Shock advice

[Harold&Cat]

The springs are not stiff. You should do the same and remove the shocks and go for a drive.

I have to respectfully disagree . I've experimented with both sets of my rear springs . The OME springs I have are definitely stiffer than my stock ones . Our Jeep does ride better with the stock springs and the potholes don't shake the Jeep as bad .

 

['05Train]

OP, I bought into the 5000X hype when I did my lift. They're trash. Fox are expensive, but absolutely a, "you get what you paid for" proposition. I have no clue what your 20s should be inflated to, but the difference in my 15" 33s between 36psi and 26psi is staggering.

 

[jjvw]

I have to respectfully disagree . I've experimented with both sets of my rear springs . The OME springs I have are definitely stiffer than my stock ones . Our Jeep does ride better with the stock springs and the potholes don't shake the Jeep as bad .

Did you go for a drive without shocks? When you put the new springs on, did the ride height change?

 

[Rickyd]

I’m not a fan of the 20’s at all. But it was all I could get my hands on at the time. Those will be shit canned for some 16 or 17” on 33’s this spring. I’m also going to do some research into the rancho 5000x and black max. I believe those will be the two to pick from.

What do your springs measure with the weight of the jeep on them?

 

[JMT]

There are probably 15-20 threads like this. They all go like this and end the same way. ☺

 

[JMT]

In a scientific experiment you have to have a control group. Then you can have other groups. Each of the other groups can only change one variable from the control group. If you change more than one variable in a group you can’t determine anything of statistical significance.

Apply that to shocks, springs, and ride height.

 

[bbaldwin237]

Nah bro. This was the douchy reply. I came here because the wealth of knowledge I’ve seen here is astounding and I value the opinions I see. Being a jerk on the internet to a guy asking a legitimate question is just….well douchy. I saw your reply. And I saw rancho. I’ve also seen some here be total dicks and give bad advice to be cute. So I like to get a decent general idea. Sorry my knowledge of jeeping isn’t as broad as yours.

Not sure why I'm involving myself here, but to elaborate on what @JMT is saying, there are only a few options for bolt-in replacement shocks for a lifted TJ based on length and performance. By saying get Black Max he's cutting out all of the wasted research time for you, and possibly wasted money, and just jumping straight to the answer. It's easy to think that someone is giving you "an" answer and ignoring other possibilities. But, as you mention, the wealth of knowledge is here, so for bolt-ins with a slightly improved ride, those are your options. There's no secret option that hasn't been tried here.

 

[Gasman1979]

The springs are not stiff. You should do the same and remove the shocks and go for a drive.

That’s really good advice actually. May try that when I get home.

 

[Gasman1979]

In a scientific experiment you have to have a control group. Then you can have other groups. Each of the other groups can only change one variable from the control group. If you change more than one variable in a group you can’t determine anything of statistical significance.

Apply that to shocks, springs, and ride height.

Solid comment.

 

[jjvw]

That’s really good advice actually. May try that when I get home.

This isn't our first rodeo.

 

[Sean B]

OP, I bought into the 5000X hype when I did my lift. They're trash. Fox are expensive, but absolutely a, "you get what you paid for" proposition. I have no clue what your 20s should be inflated to, but the difference in my 15" 33s between 36psi and 26psi is staggering.

Out of curiosity what model Fox’s did you go with, I’m interested.

 

[Rickyd]

Out of curiosity what model Fox’s did you go with, I’m interested.

Get them from a reputable tuner already set up for your application. Or have them tuned by one before install. Out of the box fox shocks are going to be hit or miss.

 

[Gasman1979]

This isn't our first rodeo.

Yessir. That’s why I come here.

 

[06TJ35's]

https://www.shocksurplus.com/produc...uXwRsc0iX45knO6uQ3XpazAm7_84VUK6amuY-u0z1tS2E

 

['05Train]

Out of curiosity what model Fox’s did you go with, I’m interested.

Just the off-the-shelf 2.0 Performance series from Amazon. I couldn't justify the Accutune-tuned Performance series. I don't off-road hard enough to justify them. But the IFPs are head and shoulders better than the Ranchos.

 

[mrblaine]

Currently, mine rides and handles a bit like a race car and it is absolutely delightful. But, if you wish, I can make the ride as boaty or as harsh as you like.

You must have a mighty large stash of springs you can swap in and out to make it ride like that.

Just the off-the-shelf 2.0 Performance series from Amazon. I couldn't justify the Accutune-tuned Performance series. I don't off-road hard enough to justify them. But the IFPs are head and shoulders better than the Ranchos.

I'll spend more money on tuning for the street than I will for offroad. Since most of us spend more time on pavement, that is where I want to be the least annoyed.

 

[Havasu]

I’m always surprised when people state spring rates don’t matter.
Fact is if they didn’t matter, the weight of your Jeep wouldn’t matter and neither would your wheel/tire weight and suspension setup. TJ rates on the attached link vary from 130 to 240 and all of those rates will provide a different level of performance. Then you’ve got to factor in your shocks, because if you plan traveling long distances at speed on washboard dirt roads and trails, you’ll soon melt the seals on rancho 5000x.

The bottomline is each owner must first determine what their primary use will be, if it’s highway use, putting around trails and crawling slower areas, then rancho is fine paired with the right springs. If not then you’d be better off investing in springs and properly valved shocks specifically setup for your rig.

https://wranglertjforum.com/attachments/tj-shock-spring-specifications-xlsx.547294/

 

[Apparition]

Currently, mine rides and handles a bit like a race car and it is absolutely delightful. But, if you wish, I can make the ride as boaty or as harsh as you like.

 

[JMT]

I’m always surprised when people state spring rates don’t matter.

 

[Sean B]

Just the off-the-shelf 2.0 Performance series from Amazon. I couldn't justify the Accutune-tuned Performance series. I don't off-road hard enough to justify them. But the IFPs are head and shoulders better than the Ranchos.

Cool, thanks for the info.