Nothing wrong with mixing and matching as long as it all plays well together.
You want a non compressible body lift because you need to be able to fully tighten the bolts. Polyurethane does not allow this.
Honest Comparison: Old Man Emu vs Rancho RS5000X Shocks
- Thread starter TJim
- Start date
Nothing wrong with mixing and matching as long as it all plays well together.
You want a non compressible body lift because you need to be able to fully tighten the bolts. Polyurethane does not allow this.
The OME springs and Rancho 5000x shocks are probably the most common 2 1/2" lift setup used on a TJ.
haven't had the OME's, but I'm happy enough with my 5000x that I have no reason to try anything different for my next set.
My previous shocks were the 5000 (without the x) that were worn out and too short, so I don't have a good back-to-back comparison, but I can fly over washboards way better than I could before. I definitely still feel stuff like potholes, but it's way less jarring than it was before. Some of the descriptions around here had me expecting a ride like my grandmothers 20 year old Buick, but it's definitely not that (fortunately). That said, I've probably only got about 250 miles on them so they may soften up as they break in.
My previous shocks were the 5000 (without the x) that were worn out and too short, so I don't have a good back-to-back comparison, but I can fly over washboards way better than I could before. I definitely still feel stuff like potholes, but it's way less jarring than it was before. Some of the descriptions around here had me expecting a ride like my grandmothers 20 year old Buick, but it's definitely not that (fortunately). That said, I've probably only got about 250 miles on them so they may soften up as they break in.
OP I see you are located in Greece, Jeeping should be interesting there.
The OME and RS5000X are very different shocks. The OME was developed in Australia for the conditions there, while the Rancho is designed for the American market. Australian love overlanding while towing a trailer with heavy loaded vehicles over washboard roads and sand heading for the beach to drink beer and swat flies. We Americans add all sorts of winches, bumpers and armor then head out on the I-15 freeway for a day of rock crawling in Johnson Valley and then stop at In and Out for Number 3 on the way home.
Your intended use should dictate whether you want a mall crawler Rancho shock or OME over lander shock. Since your a long drive from either manufacture if you need parts it might serve you best to buy complete kit with all the hardware needed.
Aviatortroy
TJ Enthusiast
I have the OME lift kit with their shocks and it rides great on pavement, handles good as a daily driver, but stiff as h#ll on trails. Especially our Colorado rocks, baby beads, etc. Airing down for anything more than a forest service road is a must or I fear my mirrors will fall off.
Wish I had something else, to be honest. I like the idea of the Ranchos in front....
Wish I had something else, to be honest. I like the idea of the Ranchos in front....
Jakejeep2005
Member
i run the rs9000xl shocks on my tj. only difference is that they are adjustable shocks and the price obviously. i’ve had them for a little over a year and absolutely love them. they’re super soft on the softest setting and surprisingly firm when on the tightest. only complaint i have is that the knob to adjust them is a bit hard to turn and i often have to use pliers.
My TJ came with a (fairly) new OME 21/2" lift with the Nitro Sport shocks installed. After reading all the reviews here I swapped to the 5000x shocks. Honestly I expected to see a bigger difference. Or really any difference. At first the Ranchos were actually stiffer, but they were brand new. They have softened up some, but I'd say they now ride similar to the OMEs. I think tires and tire pressure will make a bigger difference than the shocks have made. So I would go with whatever shock (of those 2) you get a better deal on. I have NO experience with any other shock on a TJ. If you can afford them, the Rancho 9000 with their adjustable valving might be the way to go, but again, I have not personally used them. Also i have not done all the 'hard core' offroading that others have done, so I can only speak about how they perform on the street and more mild East Coast trails. In the rocks there may be a bigger difference between the two.
Back in the old days you could get shocks with a rebound/compression bias rating listed on the box. So I would always go for a 90/10 bias for a softer ride. I don't see this listed anymore. But those were all hydraulic shocks then.
Hope some of this might help.
Back in the old days you could get shocks with a rebound/compression bias rating listed on the box. So I would always go for a 90/10 bias for a softer ride. I don't see this listed anymore. But those were all hydraulic shocks then.
Hope some of this might help.
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