Bump Stops

[deermagnet]

I still say the stock shocks are your biggest problem. You gotta get rid of them. You checked the front end and it's like a rock. Get the 9-way adjustable Rancho shocks. Either the old school non-gas charged, if ya can find 'em, or the new XL gas charged. You can dial in the ride you want and the difference will be dramatic on your bumpy road.

Is that four paws I see in the last photo? You got some kinda desert critter walkin' 'round the garage?

Get the front and rear diffy fluids changed also as long as that shop is under there. Then you get all four fluids changed at the same time in the future.

Mark

[VX KAT]

Is that four paws I see in the last photo? You got some kinda desert critter walkin' 'round the garage?

Yeah, that's Bandi our desert dog (mutt)....she's black (with tan paws) yet only takes like 4 tablespoons of water on a hot day sometimes, very weird......

[VX KAT]

OK, thanks deermagnet, just ordered the Rancho RX9000XL's....I'm tired of complaining about the ride....just gave the ole' MasterCard a little workout. Buy 3, get 1 free, & free shipping deal, so that helped, PLUS they have a 90 day ride guarantee.....they'll refund price + $50/axle labor costs if I don't like them.

I'll post my OEM stock KYB shocks FOR SALE after we see what condition they're in. Been told x2 no leaks, looked good.

Since I'm going to Moab, if somebody also attending wants to buy them I'll bring them, save big on shipping.

[VX KAT]

OK, gettin the Rancho RS9000XL's installed Thursday. Checked rear bumb stops today and they're virtually touching, so I'm going to have shop cut them in half like suggested on previous threads.

Question 1- If the Rear bump stops are touching, then the suspension isn't really getting to do it's job, right??? By cutting them down, I'll gain about 1" - 1 1/2" clearance ...is that going to make much difference by ITSELF or how does that work with the new Ranchos?? LDub, you said you thought the stock clearance in rear was about 1/4" or so....how could that make any sense? These great OEM shocks, but then only a super small distance for the suspension to travel...seems like the shocks wouldn't get to do much on the compression side of the function??

Question 2- What about the front bump stops?? So far, can only see the stop on the lower part, seems like it has at least 1/2" clearance (pic above). With the new Ranchos installed, should I still get an low or ultra low profile stop to replace the lower ones?

Question 3 - I tried reading all the threads about adjusting the torsion bars and how that could help, but I just don't have any understanding of all that. Should the shop do anything to the torsion bars while they're puttin' in the Ranchos to give the bump stops more clearance??

Thanks for being patient on this subject that I've definitely driven into the ground! It should be over soon! Sorry!!

[deermagnet]

Okay, all this talk about bump stops got me curious. In over nine years I've never looked for them or noticed them while under there. So, I just went out to take a look at mine for the first time. Both rear stops have about 3/8" clearance. Both lower front stops are missing the rubber pieces. They may have fallen out years ago. There's just empty shells with about 1.5" of clearance. I think I would know if I had any metal on metal contact there. I'm not sure but I really don't think the bump stops play a big role in how the VX rides on rough roads. My VX rides great on the old school Rancho RS9000X shocks (soon to be replaced with the XL's). It always has and I really like the ride with those shocks and my bump stops as they are now.

I'll probably try to remove the remains of the front stops and get some Energy Suspension bump stops.

Kat, you're looking at a fraction of an inch difference on the rear stops from some of us. Maybe you should hold off on messing with the bump stops until you see how it rides with the new shocks. The bump stops may be a non-issue for you. But it's your VX and your call.

Mark Griffin (a VX lifer)