I have resigned myself to replacing my shocks soon after the arrival of my FX4 equipped F350. I will begin towing a 13,000# 5th wheel next year and like the idea of the adjustability of the 9000's. For those of you who have them, do you really need the adjustability of the front shocks or do you leave them set at the same all the time and would you buy them again?

 

I bought a '16 back in January. DRW F350 6.7 Immediately went out and purchased the adjustable XL9000 for the rear as it had a huge bounce when my trailer (long, heavy horse trailer) was pulled WITHOUT any horses in it, but was better with the load with the stock shocks. It is substantially better now with the new shocks. I dial them up to 9 when I am towing, and down to around 4/5 when I am empty. It has greatly improved the ride for sure, and worth the $180 I spent on them.

I have NOT done the fronts yet, but that is next for me. Just because I think it will help even more if they are on all 4 corners. Just haven't had time to get it done yet.

 

I just emailed Rancho and asked if they have part numbers for those shocks for the 2017 MY. They may be the same as the 2016 but it never hurts to ask.
I'll post up their reply when I get it.

 

I e-mailed Rancho two weeks ago. At that time, they said they did not have 9000xl shocks available for the 2017s. Hopefully they give you a different answer.

 

I had the 9000xl on my 08 and loved them.
Waiting on them to come out also.
So when someone finds them let us know.

 

I suppose we will see how important the new SD is to Rancho whether or not they develop the 9000xl's soon (or any other shocks).

Just to put in perspective, but the redesigned F150 from 2015+ is still waiting for development from Rancho on shocks. As I type this...that would be Zero for a stock height f150.

Less we forget, but the F150 is the best selling vehicle in US!

Hopefully Rancho and others will get the R&D completed...and the products to the customers...sooner than later.


biz

 

Nope. Here is their response.
Front does, but rear is different. RS55036A/RS999036A for lifted and RS55047A/RS999047A for stock. RS55036A is the only one out right now. The other 3 are Q1 2017.
So basically next year in time for our spring rebate
Matt

So, the fronts are the same as the 2016 MY

 

In regards to a stock shock for the F-150, most people do not look to up grade their stock shock right off the bat, unless the are lifting it.

We do have that covered with the quickLIFT LOADED though.
I am going to guess that with the F-250 shocks coming out in 2017 Q1, we are going to address a stock height for the F-150 platform.

 

I've read this whole thread with interest.

I have a 2011 KR with FX4 shocks. The shocks are still fine, the truck rides well. Truck has 70K and tows a dual-axle trailer and a 24' CC boat occasionally. I personally think Ford nailed it with the compromise on unloaded vs loaded ride.

I bought a 2017 Platinum w/ FX4. Because the ride height in the rear is quite a bit higher (2", give or take) it is more bouncy. I'll have to find something to settle it down a bit.

 

I am having a really bad time with the unloaded ride of my 17 Platinum 250. If a man was to level the front....Would that help with the unloaded "bouncing" of the bed?

 

It is all a trade-off.

The ride height in the front on the 2011 vs. the 2017 is pretty close to the same. In the rear, it looks to be a good bit higher. I doubt leveling would do much good to help an unloaded ride.

Getting something to smooth out the rear would cure it. I'm not getting a ton of bounce, but the higher rear ride height makes it not as smooth as the 2011.

 

Probably not. The issue you are having is directly related to the shocks not controlling the ride. In a different thread...you mention that you have the FX4 package. Well...there is the problem! You have the Rancho branded shocks. If you did a search on those shocks on FTE, then you'd having enough reading for lifetime!!

You will be amazed at what good shocks will do for the ride of your new SD.


biz

 

I have been running Rancho 9000 shocks on my Ford trucks, my Jeeps for the past 15 years.

There are lots of good shocks out there but the adjustability they offer is what sets them apart. On my trucks unloaded I run about 5 in the front and 7 in the rear, when I am loaded 7 in the front and 9 in the rear. You adjust to get the ride you want loaded and unloaded, never had a shock fail and nothing but great results. You can spend more, but its Rancho that will get you home...

 

I made the above comments about my truck after only driving it 75 highway miles from the dealer.

Now, after I put my hard bed cover on it, and loading it with my tools, I have noticed a distinct change.

The ride has settled down quite a bit, IMO.

I am thinking that the bounce I was feeling was more wind buffeting in a unloaded, uncovered bed at highway speeds. It had been along time since I had driven a pickup w/o a bed cover.

Anyway, the ride is fine. No shock change planned at this time.

Just bumped the thread for anyone else...

 

What is the part number for the front of a non lifted 2017 truck?