Anybody Run Skyjacker Black Max Shocks?

[FultonD33]

Is anybody else running the Skyjacker Black Max shocks since it was last discussed on here? I have seen one here and there but not a whole lot. Planning on ordering the B8516 (0-3") for the front and B8518 for the rear (1-3"). My jeep has the 2.5" ROUGH Country lift on it (hate it, but it'll have to do until I can afford a Currie kit). Gonna be adding a Savvy BL to this as well, not that it affects shock choice. Any suggestions, comments, or interesting finds from those who run them or have run them?

 

[AndyG]

@Boogieman maybe?

 

[rasband]

There was a big thread on this not too long ago, but I think it was a more generic thread on shocks. I'll try to dig and share it if I remember after bed time for my littles.

 

[FultonD33]

There was a big thread on this not too long ago, but I think it was a more generic thread on shocks. I'll try to dig and share it if I remember after bed time for my littles.

I read a few of them, generic information with no conclusive results it seemed.

 

[FultonD33]

@Boogieman maybe?

What part of AL are you in? I'm in Tuscaloosa.

 

[Mike_H]

Watch them for quality. I've had to return my rears now because of "dead spots" in the damping. I do like the ride though. I have a relatively lightweight rig though.

 

[Wtrask]

Yes. Ride is decent. Quality not so much.

 

[FultonD33]

Watch them for quality. I've had to return my rears now because of "dead spots" in the damping. I do like the ride though. I have a relatively lightweight rig though.

This is the info I am looking for. I will watch the quality of them

 

[FultonD33]

Yes. Ride is decent. Quality not so much.

Paint wise? or Dampening wise?

 

[06lj]

I run them on the rear of my LJ. They are definitely smoother. I had tried the Rancho 9000's and 5000's. Neither were bad and are great in the front of my LJ. The rear, on the other hand, always felt like and old wagon. The Blackmax smoothed out the back both on and off road. Someday I might switch out the front shocks just to see the difference.

 

[Wtrask]

Paint wise? or Dampening wise?

The paint has held up thru a maine winter of salt and sand. Tho I’m suspecting I have developed a dead spot in my right rear shock. I haven’t thoroughly checked it out yet. I only have a couple thousand miles on them and over heard of this being a common issue. I sure they are just a rebranded Monroe shock made in China. I figure they are cheap enough I can just replace the bad one if need be.

 

[B34C0N]

I suspect they're close to the factory shocks. If you've spent reasonable effort to reduce weight of your jeep they'll be great.

But head skid, heavy bumper, heavy spare, it all adds up to a really squishy ride. Perfect for no top summer days. But since I put a heavier skid on and a heavier bumper, it's a bit too soft with the hard top. I still prefer them over the rancho

 

[AndyG]

What part of AL are you in? I'm in Tuscaloosa.

Just 15 minute south of Huntsville

Shout if ya get up this way

 

[FultonD33]

I run them on the rear of my LJ. They are definitely smoother. I had tried the Rancho 9000's and 5000's. Neither were bad and are great in the front of my LJ. The rear, on the other hand, always felt like and old wagon. The Blackmax smoothed out the back both on and off road. Someday I might switch out the front shocks just to see the difference.

Would love to hear the difference in the front on the Rancho VS Black Max!

 

[macleanflood]

I'm happy with mine. I have the ones for a 4" lift. No comparitive data... previous ones were completely shot.

Only thing I would complain about was installing the front bushings.

Might want to consider purchasing a hardware kit...new nuts and bolts...had a hard time sourcing the sizes and flange bolts locally.

-Mac

 

[Wtrask]

Would love to hear the difference in the front on the Rancho VS Black Max!

I didn’t notice much of a difference between the rancho 5000x and the Black Max which sucks because that’s where I was hoping to make a difference. I run a stubby bumper and a warn 9000 winch also.

 

[jordans05tj]

Go read @Irun thread about keeping it light and nimble, he runs them on his TJ on 31's.

 

[Irun]

I didn’t notice much of a difference between the rancho 5000x and the Black Max which sucks because that’s where I was hoping to make a difference. I run a stubby bumper and a warn 9000 winch also.

If you have a light rig, especially on a TJ, you're not going to see much difference. The Black Max shocks we're softest riding shock I could find and they are still to stiff for my liking. Having been through several after market shocks, there's no doubt in my mind that shocks make the ride. However, there comes a point where off-the-shelf shocks won't do the trick and you need ones that are custom tuned. In order to get the ride I want, I'm at that point with my TJ.

In contrast, I'm also running BM shocks on my LJ and the ride is night and day difference compared to gas charged shocks. Part of this is weight, but part is also the higher spring rate of the H&R springs on my TJ (The LJ runs ProComp 55298 and 55297 springs). After contacting H&R a couple times, I was told they will not tell you anything about spring numbers. Not even free length. The only thing H&R will tell you is that the springs are Progressive. If you look at them compared to stock, the heights are basically the same. In fact, the stock front springs are taller than the H&R springs.

Bottom line, all rigs would benefit from custom tuned shocks. If you're trying to build a lighter Jeep, this will become apparent quickly!

Front = .565" thick & 16 3/8" tall

Rear = .605" thick & 12 5/8" tall

Based on what I could find, here's how the free lengths compare:

Stock Front = 17"
H&R Front = 16 3/8"

Stock Rear = 11 3/4"
H&R Rear = 12 5/8"

 

[FultonD33]

If you have a light rig, especially on a TJ, you're not going to see much difference. The Black Max shocks we're softest riding shock I could find and they are still to stiff for my liking. Having been through several after market shocks, there's no doubt in my mind that shocks make the ride. However, there comes a point where off-the-shelf shocks won't do the trick and you need ones that are custom tuned. In order to get the ride I want, I'm at that point with my TJ.

In contrast, I'm also running BM shocks on my LJ and the ride is night and day difference compared to gas charged shocks. Part of this is weight, but part is also the higher spring rate of the H&R springs on my TJ (The LJ runs ProComp 55298 and 55297 springs). After contacting H&R a couple times, I was told they will not tell you anything about spring numbers. Not even free length. The only thing H&R will tell you is that the springs are Progressive. If you look at them compared to stock, the heights are basically the same. In fact, the stock front springs are taller than the H&R springs.

Bottom line, all rigs would benefit from custom tuned shocks. If you're trying to build a lighter Jeep, this will become apparent quickly!

Front = .565" thick & 16 3/8" tall

Rear = .605" thick & 12 5/8" tall

Based on what I could find, here's how the free lengths compare:

Stock Front = 17"
H&R Front = 16 3/8"

Stock Rear = 11 3/4"
H&R Rear = 12 5/8"

So they ride great on the LJ? That is what I have

 

[Irun]

So they ride great on the LJ? That is what I have

Overall, the ride is very good. However, I can't say the ride is great. This is because I'm running a hard top, full doors, and have some control arm bushings that are worn. Once I get those replaced, I'll have a better sense of the overall handling and ride characteristics. To be fair, I don't experience any negative ride issues associated with the shocks. FWIW, @MountaineerTom runs them on his LJ also. Maybe he can jump in to comment on his experiences with them.