Shocks: Gas Charged vs Hydraulic

TJim

TJim

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Hey!

Let’s just compare gas charged vs hydraulic shocks!

In which case is the one better than the other?

*My main focus is between Skyjacker Black Max (hydraulic) and Rancho rs5000x (gas)
 
Kon said:
You want to change your Ranchos? Had any issues with them?
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They are short, so I want to buy longer ones. I am between longer Ranchos and the Skyjacker Black Maxes.

A lot of people claim that Skyjacker are softer than Ranchos, especially in a light rig such as mine.
 
Kid Mechanic said:
Why? What didn’t you learn from googling the subject? Or is this another “oil” thread because you’re as bored as I am today?
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A little bit of both.

Mainly I am not 100% sure that I have a clear understanding of the use of each type of shock.
 
TJim said:
They are short, so I want to buy longer ones. I am between longer Ranchos and the Skyjacker Black Maxes.

A lot of people claim that Skyjacker are softer than Ranchos, especially in a light rig such as mine.
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Oh ok. I have no personal experience with Ranchos but I know that this forum loves them, unlike the skyjacker in general as a brand.

Personally, I recently changed to OME shocks and I’m happy with their performance both on and off road.

I know you are lighter than me but with OME you can pick between light and heavy loads…
 
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TJim said:
They are short, so I want to buy longer ones. I am between longer Ranchos and the Skyjacker Black Maxes.

A lot of people claim that Skyjacker are softer than Ranchos, especially in a light rig such as mine.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't have wanted a softer ride than what the RS5000x gave me, it was a very comfortable non-stiff ride with great offroad control. Not to mention if it says Skyjacker (Rough Country, MC, etc.) it's not going on my TJ. :ROFLMAO:
 
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My basic understanding is gas charging was an evolution/improvement in shock technology.

Not sure why they would even make non-gas charged shocks anymore other than to hit a cheaper price point?
 
TJim said:
You mean between shocks? I thought only between springs
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Yeah between shocks as well. In my case I got the heavy ones for the front (4.0 aftermarket bumper and winch) and the light ones for the back (no rear seat and softop).
 
Vtx531 said:
My basic understanding is gas charging was an evolution/improvement in shock technology.

Not sure why they would even make non-gas charged shocks anymore other than to hit a cheaper price point?
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The benefit to a shock being gas-charged is it won't fade if you're doing high-speed stuff. Not many people do high-speed stuff where the extra expense of being gas charged is warranted.
 
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Jerry Bransford said:
The benefit to a shock being gas-charged is it won't fade if you're doing high-speed stuff. Not many people do high-speed stuff where the extra expense of being gas charged is warranted.
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So wouldn’t it be better to run an hydraulic shock?
Softer for on road purposes and softer on slow speed off road.
Less expensive and likely more travel for the same lift.

Am I missing anything?
 
Kon said:
Yeah between shocks as well. In my case I got the heavy ones for the front (4.0 aftermarket bumper and winch) and the light ones for the back (no rear seat and softop).
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Do you by any chance know the part numbers for the shocks? Heavy vs light
 
TJim said:
So wouldn’t it be better to run an hydraulic shock?
Softer for on road purposes and softer on slow speed off road.
Less expensive and likely more travel for the same lift.
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Hydraulic and gas-charged shocks don't have a lock on riding stiff or soft. Some hydraulics ride stiff as hell, some gas charged shocks ride stiff as hell. And visa-versa. My current hydraulic Rancho RS9000xl shocks, set on their softest setting, ride more stiffly than my gas-charged Rancho RS5000x shocks did.
 
Found this one from the ARB Europe website.

C61CD1AA-7FAB-4AD4-B099-1CC3C186FCA6.jpeg
 
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Jerry Bransford said:
Hydraulic and gas-charged shocks don't have a lock on riding stiff or soft. Some hydraulics ride stiff as hell, some gas charged shocks ride stiff as hell. And visa-versa. My current hydraulic Rancho RS9000xl shocks, set on their softest setting, ride more stiffly than my gas-charged Rancho RS5000x shocks did.
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Are there any major drawbacks I should be aware of?
Besides high speed stuff?
 
Btw, how come you have narrow it down to these two? From what know/see OME and Fox are the most commonly used here in Greece.
 
Kon said:
Btw, how come you have narrow it down to these two? From what know/see OME and Fox are the most commonly used here in Greece.
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People here dont really like the new OME shocks.

Fox are pretty expensive ones.

Rancho and SJ are the most budget friendly + value for money as far as I am concerned.
 
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