My 09 Rubicon suspension seems stiff. And the roads around here are miserably cracked and bumpy. Anyone here install the adjustable Rancho 9000's.

 

Is it just stock suspension you've got? Where is your tire pressure?

 

all stock. I keep the pressures around 35psi cold. I put KYB shocks on it a couple of years ago, and they just seem stiff. No sway or soft ride what so ever.

 

Hmmm, 35psi shouldn't be enough to kill the ride unless the tires are E rated, but you mentioned all stock. I've ridden in a jeep where we put the rancho 9000x's on (gas charged?) and set them at 3 and 4- rode like butter, much better than my vehicle on the rancho 5000x's with the same manufacturer's coils but 1" shorter. You'd have to check, but I think rancho does a 90 day ride guarantee if you wanted to try them out. Make sure you buy local too so if there's a warranty issue, you can get one swapped out. I bought online and Rancho had me ship them the shock and wait for another to show up- they took care of me, but I was without a vehicle for a few days. I had a seal go on the rear.

 

Thanks, just the answer I was looking for. I think the KYB's are just to stiff.

 

The KYB's are usually a sporty shock so that's not necessarily surprising that they're a little stiff but Rancho's ride guarantee should help you out. You're still running the stock MT's?

 

When I ordered the KYB I only had 2 to choose from, Street and Off Road. I'm also running original Rubicon Rock Crawler tires. I think they're a harder rubber then most Mud Terrain's.
Was there anything you didn't like about he Rancho 9000. And could you adjust thru all settings. I've seen some of the reviews.

 

The 9000's were pricey, but I wasn't buying. We installed them on a friend's 4dr and started at 3 then bumped to 4 in the rear but left 3 up front. Finding that sweet spot, we didn't move (or attempt to move) to any higher numbers. To my knowledge, he still runs them.

 

My experience with the Rancho 9000s is that they will get mucked up with mud and grime and no longer be adjustable without breaking the plastic shaft that attaches the knob to whatever mechanism is moving inside. My advice is to find that sweet spot, set it, and don't expect to adjust it on the fly for pavement vs washboard road travel.

 

They need to make that knob internal with sealed cover. They wouldn't last one year here in Washington.
I've' done some deeper research on the subject and leaning towards Monotube Shocks and right now the Monroe Reflex are looking good. With good reviews from other Wrangler JK Drivers.
Twintube shocks are for mostly aggressive offroad. Don't need them.