Problems with Rancho Shocks

[RKrueger]

I put on one of the first sets of Rancho 9000X Series shocks onto my duallie last summer, and they didn't seem too bad. Not a nice ride like the OEM's but not bad.

Now, after the NorthEast Winter weather, they are riding terrible. Even the wife complains they are too rough. Side to side dampening is squishy, while the normal up/down dampening starts out ok, but quickly gets rough. Dampening going up is almost nil.

I don't know what's going on, but i need to dump these shocks and put on something else.

I used to have a nice smooth running truck, but these shocks sure have fixed that.

Obviously, I have played with the adjustments, I am running on 3 right now.

I really want to go back to a good quality OEM gas shock designed for this truck. Does anyone know who makes the OEM's for 2001 - 2003 Duallie's?



Thanks,

Robert

 

[Pit Bull]

This is my 2nd 3500 4x4 that I have had Bilsteins on. Great shocks, most seem to like them. Around $65 each at Auto Zone.

 

[johnjackson]

Bilsteins. $58. 99 plus $2. 00 each shipping. Off road warehouse. 800 341-7757. Your ride problems will be solved. You'll wonder why you ever used any other shocks.



johnjackson

 

[RKrueger]

While I certainly mean no disrespect to off-roaders, I am leary of any more off-road-type shocks. My wife and I use this vehicle exclusively for cross-country highway travel at speeds of 60 - 75 mph. We tow nothing, so our load requirements never change. ( Unless I fail to work out for a month )

These shocks are so bad that it has actually made my wife physically sick from the motion.

We want our smooth-riding, comfortable, stable, long distance traveler back. I know I spent a handsome price for these, but they may go in the trash for all I care.



Robert

 

[Diesel Dan]

Robert,



Talk to Rancho. Based on the time frame when you bought them, they are probably early production models and could be flawed. Rancho is a top mfg of shocks and will take care of you. There is no reason you shouldn't be able to find a very comfortable setting w/9 to choose from. if you don't get any help let me know as i know someone at Rancho and will do what i can to help out keeping the misses which is way better than



good luck



DD

 

[JohnE]

Have you checked the other possibilities?

tire pressure

tire balance

tire condition

wheel condition

studs

chassis alignment



If you don't get satisfaction from Rancho another possibility is KYB. Both KYB and Bilstein are premium high pressure gas charged shocks.

I run KYB Gas-a-Just on my 2wd with great success. My old tires were out of round, but the KYBs still held them down.

KYB came out with a new series called Mono-Max for trucks. I'm not sure how Mono-Max compare to Gas-a-Just.

 

[d90boy]

Bilsteins are the real deal. I find the OEM shock while soft and plush are not up to the task of dampening a 1000lb motor up front or a heavy load in back. I like a firm ride and Bilsteins do exactly what I want.



As far as the Ranchos go do you have them mounted right side up? You can't mess up the front but what about the rear? Some people don't realize that most shocks cannot be run in both positions. I used to run Ranchos but stepped up to Bilsteins. I'd like to try and run some 7100 series remote reservoir shocks, they'd look sweeeet!

 

[RKrueger]

Thanks to you guys for your help. I took Dan's advice and wrote them about the problems. We'll see what happens. I also wrote a similar letter to 4-Wheel Parts, where i bought them.

Maybe you are correct about the first series having a defect. When i put them on, the side to side business was there from the start, and I haven't ever been able to get rid of it.

The up and down dampening, though was much smoother (still not great) than now after running them through the cold NorthEast winter.

I don't know, but we'll see what happens.

It appears the Bilsteins are most people's favorite shock, but I would like to also hear that from someone who uses their truck like I do.

I don't want a stiffer ride, the one I had when I bought the truck was perfect, IMO. Whether going through the Adirondack mountains of New York, or wizzing down through Tenn. on our way to Dallas at 75 Mph, it rode like a caddy and was a pleasure to drive.



Cheers,

Robert

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

One thing to keep in mind is that the oil in the shocks will be a lot thicker in very cold temps. Unless you have your shocks on 1 already try turning them down some. I don't understand what you mean by side to side dampening? Shocks only do two things - compression dampening and rebound dampening.

 

[RKrueger]

BTW, we mounted the shocks with the older tires, there were new ones mounted all-around in late fall, Michelin only. Everything else is checked religiously by my mechanic. All ball joints were recently replaced, pressures are always monitored, but it has made no difference. This is a very well taken care of vehicle, trust me If it burps, it goes to the Doc.



Robert

 

[RKrueger]

I might feel really dumb here, but are these shocks oil-filled? I thought they were gas shocks.

When the truck goes over a particular bump that affects primarily one side, that side goes way up, almost without dampening, then down, then back up again. Almost like there's a different set of shocks for this situation. In fact, we've found that when going around a wide curve at 50 -60 mph, and there is any road undulations, it starts the whole truck bouncing up and down around the entire curve, and doesn't stop until the road straightens out. It's the strangest thing I've ever seen. It also makes you feel like you're not in control of the vehicle.

One other thing... Even on 3 setting, I can push down on the front bumper on one side, and it will go up and down 3 - 4 times. Yet when I'm driving, it doesn't seem to do that .

I can only push down 4 - 6 inches, so maybe that's the difference. It's almost like it doesn't do any dampening unless it goes down far enough. Weird.



Cheers,

Robert

 

[Pit Bull]

Robert

I drive my 3500 4x4 highway 80% in-town 20% and it is 95% unloaded. I had a 2000 3500 4x4 and put the Bilsteins on at 40K miles, noticed a big difference. Nice firm ride no floating or bouncing. When I bought my 2002 3500 4x4 I added the Bilsteins within the 1st 1000 miles. All I can say is I like the ride. Never owned the Rancho's on a Dodge CTD so I can't comment on comparison. Maybe there is a member with Bilsteins on his truck close to you?

 

[Turbo Horseman]

RKrueger, I have to say it... why don't you purchase the same OEM shocks that you had as original equipment instead of trying other brands? You seem to be happy with the OEM, so why switch?

 

[Dane]

While I certainly mean no disrespect to off-roaders, I am leary of any more off-road-type shocks. My wife and I use this vehicle exclusively for cross-country highway travel at speeds of 60 - 75 mph. We tow nothing, so our load requirements never change. ( Unless I fail to work out for a month )

Robert,

The Bilsteins are not just for off road, that's why the high $ European road car imports come with Bilsteins stock. The Bilsteins are a very high quality shock that work very well both on and off road.

 

[johnjackson]

Robert



You can always go back to OEM . They don't seem like bad shocks. Personally I agree with Dane, Bilstein has it figured out. They give the OEM type ride, only tighter. More like a sportscar Caddy. They don't stiffen the suspension they only dampen it, big motions or small. I don't remember seeing one negative post on this board about Bilstiens, ever. I would be very surprised If you were unhappy with Bilsteins the way you use the truck. Hope that helps.



John

 

[Posm]

I run empty and fully loaded, but not much in between. I find the Rancho 9000s to be superior to the stock shocks in both respects. I found the setting I liked on the front and leave it there. I have found that the load does not vary over a couple of hundred pounds from empty to loaded, goose-neck or bumper pull. I do Vary from setting 1 to 5 on the rears. I found the stock shocks to be to heavy unloaded to to soft in the loaded condition.

 

[Diesel Dan]

Robert,



If the truck bounces more than once the shocks are bad. I believe they have a lifetime warrantee. call the place you bought them from and see if they have replacements in stock set up a swap, take them off and swap them. shouldn't be more than the labor of swaping.



should be a no brainer



DD

 

[RKrueger]

Once again, thanks to all the contributors.

I see Bilstein has quite an impressive, loyal following



While I didn't get a confirmation on the oil-filled question, I now have to wait to see what 4 Wheel Parts or Rancho has to say to my inquiries.

I personally don't think an oil-filled shock is the appropriate type for the cold NE winters, as the ride changes with each temperature fluctuation. I even noticed this last year, when the temps went to 90+, and down below 32.

You're constantly seeing a change in the ride based on the weather.

... and the reason I don't purchase the OEM shock is twofold. For the price the dealer wants, I can get a full set of Bilsteins. And the other reason is that the OEM shock is made by -someone- other than Dodge, probably Gabriel.

But regardless, if the manufacturer can be found then I'll probably save %50 by buying the name brand version on-line over the dealer's version.



Thanks again, guys,

Robert

 

[johnjackson]

Robert



Far as I know all shocks are oil filled. Gas shocks refers to going one better and adding gas pressure which keeps the oil from foaming. This alows the shocks to be used harder and longer before they loose their dampening ability.



John

 

[d90boy]

Originally posted by johnjackson

Robert



Far as I know all shocks are oil filled. Gas shocks refers to going one better and adding gas pressure which keeps the oil from foaming. This alows the shocks to be used harder and longer before they loose their dampening ability.



John

You are right, I was going to say this. Easy way to tell a gas shock is when compressed, they expand themselves back out. Sometimes this can be a real pain when trying to install especially stiffly valved off road shocks such as the Bilstein 7100s in 360/80 valving or Fox racing shox.