Factory shock absorbers?

[SnoKing]

They are black!!!!! Would most likely have to put it on a hoist to find any numbers. SNOKING

 

[Cummins12V98]

Grab the boot and rotate. If they do not have the tag like mine they may be a different shock. I would think they would be the same.

 

[SnoKing]

OK, they are gas filled! Warning to not open! Still if I go over speed bumps with 60 lbs front and 48 rear, the front crosses nicely and the rear thumps hard. Rancho 9000 would allow the rear to ride better empty I believe, at least on my 2001.5 they worked great.

So are you saying that these are much better shocks that should last much longer? SNOKING

 

[SnoKing]

Here is the label.

#ad

 

[Cummins12V98]

I don't plan on replacing my rear shocks even if Bilstein had a replacement, they don't. The rear ride is good with the factory rear air ride. I did replace the fronts with the Bilsteins and it did help some. I would say these shocks that come on the trucks will last a long time. The Junk that came on my 11 were toast when I removed them with no more than 10k. One was even leaking.

If you are wanting to soften the rear ride solo a light setting on the Rancho's should do the job. Only pain is getting under there to change settings while towing if needed.

 

[skorski]

My 14 has 25,000 How dose one know if the shocks are worn or bad besides the ride/ Any test?

 

[SnoKing]

My 14 has 25,000 How dose one know if the shocks are worn or bad besides the ride/ Any test?

You could disconnect one end and try moving them buy hand! I did that on my 93 W250 and the rears just slide in and out easily. SNOKING

 

[AnOldBiker]

In the good 'ole days, we pushed hard in the bumper and if it went up and down quickly and more than once, their shot.
It should go down, about all the way back but level out quickly then stop. A good shock buffers the stroke quickly. A bad one doesn't.
There is the way of disconnecting and trying a stroke to see the resistance, but this is more work.
If the shocks are bad at 25k, they are a very cheap set of shock and should be avoided when buying a new set.
My '06 indicated good when I bumper checked them, and when I removed them and tried a resistance check, but at 100k I changed them anyway. I felt I got my money worth out of them.

 

[Ram4Sam]

I sent a message to Rancho and received this answer.

"Thank you for contacting Rancho Suspension.

Unfortunately there is nothing listed in our catalogue for your aplication yet. Also, due the specifications on the 2013 model vs 2015, wouldn´t be the same part number for both.

For further questions or assistance, please contact technical assistance at 734-384-7804 M - F 8:30am - 5:30pm EST.

Rancho Team Member,"


So the 3500 got the new frame in 2013 and something changed on my 2015????

So I called RANCHO tech support, what a bunch of jerks. Guy said they might be the same but they don't have any data yet to support that. Said I could call RAM and check part numbers and put them on if they were the same. However he said if I had a problem with them, they would not warranty them as they were not in his catalog for my truck!

So we have a company that sells adjustable shocks that we might want to install on a fairly new truck and are to lazy to do a little leg work to check on fit!

SNOKING

This months TDR magazine has a Rancho 9000 install article..........just looked at it briefly but I think it was for new trucks.

Sam

 

[SnoKing]

This months TDR magazine has a Rancho 9000 install article..........just looked at it briefly but I think it was for new trucks.

Sam

That is for a 2500 and there web site show an available fit for 2014. For the 3500 they show a fit for 2014 but not 2015, and will not listen to the fact that the suspension on the 2015 is the same, stating if I put them on a 2015 there will be no warranty!

They also note no stocks available for 2015 2500 RAM. They are just being stupid!

Note, even on Amazon's vehicle fit, it says they have rears for 2014's but will not fit on 2015's.

Maybe someone with a 2014 will shoot a picture of the label on their OEM 3500 SRW rears and post it for me to send to Rancho??? However 2014's may not have the gas filled units. SNOKING

 

[Ram4Sam]

That is for a 2500 and there web site show an available fit for 2014. For the 3500 they show a fit for 2014 but not 2015, and will not listen to the fact that the suspension on the 2015 is the same, stating if I put them on a 2015 there will be no warranty!

They also note no stocks available for 2015 2500 RAM. They are just being stupid!

Note, even on Amazon's vehicle fit, it says they have rears for 2014's but will not fit on 2015's.

Maybe someone with a 2014 will shoot a picture of the label on their OEM 3500 SRW rears and post it for me to send to Rancho??? However 2014's may not have the gas filled units. SNOKING

You could always put them on your 2015 since the trucks are the same. Rancho will never know, and, if you ever had a warranty issue, you have to take them off and mail them back any way. They will never know. I had them on my 2001 and loved them, I plan on them for my 2016.

Sam

 

[SnoKing]

Yep, had them on my 2001 also. Aired up rears to tow and adjusted shocks. Air down and readjusted shocks. I could reach around the tires with my long arms to count clicks 1-5. Will have to use to hands to count 1-9. SNOKING

 

[Newsa]

I sent a message to Rancho and received this answer.

"Thank you for contacting Rancho Suspension.

Unfortunately there is nothing listed in our catalogue for your aplication yet. Also, due the specifications on the 2013 model vs 2015, wouldn´t be the same part number for both.

For further questions or assistance, please contact technical assistance at 734-384-7804 M - F 8:30am - 5:30pm EST.

Rancho Team Member,"


So the 3500 got the new frame in 2013 and something changed on my 2015????

So I called RANCHO tech support, what a bunch of jerks. Guy said they might be the same but they don't have any data yet to support that. Said I could call RAM and check part numbers and put them on if they were the same. However he said if I had a problem with them, they would not warranty them as they were not in his catalog for my truck!

So we have a company that sells adjustable shocks that we might want to install on a fairly new truck and are to lazy to do a little leg work to check on fit!

SNOKING

I had a similar experience with Tire Rack. Except i asked how 2 apparently identical tires were selling for different prices. And asked if there is any difference in the tires. But it wasn't an important question because it never got answered.

I apparently emailed and called their "Lack of Customer Support" Hotline

 

[jus2shy]

I had a similar experience with Tire Rack. Except i asked how 2 apparently identical tires were selling for different prices. And asked if there is any difference in the tires. But it wasn't an important question because it never got answered.

I apparently emailed and called their "Lack of Customer Support" Hotline

I've found that when they have 2 tires of the same model at slightly different prices, it's usually due to outlined or solid white lettering on the side wall versus an all black side wall.

 

[Newsa]

I've found that when they have 2 tires of the same model at slightly different prices, it's usually due to outlined or solid white lettering on the side wall versus an all black side wall.

I thought you might be correct, but they have the same tire at a nearly $30 difference.
Both are white outlined letters

 

[jus2shy]

I thought you might be correct, but they have the same tire at a nearly $30 difference.
Both are white outlined letters

I've also found sometimes its a difference in load/service ratings or speed ratings for the same tire in the same size. but that's about all the reasons I can find.

 

[Newsa]

I've also found sometimes its a difference in load/service ratings or speed ratings for the same tire in the same size. but that's about all the reasons I can find.

I think you're right about the speed ratings. Weird 2 of the same tires have different speed ratings.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I would opt for the higher speed rating.

 

[Newsa]

I would opt for the higher speed rating.

View attachment 94021

Surprisingly, Ram is putting the higher speed rating (more expensive firestone Transforce AT tire) on their trucks. I bought 4 off of ebay from someone who was tricking out their Ram and didn't want factory 18's. But, i bought a fifth tire from a local tire shop down here and didn't notice it had the lower speed rating. They charged me for the more expensive tire and took an extra $20-30 in profit.

I am looking for a new mechanic.

 

[AnOldBiker]

Several years ago, I seen tires I wanted from a nation wide shop at a great price. I went in and told them I wanted a set. In the middle of installing them, the guy said the price was more than listed in the paper. I told them to put my old ones back on and rebalance and forget the deal. They ended up sell me the tires at the lower price. Seems the papers had misprinted the price. I heard the manager tell the employees to pull those brand tires and put them in the back until the weekend was over, becasue they couldn't sell them at those prices. (It did say in the paper, as long as stock was on hand. So there's other factors that could be involved).