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.

 

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].

 

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.

 

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.

 

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?

 

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.

 

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).

 

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!

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Those sneaky sons of two strangers!

 

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.