Hey guys!
**A little back story**
Some months ago I decided to install some 31s, so I needed a suspension lift. I decided to run OME 2" Light Duty Springs (932 & 941). I had no idea how much actual lift I would get, but I was thinking close to 2" without the spacers. Because of how light my 4 cylinder TJ is I ended up with roughly 3" front lift and roughly 2.5" rear lift.
I was excited so I purchased Rancho RS5000X Shocks (RS55128 & RS55240) in the same day as the springs, and I didn't wait to see how much would the actual lift be. That means my shocks are short. Very short.
**
I have come into the conclusion that 3" is an awkward lift as far as shocks, but Ranchos RS5000x and Skyjacker Black Max are the 2 best/most suggested "budget" options so I made the following calculations.
FRONT SHOCK SELECTION
With my current 3" front lift, my shock at ride height measures at 18.75", so I have the following results:
REAR SHOCK SELECTION
With my current 2.5" rear lift, my shock at ride height measures at 18.20", so I have the following results:
Front Rancho RS5000x Shocks
Rancho RS55128 would be great* with around 1.30" lift.
Rancho RS55239 would be great with around 3.40" lift.
Rear Rancho RS5000x Shocks
Rancho RS55240 would be great* with around 0.80" lift.
Rancho RS55241 would be great with around 2.00" lift.
Front SkyJacker Shocks
SkyJacker Black Max B8516 would be great with around 2.16" lift.
SkyJacker Black Max B8525 would be great with around 3.66" lift.
Rear SkyJacker Shocks
SkyJacker Black Max B8518 would be great with around 2.62" lift.
WHAT SHOULD I CHOOSE?
Option #1 - Longer Ranchos
Option #2 - SkyJacker Black Max B8516 or B8525 & B8518
Option #3 - Ranchos Front & SkyJacker Rear
Option #4 - Your suggestions
**A little back story**
Some months ago I decided to install some 31s, so I needed a suspension lift. I decided to run OME 2" Light Duty Springs (932 & 941). I had no idea how much actual lift I would get, but I was thinking close to 2" without the spacers. Because of how light my 4 cylinder TJ is I ended up with roughly 3" front lift and roughly 2.5" rear lift.
I was excited so I purchased Rancho RS5000X Shocks (RS55128 & RS55240) in the same day as the springs, and I didn't wait to see how much would the actual lift be. That means my shocks are short. Very short.
**
I have come into the conclusion that 3" is an awkward lift as far as shocks, but Ranchos RS5000x and Skyjacker Black Max are the 2 best/most suggested "budget" options so I made the following calculations.
FRONT SHOCK SELECTION
With my current 3" front lift, my shock at ride height measures at 18.75", so I have the following results:
Shocks | Compressed | Travel | Extended | Up Travel | Down Travel | % Up Travel | % Down Travel |
Rancho RS55128 | 13.05" | 7.98" | 21.03" | 5.70" | 2.28" | 71.4% | 28.6% |
Rancho RS55239 | 14.43" | 9.41" | 23.84" | 4.32" | 5.09" | 45.9% | 54.1% |
SkyJacker Black Max B8516 | 13.52" | 8.78" | 22.30" | 5.23" | 3.55" | 59.6% | 40.4% |
SkyJacker Black Max B8525 | 14.52" | 9.78" | 24.30" | 4.23" | 5.55" | 43.3% | 56.7% |
REAR SHOCK SELECTION
With my current 2.5" rear lift, my shock at ride height measures at 18.20", so I have the following results:
Shocks | Compressed | Travel | Extended | Up Travel | Down Travel | % Up Travel | % Down Travel |
Rancho RS55240 | 12.94" | 7.19" | 20.13" | 5.26" | 1.93" | 73.2% | 26.8% |
Rancho RS55241 | 13.69" | 8" | 21.69" | 4.51" | 3.49" | 56.4% | 43.6% |
SkyJacker Black Max B8518 | 13.93" | 8.78" | 22.71" | 4.27" | 4.51" | 48.6% | 51.4% |
- The following are my calculation of the "perfect" lift of each shock based on my experience and the measurements in the TJ Shock & Spring Specification Resource Thread. (By perfect I mean a 50/50 ratio of Up Travel and Down Travel)
Front Rancho RS5000x Shocks
Rancho RS55128 would be great* with around 1.30" lift.
Rancho RS55239 would be great with around 3.40" lift.
Rear Rancho RS5000x Shocks
Rancho RS55240 would be great* with around 0.80" lift.
Rancho RS55241 would be great with around 2.00" lift.
Front SkyJacker Shocks
SkyJacker Black Max B8516 would be great with around 2.16" lift.
SkyJacker Black Max B8525 would be great with around 3.66" lift.
Rear SkyJacker Shocks
SkyJacker Black Max B8518 would be great with around 2.62" lift.
WHAT SHOULD I CHOOSE?
- As you can see, my current selection of Ranchos (RS55128 & RS55240) is bad. They give me an unbalanced relationship between Up Travel and Down Travel both in the front and in the rear end.
- I am running 31s, and If I ever run 33s it would most likely be by combining a Body lift with the existing Suspension lift.
Option #1 - Longer Ranchos
- If I choose RS55239 my ratio would be better. It would be closer to 50/50 if I use a 10mm OME spacer (0.4" spacer). That would move me close to 3.5" front lift, which seems a bit excessive with only 31s, but also vibes problems would be worse.
- If I choose RS55240, my springs would still sit a bit higher that the lift but I cannot do anything about that! (adding weight in the rear is not an option)
Option #2 - SkyJacker Black Max B8516 or B8525 & B8518
- This options has not a clear choice for the front end. I am leaning more towards B8525 than B8516, but same as above. 3.5" lift seems a bit excessive.
- The rear B8518 seems like the better choice for the rear.
Option #3 - Ranchos Front & SkyJacker Rear
- I don't really feel great about combining shocks.
Option #4 - Your suggestions
- Do you have any other ideas to suggest??