I actually did (use my creeper) to change them. I did have one of the adjusters crack but you can still turn the rod with a pair of pliers or something. So wasn't a big deal to me, they didnt seize up or anything. The fronts you could access by turning the wheels each way, no need to get on the ground at all.

The Ranchos really aren't that much more than the 5100's ~$165 a side for the quicklifts on Amazon. I dont believe the rears were much different either if I recall.

I will 10000% agree to skip over the 5100s and Ranchos all together if you can make it into the Fox 2.0 or even better Icon 2.5s price points.

I currently have the Fox 2.5s on my rear and will be getting the Icon 2.5s shortly (already have Camburg UCA waiting to go on at the same time).

I'm really just posting this so people can try and use this to help them decide what direction to go. If they can afford to save a bit more, I urge them to use my expensive learning experience and just go for the Fox or Icons from the get go.

Again no broken or bent stuff aside, I would pick the Ranchos over the 5100s simply for the difference in ride quality.

 

If I knew I was loading my snowmobile or ATV up for a trip up north I would firm them up. It actually made a big difference

 

Where I live potholes and patch jobs are pretty prevalent. I find that when I hit a bump which I tend to weave around as much as possible(drives my wife nuts) that the hit tends to be pretty jarring. That is why I dont want to go with something that will firm up my ride too much. I drove a 93 yj for severa years so dodging potholes is a way of life for me, but you can't dodge all of them. Maybe I shoukd go with the Rancho's so I can dial in my ride.

 

That may be the way to go as the Bilsteins will firm up ride unless you go with zero level setting. I believe the suspension is as soft as it gets with the stock stuff and adding anything else will just add to the stiffer ride. The shocks just control axle movement and if you go with Ranchos or Bilsteins that damping with prevent travel from running out quick and prevent some jarring.

The hard part is that ride quality is subjective. What I think is great others think is rougher. I hated the stock ride, it was too mushy feeling so when I got Bilsteins and new D range tires it firmed up the ride and made it more sporty and felt like I was driving a truck.

 

Something else to add, you also get new springs with the rancho quicklifts. No spring compressor needed to switch them out .

Which I believe is a heavier spring to match the improved dampening as well. Dont recall the exact numbers, but I feel like I remember reading something like 700lbs??

 

That's most of the reason I want ranchos, don't want to deal with compressing/decompressing springs again, rather just get a true coilover setup.

In regards to RESCUES post, its always hard to gauge what people are describing in terms of suspension attributes. Mine feels very mushy around corners, but then stiff and rough going over potholes and such...just seems like poor dampening all around. I'd ideally like something that rides smooth over road terrain and tightens it up a bit in the corners, sounds like rancho is the best way to go in that regard. (in that price point at least)