Shock Comparison: Rancho RS5000X vs Skyjacker Black Max vs KYB Monotube
- Thread starter TJim
- Start date
I've ordered and installed two sets. On the first set, out of the box, I had a little oil leak (very little) on one shock. I cleaned and installed it, and haven't seen any indications of leaks since then. The other set gave me no issues, to date.
How much shock up travel is showing on both the good and bad one? Also, how much lift do you have and which shocks did you buy?
jesseshoots
TJ Enthusiast
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...r-black-max-vs-kyb-monotube.51209/post-929922
Essentially the shock wouldn't extend all the way (when pulled on) out of the box and it sounded different when shaken compared to the other three.
with this many DOA's it doesn't give me a good feeling about longevity. Only one way to find out though.
Rich, remind me to have you drive mine tonight to listen for a "thunk" in the rear when hitting bumps and see what you think. And because stroker fun 
I think I figured it out…the lower spring perch when going is hitting the lip of the shock body. Thought I would alleviate this by installing upside down. I guess not.
DougyintheBushies
TJ Enthusiast
Are you planning on trimming the spring perch?
Ya, once I get back home from work today I'll trim out the minimum to clear the shock body. Im also dealing with some steering wandering after Currectlync install and alignment. While going over the front end earlier, I found my frame side tracker bar bolt has a lot of movement. so thinking that is it. and....some more bad news, my water pump is leaking..smh again.
Bumping this one...
Just got a stock TJ and it has the KYB Monomax. These are too bouncy for my tastes. This not going to see much (if any) off road, using it for my DD and will keep it stock height. So thinking of the options mentioned, sounds like the Skyjacker Black Max might be more what I'm looking for. Any others I should consider? Never liked Bilstein. Sounds like the Rancho aren't as nice as the Skyjacker for DD.
There's a section of the freeway on my commute that is bouncy, I call it the whoops section. I had the same problem with a stock F150. In my Expedition, LJ, and even wife's Prius, this section is not noticeable.
Just got a stock TJ and it has the KYB Monomax. These are too bouncy for my tastes. This not going to see much (if any) off road, using it for my DD and will keep it stock height. So thinking of the options mentioned, sounds like the Skyjacker Black Max might be more what I'm looking for. Any others I should consider? Never liked Bilstein. Sounds like the Rancho aren't as nice as the Skyjacker for DD.
There's a section of the freeway on my commute that is bouncy, I call it the whoops section. I had the same problem with a stock F150. In my Expedition, LJ, and even wife's Prius, this section is not noticeable.
I installed Black Max on the front this summer. They are softer than the old EMU Nitro Chargers. The Jeep has softer feel on small bumps and sharp turns. I like them. I kept the OME on the rear since I have a big tire on a carrier and a bumper.
Mono max are the red ones? You might try the silver KYBs. I was going to, but they only offer them for stock height rigs. IIRC, the guy you bought that Jeep from drove a rig with them and thought they were “passable.”
Yes, the red KYB Monomax. They seem a bit rough, remind me of the Bilstein 5100. Not terrible, but the Skyjacker black max aren't that expensive.
31 x 10.5 x 15 Linglong AT, load range C, 32 psi.
Yes, figure driving the freeway feels like I'm taking whoops too fast and slow down a little.
I thought the same. Pretty harsh in the rear. I think the silver ones are called gas-a-just or something. They are not very expensive either. I haven't run them on the TJ, but I do have them on my motorhome and they work well there. The black maxs have not shown to have good longevity on my jeep. They are not the shocks now that I installed two years ago, and I've already put a new set of rear ones on.
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