Rear shocks. Rancho 9000?

[Stitebunny]

For a 97 E350.
Does anyone have any experience with these?
Seems like the adjustable damping could be useful depending on loads and terrain.

 

[BajaSportsmobile]

For a 97 E350.
Does anyone have any experience with these?
Seems like the adjustable damping could be useful depending on loads and terrain.

We take them off all the time. They go to scrap, want some?

 

[Bikersmurf]

Can't say about vans... In the Landcruiser community they're not very popular. Bilstiens out perform them even without the adjustability.

 

[Stitebunny]

Okay thanks. Good enough for me. Ill get a measurement and see if Bilstein has something that will fit.

 

[tgreening]

One more for the not impressed crowd. It seems any Rancho product I've ever used turned into rusted junk almost over night.

 

[Night_Prowler]

Another not impressed. I had them on a F-350 diesel. New it was a decent ride. They quickly wore out, rusted, and they selector seized up from grit.

 

[thethePete]

Bilstein 5100s probably come in an appropriate configuration and size. Good shock for a reasonable price. Not cheap, but very fair price.

 

[Heloflyboy]

I am running Bilstein's on my E350 and I like them. I think they were about $100 each. Agile has fox shocks that I will try next time.

 

[SoCal Tom]

The twist knob on the Ranchos is a marketing gimmick IMO. Bilstiens will self adjust, and continue yo work when hot.
Tom

 

[ujoint]

Agree with everyone, I've never been a fan. But, they won the Overland Journal shock test!??!? Explain that one....

 

[thethePete]

^ I don't understand how they maintain their reputation as a premium offroad shock. Maybe they were good in the 80's and we're just running on brand image now or something?

I have installed countless sets of these for customers that were convinced these were the greatest off road shocks "AND THEY ONLY COST ME $40!" :sombrero:
Non-gas shocks suck to begin with, and the number of Ranchos I've seen fail in all their lines of shocks is astounding. I think you'd be better with a set of Monroe SensiTracs.

 

[Stumpalump]

They came on my 02 V10 EB Salem Koger. I love great suspension so I pay a tuner to dial in my dirt bikes and the King coil overs on the buggy have been dialed in. The Jeep had input from Deaver and Bilstein for its build. So what did the van need? Nothing. The Rancho 9000 set on max firm are perfect for a loaded van that tows. I dialed them down two clicks on the front and 3 on the rear while I daily drove it for two months or if empty. Off road they work great on fast big hits, control the washboard and do fine. Slow speed they are poor and ride ruff and is why a Bilstein is a better choice. What valving Bilstein works for those that know why they are best? I like stiff.

 

[SoCal Tom]

^ I don't understand how they maintain their reputation as a premium offroad shock. Maybe they were good in the 80's and we're just running on brand image now or something?

I have installed countless sets of these for customers that were convinced these were the greatest off road shocks "AND THEY ONLY COST ME $40!" :sombrero:
Non-gas shocks suck to begin with, and the number of Ranchos I've seen fail in all their lines of shocks is astounding. I think you'd be better with a set of Monroe SensiTracs.

In the 80s they were the only affordable option. Bilstiens were too spendy for the average guy. They have never been very good. I ran 5000s, then 9000s on my Early Bronco. They are fine on the street, and on a fire road, but run them down some washboard or some whoops and they will get hot, then they do nothing. I finally went to some Bilstiens ( 7000 short bodies) on the EB, and I don't think I ever bottomed out again. They have valving that senses the speed that the shock is moving. If the shock is moving down fast, it firms up, if its moving slow, it loosens up. I put yellow body bilstiens on an XJ I had, and the wheel hop it had in the sand on the stockers went away.
Tom

 

[Stitebunny]

Got the Bilsteins installed last night. Was a bit of a chore getting the old shocks off. Cut off wheel, grinder, etc. so far I've only driven back and forth to work. But they are noticeably better so far. The old ones were totally useless though. Heading out on a trip Sunday night for a week and looking forward to getting these on some dirt. Or maybe snow it seems! Im thinking I'll probably end up with some for the front as well.
Thanks for the input all.