Rancho 9000's: which setting do you use?

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Got my Ranchos this week and installed last night. Installation was relatively easy thanks to great instructions on another thread from Steve St. L.

Now this challenge is to find the optimal setting for driving empty and also, for towing. I assume they will be different. If not, why did I buy adjustable shocks?

My truck is a 3500 QC 4x4 with a lot of stuff (100 gal fuel tank, tools, chains, etc. ) in the bed. Vehicle weight (with stuff and fuel)is appx 8600 lbs. Most of my driving is on 2 lane state highways and paved country/farm roads.

Which settings do you experienced Rancho riders recommend? Which for empty(no trailer)? Which for towing(say max GCVW for a 3500)?

My initial idea is to use setting "1" for driving empty and setting "5" for pulling big loads. It's probably not this simple. Please give me the benefit of your experience.

Thanks.



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99 3500 QC 4X4 5sp 3. 54 K&N air filter, DiPricol gauges, 275 hp injectors, Pacbrake, Westin nerfs, GN hitch, Tekonsha Brake controller, Mopar seat covers, Husky mats, silencer ring removed, Draw-tite front receiver

 

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I find that I usually keep mine at 3 on all 4 shocks. I do a little highway but mostly secondary roads and some dirt roads. If I plan on driving a lot of highway (100 or more miles), I turn them to 2 sometimes 1. That will smooth out the bridges a lot. I find that the steering is a little sloppy on 1 for all 4 and with them at 3 the truck seems to get up and go better. The ride is a little harsh over big bumps but I am not looking for a caddy ride with this truck. I also run about 55 lbs in front and 50 lbs in back. This is all empty weighing in around 6500 lbs total.

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Scott
92 Ram, Bright White, Club Cab, LE package, 4x4, 130K, 3. 54 gears, Auto, Extra transmission Cooler under bed, 285x75x16 Cooper Discovery A/T, 16X10 American Racing rims, Tekonsha Brake Controller, Running boards, Lund Sunvisor, Marker lights, Lund bug deflector, Tonneau cover, Full cap, DynoMax muffler, 5" Chrome tip, 16 cm Turbo, Isspro Boost gauge, 23 lbs Boost, Pump Adjustments, Sprayed in Bed-liner, Rubber mat

'SHAKES, RATTLES & GOES'

 

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I run mine on 1 for all 4. With 14 ply tires, I need something to soak up the bumps.

 

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I'm running mine at 3 on the front and 1 on the rear unloaded. I haven't hooked up a trailer yet to test loaded settings.

-Steve

 

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I have a 2500 Quadcab longbed that weighs in at 7200lbs or so empty. I usually run '3' up front and '2' in the back. When I pull my fifth wheel trailer (15500 GCVW) I usually put the rear up to '4' ('5' is too harsh. ) The only time I've traveled with the rear at '5' that worked well was when I filled the back end with colored gravel for landscaping our yard (talk about quite a bit of weight!!!)

-tim

 

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Ninearrow, my truck is a early version of yours (7240lb)and I run 3 on front, 1 on rear unless pulling the backhoe or a loaded trailer (10k or so) then I go to 5 on the rears. If my truck weighed as much as yours, I'd probably run 2 on the rear when empty. You're gonna love the improvement.

Ronnie

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"95" 3500, 4WHD, Ext cab. SLT, 5 spd, 4. 10 LSD, Rancho 9000's PacBrake, running boards, Mopar mud flaps, Isspro EGT, 50lb. boost, TST #8, 215HP injectors,no cat, muff or turbo ring.

 

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I run front on 3 empty, 4 pulling 31' 5th wheel. Rear, 1 empty, 3 with 5th wheel.

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White 99 3500, QC, 3:55, auto. most options except leather, Line-X bed liner, fiberglass running boards Rancho 9000s, bug shield and window vents, black vented 5th wheel tailgate, 100 gal. aux. fuel tank.

 

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I run 3 on the front, empty or pulling my travel trailer (7,000lb) 2 in the back empty 3 pulling the trailer.

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1998 12V 2500 SLT Quad Cab Long Bed, 3. 54 limited slip, Geno's combo guage & trans temp, Prime Loc, Roadmaster Active Suspension,Truck Trunk storage box, Rancho 9000's