Rancho RS 9000X for 03

[LPChristensen]

I just got off the phone with the Rancho technical expert, 734 384-7804, and he advises that there is no application of the 9000X shocks for 03, one ton, 4X4's. I had planned on putting a set on front and rear to haul a rather heavy camper. Anybody know if there is a good replacement shock that is adjustable that will stand up to a heavy load? Or has anybody put a set of Ranchos on a 03 even though they claim not to have a set that fits? Thanks for the help.

 

[mbaston]

I have a dually and have no problems with the stock shocks and a pretty heavy camper. Are you getting sway with the SRW? Perhaps some airbags would do the trick. I had a set on my 2000 2500 and they helped a lot.

 

[LPChristensen]

Mbaston, I ordered a new camper a little while ago and I am trying to get my truck ready. I am getting the Firestone Ride Rite airbags put on sometime in the next few weeks, but I felt that the original equipment shocks might not do the trick. I ordered a Snowriver 9'6" with a slide and the "wet" weight is 3150 lbs, and I wanted the Rancho shocks just to be on the safe side.

 

[JHardwick]

Your 3500 won't even know that trailer is attatched

 

[LPChristensen]

Jhardwick, if it was a trailer, I would not be too concerned, have pulled well over 9000 lbs with no trouble and lots of pedal left. But this a truck camper that must be hauled in the bed, lots of dead weight and pretty tall in the saddle. Thanks---

 

[mbaston]

Your camper weighs about the same as mine. The duallys on my truck make a big difference. I checked Bilstein and they don't make shocks for the 03 yet either it appears.

 

[Got HO?]

Shocks

Bilsteins are "under development" & should be released early spring. No word yet on the Ranchos.

 

[moorepowercoatings]

rancho shocks

I got a set for my 2500 and I doubt they are any different. I installed with the leveling kit. I wanted longer front shocks for the extra 2" but the shocks are identical in extended length held side by side! I set mine on setting 4 and it made a huge, and I mean huge difference in ride quallity. Do a search on Rancho shocks and you can get the pn off it, I did. If i would have known the differance they made, I would have done it right away.

 

[JHardwick]

LPChristensen,



Once again I have jumped to conclusions ... ... ... ..... I sleep in my horse trailer, so I'm not educated on camper models. Sorry.

 

[David Muench]

If you want RSX's, check the faq. They're in there, and I have them on my truck. The people answering the phones at Rancho are clueless.

 

[DPelletier]

Larry,

David's right. Ignore what Rancho is telling you, lots of people have them on the 3rd gens and I plan on getting some soon. I'm sorry, I don't have the part # for you.

FWIW, the airbags do very little for side to side sway compared to the Rancho RS9000X's on level 9. In fact, airbags can make sway worse by lifting the load off the overloads. I'm not knocking airbags as they have thier place (load leveling). but don't think they'll solve your sway problems.



Dave



Anyone have the PN's for 3rd Gen, stock height?



ps. At least up until recently, Rancho is the only company to make adjustable shocks (at least the only one that doesn't cost thousands of $'s). But I heard from a somewhat dubious source recently that Bilstein is now making adjustables. If this is true, the Bilsteins would be worth a look as they have a good reputation.

 

[LPChristensen]

Thanks for the info, I went to the FAQ section of Rancho, unless there is a hidden menu someplace, I did not see any application numbers for the 9000X for any Dodge past 1999. Again, if anybody has added these to a 3rd gen, one ton 4X4, I would be real happy to get a applicable part number. I know sometime back in one of the threads I read about someone putting Ranchos on a 03, but I can not find the post. And the "helpful" technical assistance of the Rancho web site is below worthless, I assume that their business theory is that if you manufacture a product that people want or need, you don't have to be helpful.



Thanks again, for the help---

 

[moorepowercoatings]

The Rancho fronts are pn 99221, the rear are 99269. These are for a 2500 but I am 99% sure they are what you want.

 

[David Muench]

Sorry, the FAQ I refer to is this forum's FAQ, not Rancho's. It is the first (top) thread in this forum. Here is the entry in question:



Q. What are the part numbers for RS9000X shocks for the 3rd Gen Ram 4x4?



A. Front stock height is 99197. Front 2" lift is 99221. If you are running the Kelderman front air-ride, it is 99113. Rear stock height is 99269. Another member was told by Rancho that 99221 is for the stock height front end.



There is conflicting information, but my gut tells me the 99221's are the right part number.

 

[fencebuilders]

Bilsteins

Originally posted by mbaston

Your camper weighs about the same as mine. The duallys on my truck make a big difference. I checked Bilstein and they don't make shocks for the 03 yet either it appears.

Actually they do. I have them on my truck.

 

[Hudsonhawk]

So, anyone part numbers for the 4x2? rears are probably the same. but what about the fronts?

 

[InThinAir]

Just speaking from experience, I have Rancho 9K and Ride rite on both of my trucks for hauling my slide in camper and 3 horse trailer. And the air bags will make your truck sway worse. My recommendation is to try the Ranchos first, and see how it rides. I added the air bags to aid in sag I was getting in my 2500 from overloading. I needed to get the truck back up a little to level with the front. But I sometimes go a little too heavy for a 2500, that is why I am looking at a 03 3500.



But you should not do the firestone bags by themselves. I would go as far as to say it is dangerous with the sway. I have done it both ways and would not use the bags by themselves a single mile with the stock shocks. Makes it scary and too stressfull to drive.



Save your money on the bags and take that camper somewhere fun (and warm!) Decide whether you need them later.



---Doug

 

[TexBamBam]

I have the 9000X on my 03 3500... I know the ones in the book did NOT fit. The folks at 4WP had to pull them off and put ones that are 2 inches longer on them. Dont have the part numbers but you can usually call 4WP and they can tell you what to order.

 

[Bill Stockard]

Originally posted by Hudsonhawk

So, anyone part numbers for the 4x2? rears are probably the same. but what about the fronts?

Yes, the front shocks on the 3rd gen 4x2s are the problem. The shocks are inside the front coil spring. Some kind of remote control will be necessary for adjustment. Rancho says they don't have anything yet.



I have Air Lift 5000s with the in cab control and on board compressor for hauling our heavy slide-in camper. I run minimal pressure in the bags since the trucks suspension sets level with the camper on board. So far, the OEM shocks are doing OK.



Bill

 

[David Muench]

Originally posted by TexBamBam

I have the 9000X on my 03 3500... I know the ones in the book did NOT fit. The folks at 4WP had to pull them off and put ones that are 2 inches longer on them. Dont have the part numbers but you can usually call 4WP and they can tell you what to order.

That would confirm my suspicions that the 99197's are too short and the 99221's are the correct ones. I think I am going to update the FAQ to reflect that, all the evidence over the last couple of months has been pointing that direction.