max's this morning, they... don't expand, or do anything of any sort. Almost like steering stabilizer's.
In fact, exactly like a steering stabilizer.
I'm assuming this isn't normal. Did any one else have a similar experience?
In fact, exactly like a steering stabilizer.
I'm assuming this isn't normal. Did any one else have a similar experience?
Tangerined
TJ Enthusiast
It is normal as they are not a gas charged shock.
Huh. I'd have thought there would've been a little resistance. Thanks for the reply!
Tangerined
TJ Enthusiast
No problem! In a gas charged shock, it is pressurized with nitrogen, that pressure is what causes it to expand. A hydro shock like the black max doesn't have that pressure inside.
This takes a little getting used to, but, as said, it is 100% normal. Keep an eye on the shafts after you install the shocks. I had a tiny bit of oil on one of my rears. However, it was a one time thing and never returned. After about 500+ miles, I've become a big fan of these shocks, at least on my lighter rig. They have a very compliant, but not overly soft ride. With other gas charged shocks I've run, I got a lot of negative feedback. I've noticed none of that with these.
We'll definitely be curious on what your take on them will be. It looks like your Jeep is a little heavier than mine, so it will be interesting to see if that impacts the shock performance negatively.
jesseshoots
TJ Enthusiast
These shocks have really surprised me. I bought them initially because they were the only one that had the lengths I needed. Frankly, my expectations were low, especially given the price tag. I typically don't recommend stuff like this to other people I know, because shocks are like tires, highly subjective. However two of my buddies are now also running them and their feedback is positive as well.
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jesseshoots
TJ Enthusiast
Just placed my order. Got the B8525 (9.8" travel) fronts and B8563 (11.1" travel) rears.
A little too stiff-riding for me even on the #1 setting. The ride isn't bad all, just seems like it's valved for a slightly heavier vehicle.
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