Are Rancho 9-way Adjustables CRAP?

[Jeeps]

I've been looking into Ranchos.

I've been told they ALWAYS break, the adjustment isn't that effective, they are WAY too firm for any onroad and offroad use and they are only a gimmick. Would anyone like to defend them because i am thinking about buying a set.

[sierrajim]

On my zook, at the lowest setting all the time. On my last Chevy Silverado, at the highest setting all the time.

Haven't busted one though, if you have the right length there would be no reason for one to break.

If your shock is too short for your suspension travel just about any brand will break.

[-Scott-]

I considered buying them, but they didn't list anything more than a 1" lift for a Paj.

I found more bad reports than good from Australian web sites, most revolving around failure over corrugations. Of course, you can find similar reports for just about any brand you can think of...

I don't know for sure, but I suspect ALL Rancho 9000 shock absorbers have identical valving, relying on the adjustment to make them suitable for different vehicles. This works well for most vehicles, but makes them too stiff for light vehicles like Suzukis and Ferozas etc and too soft for large vehicles like Silverados. Just a guess...

Cheers,

Scott

[customhilux]

i'm about to buy them as well,

i've been told they are way to soft.

but have u heard about running the in cab adjuster kit on procomps.

cause they make an adjustable shock as well.

[Hoonz]

a guy here in townsville ripped the shaft clean out of a rancho on the weekend doin a sand run ... leaf sprung hilux
correct length for his application ....

[HG]

I run the Ranchos on my Surf and they are sweet as. I have got the in-cab kit as well and on the road I run them around 4 - 5 (firm setting) and with the lift I have coupled with the Dobinson springs the ride is good but still has some floating going hard into corners ( you will get that with any type of shocker used though)
Off road I tend to have them set around 2 1/2 to 3 and that gives great flex and a smooth ride inside as well plus when doing the steep rocky stuff that requires softer action you can go right down to 1.
For me they suit the type of 4 wheeling perfectly so I give them 10 out of 10.
In the past I ran a few different brands of shockers and have some fail/ leak and crack on me but since running Ranchos (this is my 3rd set) I've had no drama's at all.

[bogged]

Ask Ossie about his ones in a GU.. failed 4 times. he went EFS in the end.


I had them in my GQ, replaced 3 times. Now have LTR's

For larger trucks, I wouldnt touch Ranchos with a barge pole.

[Tiny]

I am currently running ranchos on the GQ, went in before the TDs came out, run em on 1 all the time coz the dog chewed the air line and I am lazy as the difference in ride is not an issue for me as it is comp and play only not a DD, most probe in regards to failures on corrugations are due to running them on a high setting causing them to overheat as the valves are to restricted causing a lot of heat. TDs will do the same thing, but the big bore helps. the TDs are harder, but for $35.00 they can be revalved to make them softer for light vehicle applications. I personally dont see any need for an adgustable shok except some basice ride functionality, but hardly see the need.

[Suspension Stuff]

I don't recommend the adjustable Procomps. They are in the same boat as Rancho and Tough Dog. Too many failure to recommend. For anything over 3 inches the only shock to go for is Procomp ($125 each delivered) (non adjustable). EFS do a 3 inch lift ($95 each delivered).

I am patiently waiting for a decent adjustable shock to come onto the market beside Koni's (2 inch lift only).

Hope this helps
Shane

[derelict_frog]

Delivered from where???

[DR Frankenstine]

I run rancho's and so do 4 other vehicles I go wheelin with and none of us has ever had a problem. Ive probably done 40000kays on mine now

[bumpy]

I have a 40 series with quite stiff springs. I have the old 5way adjustables and I think their great. I had pedders before that and the ranchoes are 100% on them.

I've had them about 3yrs and the only thing is they have surface rust around the welds on the eyes. I think this was only due to poor painting...its not a biggie.

I like to launch off the top of sand dunes and they have held up well.

cheers...brendon

[bumpy]

I have a 40 series with quite stiff springs. I have the old 5way adjustables and I think their great. I had pedders before that and the ranchoes are 100% on them.

I've had them about 3yrs and the only thing is they have surface rust around the welds on the eyes. I think this was only due to poor painting...its not a biggie.

I like to launch off the top of sand dunes and they have held up well.

cheers...brendon

[HSV Rangie]

CRAP is what they are.

Michael.

[Suspension Stuff]

Delivered from where???

I sell them. I am in Qld.

Most Rancho's won't fail but Procomps are much less likely to fail.

Shane

[customhilux]

tiny wrote:

most probe in regards to failures on corrugations are due to running them on a high setting causing them to overheat as the valves are to restricted causing a lot of heat. TDs will do the same thing, but the big bore helps.

yeah that would be true, the reason it does it, is because when ya try and push oil through a tiny orifice(the harder u want em, the smaller the orifice) u create back pressure which create's friction, causin the oil to heat up and break down, which also eats seals, and can damage the flow control(thats how ya get the harder and softer ride).

the same thing happens with ya steering, notice the change in sound when ya hit full look, thats the oil burning over the relief valve in it.

is there any company that makes shocks that can be rebuilt, like the koni's.

[ISUZUROVER]

I wouldn't buy them. A mate had them on his rangie hybrid and broke the eyes off both rear shocks on the one trip - they were practically new. It was interesting watching him drive home with no rear shocks.

[DR Frankenstine]

I wouldn't buy them. A mate had them on his rangie hybrid and broke the eyes off both rear shocks on the one trip - they were practically new. It was interesting watching him drive home with no rear shocks.

Obviously the wrong application or not set up right. Its easy to blame the shocky.

[YankeeDave]

first set of ranchos lasted 4 years

nothing wrong with them

[ISUZUROVER]

I wouldn't buy them. A mate had them on his rangie hybrid and broke the eyes off both rear shocks on the one trip - they were practically new. It was interesting watching him drive home with no rear shocks.

Obviously the wrong application or not set up right. Its easy to blame the shocky.

My front shocks are the limiting factor in my front suspension travel, yet they hold up fine. For most really flexy suspensions the shocks will limit travel. If they can't do that without breaking they are not strong enough IMO.

For the ranchos in question above, the welds were pathetic, and I'm not surprised they broke. My mate dismantled the shocks, re-welded the eyes on himself, and never had a problem after that.

[Tiny]

like anything it come down to a few things. what is the application (is it right?) are they set up right, are they looked after and then user preference.

Hoe many people can put aside personal preference and really say that a make of car (nissan over toyota, holden over ford) is really any better then the next one?

how many people here have run ranchos and can honestly say they did not do the job?

[bogged]

how many people here have run ranchos and can honestly say they did not do the job?

If constantly failing (first set less than 3 mths and most of that 3 mths I was recovering from operation....) is their job, then I'll stand up....

[Tiny]

how many people here have run ranchos and can honestly say they did not do the job?

If constantly failing (first set less than 3 mths and most of that 3 mths I was recovering from operation....) is their job, then I'll stand up....

if they were constantly failing then you have to ask was the set up correct? very rarly does anything fail consistantly unless the duty or set up is wrong, one failure can be atributed to a product, but if it keeps happening what is causing it

[bogged]

if they were constantly failing then you have to ask was the set up correct? very rarly does anything fail consistantly unless the duty or set up is wrong, one failure can be atributed to a product, but if it keeps happening what is causing it

I agree to a point, but when 3 of us in club with similar setups wth different shocks (2 with 9000 (I ended with 9x not sure what Ossie ended with)) die, you have to suspect quality. His EFS setup same length no issues....

[ludacris]

Had a freind of mine - a shiela - who got 9000 udjustables brand new and fitted by beadhams. One broke first fourtnight after getting them - fixed then another broke again. When she brought it back the second time she was told they were not going to fix them because shes driving to rough and breaking them.

Her reply was and I quote "If they can't handle shopping centre car parks then how can they be driven off road, its a F#$%ing 4 wheel drive".

Bottom line - thats a sad sad sad product

Regards,
Darren

[HSV Rangie]

Problem with ranchos is one shock valving fits all.

The set up will be correct but an incorect valved shock will fail no mater what.

Top quality shocks dont fade on corrigations, just cheap crap.

Michael.

[Tiny]

Problem with ranchos is one shock valving fits all.

The set up will be correct but an incorect valved shock will fail no mater what.

Top quality shocks dont fade on corrigations, just cheap crap.

Michael.

yes but you get what you pay for, and if you get a stiff shock it will overheat and fail on corragations no matter how much it cost, thing is not many 4b shocks are that stiff they have to be something in between

[PK]

I run them on the front of my Wrangler and LOVE them!! I run them at 7 on the highway, 2 in the bush and haven't had a problem with them. They may not suit heavier trucks, but for Jeeps I'd say GO FOR IT!

Also, get onto ausjeepoffroad.com forum and check with the guys there....

[grimbo]

I have them on my Zuk and they were picked more for the length (nothing else was long enough) and the valving ( I needed soft shocks) I have had them for nearly 7-8 years I think (5 way not 9 way adjustable) and they have been fine.

The problem with them I think is that people think that because they are adjustable it will cure their suspension problems. They aren't meant as a band aid cure. Any shock should be an integral part of a suspension system. All the components should be working together to give you the result you want.

[Elmo]

am planning on buying on these as well myself, and despite constant battering and bad reviews im still going to

after chatting to a number of retailers and suppliers about them, all of which admitted there was a problem, BUT not with the shock, it was with the vechile it was used on, and the setting it was used with

aparrantly, and i quote, rancho's are more designed for lighter weight vechiles, such as zooks and hilux's, and are more for pure off road & rock crawling type usage

where as, the tough dogs were introduced along side of the rancho, but with heavier valving, and a stronger construction, designed more for your bigger trucks, like patrols and cruisers, and where a harder working life is intended