Rancho RS9000XL Experience

[DPJK]

I posted this in a reply on another thread, but I honestly think this info deserves its own:

I can confirm that the Rancho RS9000XL adjustable shocks would meet many Rubicon owners needs. I run these with 1” front spacer on my Rubicon with steel bumper/ winch and it really is the best ride I have found.

I started with the Rubicon stock setup with Fox shocks and I found the ride to be mushy and inconsistent.

I switched to the Rancho shocks and dialed them in to the correct settings and ran them for about 12000 miles.

I procured and ran Mojave Springs and Shocks for a time (about 2K miles) to compare and even found them to be too soft in how the vehicle leans, brakes, and steers. If I had gone straight to the Mojave shocks without my previous experience with the Rancho shocks I might have thought I had landed on the perfect setup, since it really was smooth to the road imperfections/ bumps, but itjust didn’t feel quite right on corners and braking for me.

I set up my adjustable Rancho shocks (set at 6) and find that they are smooth over road imperfections, but really firm in cornering and braking. It is easy to go slightly softer or firmer with the adjustment. It was a major difference in how planted the vehicle feels while cornering when I switched back to the Rancho shocks and Rubicon springs after removing the Mojave suspension setup.

I understand that ride is completely subjective, but I have found a true sweet spot using the Rancho adjustable shocks paired with the stock Rubicon springs.

True statements: painted shock body, plastic dial for adjustment, etc

also true statements: great price, vastly improved ride of vehicle, various lengths to meet lift needs

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[22EcoDs]

I have them on my sport diesel with Clayton springs. I love them. Just gotta keep them coated in fluid film in the north east.

 

[Gvsukids]

I have them on my sport diesel with Clayton springs. I love them. Just gotta keep them coated in fluid film in the north east.

Over what area?

I understand that ride is completely subjective, but I have found a true sweet spot using the Rancho adjustable shocks paired with the stock Rubicon springs.

Do you need to disengage your sway bar offroad with these?

 

[22EcoDs]

Over what area?


Do you need to disengage your sway bar offroad with these?

Of the north east or the shocks? I spray the body and eyelets.

 

[Gvsukids]

Of the north east or the shocks? I spray the body and eyelets.

And a follow-up, do you still disconnect your sway bars on off-roading? Or is the softest suspension setting enough to flex without disconnecting?

 

[22EcoDs]

And a follow-up, do you still disconnect your sway bars on off-roading? Or is the softest suspension setting enough to flex without disconnecting?

I don't disconnect , but in my experience soft is incredibly soft and would have no issues flexing.

 

[Gvsukids]

I set up my adjustable Rancho shocks (set at 6) and find that they are smooth over road imperfections, but really firm in cornering and braking. It is easy to go slightly softer or firmer with the adjustment. It was a major difference in how planted the vehicle feels while cornering when I switched back to the Rancho shocks and Rubicon springs after removing the Mojave suspension setup.

With the sport springs up front, I run between 1 and 2. Otherwise I find the front slapping back down on a bump. Would the softer Rubicon springs allow for better adjustment?

 

[DPJK]

Totally subjective, but I disconnect as normal if I want more flex.

And a follow-up, do you still disconnect your sway bars on off-roading? Or is the softest suspension setting enough to flex without disconnecting?

 

[Gizmo]

My experience was by the time you adjusted them to get a good ride they didn't have enough dampening . Go the other way and ya get just a stiff shock. Used them for about 7 years on my TJ . Ordered Eibach shocks for the JT

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