I did a search before posting, but I could not find what I was looking for. I apologize in advance if this has been already discussed, I am a rookie...

I just installed a new set of Rancho RS9000XL on my F-250, 6.2 Lariat, 2019 with about 14,000 miles. I have to say that at the moment I'm not overly impressed, they seem to be just marginally better than the OEM. Actually, the first ride I tried with both front and rear set to 1 and while it was kind of "softer" it turned out to be really unmanageable, on the freeway joints I even had a hint of death wobble with the steering wheel going all places. I am now to 6 in front and 4 rear, unloaded, and it's just ok, as I said marginally better than before but I'm questioning the investment (...I know, too late for that...). I'm wondering which setting other people use?

Laterally connected with the above, I found that the front tires where showing some feathering, which to the best of my understanding can be due to a defective alignment. So I did an alignment, which found a slight difference from the "acceptable" values, and I also had them rotated (probably the previous owner "forgot" to rotate...). Looks like the Ford suggested range of acceptable values for the alignment is pretty wide, what do you guys use? Stay on the lower end or the upper end?

I'll appreciate any suggestion.

 

I installed the same set on my '19 6.7 F250,and it was a marked improvement over stock.Not sure if the gas engine may be a factor,but even the wife noticed improvement.That being said,it still rides like a truck,but it was definitely better.I have mine set on 5 all around,and haven't really played with them much,just due to not driving it alot.Maybe something to do with your tire psi?I run mine 53 fr,and 50 rr on 35's.

 

agree....the 9000 series to me are adjustable from high (equal to a OEM shock) to low (equal to a worn out shock)

fox totally missed the need.....most folks want high to be X times firmer than OEM shocks and low to be equal to OEM shocks. I bought a few sets for different vehicles and now pretty much gave up on the 9000 series.

I usally now buy the 2.5 series and that will probally be my next shock. I never tried the 2.0 series .....most reports are very good .

I think the 9000 series has a place amoung f-150/f-250 users.....but I would not recommend for DRW use.

 

1 is way too soft for the weight of the truck as you found out.

What were you trying to achieve over stock ride? If you are towing, you'll see a huge improvement over stock when you start cranking them up but if you were just looking for a better ride unloaded, I don't think they'll provide a significant improvement over stock shocks that are not blown out. Now, factory shocks very well may have been toast by 14K miles but given you are gas, they might have actually been OK.

I changed to the 9000's at about 30K miles and noticed a slight improvement unloaded but if you are going for comfort, air pressure in the tires makes a bigger difference.

If you get the actual weights of your truck, you can reference the tire manufacturer load tables to see what PSI you can drop down to. I don't always take the time to adjust from towing to unloaded but when I do, I generally run 55 in front @ 45 in the rear. It's a big difference over the door jamb recommendation of 65 all the way around and it's well within the load tables for my tires.

 

When I had Ranchos, I was at 6 in the front and 4 in the rear. Tire pressures were 45-50 in the front and 40-45 in the rear when unloaded. I thought the Ranchos were much better than stock, especially in that they stopped the rear end from 'chattering' if you hit a bump while in a corner.

 

I had Rancho 9000 shocks on my previous truck (2005 Chevy 1 ton CCLB 4x4 diesel) - they were decent. Could feel the difference.

On my 2020 F350 CCLB diesel, I installed Rancho 5100 shocks - they are really nice. Definitely improve the ride on rough roads. Great when towing our 5th wheel.

 

Towing our 12,000 5th wheel, I set my rear Ranchos at 9, the max. It certainly helped towing.

Since I also have air bags, the shop set the rear at 4 when unloaded. Personally, I wouldn't go lower than 4 unloaded and lower than 9 towing.

Since my last trip. I still haven't moved the setting back to 4 (unloaded). It's firm, but not hateful unless you're on a dirt road).

 

When you say "5100" I presume you meant Bilstein 5100 shocks. Correct?

 

Rancho has 5000, which is on the front of my truck. 5100 was probably a typo.

 

I run 5 on the front and 4 on the rear when unloaded. I tried a lower setting on the front once while towing and encountered death wobble. After cranking it up to five I never had that again. I've started setting the rear to 9 when towing. I think that the front needs to get bumped up to 7, as it might help me a bit with the porpoising.

I sometimes adjust the tire pressure down when unloaded. My truck is used mostly for towing so I don't mind a harsher ride for short trips.

Otherwise, I'm satisfied with the Rancho 9000XL shocks.

 

My 9000XL failed Friday. Front passenger blew up. Front driver is starting to fail. Drips of oil.

the customer service at Ranchero was poor.

hope you guys have better luck

 

There is a @Rancho Suspension rep here on the forum.

 

Yes - Bilstein 5100 shocks ... not Rancho (think they would be 5000's_)

 

Rancho warranty info:
https://www.gorancho.com/warranty-guarantee/

TL/DR
Keep your receipt, that is your proof of purchase
Warranty goes through where you bought them,they will assist you.



[

QUOTE=Mack3006;19916527]My 9000XL failed Friday. Front passenger blew up. Front driver is starting to fail. Drips of oil.

the customer service at Ranchero was poor.

hope you guys have better luck[/QUOTE]

 

To answer your original question since nobody has...

Camber - 0. There's no need to have any camber on a solid axle rig.
Caster - 4 to 5 degrees. I don't care what the Ford spec is. Remember ford wants to have a light steering feel so it drives like a car. The key to stability is caster. The more caster, the more stabil it is at speed.. too much can wear the tires funny if there's a lot of city driving.. 4 to 5 is a good number to shoot for..
Toe - IN (positive toe) about 1/16 to 1/8" as measured at the tread. This is abiut .05 degrees or so.. a small amount of Toe out is still in spec, but should never be done on a rwd vehicle.

I used the above settings on my 17 xlt with a leveling kit and it drives better than it did stock.