Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator

Another Rancho RS5000X "issues" thread

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

assume you're talking about the OP but I have one shock that acts like your rear shock #2 and I have another that just sits there and doesn't extend at all without me pulling on it.

Again, not new, but about 15-20k miles in a little under 4 years.
 
assume you're talking about the OP but I have one shock that acts like your rear shock #2 and I have another that just sits there and doesn't extend at all without me pulling on it.

Again, not new, but about 15-20k miles in a little under 4 years.

Yes, was asking the OP.

That's discouraging to hear after such a short life. I may remove mine soon and see if they're still behaving like they did in that video.
 
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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??!!!!

Seems like arguing is the norm around the forums today...I may need to take a break from all the negativity lol.
 
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??!!!!

I dunno…I just see you regurgitate rancho shocks in every thread about shocks anywhere…so I just assumed that’s all you knew.
 
Is this what you're describing for the rear shock?

One of my front shocks behaved similarly to shock #2 in the video. I twisted till it started moving and found a sweet spot and it seems good.
Your #1 shock is similar in compression to one of my rear shocks, seems too easy to me as compared with the front shocks.
 
One of my front shocks behaved similarly to shock #2 in the video. I twisted till it started moving and found a sweet spot and it seems good.
Your #1 shock is similar in compression to one of my rear shocks, seems too easy to me as compared with the front shocks.

Interesting. Yes, I guess that with front shocks you can find and keep a "sweet spot", but with rear shocks the orientation/twist is going to be determined by the mounting pins.

I have been running them for a while, but don't know enough about how they should feel to know if that one shock is performing correctly. I may remove them soon and see how they behave after these few thousand miles of use.
 
I am happy with the sets of Rancho shocks i have used both 5000 and 9000 series. I have only used them on pickups so cant speak about how they would work on smaller vehicles.
 
My understanding is that Bilstiens have a much stiffer ride. I think they're geared more towards trucks to help with loads.🤷

To take it a step further, what I've heard of their behavior on TJs is that they probably control large events better than the Ranchos, but are very harsh in small events, which is a characteristic I find intolerable.
 
Glad I asked then and that explains why I am so happy with them on my 1 ton. (Bilstein). I have the Rancho RS5000X on my Amazon wish list and I'll probably go with them unless something better comes up. Mostly pavement and washboard dirt.
 
Glad I asked then and that explains why I am so happy with them on my 1 ton. (Bilstein). I have the Rancho RS5000X on my Amazon wish list and I'll probably go with them unless something better comes up. Mostly pavement and washboard dirt.

they seem to be popular in Toyota circles as well, which I don't fully understand because a 4th gen 4runner isn't that much heavier than an LJ, and a 5th gen is within the realm of a lot of more armored TJs and LJs. Maybe Toyota drivers just don't know any better.

I will say our 5th gen, with a curb weight around 4600lb, rolls and dives like a 30 year old Buick compared to my LJ on Ranchos. It's disgusting but I've been putting off upgrading it due to not being able to decide what to get.
 
Most of the people on the 5th gen Ram forum will usually suggest the 5100's unless you're doing more serious off-road than forest roads, then they usually go with fox or the 6100's from what I've found.
 
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Not in my experience.

Other than Rancho, what is your recommendation for a TJ? Aware that you have run all these other shocks on other vehicles, but I am specifically asking for a TJ. I know you have had the old OME Nitrochargers that have not been available in that config for a VERY long time. I am curious what else (if any) you have tried on your Jeeps.
 
Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator