Ok, time for lets argue about your favorite shocks

Don’t cut holes in your tub (I think that is what you mean). I have removed these nuts from three frames now and while it is a pain, it’s definitely doable without having to cut access holes. Use a dremel or straight die grinder with a cutting disc to remove as much of the weld from the nut as you can (you won’t be able to get all of it). Then start hitting the nut from different angles with a long straight punch. Then hit it from the bottom up with a punch. Go back and forth until the welds finally yield. It will probably take 10-30 minutes per nut.
Thanks for the tip. I started today and broke off the first rear upper bolt I tried to remove. Even after soaking in liquid wrench for a few days. Did you have to drop the gas tank for this?
 
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Don’t cut holes in your tub (I think that is what you mean). I have removed these nuts from three frames now and while it is a pain, it’s definitely doable without having to cut access holes. Use a dremel or straight die grinder with a cutting disc to remove as much of the weld from the nut as you can (you won’t be able to get all of it). Then start hitting the nut from different angles with a long straight punch. Then hit it from the bottom up with a punch. Go back and forth until the welds finally yield. It will probably take 10-30 minutes per nut.
did you remove the gas tank???
 
I'm really going to be disappointed if they don't ride better than these ( I'm guessing) old RC grey shocks the P.O. installed.

I removed a set of RC Nitro N3's that had under 10k miles on them. Are the Rancho's better? I'd say marginally. They aren't in my top three favorite mods, that's for sure. (Seat risers, B&M Short Shifter and the mirror mod take the honors)
 
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I removed a set of RC Nitro N3's that had under 10k miles on them. Are the Rancho's better? I'd say marginally. They aren't in my top three favorite mods, that's for sure. (Seat risers, B&M Short Shifter and the mirror mod take the honors)
I just looked up the stamped #s on my shock and they are also N3 RC.
 
I got my Ranchos in and one front is noticeably easier to collapse. At first I could collapse and it would not rebound. I cycled it 6-7 times and it come up now but still easier and slower than the other front. I stood them up and tomorrow I’ll cycle them some more.
Will this shock e ok?Is it normal for them to be different in the ease of collapsing them? Or should I send it back? I plan to paint them but they won’t refund me a black rancho.

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Someone who I trust with shock assessments has said they are surprisingly not terrible for a bolt on shock. I wish more would try them, along with the KYB silver bodied shocks.
The silver ones are only offered in stock lengths and the monomax is limited too. I tried monomax, they were better than the ranchos on my rig, but still pretty stiff. Then again... I'm the weirdo that doesn't like ranchos...
 
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Ok, so didn’t read all, but up front a lot of votes for Rancho, and some others…but then saw people start to qualifying on vs off road. I both daily drive and off road my Jeep, although mostly daily drive. Would adjustable shocks be nice, allowing me to set for daily on road use when daily driving, but adjust for off-road when going wheelin?

I’ve gone through a lot of different shocks but my favorite for handling (not ride) were the 4.5 in RE ones, they were stiff, but seemed to prevent a lot of body roll as I’m currently on dual rate 3 (or 3.5) in jks springs, and they are soft and ride nice, but lots of body roll even with sway bar attached. Not sure though how much the shock also impacts body roll (if at all…assume some, but defer to those with experience).

Thanks!
 
how much the shock also impacts body roll (if at all…assume some, but defer to those with experience).
No experience here. Shocks can change roll when you whip the wheel but if you do a one two count on an on-ramp to the mall or sweeping turn the shocks aren't doing anything for roll. Rancho shocks are soft, that's why people like and, don't like them in my opinion. I run them in the rear. I've taken them off twice to see if they were blown, nope, just weak as always.
 
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No experience here. Shocks can change roll when you whip the wheel but if you do a one two count on an on-ramp to the mall or sweeping turn the shocks aren't doing anything for roll. Rancho shocks are soft, that's why people like and, don't like them in my opinion. I run them in the rear. I've taken them off twice to see if they were blown, nope, just weak as always.
That was kind of my thought, that if you whip it, they can play a roll, but in general driving you aren’t shifting weight fast enough for the shocks to play significantly.
 
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I have been both pleasantly surprised and then astounded at the shit performance from those. I have no idea how they did it, but I drove a set a fair bit on a TJ Unlimited. Take off from a stop and it would lean over so much it was scary. Do a left turn with enthusiasm from a stop and it was terrifying. Go down the road a bit and it was bone jarring harsh on small events like 1-2" deep sections where the pavement got popped out. Just a miserable set of shocks.
Its funny, a while back I was talking to a fox engineer about this kinda stuff, and I off handedly said something like "the IFP's for the JL's are pretty nice, but the tune on the TJ leaves a lot to be desired..." He responded (sarcastically) "How dare you!" ...Fox knows the tune on the older jeeps is shit. Ride is always a preference, but I like the way the JL Fox IFPs ride. For a few months I even fitted Fox JL front shocks to my Tj and enjoyed them a lot. At speed, they can't hold a candle to the larger 2.5's and even 3.0 IBP, but the TJ probably isn't heavy enough to take full advantage of the larger pistons.
 
Ok, so didn’t read all, but up front a lot of votes for Rancho, and some others…but then saw people start to qualifying on vs off road. I both daily drive and off road my Jeep, although mostly daily drive. Would adjustable shocks be nice, allowing me to set for daily on road use when daily driving, but adjust for off-road when going wheelin?

I’ve gone through a lot of different shocks but my favorite for handling (not ride) were the 4.5 in RE ones, they were stiff, but seemed to prevent a lot of body roll as I’m currently on dual rate 3 (or 3.5) in jks springs, and they are soft and ride nice, but lots of body roll even with sway bar attached. Not sure though how much the shock also impacts body roll (if at all…assume some, but defer to those with experience).

Thanks!
Shocks can have a significant affect on body roll. Remember, body roll is moving the shocks. And the shocks are controlling that movement. Even on an on-ramp.