Rancho's Installed - It ain't that hard.

[ACoyle]

I have to admit I was aprehensive about putting them in. From reading posts, it seemed hard.



The backs were a nothing, just as everyone said.



For the right front, I left the truck on the ground and tires on. The bottom bolt came out nicely using a 13/16" half inch drive and a long extension bar to a breaker. I just reached in and got the tab nut out. I took of the three self locking nuts (5/8") holding the top of the tower down. Grabbed the AFE Mega cannon housing and pulled up. It popped off. Stock airbox comes off easily too. It uses the same fasteners. Lifted the whole tower and shock out in one piece. Changed the tower over on the bench.



The left one it was similar. The bottm went exactly the same. For the top I did a little different. I put a 3/4" box end on the nut holding the rubber bushings. I used a 10mm socket with an extension to a 3/8" breaker bar. Hold the wrench and turn the socket. This is important as it breaks loose much easier that way. The shocks are gas charged and will try to expand. Be ready when you take the three nuts off for the tower. Work quickly, you may have to recompress the shock. Take the tower off and put it out of the way. Leave it next to the engine. There are three lines for the master cylinder. They have clips holding them together. Take the clips off and they will move enough to get the shock out the top. Fortunately the Rancho's don't try to expand. Put the shock in. Working from the fender well you can lift the shock and wiggle enough to put the bottom bolt in easily. Comppress the shock a little. Put the tower on. Working in the engine compartment put one nut on for the tower. Put the nut and bumpers on. Working in the fender well put the other two tower nuts on.



All done! About 2. 5 Hours total.

 

[Dane]

When removing or installing gas shocks I find wiring them together with safety wire helps lots because it can be real hard to get them compressed once they have expanded.



Hows the ride?

 

[ACoyle]

My initial setting is 3 front and 3 back. Love 'em. I will probably try 4 in the front as soon as it stops raining in NJ.

 

[Bigsaint]

Andy, glad to hear that the install went well. How's the truck ride with the Ranchos ? Worth the money ?



Scott W.

 

[Okie-Go]

It took about an hour or so to put mine on. A friend helped that has done it before. I also have mine at 3 on front and rear. Thinking about trying 2 in the rear when unloaded. With the 5er I did 5 in back and 4 in the front. I feel like they are worth the money.

 

[ACoyle]

Hi Scott (BigSaint),



Well worth it. I had 55K on the clock so things were loose. As you may know the roads around here give them a good workout. May dial in a 4 on the fronts just to try it.



AC

 

[Forrest]

I just switched to 2 in the back ... empty. May switch back to 1, got to experiment.



The fronts weren't a problem. It was the rears. I've still got knuckle blood on the underside of the bed.

 

[kkreigh]

I installed Rancho 9000's set at 3 front and 1 rear. It was money well spent. I had 24000 miles on the stock shocks. The ride and handling is noticeably improved.