Rough Country shocks - Velocity Sensitive Valving?

I am looking at a new 3" lift for my Jimny. I had a 2" ProComp ES1000 lift on my old Jimny and found it to be quite hard (although it improved a bit after settling). I am contemplating going the OME 2" lift due to its comfort but I really want a 3" lift as its the same price, I get more for my money (panhards) and has better flex.

If all I had to choose from was ProComp, then I'd stick with the OME, but because there is Rough Country with the 'Velocity Sensitive Valving' I thought there might be some hope for a 3". I had thought about Tough Dog but heard they are quite stiff as well and given the price I'm not contemplating them atm.

Is the 'Velocity Sensitive Valving' on the RC shocks just an advertising gimmick or does it really give the best of both worlds? Can anyone give me their opinion on how the RC ride? Preferrably to ProComp but also to standard.

Also, does anyone have the open and closed shock lengths for RC? Or part numbers so I can search it.

Thanks

Iv used the pro comp es1000 for a while even on my old vitara, I found them very soft I deal for off roading a lot. I thought the higher number next to the es was more stiffer like es3000? So the es1000 would be the soft ones?? Am I wrong?

I'm now using rough country and find them stiffer, gives a better ride on the road.

The ES1000 is meant to be the softest but I still found them to be quite stiff compared to standard. I have only done 5k kms on them and are only starting to settle in, should I be giving them a little longer?

Wouldnt the RC also be soft offroad with the VCV they claim?

Hi,

The Rough Country catalogue is here.

HERE

It gives all the specifications of their products.

For a Jimny you are really looking at two ranges.

The first is for lifts up to, and including 3". The shocks in this range are slightly shorter and therefore limit axle drop. This is useful if you have Goodyear extended brake hoses which can be stretched with some lifts. Also if you are nervous about rear spring dislocation then these are the ones for you.

8122 - Rear
8175 - Front

The second is for lifts of 3" up to 4.5". These are longer shocks that permit more axle drop. You will need the BigJimny extended brake hoses to allow for the drop. I would also recommend the Offroad-Armory Spring retaining clamps to prevent dislocation. These are the shocks for you if you have a 3" lift and want more axle drop or envisage going longer in the future, perhaps with spring spacers or even longer springs.

8149 - Rear
8155 - Front

Rough Country shocks are also sold as "TrailMaster" in the USA (not the same as TrailMaster Europe) and also as Calmini

Available in the BigJimny shop the first ones are listed as 2" lift shocks and the second are listed as 3" shocks. Thanks to testing by Kirkynut on this forum we now have a good idea of the lifts that they fit, he has probably got tired of the Courier arriving with more of the Rough Country Range!.

All of the range are available, the key Jimny ones are held as stock but others may take around 2 weeks to arrive. There is one price for the Hydro 8000 standard range as shown in the shop. Although we have not tried them we have been recommended not to use the Gas range as these are very firm and are designed for large American Heavyweight 4x4's speeding across the desert, not a lightweight Japanese Jimny in the UK mud.

Hope this helps

martin

Sandez wrote: The ES1000 is meant to be the softest but I still found them to be quite stiff compared to standard. I have only done 5k kms on them and are only starting to settle in, should I be giving them a little longer?

Wouldnt the RC also be soft offroad with the VCV they claim?

I'm not sure what the vcv is all about really. I was thinking of getting a softer setup again as I only really off road with it. So I might go back to the pro comps they did flex easier than RC.
Even the RC steering damper is very stiff and often snatches abit, so was thinking of changing that, the RC is a chunky shock too.

The equivalent Rough Country shocks are smaller diameter than the Pro-Comp (ok, so there are millimetres in it), I have them here and measured them.