2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission rancho rs9000x - not for snow plow prep

[AFacey]

Well I finally got an email back from rancho after 10+ days regarding 9000x and GVW 8800/snow plow prep trucks. They told me that they do not make a unit for this application. I tried for 3 days to get a hold of them by phone - always busy. After fumbleong around through there application guide, I went ahead and tried the 999221 and 99197's on the front. The 221 are supposed to be for 1-2 in. lift and the 197's are for 0-1 in. lift



Anyway the front of the truck does not ride like I expected, the 221's rattled around as if they were loose and the 197's seem to not have the full motion. However the back is much better - which I will keep.



I'm looking to soften the ride a bit. Does anyone know what shocks are made specifically for the snow prep trucks (front)? I'm assuming the only difference (snow plow prep) is the length of the spring which raises the truck about 1. 5 in over stock?



Thanks-

 

[krs]

My '01 has the snowploy prep but that didn't raise the truck at all - I did, to level it.



I think that the only reason that your parts contact says that they don't have a shock for that package is that he doesn't find it specified in his catalog. It's not a big deal, and I just installed the Bilsteins spec'd for a 2" lift AFTER I had raised the front.



Don't ask about the part number as it's been too long now, but when I ordered them I didn't mention the plow package and only told them that the truck was lifted.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

There was probably something wrong with how you installed the 221's for them to rattle around. I'm running Rancho 9000x's on my truck with 2. 5" lift coils up front no problem. Did you install metal sleeves in the bottom eyelet of the shock and if so did you make sure they were the same ID as the stock ones? Sometimes you have to reuse the sleeves from your stock shocks. At the top did you tighten down the nut until the bushings were squished out to the edges of the washers and did you make sure that they were seated inside the hole in the shock tower before tightening? Lastly make sure that the lower bolt is tightened completely and that there is no lateral play in the shock at the bottom. All of these are things that other members here have done that caused rattling shock problems.

 

[mediccummin]

RS99221

Are the right shocks for your application. Follow Steve's advice and you should have no problems. Expecially make sure the metal sleeve is there. good luck.

 

[AFacey]

I guess I'm a little confused. In a direct email from Rancho, they say that they do not make a shock for GVW 8800/Snow plow prep application. Why would they not support this application?



thanks-

 

[mgoncalves]

I've been trying to figure out the difference in the snow plow prep trucks, but as far as I can tell the they just have the next stiffer springs. Example, my truck has 039/046 while all the snow plow prepped trucks that I have looked under have the 046/047 combo. I don't think there is any difference in the ride height but have noticed that everyone with the prep group thinks their truck sits 1. 5- 2 inches higher than one without.



Matt

 

[krs]

"Why would they not support this application?



I'll try this again... they don't show a specific shock for a truck with the snow pluw package because there is no difference born of that package which would require a different shock, or a different part number, than the shock listed for any other truck.

AFacey, you are assuming incorrectly that the snow package uses a different shock than a non snowplow truck uses.



mgoncalves, you're right. There's no difference in ride height, and the spring rate is stiffer.

 

[jponder]

When I called skyjacker about the rating of their spring they told me dodge made 3 springs. reg, HD, and Snow Plow prep and their spring was based on the snow plow rating spring. It must have a more still compression. Dont know why that would affect the shock

 

[ox1]

Does this snowplow package effect the GVW?

 

[pcarlson]

I am running 99197 and 99198's front and rear with no problems.

 

[AFacey]

so what settings are working for you?

 

[J Shocik]

Rancho won't list a plow prep shock because most likely you gave them too much information. Check other manufacturers and retailers and I bet they won't list a shock for a plow prep diesel. They WILL list shocks for 8800# trucks with a difference in motors, as the diesels and V-10's weigh more. I have friends who use the 9000's on other trucks and they set them at 3. Hope this helps.