Hey, need help deciding which shocks to buy. I'm thinking about getting the Rancho 9000 or the fox 2.0. I've read good reviews on both but can't decide what to go with. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
I was running Bilstein 5100 with a Full Traction 3" lift. I found the 5100s while very good shocks to be rather harsh, transferring the smaller irregularities straight into the chassis. I switched to King OEM 2.0 Performance Series King Shocks Direct bolt-on performance shock kits for Jeeps from King Shocks « King Off-Road OEM Bolt-On Shocks : kingshocks.com and could not be happier with the outcome. They just soak everything up, I have to hit something quite hard to really feel it. I can recommend them without reservation.
I was running Bilstein 5100 with a Full Traction 3" lift. I found the 5100s while very good shocks to be rather harsh, transferring the smaller irregularities straight into the chassis. I switched to King OEM 2.0 Performance Series King Shocks Direct bolt-on performance shock kits for Jeeps from King Shocks « King Off-Road OEM Bolt-On Shocks : kingshocks.com and could not be happier with the outcome. They just soak everything up, I have to hit something quite hard to really feel it. I can recommend them without reservation.
If you prefer a softer ride then the 9000XLs are your best choice since you can select a lower compression damping setting. If you are more performance oriented (handling and impact absorption) the Fox shocks are better, or even the Bilstein's but they have a stronger performance bias so some owners do find the ride a somewhat harsh.
Owned Fox Remote Reservoirs on my Duramax and was not impressed at all. Every one of them leaked just after the warranty because they use nylon bushings and without a shock boot the road grime will collect on the shaft and destroy that bushing. Absolutely not worth the price.
I have a 14 jku with a 2.5" lift, Rancho drop brackets and a Jks trackbar. Also running 305/70/17 bfg m/t km2. Currently running bds shocks was wanting to upgrade them.
I installed rancho 9000s two weeks ago and love them. I'm not a rock crawler, so for me the adjustability was more of a factor than anything. Almost went with the bilsteins based on they're rep, but mixed reviews ( " they're firm" or "they're softer than stock") made me pick the ranchos. I think the adjustability for shocks on such a light vehicle is important. Dial them in for any feel you want. I have no experience with the fox shocks
With your ride being your DD/weekend rig i would definitely recommend the rancho 9000's. My buddy has a rancho 4" lift with the brackets and 9000's and its a cadillac. The adjustability will serve you well as you can set them at one setting for your drive to work, and another when on the trails. As mentioned above rancho should be having its rebate any day now. You will be hard pressed to find a negative review about them. Unlike the bilsteins, fox's, etc. they also have a 90 day trial period. But i promise you, you wont be giving them back haha
I have had both (on different Jeeps) and prefer the fox.... However, for the price, I think the Ranchos are a better buy (especially with the one free rebate).
May be beating a dead horse, and yes $955, but if you tried them you would buy them. How many mods do you use every second you drive and has such a huge "impact" on your experiance? The best way to describe the ride is controlled. For example, my street is off a 35mph road and has a steep entrance to it. I can turn onto it and hit the incline at 35, it's just sucked up with zero loss of control, it's so much fun I do it almost every time. If I would have done that with the 5100s it would have been impossible without a loss of some control.
Of all the mods I've done to my Jeep, these are the best mod to date and I do not know what could best them for that spot.
i just put some fox 2.0's on my 2dr that has rk 2.5(2dr) coils. i really like the ride, much better than stock. i had the 2.0 coilovers on my f150 and really liked them on that rig also. i wish the rears were an inch longer than they are, the fronts are nice and long, my automatic needed an exhaust spacer with this length of shock fully extended so as to not have the driveshaft boot contacting the exhaust.
I agree the rebate is great right now, good choice. For me what influences my decisions are very long term. I really struggled with my purchase, it seem like so much money and so much more than what else I could buy. To be frank I was not really sure if it was the right decision when I did it. I do not know what else Fox, Rancho, Bilstein and who ever else may compare. But what I do know is that I am extremely pleased with the outcome of my purchase. I wish you to be as satisfied as I am with your decision. We just have to remember this is all for fun!!!
Yes, if I was building a prerunner, I would be using a reservoir mono. For daily driving and 2mph trail work, they are a little stiff. I'd like to ride on some Elka's and see how they are as I've heard they are pretty plush on a DD and can take the whoops too...
think about his before you make your puchase... If there was no sale on the ranchos right now would you buy them or the fox? You're upgrading right?.... Either way hope u like your choice.
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