Can someone tell me the difference between gas, nitro and hydro shocks?

 

Nitrogen, gas charged, same thing. Shock body is charged with nitrogen for a firmer and increased load capacity ride. These shocks come to you strapped and when you cut it the shock extends on it's on because it's pressurized. Hydralic shocks work off oil pressure and valving, tend to give a softer ride. You can take a hydralic shock and extend and compress by hand, so they do not have a pressurized gas in them. Those are the basics as best I can put it.

 

That may explain the stiff ride both the Bilstein and Edelbrocks are gas charged. What are the Old Man Emus and what are the ones that come stock?

 

Rubi shocks are gas charged, stock x shocks are hydralic, unless you have an x with heavy duty susp added to the build, then you get gas charged. Old man emu is gas charged but a low gas charged one I think. They may have different charges.

 

I had a basic X stock, is that why my ride was smooth because they were hydros? Are there an good aftermarket hydros? Will the super stiff ride I have now damage anything?

 

Stiff ride is not gonna damage anything other than your butt. I have rancho 5000's(hydralic on the rear of my jk right now because of the amount of lift I have made my bilsteins too short. I'm actually happy with the ride in the rear and have contemplated putting some on the front. I may just wait though because I want to do coilovers in the front and the bilsteins are sufficient right now. Now, I'm not saying these are the best shocks for you and your application, just sayin what works for me. You may wanna look at an adjustable shock that you can tune to your own needs.