Rancho 9000 Question

[SVazquez]

Gentleman,



Thinking about getting the Rancho's from SOR. Considering the "free" controller it seems like a decent deal. I have a few questions:





1) I am running stock tires but when it's time to replace them it will most likely be with 285/70/17's. I'm also thinking of getting the Skyjack D25 springs. If I buy these shocks now, will I have to get another set when I change tires or will they still work?



Thanks,

Scott

 

[RAMINSPEED]

The answer is NO

 

[Scooby]

You only need to change the shocks if you change the ride height of the vehicle. For example: If you do the 2" leveling kit, you would not want to use shocks that were ordered for a stock height font end.



Who is SOR and does the controller kit come with the pump and everything?

 

[SVazquez]

Scooby,



Thanks for the info.

I am referring to Sams Off Road (too lazy to type out the entire name ).



As to the pump and everything, I honestly don't know. There is a picture and it looks like everything is there that you need. I know a little about motors but I don't know crap about suspensions. Maybe you can look at the picture and give your opinion. Also, I will call tomorrow and ask.



Scott

 

[Scooby]

Aha... . I'll look forward to hearing what the kit includes... . because I could have sworn the in-cab controller and compressor was another 2 bills or so...

 

[PJereb]

I had 9000's on the front of my old 98 Nissan 4x4. I was less than impressed, they were nice for the first 10k miles, but then seemed to weaken, and turning them up only seemed to exaggerate the problem, it felt like the adjustment did not increase the dampening equally under compression and rebound. By the time I have 50K miles on them I felt they would provide more service in a garbage can than on the front of my pickup.



I would strongly suggest Bilstein shocks, there are a bunch of people running them on their CTD’s. When my stock shocks wear out I plan on replacing them with Bilsteins. Also, do you really want to deal with all the extra clutter that the remote adjustment is going to add? It seems to me that all of the lines and such would just get destroyed in a short period of time, not to mention you have to weasel the cables through the firewall, and mount the remote adjuster to your dash.



Search the archives and good luck with whatever you choose,

Peter

 

[Scooby]

I agree with you that the Bilsteins have served many folks very well. I had the 9000's on my '01 and really liked the adjustability since I carry a 4500lb slide in camper. It's hard to find a shock with no adjustability that rides well empty and with an extra 2 1/4 tons!

 

[SVazquez]

I guess I ahould have included in my original post that another reason I am thinking about the Rancho's is that we are planning on getting a Slide in. (Wife is hell bent for a boat) and we can't exactly pull a boat and a t-hauler . I'm sure that will open up a lively discussion. In ya'lls opinion, would the Bilsteins handle the slide in? I know this post will get redirected to the towing - RV forum. I appreciate the input. This is why I enjoy the TDR.

As far as the clutter of the gauges, I have a few ideas in mind . There is a picture of someone's cab here that has them mounted basically underneath the cup holder that is awesome. I have made some plans with a guy that can make a great pod to mimick said member and maybe a little better. But I want to give credit where it's due, it's not my original idea.

Everyone have a great holiday!!!

 

[PJereb]

Here in California you can tow doubles with a CDL (with the doubles / triples endorsement), but the last trailer has to be a watercraft. You might want to check into it to see if that is allowed in Arizona. One of my buddies also has a CDL and he pulls a large Honda jet ski behind his travel trailer with his Ford. No problems whatsoever, except that you have to plan your route and fuel stops so there is no backing involved. It is a pain to get your commercial drivers license, but it does have perks.



As for how the Bilsteins would handle with a slide in, I have no clue. I suspect that they would be fine; they would not be as stiff as the 9000’s cranked up would be, but really if you are trying to control sway, maybe you should consider aftermarket anti sway bars, and or airbags, instead of trying to dampen it with really stiff shocks.

 

[Sticks]

I just ordered the set of four and the free in cab remote control unit from SOR. $289 delivered. Even if the shocks are the crap that everyone who does not like them says they are, I can still use the remote control for the firestone air springs I have. Besides with the lifetime warranty, if I get a new set of shocks evry 10k miles (about 1 year for me) that's cool.

 

[Diesel Nut]

Got a number for sor? I want 9000s too, but man are they prod of em out here. 90 each last I checked when I got the new Coopers at the tire place.

Also, in Oregon you can double tow on a class C but the last trailer has to be a boat OR utility trailer (quads or something). They just don't want you trying to tow a 35' alpinelight and a 30' travel trailer.

 

[Sticks]

http://www.samsoffroad.com/samsoffroadsto/index.html