Rancho made the deal with Ford, basically allowing Ford to slap Rancho stickers on the generic Ford shocks. Rancho has probably paid the price a bit for this since most people view those shocks as true Ranchos. And most people aren't satisfied with them so the Rancho name takes a hit.

 

Yep im with ya on that.
I have rancho 9000 and love them.Rides like a truck now too.

 

Trust me, I will never buy anything with the trade mark: "RANCHO".
Anyone that puts their name on something should stand behind it. As many complained about International engines, with the early 6.0 problems, they did stand up for the problems. (i.e. example)

 

lol,what ever floats your boat.
But i wont buy bilstens,just cause a few people say there good.But thats just me.
You are right,it was a bad move on rancho's part in selling there name.

 

Seemingly, bilstein is the prefered brand of shock for a lot of your vehicles, and some of you have had poor performance from Rancho.

Aside from the "Rancho" stamped ford shocks, is Rancho not a decent brand? If you were to buy shocks from Rancho would they be better quality?

I understand that Monroe and Rancho are pretty much the same shock. Besides price and not counting high end tunable shocks, why choose one over the other?

Is Pro-Comp the same as Rancho/Monroe as well. They use the same 8000/9000 series and use an ES instead of an RX. Descriptions seem very similar.

What about Rough Country brand shocks? Does any one have experience with them? Superlift brand?

Are they all made at the same factory and painted different colors?

Basically I'm feeding the fire of the shock debate. I want to know more and hear about other's experiences with different brand shocks. Also, I'm speaking from a stock to moderate lift situation. Not some one that requires high end speciality shocks. I feel that is another topic all together.

 

I put Rancho 9000's on my 1999 when I first got it and liked them. The Montana road salt did a number on the finish so I just replaced them with the new Rancho 9000XL's and really like them a lot. They are larger in diameter than most shocks and nitrogen filled, the ride is really nice.

 

How much to ship to 76088

 

Packaging and freight: $76.22

 

Rmosso1

You mentioned that you had the "death wobble" can you tell me when you experinced it? What speeds etc?

I too am another owner with the White Shocks that look like Rancho....and I side with the Bilsteins. Getting 4 of them after Christmas...but back to the "Death Wobble" I had a good friend at Ford tell me to do two things.

1. Change the shocks
2. Get ride of the Contential Tires.

Agree on both.

Cheers

 

I have had many different shocks.

I had a set of REAL RANCHOS on my 94 they wern't to bad.
Then I put Rough Country shocks on it. BIG mistake. They were junk.

Then I bought my 04 with the Ford Ranchos. They were about as bad as the Rought Country's.

I now have Bilstiens. The best shock by far I have ever had on a vehicle. The only shock that I could truley feel a superior increase in performance. Does my truck ride like a cadillac, NO, but it rides great.

If you want to buy REAL Ranchos, they will work good for you. Or any other good trusted brand, DR, Superlift, Pro Comp.

I chose to buy Bilstiens because everyone on this forum told me I would not be dissapointed and they were right. $250 for a superior ride is cheap to me. Hell, I spend that in a month for gas.
By the way I have a leveling kit on my truck if that makes any difference.

 

I am sold on the Bilstiens, mainly b/c most of the RV'ers pulling 5ers swear by them....another brand to consider, is KYB...anyone have any thoughts on those?

BTW, my best friend had the early version of the Rancho5000's said they were terrible. But then again, he has a 3500D, it already rode your fillings out.

 

Do you happen to still have your reciept so I would have warranty?

 

Rolling Rock, are you a BURGHER?

On top of the Laurel Mountain, I think elevation 2900, Route 30 is in need of repaving. My decision was made when I was going more than 40 mph and less than 55 mph and the steering wheel started to violently ocillate. I had already increased the tire pressure to 75 psi in the front, as it was my 2005 dually. Truthfully that seemed to help a little. But after installing Billsteins front, back and stalizer, all death wobble gone.

I did not have continental tires, and forget the mfr., but the window sticker from my 2005 states: LT245/75RX17E owl ALL TERRAIN.

I would bet my bottom dollar, you change the shocks, your problem will disappear. Running low air pressure will give you premature wear out and that would exacerbate the death wobble.

When I traded my truck at 31,000 miles, I planned on buying new tires after the first of the year.

Oh, the shocks I had clearly state in large print: RANCHO

 

Probably one of the stupidest things ever, was Rancho putting their name on the shocks that Ford sold on the SD's. It gave them a very bad name ...

The truth is, the regular Rancho shocks are a good product - the 9000x's I put on my '01 are great - I can change the settings when I need to, which is a big thing for me. Depending on the load, I want more or less shock, and especially on the highway, where I want MORE dampening for stability. I won't buy a shock that's not adjustable for my SD.

I have never tried Bilstiens, but I'll stick with my Rancho's, thanks very much.

The road salt did do a number on the paint, but they're still working great after 6 years, and I haven't been kind to them when offroad either

By the way, I believe that whatever factory manufactures Rancho also makes the stock Ford shocks. Which is why the "rancho" shocks on the FX4 are not really "Rancho" quality. They are just white Ford shocks made by the same factory.

I've run Rancho 7000's and 5000's on my '74 highboy, never a problem with over 100K miles on them, and they worked great.

Again, don't confuse the FX4 "Rancho" shocks with the Rancho 9000's. Completely different animal.

 

Cellman:
I am going to keep us both out of trouble and withdraw my offer. Sorry.