Hey guys, looking for a little specific advice relating to some of the info in this thread. I'm currently running a 1.25 body lift and am going to be adding 1.75 coil spring spacers (budget boost to fit 33" tires for mainly street use). Im currently running stock shocks so planning to get longer ones to accommodate the extra BB height - i want to get the Rancho 5000x shocks and an trying to decide between the different length options. There's a set listed on Amazon for 0-2" lifts (Rancho site describes them as being for 0 lift) and the next size up are the ones linked to a couple of times in this thread which are described on Amazon as being for 2-3" lifts (the Rancho site says they're for 2.5 inch lift). I usually follow the manufacturer recommendations and would go with the 0-2" set for my 1.75 BB, but since they're both for a range, presumably the 0-2 is setup to be perfect for a 1 (the average) with leeway in either direction and that the 2-3 is setup to be perfect for a 2.5 (the average) with leeway in either direction, in which case if be inclined to get the 2-3" set since 1.75 is exactly 0.75 from the middle of both ranges and would give me a little extra cushion if i ever decide to increase the lift height at all. I may be overthinking this and would be fine with either but I'm a newb with a limited budget so I wanted to run it past you guys first before i make any expensive mistakes. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Rancho RS5000X Shocks
- Thread starter JMT
- Start date
By the way, the reason I'm going with 1.75" BB is because I'm only lifting to clear 33" x 12.5" tires (again, mainly for street use) so I figured 1.75" + my 1.25" BL would get me a total of 3" which I understand is about the minimum I'd want in order to avoid clearance issues - I was purposely aiming for the minimum because I'm trying to avoid driveline issues and any other potential issues that might require additional modifications typically required with larger lifts (adjustable track bars, control arms, SYE/TC drop, etc.). That being said, if the 1.75" BB won't well with either set of Ranchos, I could probably easily switch from the 1.75" BB to a 2" BB if you think it would make a significant difference as far as working well with the Ranchos made for a 2-3" (or 2.5" according to Rancho website).
Thanks again
Thanks again
Thanks guys, I appreciate the feedback. I've heard the same thing that they run long, but my hesitation is that the actual Rancho site lists them as being for 0 lift (the Amazon Seller is listing them as 0-2, possibly to make them more saleable to a broader range of buyers) and I've read in several threads on here that those aren't long enough to accommodate anything above a 1.5". If I get the longer ones and keep it on the street so you think I'll be ok? Also have the 1.25 BL and standard (I think 2") bump stops. Thanks again
You're overthinking this, go with the advice already given. Or go with the longer version and enjoy the occasional thudding sound of the shocks bottoming out and possibly damaging the shock mounts. Where shock absorbers are concerned it's far better to be a little too short than to be a little too long.
Thank you - i know I am over thinking and appreciate your patience. I think my pref would be to just up the spacers to true 2" spacers and stick with the longer shocks. Is that a good solution it do you think those shocks will still be too long? Thanks again for your help.
The alternative to accepting the above advice is to do this.... support the Jeep with jack stand supporting it at the frame. Remove the tires, remove the springs, cycle the f/r suspensions up to their highest points then down to their lowest points, then measure the distances between both extremes at the shock mounts. Then go onto Rancho's website and pick out shocks whose collapsed/compressed dimensions match what you will be running.
Fair enough. I know that's the right way to do this (based on the very helpful info I've read here), but probably not in the cards for me...given my limitations I'll probably just take your advice and play it safe by possibly being a little short. Thanks again, i appreciate it.
That's what i had been thinking, that for on road use (95% of the time for me) I'd probably be better off long than short (at least for ride comfort) and would be unlikely to bottom out unless i fall asleep and hit a monster speed bump in the Wally world parking lot, but I know that Jerry knows his stuff (whereas I basically know nothing other than what I've read on here), so not sure which way to go with it.
I had Rancho RS5000X stock size models, and the next size larger, and the next larger also. The stock (0 lift) shock is too short for more than a .75 spacer.
K-Huevo, thanks, that's similar to what I've read from others. Even in this thread somebody says that they definitely can't be used for more than 1.5". I'm starting to think I'll just bump up to a 2" spacer to get a little closer to the target height for the second level (2.5" lift) Ranchos.
JJVW - i have what i believe are standard (I think 2") bump stops, no extensions. I do have a 1.25" BL, so I was thinking that I might not need extensions, especially if I'm mainly keeping it on the road. Does that sound like flawed thinking?
Thanks guys
JJVW - i have what i believe are standard (I think 2") bump stops, no extensions. I do have a 1.25" BL, so I was thinking that I might not need extensions, especially if I'm mainly keeping it on the road. Does that sound like flawed thinking?
Thanks guys
The bump stop system is the steel cup and the axle pad. The yellow soft thing sticking out of the cup is a cushion.
I can tell you with great certainty that by themselves, 33s under an 1.25" body lift need about 1.5" of front extension in order to keep the tires out of the fenders at full flex.
If the new front shock's compressed length is 1.5" longer than the factory shock's compressed length, then even more bump stop extension is needed.
The rear will absolutely need additional bump stop extension for a compressed shock longer than stock.
I personally to not agree that a street driven Jeep is a reason to make short cuts on a suspension. The hits we take on pavement often occur at much higher speeds than the majority of the "off roading" people do. Bump stops matter. And maintaining the factory travels as a minimum, both up and down are important. Specifically adding to the up travel will contribute to a more comfortable ride.
Im no jeep “expert” here at all
But if your dilema is running a 1.75” lift and not being in the correct range of a particular shock option
or running a 2” lift and falling in range with a shock
if it were me i would keep it simple and run the 2” lift and get the shocks that you know for sure fit that
your only talking a 1/4” difference
if you happen to get driveline vibrations just drop your transfer case by a 1/4”
thats is super easy to do with 1/4” thick washers
that will get the driveline back to the specs of the 1.75” lift
But if your dilema is running a 1.75” lift and not being in the correct range of a particular shock option
or running a 2” lift and falling in range with a shock
if it were me i would keep it simple and run the 2” lift and get the shocks that you know for sure fit that
your only talking a 1/4” difference
if you happen to get driveline vibrations just drop your transfer case by a 1/4”
thats is super easy to do with 1/4” thick washers
that will get the driveline back to the specs of the 1.75” lift
Thank you, that makes total sense and I hadn't thought about it that way (always thinking that a lot of the comments I read on here are geared toward off road driving but you're right about hitting debris or imperfections in the road at highway speeds may be just as important).
What i have on there now is stock suspension parts plus these on the front and rear, which I believe were basically a direct replacement of the stock cushions: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CGUHUU/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Would you recommend replacing with something like these and then cutting them down if necessary? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001GH1O9C/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Thanks
What i have on there now is stock suspension parts plus these on the front and rear, which I believe were basically a direct replacement of the stock cushions: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CGUHUU/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Would you recommend replacing with something like these and then cutting them down if necessary? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001GH1O9C/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Thanks
Thanks - that's what I was thinking... I'm probably going to call Rancho this morning to confirm that they think those shocks will work with a 2" lift even though they're listed in some places as being for a 2.5" (and in other places as being for 2-3" lifts). I know this is relatively simple stuff but I have some physical limitations so I'm having the work done for me at a shop and won't have the luxury of being able to have it taken apart, testing suspension travel and then ordering the right parts so i basically need to make my best guess and then have all the parts that I'll need there for the mechanic to install... Including bump stop extensions if they'll be needed.
Similar threads
