Rancho shocks versus OEM's

[Pit Bull]

Talking to my local truck outfitter about replacing the shocks on my truck (in the future). They sell Rancho shocks as well as other brands, but he suggested that on a 3500 4x4 that you were better off staying with the OEM shocks. He has a 3/4 ton and changed to Rancho 9000's and had to go back to OEM because he said the Rancho's were not heavy duty enough. His response confuses me since this losses him a potential future sale. Is he right?

 

[CRegal]

Huh??? I am kind of curious what year is the truck? The reason I ask is, I had a 99 3500 with stock shocks that worked really well. I then traded it in on 01 3500 and the thing handled like an old caprice. It rolled through evey turn. So I decided to get a set of the 9000's. When i removed the stockers I noticed they had alot of air in the shock when i pushed and pulled on it. The 9000's felt fine when i did the same thing.



After installing them, I took it on a normal run where i let the truck hang out and power through the turn. Sure enough all the body roll was gone. Now the next test, drive it out on the freeway & see if the normal dips off bridges made the truck feel like it was bottoming out. Nope sure enough it went over the dips like there wasnt anything there. Now I did have the settings on 5 which is the stiffest, but that is how i like it.



Comparing the build quality of the 2 shocks, the rancho's were a better built shock. I would suggest finding a spot if you havent already did so, to push the truck to its "shocks" limits. Find a couple of spots, usually sumthing your familar with. (route to work) Then swap them out, and take the same route. If you dont like the results, swap them back.



Havent had a problem withthe 9000's yet.

I got them for around $56 each off the net.



Cole

 

[rrl989]

One note about the Rancho 9000's (which I have) is that the adjustment knobs seem to not want turn after awhile. I took mine apart, lubed them, but they still seem to be on the verge of snapping. They push in on a plunger, which binds up as time goes by.



Ron

 

[Posm]

I got 9000s at about 60K and wish I had got them the first week. The stock shocks were so harsh whenever you hit an expansion joint or large hole in the road. I keep my shocks set at 3 front and 2 rear empty. I turn the rear up to 3 or 4 depending on load.



If the knob breaks off I will take advantage of the lifetime warranty.