Review on Rancho RS5000X Gas Shocks Set Replacement Parts in Shocks, Struts & Suspension by Tom Childress

I've heard good things about the Rancho RS5000 Series shocks if they lived up to the hype. At first I was a bit nervous when the box arrived (even earlier than expected) only to find three shocks inside. A quick call to the seller found they sometimes ship from different warehouses and the fourth shock actually showed up two days later (on time). Second, changing shocks to TJ/LJ is a good job, but if you're yourself and have a minimal set of tools (no Tim "Toolman" Taylor here), the job will take several hours; but it is doable. The PB Blaster will be your friend, as will the High Lift Jack if you have a lift on your rig. But to get to the heart of this review, the RS5000 seems to come out on top! Now I don't wear them that long; but so far they seem to have taken away the "bumps" I felt on my old Doetsch shock absorbers. The ride isn't Cadillac-smooth, which few true Jeeps will be, but I've also noticed a reduction in the noise my LJ used to make. They articulate about an inch less than the Doetches, but to be honest it doesn't bother me as I don't ride off-road that much (there's no crawler here either!). But for moderate trail use, cross-country adventures, and similar hikes, the Ranchos are probably one of the most valuable shocks out there, in my opinion! Yes, you can get a lot more features for a lot more money, and anyone who lives in the rust belt will probably see some of these shocks after a winter or two; But if you're a Jeeper on a budget and you're looking for a great damper at a decent price, the RS5000s are your best bet!