Another Rancho RS5000X "issues" thread

[matkal]

Ordered a set of RS5000X's and while I was getting them ready for paint prep I noticed a few issues:

First one being one of the rear shocks had some pretty prominent burrs where the ends are welded on the tubes. Got a couple very minor cuts on my fingers.

Front shocks:
"A" seems to be good; firm compression and steady rebound. Not slow or fast compared to the other three.
"B" Wouldn't rebound all the way. Checking a couple threads, I tried twisting the shaft and I found a sweet spot that allows full rebound. Similar compression and rebound as the other front shock.

Rear shocks:

"C" Easy (too easy?) compression and slow (slower that "D") rebound but seemingly faster than "A".
"D" Firm compression (similar to "A") and (too?) fast rebound. This one has the burrs.

So I'm going to call the front shocks good. Should I though, with the "fixed" rebound issue on "B"?
The rear shocks, I'm not sure what to do; the burrs I can grind as I plan on painting them anyway. But the compression and rebound are definitely imbalanced. Should I send them both back?
I realize that a butt dino is not all that accurate but you would think the comp and rebound should be close from one shock to another.

 

[AndyA]

Before making a final decision fully cycle them multiple times in the same orientation as they will be installed. They may stiffen up.

Andy

 

[matkal]

Before making a final decision fully cycle them multiple times in the same orientation as they will be installed. They may stiffen up.

Andy

I’ll try that, thank you.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

X2 they need to be positioned vertically long enough for the hydraulic fluid to go where it needs to be. Yes I know they're gas charged.

 

[707kevin]

X2 they need to be positioned vertically long enough for the hydraulic fluid to go where it needs to be. Yes I know they're gas charged.

Which is exactly why orientation and full cycles matter.

 

[06TJ35's]

From what I seen from Rancho they have poor quality control. Number one most warrantied company from my experience.

 

[matkal]

Rear shocks:

"C" Easy (too easy?) compression and slow (slower that "D") rebound but seemingly faster than "A".
"D" Firm compression (similar to "A") and (too?) fast rebound. This one has the burrs.



I cycled them both ten times and "C" I did about 15 times, no change. They where vertical for at least 6 hours as of yesterday afternoon, I''ll try again today.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

From what I seen from Rancho they have poor quality control. Number one most warrantied company from my experience.

I've had several sets of Ranchos over the years, no problems. I too thought at first my previous RS5000x shocks were bad but Rancho explained they are stored and shipped horizontally so the hydraulic fluid moves around so it can't work properly. With a little time and use in the vertical position they started working as well as I had hoped they would.

 

[DougyintheBushies]

I wasn’t happy with the consistency of my Ranchos while cycling them new.
I’m still not happy with the feel of them on road.
I’m thinking of trying skyjackets black max.

 

[Mike_H]

All bolt on shocks for a TJ are pretty much garbage. The trick is finding what garbage you can live with and don't mind replacing every couple of years.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

All bolt on shocks for a TJ are pretty much garbage.

Not in my experience.

 

[matkal]

I’d settle for them both being, at the very least, close to each other damping wise.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

mine seemed fine new...at least all 4 seemed to behave about the same way when compressed by hand and released.

I just disconnected my rear shocks to install new springs and the passenger doesn't extend on it's own at all, and the driver kinda does it sometimes, and not nearly with as much gusto as it did when new.

I guess that means they're blown/worn out? Only about 20k or less on them. I have more ride height now and only 3.7" of downtravel so I was thinking bar pin eliminators to center them back up. But I might just try out some black maxes instead...they have a length that will work without BPE's.

 

[DougyintheBushies]

mine seemed fine new...at least all 4 seemed to behave about the same way when compressed by hand and released.

I just disconnected my rear shocks to install new springs and the passenger doesn't extend on it's own at all, and the driver kinda does it sometimes, and not nearly with as much gusto as it did when new.

I guess that means they're blown/worn out? Only about 20k or less on them. I have more ride height now and only 3.7" of downtravel so I was thinking bar pin eliminators to center them back up. But I might just try out some black maxes instead...they have a length that will work without BPE's.

Also they can be ran can up, if I'm remembering correctly.

 

[SSTJ]

Is this what you're describing for the rear shock?

 

[bluescapegoat]

I'm on my second set of 9000XLs... same stuff, welds aren't pretty but seem to hold. Lots of spatter. Paint is notoriously awful, they NEED painted. Varying stiffness as others have noted out of the box but they should even out once you run them a bit. I think every one of the last set I got had dents in the body, but not enough to cause any harm.

My last set lasted about 7 years before they started puking their guts. This set just needs to last me until I outboard. I do like how they ride, on the softest setting.

 

[Lou]

Not in my experience.

*limited experience.


These shocks are garbage, of course if you don’t know any better they probably seem great..

 

[Jerry Bransford]

*limited experience.

These shocks are garbage, of course if you don’t know any better they probably seem great..

I installed my first Rancho shocks in the late 70's.

 

[Mike_H]

I installed my first Rancho shocks in the late 70's.

And, if you’ve only ever run ranchos, you don’t know any better, do you? That is considered “limited experience”

 

[Jerry Bransford]

And, if you’ve only ever run ranchos, you don’t know any better, do you? You also have limited experience.

WTF! No Rancho is NOT even close to the only brand I've ever run in my 60 years of driving! KYB, Koni, Doetsch Tech, Rancho, OME, Monroe, Gabriel, (plus a couple rebranded unknowns like the monotubes from Rubicon Express) are just the ones I can remember. WTF, are you just wanting to argue for arguments sake??!!!!