2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Need Rancho RS9000 part numbers for '96

[SRath]

Is anyone here running Rancho RS9000 or RS9000XL shocks on their 2nd gen? I have been to Rancho's website and other dealers, but cannot figure out which ones will fit my '96 2500.



The truck is stock height, BUT the original owner told me he special ordered it with 3500 1-ton suspension and single wheels instead of duals.



I have no idea if this is correct or how to tell, but I do know that it does not suffer from frontend sag or need levelers even though it carries a 900 lb snowplow quite often in the winter.



I need to find some shocks that can hold up to the abuse. I also need a steering stabilizer with a clamp-on tierod bracket; maybe even a dual stabilizer if anyone has a part number for that. I'm converting to '98/'99 tierods and the stock stabilizer on my '96 tierod hits the new (and poor fitting) DSS I just installed. The new tierod setup will need a clamp-on stabilizer anyway, I think.

 

[SnoKing]

Well it says 2500 on the doors, right. I know on my 2001. 5 the Camper option provided rear spring packs similar to the 3500 springs along with a rear stablizer bar. Then there was the snowplow option for heavier duty front springs. I have had Rancho RS5000 on the front and RS9000 on the rear for many years now. Back then the 5 position RS9000 were RSP 9198. According to this http://www.gorancho.com/products/docs/08Shocks.pdf you would use RS999274xl on the rear. If it have snowplow option, then the front is harder to figure out. Does the truck have an 8800 GVWRing?



2002-94 4WD Ram 2500 (3⁄4 Ton) w/ 8800 GVW — Exc. Snow Plow Prep Package 0" lift Front RS999221XL Rear RS999274xl. All the rears are the same of 94-2002 is it is rated to 8800 GVWR. Does not appear that they supply a front for the snowplow option.



Snoking

 

[charlessmith]

I have Rancho RS9000 shocks on both my '96 2WD and my '97 4WD. The current name for the shock you want is the RS9000XL.

I've bought mine from 4 wheel Parts - click here - RS9000XL Series Shocks. They are better than some other places about either having them in stock or getting them quickly.

The same shock is listed for both 2WD and 4WD, so your suspension shouldn't be a problem. The Rancho part numbers are:

For 4WD
rear... ... ... ... RANRS999274
front 4WD... RANRS999221

For 2WD
rear... ... ..... RANRS999274
front IFS... . RANRS999195
front solid. . RANRS999221

You'll note the 2WD with solid front axle has the same part numbers as the 4WD.

 

[SRath]

Thanks guys.



All of Rancho's 'exceptions' (8800 gvw vs. 7700 gvw vs. snowplow package, etc. ) gets me confused.



Especially given what the original owner went to great lengths to explain about having to wait several extra months for the truck to get the heavier suspension he ordered. He called it one-ton suspension, like a 3500 would have, but without the dual rear wheels.



I have Rancho 5000's all the way around and they are toast, including the single stabilizer. The RS9000's I put on my K30 bigblock crewcab many years ago are MUCH better shocks. So I think my choices are either RS9000xl's or a dual shock setup in front.



That Cummins, dual batteries, and all the add-on stuff like the DSS, 3rd gen trackbar & bracket, snowplow frame, deer strainer, and Boss V plow make for a HUGE amount of weight on that frontend at all times! Not to mention the bigger tires. Add the 900+ lb plow throughout much of the winter, and you had better have really GREAT shocks up front. And I would like to add a winch!



Finding suspension components, including shocks, that can handle it is tough and expensive. Especially since Dodge under-engineered it in the first place.



The rear suspension has never been an issue other than being extremely harsh and pounding the bushings out of the shocks. I'm no fan of lift blocks like the factory used, either. But my issues are 99% with the frontend.

 

[jpogue]

I am in the process of replacing my steering stabilizer right now. I am having problems removing the bolt that goes through the drag link#@$%!.

Anyone have a reccommendation on how to get this bolt out of the drag link. Is it threaded in ? I better go look.

 

[DennyDay]

SRath - - Look at Bilstines before you buy Ranchos - - Had a lot of problems with Ranchos, and their guarantee is worthless - - Give Geno"s a call and they will head you in the right direction.



Denny

 

[charlessmith]

Thanks guys.

All of Rancho's 'exceptions' (8800 gvw vs. 7700 gvw vs. snowplow package, etc. ) gets me confused.

Especially given what the original owner went to great lengths to explain about having to wait several extra months for the truck to get the heavier suspension he ordered. He called it one-ton suspension, like a 3500 would have, but without the dual rear wheels.

I think the "1 ton suspension" he talked about is the solid front axle option on a 2WD truck. This has leading links to locate the axle (like the 4WD Dana 60) instead of A frame syspension. Look at your truck and see if that isn't what's under there.

Rancho does list front shocks for lifted front ends, but my guess is that you just need shocks for the solid front axle (if that's what you have).

I've had Rancho 9000s on 4 CTD's now, and the only problem was a failed front upper bushing several years ago. They shipped another one right away. My guess is that warranty support depends on how your dealer presents the problem to Rancho. I've had very good luck with 4 Wheel Parts, and they are a nationwide company.

 

[SnoKing]

All second gen 4x4 diesel trucks have a solid front axle. There was never a 1 t SRW. Camper package was close, but it did not change the badges or door sticker. SNOKING

 

[SRath]

The emblems and such identify it as a 2500 all right.



If the springs really are any heavier than a standard Cummins 2500 4x4 SRW, I sure don't know how to tell (except it rides like a lumberwagon).