Old topic: Rancho 9000

[bri]

So, I looked at quite a few threads most are 8 years old. Including my own recommending people to search.

I did that. Did not find a lot of current information. Some from fisheh from 2012.

What is the latest experience on RS9000XL adjustable shock?

Anyone running them?

Better on road than stock?

If you are running what lift/components do you have (upper/lower mounts and springs).

I'll refresh myself on spring length to confirm, but really most curious about recent experience. I know what opinions were 8-14 years ago when I was running stock, OME and 7100s.

My goals aremuch different now and I have the ranchos on a donor vehicle.

Its tough for me to compare at present considering the donor has Rockware upper/lower + HD OME + Ranchos - sway bars and the recipient has a 16 year old, 108k stock sprung suspension.

I am debating what I take from the donor or if I just swap everything and see how it handles. Or leave the ranchos and rockware gear on the donor....

Recommendations are appreciated, but I may still just do my own thing.

 

[cupgt]

I ran them for a while. 999028s in the rear with Rte upper raised mounts and lower adapters on 2" TF MD springs and then 3" Rte springs . I can't remember the number up front but they were about 10" of travel. Used d2 towers and lower loop adapters. I ran them all the way stiff and they weren't bad, just not on the level of Fox or Bilstein 7100s. I prefer Fox andwhile they do cost more up front the ability to rebuild and custom and custom valve make it well worth it. I'm sure Brett (fishEH) will chime in but we both ran the same shocks and are now both riding on Fox 2.0s

 

[KyleT]

I ran similar non adjustable 9000's, they overheated super fast and became worthless on washboard and fire roads. This was 4ish years ago? Don't remember the p/n but around 10" travel.

 

[MM3846]

IMHO.. there is no reason to run ranchos. it isnt 1975, there are better shocks. on road, they will be rough; off road they will be meh.

on road stock shocks are better IMHO. off road, you are better off with a TF or something similar if you want cheap. obv OME, fox, and bilstein's offerings are available from decent to extreme $$

 

[fishEH]

I couldn't follow the trail of donor vehicles but here's my two cents.
I went with Rancho 999028 at all four corners. I wanted longer travel and didn't want to pony up the $$$ for Fox/Bilstein. They were OK when new but faded fast. After about two years they were toast, easy to compress and no rebound.
Last May I plunked down the money for Fox 2.0's with the Eibach bumps installed on the shafts. They're nice.
If you have the Ranchos already just run them, but I wouldn't go out and buy them.

 

[DiscoPhoto]

I don't care for Ranchos really, but they rated really high in the OJ gear test guide. For what that's worth, but they didn't heat up as fast.

 

[ERover82]

I'd look at the Terrafirma ProSport (not All Terrain). Mine are still stout as the day I got them and flex quite well.

 

[sedat]

They're fine if you intend to replace em with something better after a few months. I've run em as temporary shocks.

1. they heat fade like stated before: washboard roads etc.
2. lots of weight will turn your truck into a bouncy castle on wheels.

I have personally yet to see one last more than a year.
I have their 11.5-12" travel ones on the truck right now. stock mounting as well. 4" lift.

 

[K-rover]

My Jeep buddies wont even run Ranchos!.. and my friends are cheap fucks!

 

[LRflip]

I've got Rancho's on my truck...they suck.

I've got them jacked to 9 all the way around with absolutely 0 dampening ability.

 

[bri]

I couldn't follow the trail of donor vehicles but here's my two cents.
I went with Rancho 999028 at all four corners. I wanted longer travel and didn't want to pony up the $$$ for Fox/Bilstein. They were OK when new but faded fast. After about two years they were toast, easy to compress and no rebound.
Last May I plunked down the money for Fox 2.0's with the Eibach bumps installed on the shafts. They're nice.
If you have the Ranchos already just run them, but I wouldn't go out and buy them.

Donor at present has:
OME HD springs. 762s rear, front match, but not sure on the model.
Rancho show all around, very recently replaced under warranty (does not sound like a surprise to this group).

Recipient truck at present is stock sprung, but rides really well on road.

I was fairly serious about moving stuff over, until I drove both one after each other. I really like the ride of the stock disco.
x

 

[ukoffroad]

Lots of comments about them, mostly bad. Fwiw. I had some 9000s in my classic with 5" Springs, never had an issue in over 5 years. That truck saw very little use outside of events though.

 

[toofaroffroad]

Hi, I have Rancho 9000X adjustables on my D2. It has a 3" suspension lift and I often wheel with a full load, RTT, roof rack and all the goodies. I have had these shocks for years and I guess I just lucked out but I love them and always have.
THe best part about them is that I can soften up my ride on the trail and tighten it up on the road along with adjusting the ride depending on how much gear is in the truck.
I bought them on ebay and I think I paid around $250 for all 4. THey've been on my truck for over 3 years.

The eyehole is bigger though, so you'll need a sleeve to go over your bolt for them to fit proper.
Hope this helps.

 

[D Chapman]

My Ford F-250 came with them. They suck.

 

[cupgt]

I got Ranchos for about 75% off retail when I worked at Tenneco. I wouldn't pay retail for them again. Good shocks are worth the investment, especially Fox, Bilstein, SAW etc... because you can rebuild/revalve to suit your needs or if they are damaged.

 

[bri]

Hmmm. I am not even thinking valved/rebuildable shocks. I am more thinking about comparing to OME nitros or more standard bilstein. Still linterested in comments, but looking at them, they look way too long for what I have short term planned, so they willl stay on the donor.

 

[KyleT]

Both are way better than ranchos

 

[kade]

side note guys, if I switch my worn out ome shocks to something new will I get a more stable ride? My disco sways so much... or is that more of a taller spring issue? I miss the ride my RRC had. IT had Bilstein shocks...

 

[MM3846]

in my experience, OME is a softer shock than bilstein.

 

[cupgt]

side note guys, if I switch my worn out ome shocks to something new will I get a more stable ride? My disco sways so much... or is that more of a taller spring issue? I miss the ride my RRC had. IT had Bilstein shocks...

It's more than likely a taller spring issue with you. The FJ80 springs are pretty damn soft. You would be pretty stable on a set of 2" RTE, OME, or MD or HD Terrafirmas. I'll let you ride in min on the 35s once I get my front coil overs on and you will probably feel a lot better about yours!. LOL