Rocky Road Outfitters

[modelbuilder]

Just want to give everyone the heads up...

www.rocky-road.com

I have a lift kit made by RRO (Rocky Road Outfitters) and have had it for about a year. I recently became aware (via a member on a different forum) that RRO made a mistake in the directions for installation, and the mistake could cause the failure of the rear spacers.

The directions have the buyer install the rear spacers below the spring coil. They are supposed to be installed in the top of the coil, otherwise when the axle flexes the spacer will not stay level and can cause the spacer to fail. This has already happened to a number of people.

RRO became aware of this issue and did not notify their customers of the mistake. I have been trying to find out how long they have known about this and if they fixed their directions. So far they have not answered any of my questions. They did tell me to move the spacer to the top. I told them I wouldn't because it could already have damage due to being installed incorrectly. No offer for new rear spacers...

I asked for a refund...nope.

I asked for replacement spacers....nope.

I filled a BBB complaint and it has been sent to RRO. Not sure what the outcome will be.

It just made me mad that they knew of this and did nothing. I know we take risks when modding our vehicle but this is out of line. When I think about all my trail runs I consider myself lucky nothing happened.

 

[02TahoeMD]

Sorry to hear about that. Not sure what you are driving, I have coil spacers on my Tahoe, but we in the Z71TS community put ours on the axle and seat the coil on top, and have no problems losing the coil. We do, however, recommend securing the coil spacer to the top of the axle either by welding or industrial epoxy. That said, it was a challenge stuffing the coils back in place because it was so snug with the spacers, I would be really surprised if the spacer ever popped out.

It has been my personal experience in the aftermarket community that personal service certainly has been lacking. They set their hooks in you with the sale and then fail to help ya after the sale...hopefully you can get some resolution.

 

[SGV]

I had a similar experience with Rock Road. Last year I ordered roof rails for my Grand Vitara. They did not send any directions. All I had was this statement from the website:

This bolts into the factory holes on your vehicle (you just need to remove the slotted inserts on the top of your roof for this).

When I went to install them, part of the mounts were bent and only one mount lined up with the factory holes. When I called to set up a return, they didn't answer and didn't call back. Unfortunately for me, I was too busy to follow up so I am now stuck with roof rails that don't fit a Grand Vitara that I no longer have. Since this is partially my fault for not following through, I was planning on giving them another shot, but with your experience, and their lack of concern for a potentially dangerous situation, I think I will abstain.

 

[muddyluxury]

RRO, where to start? I had thier lift on my Grand when i first started out. bought it off Ebay, and got in about a week. Everybody else i have talked to said nothing but bad things about them. there is a dedicated sticky to how bad thier buisness on jeepforum in the zj/wj section. Filled with horror stories. This does not surprise me, they do however seem to slicker than snake oil. I hope your BBB complaint goes through and they finally get shut down.

 

[Signcutter21]

Man, sorry to hear about your bad luck with them too. I think you could check any off road forum and find the same results. I know they are pretty well avoided in the KJ/ Liberty circles. (if you want to see how much they hate their competition's better products, check out the flaming in the kj products section) I too hope your BBB complaint will the one to shut down their lousy business.

later,mike

 

[Eric S.]

They do not have a good reputation in the 4x4 community. I picked longer shackles from them (when I was starting out and didn't know better) I was a little pev'ed when I tried to slide the spring bolt through. Nope. The hole looked like they were cut WAY to fast on a cnc plasma cuter or their punch die was severely worn because the bolt holes had a huge taper in them. It wasn't a big deal to fix just had to run a drill though them, but is was still a pis off getting less than quality workmanship.

 

[chet]

RRO got their start serviceing the suzuki community (or should I say not servicing!) Many, many complaints from the Suzuki crowd about them from bad parts to plain no service.

I ordered one of there rear bumpers probably 6 years ago at least. they charge my cradit card right away and I waited. A good 6 months then called them.... They denied I had actually ordered something! I had to get the credit card co to refund me!

 

[Rot Box]

Yep another disgruntled costomer here.

The worst experience (i've had a few with them) was my brothers hi-steer with Toyota axle kit from them. All three smallish ball joints were different (no problems just odd), the arms were not counter sunk to except conical washers (big no-no on Toyota axles), and the tie rod that was too short was placed right in the way of the leaf springs! The kit was not as they had discribed it to us on the phone.

We immediatly called them up and asked for a refund, but they would not take it back. Lame...

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

They are local for me. I share most of the same opinions. Somehow these guys kill it on search engine results and that is where most of their business comes from. (that and their prices). Definitely buyer beware and one of many many negative stories I've heard. Charging customers cards for items not in stock and indefintely back ordered and not refunding, etc etc.

I hope it helps. Andre

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

And I would bet the attorney general has a file on them as well...

 

[Paul 3]

I'm certainly no lawyer or an expert in the law, but incorrect instructions that result in parts failure, damage to the vehicle, and possible injury or worse. That sounds like there is some legal liability. Anyone try small claims court with these folks? :26_7_2:

I had an bad experience with an engine builder in CO years back and initially went the route of the State Attorney General, but that office was simply too busy with 'real' criminals. I'd suspect this is the case in most states.

Good luck,
Paul

 

[modelbuilder]

Ya...I might look into a small claims case.

I'm going to keep asking them for a refund. Or at least two new rear spacers plus labor.

I wish I knew a Lawyer...anyone from Expo want to take my case...ha...

 

[DayTripper]

They are local for me. I share most of the same opinions. Somehow these guys kill it on search engine results and that is where most of their business comes from. (that and their prices). Definitely buyer beware and one of many many negative stories I've heard. Charging customers cards for items not in stock and indefintely back ordered and not refunding, etc etc.

I hope it helps. Andre

It would be nice to have a "DO NOT BUY FROM ROCKY ROAD" forum link right above any search engine result that comes up with RRO, and in the thread it can have more links to discussions of RRO. I don't know anything about search engines, but it would be awesome if this was done.

I know personally, I was going to buy from RRO cause they do have cheap prices, and decent enough looking quality, but after reading about them on these threads, I will never give them my business.

 

[CA-RJ]

You could just start a blog called "Do not buy from Rocky Road". In the blog posts, you could let people share their stories. It will eventually come up when people search from RR. I have a website about Alaska Airlines in which I chronicled some terrible service I received from them. Even with my small, 4 post web blog, it would sometimes be on the first page of search results for them.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

liability.. Asking for a law suit unfortunately...