Mid-level shocks

[wibornz]

Also, should be noted that Rancho did do some restructuring and I can not attest to their quality after the restructuring. I know they fired all their online type people and closed down their social media type presence.

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[Poseidon20]

I’ll say this too…we’re close enough man…if you want to come up and drive my jeep let me know. At least then you can feel the shocks and make your own decision.

Thanks for the offer, Andy said the same. I might take you guys up on that but I really don't know how much I'll really feel in a 10 minute drive lol. I get the feeling they are all going to be very similar unless I really spend the big bucks.

 

[cosmokenney]

@Metalcloak RockSport REDs.

 

[Poseidon20]

After I decide on a shock, what I do I need to know about shock length? I have a 3in lift on a 2 door. I'm pretty sure I have more than 3inches of lift so what do I need to look for in regards to shock travel length? Droop length? Compressed? Will I need to change bump stops?

Am I opening a can of worms by just changing the shocks or am I over thinking? I really dont want to get the same shocks I have now.

 

[TravelerTheJLU]

After I decide on a shock, what I do I need to know about shock length? I have a 3in lift on a 2 door. I'm pretty sure I have more than 3inches of lift so what do I need to look for in regards to shock travel length? Droop length? Compressed? Will I need to change bump stops?

Am I opening a can of worms by just changing the shocks or am I over thinking? I really dont want to get the same shocks I have now.

I would encourage you to use this schematic and measure based on these "guidelines". Pictured are the stock lengths so measure yours and then see if your sitting at 3". If you are sitting at more then that then go with a longer shock. Many companies are really good if you call them with measurements they can help fit you into what you need. This thread may also help you it sounds like a 2dr sport is about 11" and a rubi would be about 12".
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/help-how-to-determine-lift-size.115142/

 

[entropy]

One person's too soft is another person's too stiff.

 

[Mguy]

Also, should be noted that Rancho did do some restructuring and I can not attest to their quality after the restructuring. I know they fired all their online type people and closed down their social media type presence.

Rancho was (is) owned by Tenneco, which was a public company until bought out by a private equity firm in 2022. As often happens with a private buyout, costs are cut and assets are restructured. Wouldn't be surprising if Rancho's product line gets rearranged sooner than later.

 

[double0762]

Need some new shocks for the Jeep. 2dr currently have a 3in lift. This is a weekend vehicle and we go wheeling about 1 every other month on average. I also plan to sell the Jeep in ~3 years so don’t want anything too expensive. I’m looking to keep it at $600-700 for all 4 shocks. Maybe $800 if it’s considerably better.

My favorite at the moment is Rancho 9000xl. I love the adjustability of it. I’ve heard Fox, Bilstein and Falcons are all too stiff. I’m looking for more comfort but capable when we go off road. Let me know if I’m wrong about those 3 or any other suggestions welcome. Thanks.

Rancho MT 7 is a nice mid level shock. I have them on my 2dr and is a nice improvement from the red Rubicon shocks

 

[GATORB8]

After I decide on a shock, what I do I need to know about shock length? I have a 3in lift on a 2 door. I'm pretty sure I have more than 3inches of lift so what do I need to look for in regards to shock travel length? Droop length? Compressed? Will I need to change bump stops?

Am I opening a can of worms by just changing the shocks or am I over thinking? I really dont want to get the same shocks I have now.

How much bump are you running? Factory front DS?

I would try to pick the best shocks for your bump, not bump for the shocks.

 

[Poseidon20]

How much bump are you running? Factory front DS?

I would try to pick the best shocks for your bump, not bump for the shocks.

Not sure how big the bump stop extensions are, I'll go measure them today after work. Here is the exact lift that came on the Jeep when we bought it: https://fabtechmotorsports.com/product/3-sport-system-w-stealth-shocks-k4107m/

 

[rdfact]

I have the Rocksport Red, and maybe it's just me, but they are terrible. You feel every small crack in the road. I have an XR on the stock KO2 35's. Tire PSI is usually 32-33 on the road. I also have the Teraflex 1" spacers so not sure if that contributes to the harsh feel. The OEM red Rubicon shocks were a smoother ride but limited flex.

I also have a 2001 Grand Cherokee (WJ) with a 3" lift and Bilstein 5100s. They are odd in that you feel the small bumps on the road but off-road they seem to absorb the bumps quite well.

 

[GATORB8]

Not sure how big the bump stop extensions are, I'll go measure them today after work. Here is the exact lift that came on the Jeep when we bought it: https://fabtechmotorsports.com/product/3-sport-system-w-stealth-shocks-k4107m/

Front:
Maximum Compressed Length: 16.25" + Added bump stop.
Maximum Extended Length: ~28" limited by the stock driveshaft

Rear:
Maximum Compressed Length: 17" + Added bump stop, but even the stock shocks are a little long, there's so much uptravel in the rear it's not a huge deal.
Maximum Extended Length: Mainly limited by Sway Bar contact/links, parking brake flip, etc. Anything in the high 20s should be good with minor/inexpensive mods.

 

[Poseidon20]

Front:
Maximum Compressed Length: 16.25" + Added bump stop.
Maximum Extended Length: ~28" limited by the stock driveshaft

Rear:
Maximum Compressed Length: 17" + Added bump stop, but even the stock shocks are a little long, there's so much uptravel in the rear it's not a huge deal.
Maximum Extended Length: Mainly limited by Sway Bar contact/links, parking brake flip, etc. Anything in the high 20s should be good with minor/inexpensive mods.

Where did you get that information? From the Fabtech site I've found this:
Front:
Extended Length – 27.09
Collasped Length – 16.85
Stroke Length – 10.23

Rear:
Extended Length – 29.69
Collasped Length – 18.38
Stroke Length – 11.32

I've been going off those numbers when looking at which size shock I need.

 

[GATORB8]

Where did you get that information? From the Fabtech site I've found this:
Front:
Extended Length – 27.09
Collasped Length – 16.85
Stroke Length – 10.23

Rear:
Extended Length – 29.69
Collasped Length – 18.38
Stroke Length – 11.32

I've been going off those numbers when looking at which size shock I need.

The limits I posted are based on actual Jeep field measurement and experience. From @AnnDee4444 and verified by my measurements.

His spreadsheet is the best way to analyze/shop for shocks:
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...gs-suspension-information-chart-matrix.66591/

Fine to base on the Fabtech numbers, but just know you can cheat those to the numbers I posted.

 

[Poseidon20]

The limits I posted are based on actual Jeep field measurement and experience. From @AnnDee4444 and verified by my measurements.

His spreadsheet is the best way to analyze/shop for shocks:
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...gs-suspension-information-chart-matrix.66591/

Fine to base on the Fabtech numbers, but just know you can cheat those to the numbers I posted.

I'm talking to representative from Northridge, and the ones he's suggesting has the following:

Fabtech -- Rancho 9000xl 2-3.5in lift
Front:
Extended Length – 27.09 -- Extended Length – 25.21in
Collasped Length – 16.85 -- Collasped Length – 18.16in
Stroke Length – 10.23 -- Stroke Length – 7.05

Rear:
Extended Length – 29.69 -- Extended Length – 28.59in
Collasped Length – 18.38 -- Collasped Length – 19.89in
Stroke Length – 11.32 -- Stroke Length – 8.7

What do you think about those numbers? Looks like I'll lose a lot of travel length, but honestly not sure what that really means.

Edit: my formatting did not stick. The first numbers are Fabtech, and the second are Rancho.

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