Rancho 5000x Shock length

[jazz-n-tj]

I have the horrible Rancho RS5000

I currently have the RS5256 rear and the RS5255. I am currently running the Currie rear TJ/LJ springs so I have the stiffer ones in the rear. With that said, these are the measurements that I currently have for my Jeep. I am wondering if I should stick with the exact same dimensions of the 5000x or go one smaller.


My current setup has my shock from center hole to center hole at 19". There are 4" of shaft showing (not sure if when fully compressed if there will be zero shaft exposed but I believe so because of my following measurements). The RS5256 has an extended length of 24.66" and a travel length of 9.51". If I am at 19" currently that would mean there is 5.66" remaining which means my measurements are within a 10th of an inch of being correct.

I like how well my TJ flexes currently. I get a little bit of rub on my fender flairs due to my offset, but no other rubbing. I have on occasion bottomed out my rear shock absorbers...yes I know I need to adjust my bump stops. But I have kind of figured if I am careful not to hit big bumps too fast I don't bottom out and then I don't lose any flex by having the bump stop, stop my up travel too soon. Maybe this is stupid thinking, but I see it as getting maximum flex out of the TJ.

I can either go with the the RSS55256 or the RSS55241. This would be the specs that I would be left with with my current setup.

RSS55256
Shock extended length: 24.67"
Compressed length: 15.01"
Total Travel: 9.66"
My Up travel: 5.66"
My down travel: 4"

RSS55241
Shock extended length: 21.67"
Compressed length: 13.51"
Total Travel: 8.16"
My Up travel: 2.67"
My down travel: 5.49"

It looks like the RSS55256 (same dimensions as I have now) makes the most sense since it is closest to having equal up and down travel. I do wish I had a bit more down travel but the only way I can fix that is put a 1 inch puck in to raise my suspension but then I would have more down travel than (5" down and 4.66" up). Also, this is the measurements with my Jeep empty. Once me and my kiddos are in there with my recovery gear I'm sure I lose another 1/2 inch or so. Which does make me think adding a puck to raise the suspension 1 inch might be worth it because it then has the potential to literally be a 50/50 split in up and down travel.

With that said, would you TJ gurus prefer to have more up travel or down travel? I am hoping to order the shocks in the next 1-2 days. Thanks.

 

[Gollywomper]

General consensus is 50-50 on travel.
having your bumpstops set evenly with your shocks collapsed length does not limit travel. Your travel is being stopped by your shock right now, not a good thing. With proper bump stops you would bottom out on the stops 1/4” before your shocks. Do you think you would notice that 1/4” loss in travel? You will notice when you blow out a shock on the trail. You will notice when you break a shock mount. Setting up your bump stops does not limit your travel, it merely keeps things that don’t belong hitting from hitting each other.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Mine are 5" up/5" down. Rancho has many choices on lengths.

 

[jjvw]

General consensus is 50-50 on travel.
having your bumpstops set evenly with your shocks collapsed length does not limit travel. Your travel is being stopped by your shock right now, not a good thing. With proper bump stops you would bottom out on the stops 1/4” before your shocks. Do you think you would notice that 1/4” loss in travel? You will notice when you blow out a shock on the trail. You will notice when you break a shock mount. Setting up your bump stops does not limit your travel, it merely keeps things that don’t belong hitting from hitting each other.

Use that 1/4". Make the shock the limit.

 

[jazz-n-tj]

@TheBoogieman The 2 Rancho shocks that fit the TJ without other mods (bar pin eliminator, out boarding, etc) are the two that are closest in length to each other, that is why I used those two as my options. I wish there was one in between those two lengths.

 

[jazz-n-tj]

As for bump stops, I do plan on adding them in the near future, I just need to figure out which shocks I will go with first because I need to have them to setup the bump stop length.

 

[Gollywomper]

Use that 1/4". Make the shock the limit.

I do. But generally recommend a cushion. Could really go the other way 1/4” as the bushings will absorb that much. But regardless bump stops need to be set, at least to allow jounce bumpers to work properly.