Doetsch Shocks?

[Blanquito]

My 1999 TJ came with a 2" spacer lift from Rocky Road Outfitters. It looks like the PO kept the factory shocks with no bar pin eliminators. I am ready to upgrade the shocks and called Rocky Road to see what they suggest. I know bump stops are a BIG topic of discussion everywhere. However, the guy I spoke with at Rocky Road said I don't need bump stop extensions with the 2" spacer lift, I just need longer shocks if I wanted to get full articulation. He recommended the longer shocks rather than bar Pin Eliminators. So, they have Doetsch shocks made for a 2" lift which he said are a lighter valving for our TJ's. Anyone have advice/opinions about Doetsch shocks and what he is telling me?
Thanks,
Chris
Rocky Road Web Page

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I ran Doetsch DT-3000 shocks years ago and they were nothing to write home about. Not to mention they made a constant squish-squish sound on the trail.

Go for a set of Rancho's gas-charged RS5000x (not the older hydraulic RS5000!!) shocks, you won't be disappointed with their ride. They're a fairly inexpensive shock too.

 

[MutantNinjaTJ]

Rancho RS5000X, RS55239 for the fronts and RS55241 for the rears, but they run a bit long, it would be better if you had 3" under it.

 

[BuildBreakRepeat]

Are you running larger than stock tires? If so you do need bump stop extensions. And anytime you add a longer shock you have to add bumpstop to protect them.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Rancho RS5000X, RS55239 for the fronts and RS55241 for the rears, but they run a bit long, it would be better if you had 3" under it.

True and for that reason I'd go for their 0-2" model.

 

[Blanquito]

Are you running larger than stock tires? If so you do need bump stop extensions. And anytime you add a longer shock you have to add bumpstop to protect them.

Hi,
I'm running 31" tires. So even with the highly suggested Rancho shocks "made" for a 2" lift you think I would need bump stop extensions? Is it because the shock will bottom out before the axle hits the stock bump stop possibly damaging the shock?
Thanks

 

[BuildBreakRepeat]

Hi,
I'm running 31" tires. So even with the highly suggested Rancho shocks "made" for a 2" lift you think I would need bump stop extensions? Is it because the shock will bottom out before the axle hits the stock bump stop possibly damaging the shock?
Thanks

Okay, so 31”s shouldn’t be a worry (maybe .25” or .5” extra bumpstop - check out @fuse thread on it) you will need the bumpstop for the shocks - reason being you are changing the bias of down and up travel with a longer shock. You are correct in assuming the shock will bottom out before the normal bumpstop does, but you aren’t going to really be losing any travel with adding some bumpstop to prevent the shock from bottoming out. Think of it like this - you added 2” of extra up travel with the new springs and would be taking away 2” of down travel on those springs if you kept stock shocks. Shifting the bias to 6” of up travel and 2” down travel on factory shocks. Once you add 2” longer shocks you shift that travel from 6” to 4” up (after bumpstopping) and the down travel from 2” to 4” or even more (a good thing) depending on how long the new shocks extend to. Adding bumpstops to protect your shocks will keep the shocks from getting damaged and won’t affect your overall travel. If anything you’ve made gains in travel now that you’ve added longer springs! The best way to visualize all of this and really understand is remove the springs and cycle the suspension, if your shocks bottom out before the tire makes contact or the bumpstop is hit, add bumpstop until the gap is filled and they hit before shocks. Take everything above with a grain of salt - keeping in mind I’m assuming the shocks you’re looking at are exactly 2” longer - check the compressed length of the Ranchos and compare them to the stock shock numbers to confirm.

 

[Blanquito]

Got it!
Now do I need to extend bump stops on all four corners? And is adding the "Hockey Puck" thing to the lower spring perch the best way?
Thanks

 

[BuildBreakRepeat]

Got it!
Now do I need to extend bump stops on all four corners? And is adding the "Hockey Puck" thing to the lower spring perch the best way?
Thanks

Yep! All 4. You could use hockey pucks on the bottom or some washers in between the base of the cup and perch and some longer bolts.