Installed RANCHO shocks...
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Hornbeck, LA
Installed RANCHO shocks...
Hey guys,
installed some Rancho RS 5000 shocks. I've put a couple hundred miles on them so far. I couldn't justify yet spending nearly $80 each on RSX 9000. Does anyone have the RSX's on a 2WD and can tell me there is a HUGE difference??? Let me know...and I might switch. I've pulled with the factory shocks and they did ok, but I'm looking for the bang for the buck so to speak.
installed some Rancho RS 5000 shocks. I've put a couple hundred miles on them so far. I couldn't justify yet spending nearly $80 each on RSX 9000. Does anyone have the RSX's on a 2WD and can tell me there is a HUGE difference??? Let me know...and I might switch. I've pulled with the factory shocks and they did ok, but I'm looking for the bang for the buck so to speak.
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: New York
Bilsteins are the way to go. everyone will most likely tell you this. the ranchos are good, but from what i understand Bilsteins are the best. i plan on gettin them soon. they come in all sizes and really make your ride smooth and handle great no matter what you dish out on them. i had them on my last truck and they lasted forever.
-bigdawg
'03 FX4 F250SD SC Long Bed 5.4L
-bigdawg
'03 FX4 F250SD SC Long Bed 5.4L
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Senior User
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From: Hornbeck, LA
Yeah,
I've had Bilstiens before on my Chevy...loved them, but don't love the price... Once again, Bilsteins or Rancho RSX's are about $78 each or so. That's alot of money for a so-so increase in ride! Kinda like the bolt on performance stuff.... lots of money for something that gives out "bottom of the line" results. No bang for the buck! Factory shocks did fine on loads, but they are weak. Mine started leaking. These roads around here in south Texas are bad!
I've had Bilstiens before on my Chevy...loved them, but don't love the price... Once again, Bilsteins or Rancho RSX's are about $78 each or so. That's alot of money for a so-so increase in ride! Kinda like the bolt on performance stuff.... lots of money for something that gives out "bottom of the line" results. No bang for the buck! Factory shocks did fine on loads, but they are weak. Mine started leaking. These roads around here in south Texas are bad!
Posting Guru
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From: Medford USA!
The key to a shock purchase is "what do you use the truck for? Hauling loads, daily driving...??
Bilsteins are very good shock but non-adjustable. They're great for daily driving and average load hauling. Their ride is probably unsurpassed for this use. I would buy them over my Rancho's if I didn't haul a heavy camper.
If you are doing extreme variable loading (empty/full loaded) then nothing beats an adjustable shock IMHO. Being able to change a shocks damping charecteristics without dis-assembling it is a great advantage for extreme variable load hauling. You can easily tell the difference when driving/adjusting these shocks.
If you just plan on driving empty down the road, go Bilstein
Bilsteins are very good shock but non-adjustable. They're great for daily driving and average load hauling. Their ride is probably unsurpassed for this use. I would buy them over my Rancho's if I didn't haul a heavy camper.
If you are doing extreme variable loading (empty/full loaded) then nothing beats an adjustable shock IMHO. Being able to change a shocks damping charecteristics without dis-assembling it is a great advantage for extreme variable load hauling. You can easily tell the difference when driving/adjusting these shocks.
If you just plan on driving empty down the road, go Bilstein
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Joined: Oct 2003
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I put RSX's on my '99 250 SD 4x4 V-10 and they are night and day to the stock. i don't pull constantly, but drag my 24' boat 300 miles to the keys a few times a year and the RSX's have made the trip much more relaxing. As for everyday tooling around, they have almost eliminated the body rock I use to get with the stocks. Everyone says Bilstien (sp?), but I honestly don't know how much better it can get, Hell it aint a Cadillac!
Vinny
Vinny
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Colorado
Originally posted by Outpost22
The key to a shock purchase is "what do you use the truck for? Hauling loads, daily driving...??
Bilsteins are very good shock but non-adjustable. They're great for daily driving and average load hauling. Their ride is probably unsurpassed for this use. I would buy them over my Rancho's if I didn't haul a heavy camper.
If you are doing extreme variable loading (empty/full loaded) then nothing beats an adjustable shock IMHO. Being able to change a shocks damping charecteristics without dis-assembling it is a great advantage for extreme variable load hauling. You can easily tell the difference when driving/adjusting these shocks.
If you just plan on driving empty down the road, go Bilstein
The key to a shock purchase is "what do you use the truck for? Hauling loads, daily driving...??
Bilsteins are very good shock but non-adjustable. They're great for daily driving and average load hauling. Their ride is probably unsurpassed for this use. I would buy them over my Rancho's if I didn't haul a heavy camper.
If you are doing extreme variable loading (empty/full loaded) then nothing beats an adjustable shock IMHO. Being able to change a shocks damping charecteristics without dis-assembling it is a great advantage for extreme variable load hauling. You can easily tell the difference when driving/adjusting these shocks.
If you just plan on driving empty down the road, go Bilstein
I have a similar set up with a lance 1121 on '03 Dually, I saw your Rickson's on your page. Look good!!!! You know anyone who has lifted (just a bit) and runs a truck camper too. I would like to go up 3" and run slightly larger tires. I realize the center of gravity goes up a bit but with the dually I hope that I would not be too "tippy".
Anyone elses thoughts would be appreciated too!!
Thanks all!!
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From: Medford USA!
Originally posted by coloradoford
Outpost,
I have a similar set up with a lance 1121 on '03 Dually, I saw your Rickson's on your page. Look good!!!! You know anyone who has lifted (just a bit) and runs a truck camper too. I would like to go up 3" and run slightly larger tires. I realize the center of gravity goes up a bit but with the dually I hope that I would not be too "tippy".
Anyone elses thoughts would be appreciated too!!
Thanks all!!
Outpost,
I have a similar set up with a lance 1121 on '03 Dually, I saw your Rickson's on your page. Look good!!!! You know anyone who has lifted (just a bit) and runs a truck camper too. I would like to go up 3" and run slightly larger tires. I realize the center of gravity goes up a bit but with the dually I hope that I would not be too "tippy".
Anyone elses thoughts would be appreciated too!!
Thanks all!!
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Colorado
Originally posted by Outpost22
With a 3" lift, it would be like hauling an Arctic Fox or other camper with a basement. Our campers are only about 10'+ from ground level. Others go over 11' due to their "basements". I doubt you would notice much difference in a 3" lift with the camper on a dually. The Rancho shocks really help with the "tippy" part
With a 3" lift, it would be like hauling an Arctic Fox or other camper with a basement. Our campers are only about 10'+ from ground level. Others go over 11' due to their "basements". I doubt you would notice much difference in a 3" lift with the camper on a dually. The Rancho shocks really help with the "tippy" part
Anyone have experience with larger tire/wheels on a dually?? I do not want to use spacers (so I have heard) if I intend to carry a load which I do for sure. Again, don't want to go nuts on the size just a bit larger with maybe a 3 inch lift
Thanks again to all for your comments!!
Posting Guru
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From: Medford USA!
Originally posted by coloradoford
Is the incab control worth the extra install hassle on the Ranchos??
Anyone have experience with larger tire/wheels on a dually??
Thanks again to all for your comments!!
Is the incab control worth the extra install hassle on the Ranchos??
Anyone have experience with larger tire/wheels on a dually??
Thanks again to all for your comments!!
Rickson offers the 19.5's in a dually configuration (no spacers or adapters). It would make a stout package
www.ricksontruck.com
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,245
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From: IL, USA
Originally posted by coloradoford
Thanks outpost!!!!! Is the incab control worth the extra install hassle on the Ranchos??
Anyone have experience with larger tire/wheels on a dually?? I do not want to use spacers (so I have heard) if I intend to carry a load which I do for sure. Again, don't want to go nuts on the size just a bit larger with maybe a 3 inch lift
Thanks again to all for your comments!!
Thanks outpost!!!!! Is the incab control worth the extra install hassle on the Ranchos??
Anyone have experience with larger tire/wheels on a dually?? I do not want to use spacers (so I have heard) if I intend to carry a load which I do for sure. Again, don't want to go nuts on the size just a bit larger with maybe a 3 inch lift
Thanks again to all for your comments!!
I have the in cab controller with my 9000s. I think it's nice to have since I play around with the settings alot while I'm driving if the road condions change. I don't care much for the shocks though.
On one of our DRW trucks I'm pretty sure it has 255/85R16 tires on it. Looks a lot better than the skinny stockers that's for sure......haven't had any issue with them rubbing and needing a spacer. I'm pretty sure I've heard that the 255/85R16 is the biggest tire that you can run w/o rubbing when fully loaded.....that's with no lift.
Hope this helps.
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21
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From: Colorado
Thanks guys for the input!!
Outpost. . .I am was going to look local (Denver) for some wheels, if not, sounds like Rickson has what I need. Thanks again for your help.
DC,
What don't you like about the 9000's. . . have heard pretty good comments elsewhere. Thanks for the input!!
Curtis
Outpost. . .I am was going to look local (Denver) for some wheels, if not, sounds like Rickson has what I need. Thanks again for your help.
DC,
What don't you like about the 9000's. . . have heard pretty good comments elsewhere. Thanks for the input!!
Curtis
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,245
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From: IL, USA
Originally posted by coloradoford
DC,
What don't you like about the 9000's. . . have heard pretty good comments elsewhere. Thanks for the input!!
Curtis
DC,
What don't you like about the 9000's. . . have heard pretty good comments elsewhere. Thanks for the input!!
Curtis
It's the way that the valving is on the 9000s and how the settings adjust the valving. When you change settings from 1 to 2 for example, you adjust both the compression and rebound valving together. The problem is I can never get to a setting where I like how the shocks perform overall. When I get the compression nice and soft to absorb the bumps the rebound is way off and the truck will continue to "bounce" after hitting a good sized bump. And if I get the rebound to where it's good and the truck will not continue to "bounce" the compression is too stiff and you feel the bumps a whole lot more.
If you could adjust rebound and compression separately (like you can on the high dollar bypass shocks) it would be a better shock.
Right now my 9000s have about 14-15k on them and they seem to be performing worse than when they were new.
I will be switching to Bilstein shocks in the future.
Hope this helps.