Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Review: Rancho RS9000 shocks
Last weekend I replaced my OEM shocks with Rancho RS9000s on the front and rear. Here is a review of my results.
First, I chose the Ranchos because of all the favorible comments made by memebers of this board. I had also decided to add air bags, but was advised against it by some folks on this board. I was told that if I put on the Ranchos, since they are adjustable, air bags would be a waste of money. I was very doubtful of this advice considering the amount of weight I tow.
When I installed them I went by the directions Steve St. Laurent had in TDR 31, page 12 and 13. Without Steve's directions I never would have been able to do the job. (Note: I am only a WIWA mechanic... (WIWA=Wish I Were A. )) The directions that came with the Ranchos were crap, and the Dodge Service Manual helped, but Steve's directions were great! Thanks Steve.
I only had one problem with the install, the bottom rear bolt that holds the right rear shock in place could not be pulled out once the nut was removed. The bolt hit the sway bar. Thanks to the fellas who came to the rescue with advice about what to do to fix the problem. Look up my other thread for more info.
I replaced the shocks last Saturday. Sunday morning we hitched up the 5er and pulled to Townsend in the Tennessee Smokies.
The trip is about 150 miles up highway 411. Hwy 411 is mostly a two lane state highway that has some ups and downs, and goes through a bunch of small towns. The highway is pretty good, but there are several long stetches of construction, bumpy surfaces, uneven pavement, etc. A good test for the shocks.
Before we left we weighed the 3500 (7,650 lbs with me, my wife, supplies, and a full fuel tank), we also weighed the 5er seperate. It weighed 14,230 lbs. Total weight was 21,880 lbs.
Our 3500 has a GCWR of 16,000 lbs. , so we were 5,880 lbs over weight. The max I can have on the 3500's rear axle is 7,500 lbs. , we had 6000 lbs. , so I was o. k. there. The temp was about 90 degrees and humid. Again, this much weight is a good test for the Ranchos.
I set the rear shocks to the #5 setting and the front shocks to the #3 setting. When I hooked up the 5er I noticed right away the rear end didn't sag nearly as much as it had with the OEM shocks.
As far as pulling went, my oh my, it was much better. One thing I should add here, our 3500 has over 123,000 miles and had the orginal shocks until I replaced them with the Ranchos. I pull 6 to 8 times per month - either the 5er, horse trailer, or flat bed with my tractor aboard - so my original shocks were shot.
There was a huge difference with the Ranchos, especially when I hit a bump in the road. With our OEM shocks we'd get really bouncy in the rear. Now we got very little bounce. The truck handled much better. I was in better control.
As to whether I still need to add airbags. Nope. The advice I got was right on, and it saved me about $500.
When we unloaded the 5er I reset the shocks (which really does take only about 15 seconds per shock to reset) to 3 in the front and 1 in the rear. The feel was good. A day later I reset the front to 2 and liked it better.
Since we've been back I've kept the fronts at 2 and the rears at 1. I haven't adjusted the rear tire's air presure yet. They are still set to 65 psi (the max). Today I'll let out some of the air in the rear tires and go to 55 psi.
I've done a lot driving since we've been back, on the express way, state highways, and some country roads. I like the unloaded setting just fine.
If I can answer any questions I'll be happy to help.
Again, thanks to all those who helped me.
Bill Cook
Last weekend I replaced my OEM shocks with Rancho RS9000s on the front and rear. Here is a review of my results.
First, I chose the Ranchos because of all the favorible comments made by memebers of this board. I had also decided to add air bags, but was advised against it by some folks on this board. I was told that if I put on the Ranchos, since they are adjustable, air bags would be a waste of money. I was very doubtful of this advice considering the amount of weight I tow.
When I installed them I went by the directions Steve St. Laurent had in TDR 31, page 12 and 13. Without Steve's directions I never would have been able to do the job. (Note: I am only a WIWA mechanic... (WIWA=Wish I Were A. )) The directions that came with the Ranchos were crap, and the Dodge Service Manual helped, but Steve's directions were great! Thanks Steve.
I only had one problem with the install, the bottom rear bolt that holds the right rear shock in place could not be pulled out once the nut was removed. The bolt hit the sway bar. Thanks to the fellas who came to the rescue with advice about what to do to fix the problem. Look up my other thread for more info.
I replaced the shocks last Saturday. Sunday morning we hitched up the 5er and pulled to Townsend in the Tennessee Smokies.
The trip is about 150 miles up highway 411. Hwy 411 is mostly a two lane state highway that has some ups and downs, and goes through a bunch of small towns. The highway is pretty good, but there are several long stetches of construction, bumpy surfaces, uneven pavement, etc. A good test for the shocks.
Before we left we weighed the 3500 (7,650 lbs with me, my wife, supplies, and a full fuel tank), we also weighed the 5er seperate. It weighed 14,230 lbs. Total weight was 21,880 lbs.
Our 3500 has a GCWR of 16,000 lbs. , so we were 5,880 lbs over weight. The max I can have on the 3500's rear axle is 7,500 lbs. , we had 6000 lbs. , so I was o. k. there. The temp was about 90 degrees and humid. Again, this much weight is a good test for the Ranchos.
I set the rear shocks to the #5 setting and the front shocks to the #3 setting. When I hooked up the 5er I noticed right away the rear end didn't sag nearly as much as it had with the OEM shocks.
As far as pulling went, my oh my, it was much better. One thing I should add here, our 3500 has over 123,000 miles and had the orginal shocks until I replaced them with the Ranchos. I pull 6 to 8 times per month - either the 5er, horse trailer, or flat bed with my tractor aboard - so my original shocks were shot.
There was a huge difference with the Ranchos, especially when I hit a bump in the road. With our OEM shocks we'd get really bouncy in the rear. Now we got very little bounce. The truck handled much better. I was in better control.
As to whether I still need to add airbags. Nope. The advice I got was right on, and it saved me about $500.
When we unloaded the 5er I reset the shocks (which really does take only about 15 seconds per shock to reset) to 3 in the front and 1 in the rear. The feel was good. A day later I reset the front to 2 and liked it better.
Since we've been back I've kept the fronts at 2 and the rears at 1. I haven't adjusted the rear tire's air presure yet. They are still set to 65 psi (the max). Today I'll let out some of the air in the rear tires and go to 55 psi.
I've done a lot driving since we've been back, on the express way, state highways, and some country roads. I like the unloaded setting just fine.
If I can answer any questions I'll be happy to help.
Again, thanks to all those who helped me.
Bill Cook
Last edited:
