Recommendations for shocks on Overland (no lift, sub 34" tires)

[rubicon4wheeler]

How do you feel about their rebound performance? Rebound is my biggest complaint with the Rubicon shocks. There is almost no rebound dampening. I reached out to a shock seller and he said if I wasn't happy with the Rubi shocks, I would certainly not be happy with the Ranchos and that they are the worst rebound performing shock he has ever felt.

Usually the complaints people have with the twin-tube style shocks come from mounting them upside-down. Unlike gas charged monotube shocks, the Ranchos can't be mounted upside-down. What happens is the air bubble creates a large "dead spot" in the first couple inches of travel where the shock will provide virtually no damping. I don't know if that's the problem your guy had experienced, but that's not been my experience with the Ranchos; they've always satisfied me with their rebound tuning.

I definitely did not like the tuning of the OEM Rubicon Fox shocks. I couldn't wait to get rid of them. I'm running fancy-schmancy Icon CDCV adjustable remote reservoir shocks right now and still working on forming a final opinion of them, but for now I don't think their increase in performance over the Rancho 9000s corresponds linearly to their increase in price. For one thing, their adjustment range is nowhere near as broad as that of the Ranchos. I need more time to explore the limits of the Icons' performance before I settle on a final opinion. But I have no hesitation recommending the Ranchos to anyone who's doing anything shy of desert racing.

Overland Journal did a very thorough comparison test of the Rancho 9000's alongside shocks from Bilstein, OME, Fox, and others. I'd recommend looking up that article. It wasn't just a subjective test, but actual shock dyno testing too. The Ranchos won their Editor's Choice, and that was without taking into consideration the additional feature of the shock's adjustability.

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[berb]

What do the masses think is the best suspension/shock choice for the below scenario?

Scenario:

• I have an Overland. Currently it is sitting on a teraflex 1.5" level with factory Overland springs. I have added Rubicon take-off FOX shocks and a falcon adjustable steering damper.
• I do not plan to go big tire, and will remain under 34". Currently on Toyo Open Country 32.2", but may go with a 33" in the future.
• I do not plan to chase lift height, I like the stock height/leveled look
• I tow frequently, but light loads (utility and sub 3500# boat)
• I like a cushy ride, but controlled. Prefer adjustables.
• I am not afraid to spend money, but won't throw it away

Overall, I am not happy with the Rubicon FOX shocks in comparison to the factory black steel bodies: They handle high speed bumps well, but the low speed on washboard roads is pretty jarring. I drive almost exclusively on washboard back roads (country).

So, looking at shocks, what would everyone recommend as a replacement for the Rubicon FOX in a 0-1.5" lift? I've been considering the FOX elite 2.5, Falcon 3.3, and Rancho 9000. Is there a preference of the masses? Am I not considering something?

If your looking for a smooth ride that tows well why did you change out the original suspension. That's exactly what the overland suspension was built for paired with the Duller HT Tires. I couldn't believe the highway ride difference between my Sport S and the Overland. Everything your talking about is intended for off roading and will give you a stiffer ride.

 

[misterturbo]

If your looking for a smooth ride that tows well why did you change out the original suspension. That's exactly what the overland suspension was built for paired with the Duller HT Tires. I couldn't believe the highway ride difference between my Sport S and the Overland. Everything your talking about is intended for off roading and will give you a stiffer ride.

Fair point. I thought the stock overland shocks were anything but controlled. More like a bowl full of jelly wobbling and wallowing down the road.

I ended up with an Overland specifically because it was offered to me at ~$10,000 below MSRP, when all other available Gladiators were $2-4k above MSRP.

 

[Escape.idiocracy]

https://www.aev-conversions.com/product/xp8100-reservoir-shocks-gladiator-jt/
I don’t often poke my head over on AEV’s site…. Found these today.
This would be a solid setup…. Half the cost of 8100 remote bypass shocks and probably really good out of the box valving…..for sure matched to their springs- which wouldn’t be a bad idea either… I’d give them a call and see if they can set you up… the only think you are going to have to look at as a con is running a little bit of bump stop (potentially)…. No lift will put you 1-1.5” out of the ride zone…. Which as long as you aren’t desert mobbing will be fine. Factory springs might need retainers put on or limiting straps. Again not that big of a deal….
Something to checkout.

 

[CrazyCooter]

None of the above is my choice.......

I have extensive experience with the Fox 2.5's with 30K miles under my truck and have developed a custom tune for them over the past year. They may be OK for you until you hook up to the trailer where the high speed damping clamps things down to the point that the rear is really stiff on the quick jolts and expansion cracks. Washboard much the same, but tire pressure can help that. These shocks are also WAY more performance and cost that a stock height truck can justify.

Rancho 9000's are a low pressure cellular gas triple tube shock so that is never a great choice for washboard where the aerate and fade away. They are the cheapest of the adjustable shocks though?

Tera Falcons I've never owned, but from watching all of the You Tube influencer videos, they have horrible low speed control causing head bobble effect and I have had people tell me the high speed damping is on the rough side....Think washboard on that one.

Zero experience with the 5100 series on a JT, but after having them apart I can see why they are annoying on the rebound circuit on the Dodge and Fords with the way they use a stepoff shim for the multi-rate rebound. The quality is pretty good, but I couldn't run them.......

The SDi ECliks are badass but are $4,600. They should work pretty good out of the box for a stock sprung truck however you really need a leveling up front minimum to pull those off. I'm currently running these and am developing a custom tune at the moment. If you are running stock wheels, the resi's my be a problem for clearance while flexing too.

My vote for you could be for the Fox 2.0 Resi w/CD (Correction:They don't offer one YET off the shelf...Resi only at this time) due to a more budget side of things, however I have zero JT experience with them. You want adjustable, so they fit that bill. They are cheaper than both 2.5's elites and the Falcons? They are also rebuildable/revalveable and have aftermarket parts available so that is a huge plus over the Falcons knowing that.

I'm thinking about buying a set of the Fox 2.0s's next to develop a good tune for those so that I have a cheaper alternative to offer up in addition to the 2.5's and the ECliks.

Another quick note: BIG difference in ride and shock valving between 32" and 38"+ tires. The bigger tire seems to like less high speed valving and more low speed. The bigger tires roll over/bridge the gaps in washboard. This is why I made the jump to 38's this last time.

 

[SkyKing]

pick up some bilstein 5100 shocks and give them a try, they are fairly cheap but offer good performance for the price.

do the Bilsteins give you a stiff ride?

 

[hickman785]

What do the masses think is the best suspension/shock choice for the below scenario?

Scenario:

• I have an Overland. Currently it is sitting on a teraflex 1.5" level with factory Overland springs. I have added Rubicon take-off FOX shocks and a falcon adjustable steering damper.
• I do not plan to go big tire, and will remain under 34". Currently on Toyo Open Country 32.2", but may go with a 33" in the future.
• I do not plan to chase lift height, I like the stock height/leveled look
• I tow frequently, but light loads (utility and sub 3500# boat)
• I like a cushy ride, but controlled. Prefer adjustables.
• I am not afraid to spend money, but won't throw it away

Overall, I am not happy with the Rubicon FOX shocks in comparison to the factory black steel bodies: They handle high speed bumps well, but the low speed on washboard roads is pretty jarring. I drive almost exclusively on washboard back roads (country).

So, looking at shocks, what would everyone recommend as a replacement for the Rubicon FOX in a 0-1.5" lift? I've been considering the FOX elite 2.5, Falcon 3.3, and Rancho 9000. Is there a preference of the masses? Am I not considering something?

Definitely stay away from the 3.3s...i had them and they rode awful...the truck beat me to death in ever setting

 

[misterturbo]

Since this thread got bumped, I thought it would be beneficial to provide an update for the next guy searching.

I ended up going with Rancho RS9000XL shocks. I have about 7 months on them now and a few major road trips around the east coast. For the price, I have zero complaints. All in I paid $425 w/ tax shipped from Rock Auto.

Using part numbers RS999069 and RS999063.

They are surprisingly really great shocks. The adjustments are noticible, and they pair well with the factory springs on the Overland. I've found 4-5 from soft all around is the sweet spot of comfort and roll control on my Gladiator. While they don't have the cool factor of the high end aluminum bodies and the red boots are a biiiit garrish..., I would definitely buy them again.

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