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Rancho RS9000 worth the cost???

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by High5, Mar 3, 2008.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Mar 3, 2008
    High5

    High5 Member

    Urbandale, IA
    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2005
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    802
    Are they worth it?????

    I have been thinking about upgrading my 4wd hardware shocks for a while and I think I'm going to pull the trigger. I know some of you have the 9000's, but I'm also interested in other brands such as bilstein.

    I know it won't ride like a caddy, but I still would like better.


    Thanks

    High5
     
    High5, Mar 3, 2008
    #1
  2. Mar 3, 2008
    drexotic

    drexotic Happy now?!?!?

    San Diego
    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2007
    Messages:
    419
    Ooo . . . Ooo . . .
    I wanna know too!
     
    drexotic, Mar 3, 2008
    #2
  3. Mar 3, 2008
    trickpatrick

    trickpatrick Done? LOL

    North Idaho USA
    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2006
    Messages:
    838
    They seem like alot of $$

    And I want them on the front but it hurts to pay that much.

    I have ridden with guy's who have them.

    What is cool is they stiffen them up for onroad.

    Helps alot with sway..

    We all end up buying non stock springs, changing motors, longer shocks, different size, and weight tires, etc.

    So with the 9000's you can customize your shock to match:)

    So I cant imagine not using them for those reasons.

    Bilstiens are great but how do you match them to the beast you have created??

    IMHO
     
    Last edited: Mar 3, 2008
    trickpatrick, Mar 3, 2008
    #3
  4. Mar 3, 2008
    hudsonhawk

    hudsonhawk Well-Known Member

    North Texas...
    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2005
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    1,944
    IF you do a lot of mixed driving of on and off road then yes. You can custom tailor the settings to your vehicle. I have a set on my 2wd 3500 RAM. I adjust them based on what I am carrying/towing to keep the ride good and the load controlled.
     
    hudsonhawk, Mar 3, 2008
    #4
  5. Mar 3, 2008
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    3,437
    IMHO....

    YES.

    I had them on my '71, loved them. I had the older ones, settings from 0-5.

    On road, I ran them set about 3 (unless wife was riding along, then 2) ;)
    3 was firm enough to help a bit with body roll without being bone jarring. I did run them at 4 a couple times when carrying a full load of gear on the highway.
    Offroad, I set them to minimum, 0 or 1. This provided no resistance to the spring, and allowed the suspension to flex and absorb the low-speed bumps/rocks/ruts, etc. I've had TJ owners as passengers... they said offroad my old CJ rode smoother than their stock TJ! :D

    I liked them well enough to buy a full new set for my '05 LJ...

    One thing to keep in mind, sometimes the mechanism behind the knob can rust. If neglected long enough, the adjuter may seize. It's a good idea to pull the knob once or twice a year and spray some lube in there.

    HTH.... :tea:
     
    Last edited: Mar 3, 2008
    lynn, Mar 3, 2008
    #5
  6. Mar 3, 2008
    willys59cj5

    willys59cj5 Sponsor

    Gilroy, CA
    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2005
    Messages:
    660
    Got them on my '59 and would do it again in a heartbeat. I love them and think they are worth the cost.
     
    willys59cj5, Mar 3, 2008
    #6
  7. Mar 4, 2008
    High5

    High5 Member

    Urbandale, IA
    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2005
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    802
    Sounds like I'll be ordering some shocks:D:D:D
     
    High5, Mar 4, 2008
    #7
  8. Mar 4, 2008
    High5

    High5 Member

    Urbandale, IA
    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2005
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    802
    Well,

    I placed the order this afternoon. For anyone that is also interested in buying these shocks they currently have buy 3 get one free pretty much everywhere. I ordered mine from fourwheelparts.com and got free shipping as well.

    Can't wait to test them out.

    High5
     
    High5, Mar 4, 2008
    #8
  9. Mar 4, 2008
    willys59cj5

    willys59cj5 Sponsor

    Gilroy, CA
    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2005
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    660
    Let us all know how you like them after they are on:)
     
    willys59cj5, Mar 4, 2008
    #9
  10. Mar 5, 2008
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
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    Excellent! They run that deal about once/year, glad to see the timing worked out for you!!

    You know we want pics of the install, pics of the "test runs"... :D
     
    lynn, Mar 5, 2008
    #10
  11. Mar 5, 2008
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
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    4,586
    I too have them on the Bus. When i did the original spring over with stock YJ springs the jeep had so much flex you could literally take one corner of it and bounce the thing up and down and try to make it jump. With the ranchos it is nice to dial it in to the stiffest setting for street use to control the body roll and such. Yeah it wasnt cheap but i think it was worth it.
     
    DanStew, Mar 5, 2008
    #11
  12. Mar 5, 2008
    High5

    High5 Member

    Urbandale, IA
    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2005
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    Honestly,

    I'm looking for less stiffness on the road. Right now the 4wd.com shocks are pretty stiff.

    High5
     
    High5, Mar 5, 2008
    #12
  13. Mar 5, 2008
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Aug 10, 2003
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    What tires? Lower tire pressure and flexible sidewalls will help.

    Take the shocks off and drive it around the block. This will tell you how much improvement you can expect.
     
    timgr, Mar 5, 2008
    #13
  14. Mar 5, 2008
    springerfever

    springerfever Member

    suwanee, ga
    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2005
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    273
    On my recent leaf spring/shock replacement on my 75, I opted for the Rancho 9000's.
    Very pleased with them, but I'm sure a lot had to do with the replacement of the 33 year old springs/body mounts and hardware !!

    It rides so much better and to be honest I haven't even messed with the settings. I had the installer just set in the middle of the range. Might have to get out there and experiment with the settings, just for the heck of it. Overall very happy with the 9000's !!
     
    springerfever, Mar 5, 2008
    #14
  15. Mar 5, 2008
    tallyjeeper

    tallyjeeper Member

    Tallahassee, Florida
    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2005
    Messages:
    134
    I don't mean to hi-jack the thread, but I also have a question. I have heard lots of good stuf about the RS9000's, but was wondering about the remote control unit that is available to control them from inside the vehicle. Is the remote worth the extra $$?
     
    tallyjeeper, Mar 5, 2008
    #15
  16. Mar 5, 2008
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    Sep 22, 2002
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    I dont think it is worth it. It is nice to do it inside, but i have changed stiffness only a few times and usually it is at the trail head when i am deflating the tires anyway so i am right there. The remote kit is one of those cool doohickys to impress people, but just more stuff to go wrong. It doesnt take long to turn the knob, jsut remember to clean the gunk off it so you can see what setting you are at ;)

    With teh 9000s the soft setting is nice also, by all means dont think about using them only for stiffness, they are also great to soften the ride up too.
     
    DanStew, Mar 5, 2008
    #16
  17. Mar 6, 2008
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
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    I'm with Dan 100%. And I have heard of problems with the in-cab controller.
    I had the 9000s on my CJ, usually only changed the setting at the trailhead. No prob to slide under the rig quickly with a flashlight and make the change...
    I installed the 9000XLs on my LJ, and again opted to not go with the in-cab controller.

    I set mine at mid-range initially on my LJ... and it was too stiff-riding for my wife, so I softened it a couple notches until the noise in the passenger seat stopped R)
     
    lynn, Mar 6, 2008
    #17
  18. Mar 6, 2008
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    Sep 22, 2002
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    4,586

    Oh I am soooo telling on you :)
     
    DanStew, Mar 6, 2008
    #18
  19. Mar 6, 2008
    clay

    clay Driving

    Hopkinton, MA
    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2005
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    338
    I set mine at mid-range initially on my LJ... and it was too stiff-riding for my wife, so I softened it a couple notches until the noise in the passenger seat stopped

    :D:D:D not nice
     
    clay, Mar 6, 2008
    #19
  20. Mar 6, 2008
    High5

    High5 Member

    Urbandale, IA
    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2005
    Messages:
    802
    I ordered them Wed. They are scheduled to be here tomorrow. I plan to get them in on Sat. when the wife is out of town.

    I can't wait.......


    High5
     
    High5, Mar 6, 2008
    #20
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