Currently running Rancho RS5000s on my 2000 XJ, stock set up. The ride has been way too stiff for me. On the highway, I'm getting tossed around over potholes and the rear end will get air and swing out when going over expansion joints on concrete stretches of road. Driving around town is rough too, I can feel every bump in the road. I want to upgrade over the summer, and was looking at Bilstein 4600s or even the Rancho 9000s, but have heard different things about them being stiff. Would like some advice on what to buy, looking for something a lot smoother than the Ranchos I have now.

 

What springs are you running? I usually suggest Bilstein 5100s, but I've owned RS5000s in the past, and I don't believe they're as stiff as the Bilsteins.

 

 

i run the bilstein 4600 with the dornan leafs...i like the ride

 

My buddy runs 5100s with the Dorman leafs and it rides nice. Mine on 5100s, not so nice. I blame it on the ridiculous spring rates that RE uses though.

 

Well, maybe not. I run Crown HD leafs, Moog coils & 3/4" spacers w/Bilstein 5100s. I like the ride, but it's stiffer than stock. The 2-3" lift 5100's work perfectly with this setup, but bump-stops require adjustment. The 4600's should be great for stock height.

RS5000s are the last shocks I used with the stock coils and leafs. They were terrible, IMO--not enough control and wore out in no time.

 

Just a thought... Another very affordable option you could look into are pull-offs from Jeep JKs. They will fit and from what I'm told are a quality shock.

 

i liked the ride i had with bilstein 5100s. 2” AAL and pucks, stock everything else. i have since installed monroe sensatrac shocks and can say they ride much smoother.

 

I've heard good things about sensatracs too, but I can't seem to find them anywhere. Also a bit skeptical of buying Monroe, I bought a steering stabilizer from them and it was junk.

 

Yeah, they really are terrible, I've had them for less than a year and they're almost completely rusted. Thanks for your help Tbone, I'll probably end up going with the 4600s