Picked up my new to me TJ 2 weeks ago. And I noticed all the shocks are leaking. I've looked at everything from ranchos to Bilstein to fox adventure series and can't come to a decision. It's a lot of on road driving with the occasional trip to the trails. Jeep has jku springs for the lift and on 33s. 4.0 5 speed. Also replacing the front bumper (currently a home made stinger from original owner) with a stinger bumper and winch.
Shock suggestions
- Thread starter gno4aro
- Start date
Something that fits with 50/50 travel at ride height. You probably won't have many options
James9100
TJ Enthusiast
Are the Rancho RS5000X’s no longer the standard recommendation?
I've tried the Rancho 9000xl, 5000x and Black Max shocks. My personal opinion is that, for a budget shock, the Ranchos are still a good choice. The Black Max have also proven to be a good option. The Rancho's are gas charged and the Black Max are hydraulic so there is a differencein how they handle. I've never tried the Bilstiens so can't comment on them. The only time I wouldn't recommend the Ranchos is if they are being put on an Unlimited. They ride fine on the front axle but are very rigid on the rear axle. The Black Max are far better for the longer wheelbase.
I appreciate the response. Having real.world comparisons is definitely helpful.
Quote from someone who knows a lot.
"If you can tolerate the Bilsteins, that will invalidate any discussion you and I may have from now on. They are quite possibly the most annoying damper I've ever used.
Folks tend to brag about how nicely they eat up the larger events while failing to mention accurately in the same breath they are real handy at determining if a quarter is heads or tails simply by passing a tire over it.
Small event harshness is quite annoying to me.
For the record, my opinion of Bilstein has probably irritated more folks than should be legal and I just use their opinion of them as a barometer to show how well they judge ride quality."
"If you can tolerate the Bilsteins, that will invalidate any discussion you and I may have from now on. They are quite possibly the most annoying damper I've ever used.
Folks tend to brag about how nicely they eat up the larger events while failing to mention accurately in the same breath they are real handy at determining if a quarter is heads or tails simply by passing a tire over it.
Small event harshness is quite annoying to me.
For the record, my opinion of Bilstein has probably irritated more folks than should be legal and I just use their opinion of them as a barometer to show how well they judge ride quality."
It would be helpful if people would be more specific about what they mean by the ride. So far, you haven't been given any of that.
Quote from someone who knows a lot.
"If you can tolerate the Bilsteins, that will invalidate any discussion you and I may have from now on. They are quite possibly the most annoying damper I've ever used.
Folks tend to brag about how nicely they eat up the larger events while failing to mention accurately in the same breath they are real handy at determining if a quarter is heads or tails simply by passing a tire over it.
Small event harshness is quite annoying to me.
For the record, my opinion of Bilstein has probably irritated more folks than should be legal and I just use their opinion of them as a barometer to show how well they judge ride quality."
This echoes my own experience with Bilsteins on my TJ. I currently have Fox shocks on my TJ and it rides great. Not sure why someone above commented they are junk, mine have been perfect so far.
Firm (controlled) but comfortable. The Bilsteins were firm, but I felt every crack in the road. With the Fox shocks I can go over man hole covers, etc, and not even feel them, but the whole Jeep doesn't lean around a corner like an old ship.
See this sounds like exactly the kinda ride I want out of my jeep. Which fox shocks do you have?
My response was specific to product quality not individual ride preference. This isn’t my opinion it’s based upon empirical fact.
There are two 4WD shops directly across the street from me and they both have piles of Fox Shocks in their scrap metal because they don’t last.
Nether owner would recommend them to their customers and sell them only if the customer demands them. Apparently some people don’t mind replacing shocks every couple of years.
But as far as ride quality, my sled is on the heavy side, tires with correct pressure and duel coil springs and I don’t have any of the issues with the Bilsteins that people commonly complain about.
My response was specific to product quality not individual ride preference. This isn’t my opinion it’s based upon empirical fact.
There are two 4WD shops directly across the street from me and they both have piles of Fox Shocks in their scrap metal because they don’t last.
Nether owner would recommend them to their customers and sell them only if the customer demands them. Apparently some people don’t mind replacing shocks every couple of years.
But as far as ride quality, my sled is on the heavy side, tires with correct pressure and duel coil springs and I don’t have any of the issues with the Bilsteins that people commonly complain about.
That might be true, but my Jeep is not a daily, and not a hard core off-roader. It has 1.5" H&R springs and 31s and sees mostly trips to the beach on pavement. There is nothing wrong with Bilsteins, I ran their suspension on several of my BMW daily drivers, they just weren't a great ride on my particular setup in the TJ.
I recently bought 10 yr old second hand foxes that had no leaks and still had nitrogen in them. Idk why they would get thrown in a pile when they get abused and worn. Every part is rebuildable.
Sounds like the wrong size shocks are being specd or the install fab work is bad
duel coil springs and I don’t have any of the issues with the Bilsteins that people commonly complain about.
I have quad coil springs and Bilsteins still rode like crap.
Are you going to suggest that your springs made it ride good?
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