I think the red shields on the OEMs were just for marketing--basically Ford shocks with Rancho branding? Don't last any longer than the OEMS do, in my experience. Needing to do something with my 450 at 46k miles--rears feel like they are shot.

 

My OEM non-Rancho shocks were toast within 5,000 miles. One was obviously leaking, none of them rode well. New Rancho 9000XL shocks came with the plastic boots.

 

Yes they did come with the boots . Hope to get them on without them looking cheesy !!!

 

Got them on today since it was 76 * here . I took a side by side pic to show the obvious difference in size . Front took the longest just because of the threaded stud on top . Rears took 10 minutes . I happened to have some red zip ties , so I used those to tie the boots on . Seems to be a little less noticeable than the black . As others have suggested , I am starting at setting 6 on the front and 4 on the rear . I will take for a test drive tomorrow that is longer than a mile .




Front done …….



Rear side by side …..




I also noticed that they are stamped FOMOCO with Rancho decal .

 

 

Went for a few longer rides today . Definitely a difference . Bumps don't seem to be as harsh , but didn't feel like I was floating either . Took the wife to kids house and she even noticed the difference . All is well !!!!

 

Getting ready to purchase these shocks...Thanks for the info...80% driving is without 5th wheel so the adjustability of these shocks should serve me well.

Tony P.

 

 

Ordered up the shocks yesterday now do I need to clear coat them? I live in southern California and wasn't sure why people clear coat them before install

Tony P.

 

 

In SoCal, no, you definitely do not need to clear coat them. Most people in frigid areas will clear to protect from the crazy salt/slurry chemicals they throw down on the roads in the winter. It eats cars alive.

Just keep them clean, if you have a higher end shock like a Fox/King/SAW you can wax them once a year or so and they'll look brand new for a decade.

 

You sir are dead on... I did a job for TENNECO Automotive building a robotic vision inspection machine for them to check for paint defects and correct sticker placement on RANCHO shocks... I personally wrote the program for that machine and it was set up for only one pass...it took the parts from the same line and checked all of them. Then just before seam roller welders that weld that little checker pattern on the top of you OEM shocks is the fill station and RANCHOS come off the exact same lines as the rest of the non RANCHO shocks...They claim an oil difference but I never saw them while I was at the plant for 4 months....

 

I think a lot of guys up north do it because they salt the roads . I did mine just because it couldn't do any harm and it gave me a warm and fuzzy knowing it was done . I also removed the adjustment screws and put a little grease in the cavity .