Bigfootchevy
Bancroft, Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 07/04/2010
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Several people write that they have upgraded their shocks. I understand Rancho Shocks are one of the best and can help with sway. I read that the weight of the Truck camper completely overwhelms the standard shocks. So is upgrading your shocks really worth it and what can I expect?
Thanks Paul
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fueling around
NW MN
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Joined: 04/24/2007
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Hi Paul
Yes, upgraded shocks are very noticable in any vehicle handling.
I cannot support any Rancho advice. I last had then on a vehicle in the 80's and was so underwhelmed by the perforamnce, I've never tried them again.
Many will post on top preformance with the current Rancho products.
I can post on KYB & Bilstein. KYB was tops. Changed to Bilstein and have not been happy.
My experience is only a grain of salt. All vehicles are different.
John
1997 Dodge 2500 CTD
1989 Cascade 8½ Self-contained Truck Camper
?? Eureka Timberline 4 tent
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Chuck and Di
Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 09/28/2008
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Ranchos (on the rear only) made so much difference for me that I did not have to do any other upgrade. Highly recommended! No only could I remove the sway with them adjusted to a stiff position, but being able to turn them down when the camper is not in the box will also help you save dental fees (you teeth won't be rattling with every bump on the road when empty)
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bobndot
NY
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Joined: 08/21/2007
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Paul,i installed the "Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks" on my GMC 2500HD. It eliminated the front to rear pitching.
I was thinking of installing a set of "MCU" 's . I think they would top off the improvement i gained from adding the "Hellwig rear sway bar"
Bob.
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Handbasket
Asheville, NC
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Joined: 01/17/2003
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Bob, If I'm reading it right, the Motion Control Unit would only help if your airbags are plumbed to a single fill. If they're plumbed to separate fills there's no transfer of air to be controlled. IIRC, Air Lift in their installation instructions recommends the separate fills. I know they supply their 5,000# air bag kits with two fills, and no tee fitting.
Jim, "Gimme coffee!"
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison (aka 'Loafer's Glory') www.tigermotorhomes.com
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Eycom
32043
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Joined: 09/12/2004
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Of the suspension mods I needed to make, the Rancho shocks made the most significant difference. I'm a believer.
RVn Full-time
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DonCurley
La Sal, Utah
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Joined: 12/27/2006
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This is a well debated subject, but I am a Rancho fan. Yes, some of the older Ranchos were underwhelming, but the latest RS9000XL adjustable shocks are very good and I run them on my Dodge Ram 3500. The most important aspect to me is their adjustability. I run them at 9 (max) in the rear when our TC is on board and on 1-3 when unloaded, and it makes a big difference and works well in both instances.
There are certainly folks who prefer Bilstein and KYB shocks, but I just don't think you can beat the adjustability of the Ranchos for varying loads in your truck. And I know there are those that don't want to crawl under their trucks to make the adjustments, but I have just never found that to be an issue. By the way, I leave my fronts on 9 all the time due to the combined weight of the CTD engine over the front axle as well as a heavy Buckstop front bumper & Warn winch combo.
Whatever you get, moving up to almost any heavy-duty aftermarket shock will beat the heck out of any factory shock and will make a big difference in overall handling.
-'07 Dodge 3500/QC/SB/SRW/4x4/6.7L CTD/6-spd auto/35" Toyo MT's/Ride-Rite air bags/RS9000XL shocks
-'07 Apex 8 fully optioned w/220W solar/2 T-145's/2KW Prosine/Honda EU2000i/Tundra fridge/AC/etc
-'00 Jeep Wrangler TJ 4x4, highly modified w/5.9L Magnum V8
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bobndot
NY
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Joined: 08/21/2007
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Handbasket wrote:Bob, If I'm reading it right, the Motion Control Unit would only help if your airbags are plumbed to a single fill. If they're plumbed to separate fills there's no transfer of air to be controlled. IIRC, Air Lift in their installation instructions recommends the separate fills. I know they supply their 5,000# air bag kits with two fills, and no tee fitting.
Jim, "Gimme coffee!"
O.K. Tnx. Jim .
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bedrocker
lompoc ca
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Joined: 11/16/2006
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KYB Monomax 
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btggraphix
Golden, CO
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Joined: 03/08/2005
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DonCurley wrote:This is a well debated subject, but I am a Rancho fan. Yes, some of the older Ranchos were underwhelming, but the latest RS9000XL adjustable shocks are very good and I run them on my Dodge Ram 3500. The most important aspect to me is their adjustability. I run them at 9 (max) in the rear when our TC is on board and on 1-3 when unloaded, and it makes a big difference and works well in both instances.
There are certainly folks who prefer Bilstein and KYB shocks, but I just don't think you can beat the adjustability of the Ranchos for varying loads in your truck. And I know there are those that don't want to crawl under their trucks to make the adjustments, but I have just never found that to be an issue. By the way, I leave my fronts on 9 all the time due to the combined weight of the CTD engine over the front axle as well as a heavy Buckstop front bumper & Warn winch combo.
Whatever you get, moving up to almost any heavy-duty aftermarket shock will beat the heck out of any factory shock and will make a big difference in overall handling.
My experience on my old GMC 2500 mimics Don's.....they were a tremendous improvment in ride, loaded and unloaded. I left my fronts on "7" loaded or not due to the small change on the freont axle loaded versus unloaded. I used a "9" on the rear when loaded, and "3" when unloaded. Once I dialed in those numbers, I always stuck with them.
Very very very good results for me on that vehicle.
2006 LanceMax 1191 - loaded and well-used
2005 C4500/Kodiak 4x4, GVWR 17,500
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