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Shocking Poll

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by trickpatrick, Aug 4, 2008.

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Shock mounting

Poll closed Aug 9, 2008.

  1. Shock body up.

    11 vote(s)
    28.9%

  2. Shock body down

    22 vote(s)
    57.9%

  3. Boot on

    16 vote(s)
    42.1%

  4. Boot off

    17 vote(s)
    44.7%
Multiple votes are allowed.
  1. Aug 4, 2008
    trickpatrick

    trickpatrick Done? LOL

    North Idaho USA
    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2006
    Messages:
    838
    Installing rancho XL9000's
    Not sure about mounting them.
    Shock body up or down.
    Boot on or off.
    Adjustment knob by axle.
    Or away from axle?
    Opinions?
     
    trickpatrick, Aug 4, 2008
    #1
  2. Aug 4, 2008
    packrat2A

    packrat2A Member

    McAlester, OK
    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2004
    Messages:
    212
    are you going to install the on-board controller? if so, I'd put the connection nearest to the center of the Jeep, on the top side. no boot.
    If no controller, I'd put the adjuster wherever is easiest to get to.
     
    packrat2A, Aug 4, 2008
    #2
  3. Aug 4, 2008
    trickpatrick

    trickpatrick Done? LOL

    North Idaho USA
    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2006
    Messages:
    838
    No controller.
    Would near the axle keep more mud and water off of the knob?
     
    trickpatrick, Aug 4, 2008
    #3
  4. Aug 4, 2008
    packrat2A

    packrat2A Member

    McAlester, OK
    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2004
    Messages:
    212
    on top would keep it cleaner, but access might be a problem. you dont want to be rooting in the dirt and mud after a trail ride to air them up.
     
    packrat2A, Aug 4, 2008
    #4
  5. Aug 4, 2008
    Posimoto

    Posimoto Hopeless JEEP Addict

    Minden, Nevada
    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2003
    Messages:
    4,538
    The boots suck. They trap moisture and cause RUST.
     
    Posimoto, Aug 4, 2008
    #5
  6. Aug 5, 2008
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    3,437
    I ran no boots, can down on the 9000s on my CJ.
    Just be sure to clean the knob area after mud/water runs.
    You might also want to pull the knob and shoot some WD 40 (better yet some white lithium grease) into the mechanism behind the knob. I've heard of some seizing up.

    I'm running the XLs now on the LJ, can down. I am running boots on the LJ.
     
    lynn, Aug 5, 2008
    #6
  7. Aug 5, 2008
    schardein

    schardein Low Range Therapy

    Success, MO
    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2003
    Messages:
    553
    I had my rear shocks with the buttons facing forward, and smashed them on rocks. Definitely turn them the way that offers the most protection, even if it means it makes them harder to adjust.

    Some shocks you shouldn't mount with the body up. Not sure on the Rancho 9000s.

    Shock boots generally are good, unless you do a lot of mud. Mud can get caught in there and cause rust and damage the seal. However, just the occasional deep water run, it's probably worth keeping them, because they keep the gravel, road salt, and general dirt off. Gravel=nicks in the rod=rust... When I ran boots, I left the zip tie off so I could pull them up when I was washing the Jeep and get any crud out, and also to check and see if they were trapping moisture.
     
    schardein, Aug 5, 2008
    #7
  8. Aug 5, 2008
    1968Jeep

    1968Jeep Member

    St.Albert,...
    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2003
    Messages:
    226
    Ranchos WILL NOT WORK if mounted with the "can" and adjuster knob mounted on the top -

    The only shocks that can be mounted upside down are monotube shocks.
     
    1968Jeep, Aug 5, 2008
    #8
  9. Aug 5, 2008
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2003
    Messages:
    5,470
    Hmm - been running mine that way for years - seem to work fine and I can tell a dif in the position of the switch. I put mine can on top due to the need to protect the adjustment knobs.
     
    Warloch, Aug 5, 2008
    #9
  10. Aug 6, 2008
    1968Jeep

    1968Jeep Member

    St.Albert,...
    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2003
    Messages:
    226
    I wanted to run them "can up" for the same reason, but I contacted Rancho directly and was told that the RS9000 and RS5000 shocks valving does not react properly when mounted "upside down"
    I also just changed out a set of RS5000's off of a Dodge pickup that were clunking and banging badly over bumps - they were mounted upside down and only had about 4000 miles of highway and in town use - no offroad at all - they were not leaking either.
     
    1968Jeep, Aug 6, 2008
    #10
  11. Aug 8, 2008
    1968Jeep

    1968Jeep Member

    St.Albert,...
    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2003
    Messages:
    226
    Just an update, I contacted Rancho Technical assistance and was told that the shocks will be much softer when mounted upside down - as well as the possibility of an air pocket causing a "dead spot" in the first part of the shock travel - they warned that this may result in little to no dampening effect from the shocks. The guys at Rancho say they work really well off-road and in rockcrawling, but they will probably be way too soft on the highway.
     
    1968Jeep, Aug 8, 2008
    #11
  12. Aug 12, 2008
    trickpatrick

    trickpatrick Done? LOL

    North Idaho USA
    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2006
    Messages:
    838
    Thanks everyone.

    I installed them, body down, no boot.
     
    trickpatrick, Aug 12, 2008
    #12
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