A lot of people seem to like BDS suspension. I'm looking at
a 2.5" lift kit - one store has it w/BDS shocks and one
store has it w/Rancho 5000s. Does anyone have experience
with either shock?

And how does do they compare to a Rancho 2.5" lift? I've
seen people write on this ng that the Rancho springs are a
bit stiffer. Getting the rancho will save me $40 and about
1.5 additional hours of driving.

Also, has anyone done a spring over conversion with either
the BDS or the Rancho setup?

Thanks,
Chris

 

The R5000 is very stiff. You will probably not like it. The RSX from Rancho
is a much better choice, and the R9000 is also a better choice. I have the
R9000, and I like it, but it is kind of a waste of money because I have
found that the best ride comes on the softest setting. Since I never change
the setting, there is not much point in having the adjustment capability.

I am guessing you are doing either a CJ or YJ since you asked about a spring
over. The spring over project has fabrication issues that are somewhat
difficult to solve if you don't know much about fabrication. The people that
do spring overs, and then write up the process, have said that the
fabrication costs cause what seems like should be free because the same
springs are used over again, actually ends up costing about the same as
buying new springs. Basically, a 4" lift under the axle will put you in the
same place as stock springs over the axle. The main advantage of a spring
over is the added clearance under the axles because of the relocation of the
spring perches. The spring over raises issues like spring wrap of the rear
axle. This can be solved pretty easily, but if overlooked it can cause your
Jeep to bounce badly during hill climbs or other high load situations. The
bouncing can be disasterous, and can even cause you to roll over backwards
if the conditions are right - or wrong, depending on your perspective.





"Chris Roat" <croat@slac.stanford.edu> wrote in message
news:Pine.LNX.4.55.0308201227350.8813@bbr-stanford5.slac.stanford.edu...
>
> A lot of people seem to like BDS suspension. I'm looking at
> a 2.5" lift kit - one store has it w/BDS shocks and one
> store has it w/Rancho 5000s. Does anyone have experience
> with either shock?
>
> And how does do they compare to a Rancho 2.5" lift? I've
> seen people write on this ng that the Rancho springs are a
> bit stiffer. Getting the rancho will save me $40 and about
> 1.5 additional hours of driving.
>
> Also, has anyone done a spring over conversion with either
> the BDS or the Rancho setup?
>
> Thanks,
> Chris
>
>

 

The R5000 is very stiff. You will probably not like it. The RSX from Rancho
is a much better choice, and the R9000 is also a better choice. I have the
R9000, and I like it, but it is kind of a waste of money because I have
found that the best ride comes on the softest setting. Since I never change
the setting, there is not much point in having the adjustment capability.

I am guessing you are doing either a CJ or YJ since you asked about a spring
over. The spring over project has fabrication issues that are somewhat
difficult to solve if you don't know much about fabrication. The people that
do spring overs, and then write up the process, have said that the
fabrication costs cause what seems like should be free because the same
springs are used over again, actually ends up costing about the same as
buying new springs. Basically, a 4" lift under the axle will put you in the
same place as stock springs over the axle. The main advantage of a spring
over is the added clearance under the axles because of the relocation of the
spring perches. The spring over raises issues like spring wrap of the rear
axle. This can be solved pretty easily, but if overlooked it can cause your
Jeep to bounce badly during hill climbs or other high load situations. The
bouncing can be disasterous, and can even cause you to roll over backwards
if the conditions are right - or wrong, depending on your perspective.





"Chris Roat" <croat@slac.stanford.edu> wrote in message
news:Pine.LNX.4.55.0308201227350.8813@bbr-stanford5.slac.stanford.edu...
>
> A lot of people seem to like BDS suspension. I'm looking at
> a 2.5" lift kit - one store has it w/BDS shocks and one
> store has it w/Rancho 5000s. Does anyone have experience
> with either shock?
>
> And how does do they compare to a Rancho 2.5" lift? I've
> seen people write on this ng that the Rancho springs are a
> bit stiffer. Getting the rancho will save me $40 and about
> 1.5 additional hours of driving.
>
> Also, has anyone done a spring over conversion with either
> the BDS or the Rancho setup?
>
> Thanks,
> Chris
>
>

 

I have a '75 CJ5. I bought the 2 1/2" BDS springs and like them. They seem
to flex good. I rode in another CJ with Rancho springs they felt more
ridgid. My shocks are the R9000's and like Jeff, I have them set on the
softest setting. I've tried them in all the different settings too. I had
vehicle controlling issues when set up on #5. I drove over a recessed
manhole cover at 55 mph and with the low vehicle weight and the stiff
setting I damn near lost control on the wet pavement. I have had no issues
like that though on the #1 setting.

I got my setup at Mle High Jeep Rebuilders in Denver. Plus got the shocks
on sale, some buy 3 get one free deal. I'm happy with the setup and would
probably buy the same again. I agree with Jeff, it's kind of a waste only
using them on the softest setting. Rancho should produce one that is
equivilent to this setting for a reduced price.

Paul


"Jeff Strickland" <beerman@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:vk7mvkngvd1212@corp.supernews.com...
> The R5000 is very stiff. You will probably not like it. The RSX from
Rancho
> is a much better choice, and the R9000 is also a better choice. I have the
> R9000, and I like it, but it is kind of a waste of money because I have
> found that the best ride comes on the softest setting. Since I never
change
> the setting, there is not much point in having the adjustment capability.
>
> I am guessing you are doing either a CJ or YJ since you asked about a
spring
> over. The spring over project has fabrication issues that are somewhat
> difficult to solve if you don't know much about fabrication. The people
that
> do spring overs, and then write up the process, have said that the
> fabrication costs cause what seems like should be free because the same
> springs are used over again, actually ends up costing about the same as
> buying new springs. Basically, a 4" lift under the axle will put you in
the
> same place as stock springs over the axle. The main advantage of a spring
> over is the added clearance under the axles because of the relocation of
the
> spring perches. The spring over raises issues like spring wrap of the rear
> axle. This can be solved pretty easily, but if overlooked it can cause
your
> Jeep to bounce badly during hill climbs or other high load situations. The
> bouncing can be disasterous, and can even cause you to roll over backwards
> if the conditions are right - or wrong, depending on your perspective.
>
>
>
>
>
> "Chris Roat" <croat@slac.stanford.edu> wrote in message
> news:Pine.LNX.4.55.0308201227350.8813@bbr-stanford5.slac.stanford.edu...
> >
> > A lot of people seem to like BDS suspension. I'm looking at
> > a 2.5" lift kit - one store has it w/BDS shocks and one
> > store has it w/Rancho 5000s. Does anyone have experience
> > with either shock?
> >
> > And how does do they compare to a Rancho 2.5" lift? I've
> > seen people write on this ng that the Rancho springs are a
> > bit stiffer. Getting the rancho will save me $40 and about
> > 1.5 additional hours of driving.
> >
> > Also, has anyone done a spring over conversion with either
> > the BDS or the Rancho setup?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Chris
> >
> >
>
>

 

I have a '75 CJ5. I bought the 2 1/2" BDS springs and like them. They seem
to flex good. I rode in another CJ with Rancho springs they felt more
ridgid. My shocks are the R9000's and like Jeff, I have them set on the
softest setting. I've tried them in all the different settings too. I had
vehicle controlling issues when set up on #5. I drove over a recessed
manhole cover at 55 mph and with the low vehicle weight and the stiff
setting I damn near lost control on the wet pavement. I have had no issues
like that though on the #1 setting.

I got my setup at Mle High Jeep Rebuilders in Denver. Plus got the shocks
on sale, some buy 3 get one free deal. I'm happy with the setup and would
probably buy the same again. I agree with Jeff, it's kind of a waste only
using them on the softest setting. Rancho should produce one that is
equivilent to this setting for a reduced price.

Paul


"Jeff Strickland" <beerman@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:vk7mvkngvd1212@corp.supernews.com...
> The R5000 is very stiff. You will probably not like it. The RSX from
Rancho
> is a much better choice, and the R9000 is also a better choice. I have the
> R9000, and I like it, but it is kind of a waste of money because I have
> found that the best ride comes on the softest setting. Since I never
change
> the setting, there is not much point in having the adjustment capability.
>
> I am guessing you are doing either a CJ or YJ since you asked about a
spring
> over. The spring over project has fabrication issues that are somewhat
> difficult to solve if you don't know much about fabrication. The people
that
> do spring overs, and then write up the process, have said that the
> fabrication costs cause what seems like should be free because the same
> springs are used over again, actually ends up costing about the same as
> buying new springs. Basically, a 4" lift under the axle will put you in
the
> same place as stock springs over the axle. The main advantage of a spring
> over is the added clearance under the axles because of the relocation of
the
> spring perches. The spring over raises issues like spring wrap of the rear
> axle. This can be solved pretty easily, but if overlooked it can cause
your
> Jeep to bounce badly during hill climbs or other high load situations. The
> bouncing can be disasterous, and can even cause you to roll over backwards
> if the conditions are right - or wrong, depending on your perspective.
>
>
>
>
>
> "Chris Roat" <croat@slac.stanford.edu> wrote in message
> news:Pine.LNX.4.55.0308201227350.8813@bbr-stanford5.slac.stanford.edu...
> >
> > A lot of people seem to like BDS suspension. I'm looking at
> > a 2.5" lift kit - one store has it w/BDS shocks and one
> > store has it w/Rancho 5000s. Does anyone have experience
> > with either shock?
> >
> > And how does do they compare to a Rancho 2.5" lift? I've
> > seen people write on this ng that the Rancho springs are a
> > bit stiffer. Getting the rancho will save me $40 and about
> > 1.5 additional hours of driving.
> >
> > Also, has anyone done a spring over conversion with either
> > the BDS or the Rancho setup?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Chris
> >
> >
>
>

 

The Rancho 2.5" suspension SUCKS with a capital SUCKS!!! It was one of the
first lift kits done for the YJ back in the 80's and hasn't been updated
since, stay away like it's the plague. (Yes I have had one on my YJ.)

I hear great things about both the BDS kit, and the Rubicon 2.5". I have a
Rubicon 4.5" extreme duty kit on my highly modified YJ and can't say enough
good things about it. This is my YJs third lift suspension; Rancho 2.5,
Superlift 3.5 and the Rubicon is best by far.

FWIW, the Super kit was excellent, just not enough to handle the 35s.
"Chris Roat" <croat@slac.stanford.edu> wrote in message
news:Pine.LNX.4.55.0308201227350.8813@bbr-stanford5.slac.stanford.edu...
>
> A lot of people seem to like BDS suspension. I'm looking at
> a 2.5" lift kit - one store has it w/BDS shocks and one
> store has it w/Rancho 5000s. Does anyone have experience
> with either shock?
>
> And how does do they compare to a Rancho 2.5" lift? I've
> seen people write on this ng that the Rancho springs are a
> bit stiffer. Getting the rancho will save me $40 and about
> 1.5 additional hours of driving.
>
> Also, has anyone done a spring over conversion with either
> the BDS or the Rancho setup?
>
> Thanks,
> Chris
>
>

 

The Rancho 2.5" suspension SUCKS with a capital SUCKS!!! It was one of the
first lift kits done for the YJ back in the 80's and hasn't been updated
since, stay away like it's the plague. (Yes I have had one on my YJ.)

I hear great things about both the BDS kit, and the Rubicon 2.5". I have a
Rubicon 4.5" extreme duty kit on my highly modified YJ and can't say enough
good things about it. This is my YJs third lift suspension; Rancho 2.5,
Superlift 3.5 and the Rubicon is best by far.

FWIW, the Super kit was excellent, just not enough to handle the 35s.
"Chris Roat" <croat@slac.stanford.edu> wrote in message
news:Pine.LNX.4.55.0308201227350.8813@bbr-stanford5.slac.stanford.edu...
>
> A lot of people seem to like BDS suspension. I'm looking at
> a 2.5" lift kit - one store has it w/BDS shocks and one
> store has it w/Rancho 5000s. Does anyone have experience
> with either shock?
>
> And how does do they compare to a Rancho 2.5" lift? I've
> seen people write on this ng that the Rancho springs are a
> bit stiffer. Getting the rancho will save me $40 and about
> 1.5 additional hours of driving.
>
> Also, has anyone done a spring over conversion with either
> the BDS or the Rancho setup?
>
> Thanks,
> Chris
>
>

 

I have a 2.5" BDS on my 95 and love it. Stay AWAY from Rancho!

I have a 4" Rough Country on my 89 and hated it until I got rid of the
shocks and got DT3000's... now it's like night and day.


"Chris Roat" <croat@slac.stanford.edu> wrote in message
news:Pine.LNX.4.55.0308201227350.8813@bbr-stanford5.slac.stanford.edu...
>
> A lot of people seem to like BDS suspension. I'm looking at
> a 2.5" lift kit - one store has it w/BDS shocks and one
> store has it w/Rancho 5000s. Does anyone have experience
> with either shock?
>
> And how does do they compare to a Rancho 2.5" lift? I've
> seen people write on this ng that the Rancho springs are a
> bit stiffer. Getting the rancho will save me $40 and about
> 1.5 additional hours of driving.
>
> Also, has anyone done a spring over conversion with either
> the BDS or the Rancho setup?
>
> Thanks,
> Chris
>
>

 

I have a 2.5" BDS on my 95 and love it. Stay AWAY from Rancho!

I have a 4" Rough Country on my 89 and hated it until I got rid of the
shocks and got DT3000's... now it's like night and day.


"Chris Roat" <croat@slac.stanford.edu> wrote in message
news:Pine.LNX.4.55.0308201227350.8813@bbr-stanford5.slac.stanford.edu...
>
> A lot of people seem to like BDS suspension. I'm looking at
> a 2.5" lift kit - one store has it w/BDS shocks and one
> store has it w/Rancho 5000s. Does anyone have experience
> with either shock?
>
> And how does do they compare to a Rancho 2.5" lift? I've
> seen people write on this ng that the Rancho springs are a
> bit stiffer. Getting the rancho will save me $40 and about
> 1.5 additional hours of driving.
>
> Also, has anyone done a spring over conversion with either
> the BDS or the Rancho setup?
>
> Thanks,
> Chris
>
>