Notices
1999 - 2016 Super Duty 1999 to 2016 Ford F250, F350, F450 and F550 Super Duty with diesel V8 and gas V8 and V10 engines
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Real Truck

Shock absorber choice

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 24, 2015 | 09:24 PM
  #1  
wrvond's Avatar
wrvond
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,745
Likes: 72
From: West Virginia
Shock absorber choice

Considering replacing the shocks on my 2012 F250 Lariat FX4 crew cab with tow and camper package.
I have no lift and never will, but I do tow a 7000 pound camper.
I put Bilstien's on a Jeep Grand Cherokee years ago, but wasn't overly impressed by their durability. Rancho's had an even worse reputation back then.
What is the most popular choice for these trucks? I think the camper package calls for Rancho's, though I don't know which model.
 
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2015 | 09:55 PM
  #2  
davester250's Avatar
davester250
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 614
Likes: 1
I recently replaced what I believe were the original shocks on a '04 Sierra 3500 dually with Rancho 9000XL's, and am very happy with them. In particular [they are adjustable], I had set the front and back to the softest setting, but the front end would bounce several times over anything significant, dialed the front to 5 [medium] and bouncing was gone. I didn't get them to adjust regularly, I just figured that there was a greater chance I would like them vs a "here they are, hope you like how they work" shock, such as the Bilstein 5100's [which I understand a bunch of other people really like].
 
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2015 | 10:44 PM
  #3  
wrvond's Avatar
wrvond
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,745
Likes: 72
From: West Virginia
I just looked up the RS999042 (front) on Amazon, and was surprised to see the exact same part numbers and photos branded as Rancho and Monroe. I wonder who actually manufactures these shocks and what other brands they are available through.
 
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2015 | 01:43 AM
  #4  
Bently_Coop's Avatar
Bently_Coop
Lead Driver
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 7,460
Likes: 85
From: Kent Station, WA
Rancho and Monroe are owned by the same corporation.

http://www.tenneco.com/our_brands/

I have Bilstein 5100's on the front of my truck and Pro Comp ES9000's on the rear. I would definitely go with the Bilstein's again, I think the Pro Comp's are a bit light for our trucks. I would also check into the Rancho 7000's as they are to be comparable to the 5100's.

I believe the Pro Comp Pro Runner's are built on the same line as the 5100's as well.
 
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2015 | 06:55 AM
  #5  
wrvond's Avatar
wrvond
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,745
Likes: 72
From: West Virginia
The Rancho 7000's are less pricey than the 9000's, but their tubes are smaller too. It's looking like I may have to spring for the 9000's.
Any thoughts/experiences with the Tuff Country line?
 
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2015 | 08:13 AM
  #6  
jonrjen's Avatar
jonrjen
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,051
Likes: 10
From: TEXAS
I have run Bilsteins in the past on a Superduty. I went with Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks on my 2013 F150 FX4 and appreciated the adjustability of the shocks. Now on my 2013 F-350 FX4 PSD I put the Rancho 9000 shocks on a few thousand miles ago at about 26,500 miles. I appreciate the adjustability of the shocks even more on my 350 than I did on my 150.

Shop smart. Look for the Rancho Rebate Offers. Lowest price I found for the shocks was RockAuto.com. Then I Google searched for a coupon for a discount at RockAuto and used it to make the purchase. The Rancho come with a lifetime warranty as well as a trial period. Try them and if you don't like them send them back.

The other big shock player that seems to be gaining ground on the superduty truck is FOX. There is a few reviews that look positive in their favor.
 
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2015 | 09:13 PM
  #7  
Ginther's Avatar
Ginther
Laughing Gas
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 871
Likes: 74
From: Houston TEXAS
I had the Rancho RS7000MT shocks on my 2004 F250 FX4 (leafs front and rear). Rode much better than the worn out stock Rancho branded shocks it came with.

I'm going to order a set of the 9000s for my 2015 though. I want the adjustability since sometimes I tow heavy, other times I'm empty.

I'm sorry, but no "one setting" shock can do it all.

Not when there is that much difference in what the suspension is dealing with depending on the load - empty vs 2000# pin weight.

Not the Rancho 7000s and not the Bilsteins either.

Sure, they're better than stock, but they cant do it all. IMHO

RockAuto has the best prices I've found too.

$84.79 per shock minus a 5% discount coupon code (3690459B490384)

AND.......... Rancho rebate of buy four for the price of three.....

Makes a set of four about $255 plus whatever shipping is to your area (and tax if applicable).

 
Reply
Old Oct 26, 2015 | 12:16 PM
  #8  
wrvond's Avatar
wrvond
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,745
Likes: 72
From: West Virginia
9000's front and rear ordered from Rockauto. Expected delivery date is the 30th, so I'll have the weekend to get them installed before my upcoming camping trip!
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Oct 27, 2015 | 07:53 PM
  #9  
msgtord's Avatar
msgtord
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,490
Likes: 16
From: Arizona/Texas
I like the Bilstein's on my truck. But I will not buy another set. I had the rubber bushing on the right front fall apart. When I called support, I was given the part number for a replacement that I could use to order a new one. The shocks were installed this past February, less than 10,000 miles ago. No warranty on the bushing.
 
Reply
Old Oct 28, 2015 | 05:44 AM
  #10  
CollinsCD's Avatar
CollinsCD
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 16,196
Likes: 398
From: Odessa, Delaware
Originally Posted by msgtord
I like the Bilstein's on my truck. But I will not buy another set. I had the rubber bushing on the right front fall apart. When I called support, I was given the part number for a replacement that I could use to order a new one. The shocks were installed this past February, less than 10,000 miles ago. No warranty on the bushing.
That's good to know about Bilstein support. I've been trying to decide on what shocks for my 2010 that I used mostly as a daily driver and very rarely tow. If I do tow, it is always a very light trailer.
I do like the look of the Bilsteins and they are pretty pricey so I might be looking at Rancho now.
 
Reply
Old Oct 28, 2015 | 07:04 AM
  #11  
Ginther's Avatar
Ginther
Laughing Gas
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 871
Likes: 74
From: Houston TEXAS
Originally Posted by CollinsCD
That's good to know about Bilstein support. I've been trying to decide on what shocks for my 2010 that I used mostly as a daily driver and very rarely tow. If I do tow, it is always a very light trailer.
I do like the look of the Bilsteins and they are pretty pricey so I might be looking at Rancho now.
The Rancho RS7000MT (monotube) are good looking shocks too.

At RockAuto with 5% discount coupon (3690459B490384) they are only $62.50 each.

Rancho RS7000MT




I wish the RS9000XLs I ordered came with a BLACK boot and bushing instead of red.
 
Reply
Old Oct 28, 2015 | 07:09 AM
  #12  
wrvond's Avatar
wrvond
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,745
Likes: 72
From: West Virginia
Originally Posted by Ginther
The Rancho RS7000MT (monotube) are good looking shocks too.

At RockAuto with 5% discount coupon (3690459B490384) they are only $62.50 each.

Rancho RS7000MT


When I ordered from RockAuto, I never got an opportunity to enter a discount code. The other slight irritation is that the good ol' days of actually only being charged for three shocks and getting four are over. Now everything is a mail in rebate, but instead of a check that you can deposit, you get a gift card, which has it's own drawbacks.
 
Reply
Old Oct 28, 2015 | 07:20 AM
  #13  
Ginther's Avatar
Ginther
Laughing Gas
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 871
Likes: 74
From: Houston TEXAS
Originally Posted by wrvond
When I ordered from RockAuto, I never got an opportunity to enter a discount code. The other slight irritation is that the good ol' days of actually only being charged for three shocks and getting four are over. Now everything is a mail in rebate, but instead of a check that you can deposit, you get a gift card, which has it's own drawbacks.
Yeah, I hate waiting on rebates, but Rancho has been good when I've used them in the past.

I couldn't find where to enter the coupon code either, so I googled it. You have to paste it in the field that says "How Did You Hear About Us?"

I guess they make it tricky since their prices are already pretty low.
 
Reply
Old Oct 28, 2015 | 07:28 AM
  #14  
wrvond's Avatar
wrvond
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,745
Likes: 72
From: West Virginia
Those sneaky sons of two strangers!
 
Reply
Old Oct 28, 2015 | 08:30 AM
  #15  
Bently_Coop's Avatar
Bently_Coop
Lead Driver
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 7,460
Likes: 85
From: Kent Station, WA
Yup the rock-auto how did you here works for me all the time. If you don't have a code just search for them and they usually work.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:19 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE