Rancho RS5000X Shocks

[freebo86]

To revive an old thread. I just installed the recommended Rancho Shocks 55239 & 55241 coupled with the OME 2934 & 2949 springs. I've only finished the rear end, did my bump stop check etc. and added a 2" bump stop extension to the rear.

Now that the rear is put back together and sitting down on level ground, Jeep on its own weight. I measured my shock from eye to eye and I'm at 20" (extended length of shock is 21.68" on their site). Now should I not have more down travel than just 1.5" left? I would think that this shock would/could over extended driving down the road, causing damage and banging?

 

[jjvw]

What is the 2" of bump stop extension extended to protect?

What is the gap between the steel cup and axle pad at ride height?

How much shock shaft is exposed at ride height?

Ultimately, your shocks are too short. That small amount of down travel will risk picking the axle up off the ground while driving. The ride will often be unpleasant.

 

[freebo86]

What is the 2" of bump stop extension extended to protect?

What is the gap between the steel cup and axle pad at ride height?

How much shock shaft is exposed at ride height?

Numbers as follows;
Tires from slamming into the wheel well. With 2" extensions and hitting full bump I have 1/2"-3/4"" left of shock shaft exposed left.

Gap between steel cup (not the jouncer) and bottom pad ~6"

Shock shaft exposed at ride height is just shy of 7".

 

[jjvw]

Numbers as follows;
Tires from slamming into the wheel well. With 2" extensions and hitting full bump I have 1/2"-3/4"" left of shock shaft exposed left.

Gap between steel cup (not the jouncer) and bottom pad ~6"

Shock shaft exposed at ride height is just shy of 7".

Shocks are too short.

What size tire again? Is there a body lift?

 

[freebo86]

Shocks are too short.

What size tire again? Is there a body lift?

33s. No body lift.

I do not understand how these can be short. There is a million of threads on this combo on this site. If anything everyone says that Ranchos run too long.

 

[jjvw]

33s. No body lift.

I do not understand how these can be short. There is a million of threads on this combo on this site. If anything everyone says that Ranchos run too long.

With the rear axle at full bump, do you have a measurement between the shock mounts? With 2" BS extension, I would expect about 14.5" which suggests the RS55239 with a 14.43"/23.84" compressed/extended.

I don't know if Ranchos run long or not. People say a lot of things that may or may not be accurate or useful. What I do know is that there are too many variables to simply trust a forum recommendation without confirming the measurement yourself.

 

[freebo86]

With the rear axle at full bump, do you have a measurement between the shock mounts? With 2" BS extension, I would expect about 14.5" which suggests the RS55239 with a 14.43"/23.84" compressed/extended.

Full bump I measure eye to eye 13-3/4”. Give or take a bit as it was awkward getting the measuring tape in there.

 

[jjvw]

Full bump I measure eye to eye 13-3/4”

If your measurements are accurate, then you need longer shocks and more bump stop.

 

[freebo86]

I don't know if Ranchos run long or not. People say a lot of things that may or may not be accurate or useful. What I do know is that there are too many variables to simply trust a forum recommendation without confirming the measurement yourself.

Yes, internet and forums can be a wild ride. However, at the end of the day the TJ platform has been around for 21+ years, were not building a rocket ship here to space. Im sure lift kits and setups have been exhausted to an extent and as many variables as there are at the end of the day it’s a lift kit. If this was a one of kind of setup and I had read two others run it I’d be questionable sure... but this particular set of shock part number seems to be bundled with all kinds of coils especially the OME ones and now all of a sudden something doesn’t jive. Perhaps I’m looking into it too much. Maybe things will settle when the front end is back together and it’s driven a few miles.

 

[jjvw]

21+ years and people still have no idea how some of these things are supposed to work.