Rough Country Vertex shocks info.........

[fyr145]

I wanted to share a rather interesting event that happened today with me........

After some careful research and looking over my budget for my Jeep, I recently decided to pull the trigger and purchase the entire set of RC Vertex shocks for my 4" lifted '18 Jeep JL Sahara. For the record, I ordered the reservoir shocks (SKU #699007 & 689007 - pictured below) that fits my JL. I received the set at my house and was excited to see them close up. After the videos and write ups, I liked the looks and all the capabilities the box and their website says these shocks have. In my excitement, I opened up one of the 4 boxes and went through the entire contents and noticed that there were no instructions placed inside of it. So, I opened another box and found the same result, no written instructions. I went ahead and opened the other 2 boxes and did not find any instructions at all in any of them.

Now I know these are just shocks, one bolt on top and one bolt at the bottom, got it. However, I wanted to make sure that at least for the front set, that I followed the proper way to secure the front shock reservoir hardware correctly to my jeep. So as a back up, I went back to their website and tried locating the installation instructions there, no luck. There was a online live chat that was available and clicked on that link to text with a live agent about this. I posed the issue that I had and asked if there was any set of manual or link that I could be given to download so at least I'd have something to go by as I get ready to install these on my rig. The agent asked me to hold on a few minutes while they went to look for an answer. After a several minutes, they came back to the chat room and told me that there was not any instructions and that they apologized for not having them for their product. I then asked if there was ANY kind of information anywhere that I could use to help me with my future install. After another few minutes, they came back with a comment that said that I should try YouTube as RC has a channel there and that I might be able to locate something there. After reading their replies, I am now kinda concerned about how this is going to work. My logic is......this is one of their high end products and would think that if all or most of their other products have installation manuals, then why wouldn't they take the time to make a installation manual for its customers? I do have their dual steering stabilizer and a couple of other components on my Jeep and they work just fine, and each came with their own instructions. I just find this strange. Most companies have install sheets either inside their packaging or a link to it on their website. To say that they have nothing for their high end performance shock system just surprises me. How many other companies do you know that dont have any instructions for their product when customers purchase them?

I'm not trying to bash RC, so please dont take this the wrong way. I just think that for the amount of money that I have spent on their shocks, they could make some sort of effort to at least shoot a video showing how to install their product correctly or do a through write up and put it on their website. These have been out for awhile now.

Has anyone else noticed this issue and if so, how did you install your shocks?

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[word302]

Welcome to buying stuff from a giant company that makes parts for literally every kind of truck/SUV out there. Not who I'd be buying from.

 

[scrape]

Seems fairly straight forward looking at that picture, you're going to need to remove your front springs. Red bracket gets sandwiched between the coil spring and the upper coil perch, with the one silver bolt used to keep it clocked correctly (may have to drill a hole). Black bracket gets bolted to red bracket using the 2 black bolts. Res gets strapped to black bracket using the 2 hose clamps. Not sure that's something I would bother writing instructions for honestly.

 

[scrape]

Seems fairly straight forward looking at that picture, you're going to need to remove your front springs. Red bracket gets sandwiched between the coil spring and the upper coil perch, with the one silver bolt used to keep it clocked correctly (may have to drill a hole). Black bracket gets bolted to red bracket using the 2 black bolts. Res gets strapped to black bracket using the 2 hose clamps. Not sure that's something I would bother writing instructions for honestly.

Also look at the spacers for the upper eye, they are different lengths. The longer one will be on the inward-facing side, short on outward-facing.

 

[fyr145]

Seems fairly straight forward looking at that picture, you're going to need to remove your front springs. Red bracket gets sandwiched between the coil spring and the upper coil perch, with the one silver bolt used to keep it clocked correctly (may have to drill a hole). Black bracket gets bolted to red bracket using the 2 black bolts. Res gets strapped to black bracket using the 2 hose clamps. Not sure that's something I would bother writing instructions for honestly.

I agree that its pretty straight forward. I was thinking of those that may be novices at installing things like these might help them have something to go by for their first time out. The other premise is for the consistency of having all of their products with enclosed set of basic instructions. Its been said that common sense isn't so common anymore. Here's another angle that could happen....... a novice decides to install these on his/her own and decides to do some sort of a on the job training type of install. Gets it put in, then the next trip end up with some sort of catastrophic failure of the parts possibly due ti a improper install and end up involved in some sort of accident. After the wreck, the novice installer decides to contact a personal injury attorney to be compensated for his/her damages and sues the company (RC) for a lack of having these instructions available to their customers. Lawyers love these kinds of events, they usually have a heyday with this stuff. They could possibly be partially liable to some degree and be found liable in a civil court. All because they couldn't take the time to develop an install sheet, manual, video, link, etc. (just speculating here, there's so much of this going on in today's society.)

 

[scrape]

I agree that its pretty straight forward. I was thinking of those that may be novices at installing things like these might help them have something to go by for their first time out. The other premise is for the consistency of having all of their products with enclosed set of basic instructions. Its been said that common sense isn't so common anymore. Here's another angle that could happen....... a novice decides to install these on his/her own and decides to do some sort of a on the job training type of install. Gets it put in, then the next trip end up with some sort of catastrophic failure of the parts possibly due ti a improper install and end up involved in some sort of accident. After the wreck, the novice installer decides to contact a personal injury attorney to be compensated for his/her damages and sues the company (RC) for a lack of having these instructions available to their customers. Lawyers love these kinds of events, they usually have a heyday with this stuff. They could possibly be partially liable to some degree and be found liable in a civil court. All because they couldn't take the time to develop an install sheet, manual, video, link, etc. (just speculating here, there's so much of this going on in today's society.)

Maybe, but there's also tons of other parts that don't come with instructions. Mainly more expensive, high end builder parts where the manufacturer figures they will be installed by a shop or someone with a lot of experience. On the other hand, really basic stuff that the end-user will install themselves (like an AM/FM antenna) will come with instructions. Just the way it is.

I do think rough country could have at least given you a picture of what they look like installed to give you some sense of direction though. Hopefully you get everything sorted out and can add some thoughts/pictures to this thread to help out others in the future.

 

[fyr145]

Maybe, but there's also tons of other parts that don't come with instructions. Mainly more expensive, high end builder parts where the manufacturer figures they will be installed by a shop or someone with a lot of experience. On the other hand, really basic stuff that the end-user will install themselves (like an AM/FM antenna) will come with instructions. Just the way it is.

I do think rough country could have at least given you a picture of what they look like installed to give you some sense of direction though. Hopefully you get everything sorted out and can add some thoughts/pictures to this thread to help out others in the future.

Yes, that was I wanted to do here. I was kinda hoping that maybe someone else had some additional info that could help us out . Thanks!

 

[Dagwood]

So how has it turned out? Installed yet? Driving impressions?

I also pulled the trigger on these on black Friday discount. They look amazing and the piston is huge. I won't have time to install until Christmas shut down.

 

[fyr145]

So how has it turned out? Installed yet? Driving impressions?

I also pulled the trigger on these on black Friday discount. They look amazing and the piston is huge. I won't have time to install until Christmas shut down.

I'm getting with a buddy of mine that owns his own shop and he has me penciled in for this Thursday afternoon, I was going to write up a post afterwards.

I agree that they look phenomenal! But what counts is the install and ride/handling. I'm really hoping that RC has up'ed their game with these new shocks.

Stay tuned.

 

[Dagwood]

Looking forward to it. I don't know why everyone is always bashing rough country. I've used them many times over the years and never been disappointed. My first XJ was lifted with rough country many years ago.

 

[Jerrybizzle]

I agree it seems kind of strange. They have a detailed installation packet with their $200 spacer lift but not with these that are much more?

 

[word302]

Looking forward to it. I don't know why everyone is always bashing rough country. I've used them many times over the years and never been disappointed. My first XJ was lifted with rough country many years ago.

Because for roughly the same amount of money you can buy from a manufacturer that specializes in Jeeps and doesn't mass-produce parts. You get equipment that's had much more R and D put into it and just plain performs better. Same goes for all the big-box lift companies.

 

[Dagwood]

Because for roughly the same amount of money you can buy from a manufacturer that specializes in Jeeps and doesn't mass-produce parts. You get equipment that's had much more R and D put into it and just plain performs better. Same goes for all the big-box lift companies.

Sounds like a bunch of guys in skinny jeans and beanies talking about micro brews. Hint, they are micro because nobody buys it.

I get that there are some good specialists out there but to discount everything else just because it's a large company is flawed. Rough country has been making shocks for many years. These are absolute beast.

 

[fyr145]

I agree it seems kind of strange. They have a detailed installation packet with their $200 spacer lift but not with these that are much more?

That was my logic that I was sharing. If you are going to spend time writing up the rest of your products, then why not do the same for the shocks. Again, I completely understand that were talking about shocks here.......2 bolts mainly. But for those novices and DIY'ers out there, why not put something in the box that shows torque specs, photos, etc. so the newbies will feel a bit more comfortable or confident about doing this mod. Oh well...................no biggie I guess.

 

[InvertedLogic]

Sounds like a bunch of guys in skinny jeans and beanies talking about micro brews. Hint, they are micro because nobody buys it.

I get that there are some good specialists out there but to discount everything else just because it's a large company is flawed. Rough country has been making shocks for many years. These are absolute beast.

Rough Country springs and shocks were absolute trash on my TJ.

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