Since HE is all knowing.
Rancho RS-9000X shocks worth it?
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2007
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Rancho RS-9000X shocks worth it?
I'm having trouble getting Bilstien rear shocks for my X, eShocks.com split the order and sent the front ones only. Now I'm stuck with them and will have to pay to return if I go another route. 
I really want to install my Hellwig this weekend and the rear shocks are a natural to do at the same time - so I'm considering the Rancho RS9000s - but are they worth $400 for all four corners?
Thoughts?
I really want to install my Hellwig this weekend and the rear shocks are a natural to do at the same time - so I'm considering the Rancho RS9000s - but are they worth $400 for all four corners?
Thoughts?
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Joined: Aug 2006
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Hellwig / Rancho
Hey:
I don't know how much this will help you, but I just had my Hellwig rear sway bar and Rancho shocks put on today. I opted for the RSX's rather than the 9000s. I figured I would obsess about what setting the shocks were on all the time, and spend more time adjusting them than enjoying driving my EX. Then I'd get sick of manually adjusting them and get the "in-cab" controller and spend even more $$. I am very happy with the RSX's so far (I know I've only had 'em for a day...). I'm towing my camper next week with the new stuff, so if anyone is interested, I'll post a review after I've been driving it for a while.
I've had LANDYOT's Radius Rods installed since last summer. I've been real happy with those. They pretty much cured the "wandering" problem, but I still was not completely happy with the ride quality of the EX. That's why I went with the Hellwig and the Ranchos.
Now I guess I'll get the towing mirrors...
Matt in SC
I don't know how much this will help you, but I just had my Hellwig rear sway bar and Rancho shocks put on today. I opted for the RSX's rather than the 9000s. I figured I would obsess about what setting the shocks were on all the time, and spend more time adjusting them than enjoying driving my EX. Then I'd get sick of manually adjusting them and get the "in-cab" controller and spend even more $$. I am very happy with the RSX's so far (I know I've only had 'em for a day...). I'm towing my camper next week with the new stuff, so if anyone is interested, I'll post a review after I've been driving it for a while.
I've had LANDYOT's Radius Rods installed since last summer. I've been real happy with those. They pretty much cured the "wandering" problem, but I still was not completely happy with the ride quality of the EX. That's why I went with the Hellwig and the Ranchos.
Now I guess I'll get the towing mirrors...
Matt in SC
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
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I have the Rancho 9000S on all 4 corners and I set them at 1 for the smoothest ride and 5-7 when towing. They are excellent IMO.
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Joined: May 2004
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I had the RS-9000's before I switched to the Donahoe Racing signature series shocks which are basically custom valved Bilstein's & they are much better than the Rancho's in my opinion. I could never get the 9000's to feel right, at level 1 or 2 there was to much body roll and anything above 4 was like a rock except for towing. Level 3 felt the best but not nearly as smooth as the DR's
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From: Brooksdale, ON
Originally Posted by 200Proof
I had the RS-9000's before I switched to the Donahoe Racing signature series shocks which are basically custom valved Bilstein's & they are much better than the Rancho's in my opinion. I could never get the 9000's to feel right, at level 1 or 2 there was to much body roll and anything above 4 was like a rock except for towing. Level 3 felt the best but not nearly as smooth as the DR's
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 84
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From: South Florida
Sams Offroad has Ranchos buy 3 get one free right now. 4 RS9000X $223.95. http://www.samsrancho.com/index.html I recently put them on my '03PSD Ltd. and am very pleased with them so far. Currently running them on level 3.
Ben
Ben
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 356
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From: Washington DC
I just installed mine and set them on 5 for now as I was taking my Ex on a trip towing my schools trailer for our Crew team I help manage and coach. The ride was great, if not a little soft for towing. I set them on 2 when I got back to see how it rode while not towing. I have to say, I love the ride and handling compared to the stock shocks I took off. I have no complaints at all.
Here's what I was towing;
Here's what I was towing;
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,948
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Don't want to make this more difficult by adding another option, but the 9000's valving is a generic valving for light, and medium duty vehicles. That is why there is such an extreme ride difference between the low setting, and high setting. It is like asking a small application shock to do it's big brothers job.
The solution is the Rancho RS9000XL. This is a larger shock designed for the weight of unloaded fullsize trucks, and are capable of handling the added load of bigger loads, or large trailers. The larger size means more fluid that will run cooler, (even on the street), and drive more consistant, and is will last longer. The valving designed for large vehicles means that the owner will be able to find the comfortable ride with little to no compromise between empty, and loaded weights. Again, I don't want to make this more difficult decision, only want you all to know that there is a specific Rancho shock out there designed for our application.
I am not a Rancho salesperson, nor do I work for the company. Matter of fact I run KING bypass shocks on my Excursion.
The solution is the Rancho RS9000XL. This is a larger shock designed for the weight of unloaded fullsize trucks, and are capable of handling the added load of bigger loads, or large trailers. The larger size means more fluid that will run cooler, (even on the street), and drive more consistant, and is will last longer. The valving designed for large vehicles means that the owner will be able to find the comfortable ride with little to no compromise between empty, and loaded weights. Again, I don't want to make this more difficult decision, only want you all to know that there is a specific Rancho shock out there designed for our application.
I am not a Rancho salesperson, nor do I work for the company. Matter of fact I run KING bypass shocks on my Excursion.
