Rancho RS 9000 Shocks

[101RRS]

Has anyone used Rancho RS 9000 shocks on any of their vehicles (some sort of Hilux use them).

Are they any good and how are they at handling corrugations?

On my 101 I don't think I would ever know if the shockies were any good until they seized up and fell off. Original 101 shocks, particularly the rears are virtually not available and if they are you need to rob a bank. 110 rears can be modified to fit but Rancho RS 9000 from a Hilux fit with minimal mods.

So if has used these shocks - are they any good - pros/cons.

Garry

[stuee]

I'm told they fade very quickly and workmanship on them is not so great. They are excellent for people wanting good value long travel shocks but not for those intending to do any sort of touring or long distance travel. Rancho shocks seem popular on the 101 club forum but I doubt most of them do any serious kilometres.

I will be looking for shocks for my 101 in 9-12 months time when I picture it being close to getting ready for roadworthy but will be steering clear of ranchos. I will be chasing up Suspension Stuff who I've had good dealings with in the past and see what they have that's closest to my requirements at the time, preferably their silver stuff shocks which are re-branded Lovells.

I know what you mean about the original spec shocks being pricey though. I think the 220 quid or so for a pair of shocks that the club group buy is after is a little expensive...

[PhilipA]

Not the Hilux ones but on any coil spring classic or disco , I have seen them tear the top eye out.
It appears that the top eye is only strip rather than a tube and it separates at the weld.
Now this is OLD info as I saw these issues about 10 years ago so I do not know if they have got better since, but I recall posts in the last few years so a search may be in order, as i recall the news was all bad from several people.

Regards Philip A

[101RRS]

Thanks for that - I am glad I asked the question. Stuee you are correct about the 101 club and i am sure the shocks work OK on road but I had my suspicions about off road. Philip your comments reinforce my latent concerns about them.

My current shocks are original and have covered 130,000km, mainly in outback northern Aust and when driving I certainly have no indication that there is anything wrong with them - replaced the rubbers with plastic though.

However I have not found any aftermarket shocks - checked light trucks, standard suspension shops and specialist shockie places - that have anything suitable without modification. The 101 is too small for small trucks but the mounting points are too big for most 4wd stuff. Matching travel is not an issue - it is the mounting points.

Cheers

Garry

[LowRanger]

I had a set of Rancho RS9000 series shocks on my old 2 door RR classic,and I did break the top eye off.I believe the problem is mainly only evident when the suspension is really being flexed and a lot of load is place on the top mount.But my Konis and my DeCarbons never broke doing the same jobs on the same vehicle and subsequent vehicles.
I have heard the stories of them fading quickly,but I wouldn't like to comment,as my vehicles were set up as long travel offroaders and not as a long distance load carrying tourer.
But I would have no problem in recommending the Decarbons,as I think that they are the best value for money shock on the market.I have had them on 2 Rangies and on a dual cab HiLux with lot of wheel travel,and did a lot of hard corrugated roads with lots of weight,and have never had a problem on any vehicle fitted with them.I think JC also had a good run with his as well.
I am just disappointed that I can't get them in a length that I require for my Defender with modified suspension,as I would have them in a second.

Wayne

[isuzurover]

IME Ranchos are all marketing and little substance. Several mates who have been unfortunate enough to buy them have torn eyes off. It seems they are poorly welded.

You would have to pay me a lot of money to use ranchos...

[tebone]

I have had the rs 9000's on since 1999, I am very happy with them. On one occasion they did get very hot whilst i was in low range top gear and given it full stick 4wd. Over time they have got softer which I adjusted to a harder setting. The new Rancho's have upgraded are a very similar to the tough dog.
Ps. I have broken the ends but welded new ones on with no hassle. I will buy another set in time as you can adjust them inside the cab.

I have seen guys run twin shocks per side for extreme use.

[clubagreenie]

I have considered them but while they seem a good price, from reportas they are built to a price rather than being good value.

[Vern]

My inlaws bought some for a trip up the taninimi, half way along they died, ended up puilling the fronts out as they did nothing. Got a new set under warranty in WA, drove back to Vic on the made roads and these died as well. So went through 2 sets from vic to wa and back.
I had a new set of 5000's in my shed in the box for about 3 years, pulled them out and they had siezed, off to the tip they went

[stuee]

However I have not found any aftermarket shocks - checked light trucks, standard suspension shops and specialist shockie places - that have anything suitable without modification. The 101 is too small for small trucks but the mounting points are too big for most 4wd stuff. Matching travel is not an issue - it is the mounting points.

Cheers

Garry

Just had a thought, if the mounting points are too small for the truck shocks is there a reason you couldn't get a steel/nylon/unobtainium bush machined up to enlarge to mounting shaft? Would be easier than machining down the original shaft. Feasible idea??

I had personally not considered truck shocks before.