installed Rancho 9000xls and a 1 1/2 lift. What a difference!!!

[Front_rangeVX]

After searching the forums and reading the feedback on different shock options I decided to go with the 9000xls. At the same time I put some 1 1/2 Daystar springs spacers on the back and leveled the front using the T bars.

All I can say is HOLY CRAP! its 10 times better than it was. I have the rears at 4 and the fronts set to 5. It makes it a pleasure to drive now.

If anyone is on the fence on this upgrade and your main reason for doing it is improving ride quality then I think you will feel your money is well spent.




http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/IMAG0835.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=24568)

With the lift!
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/IMAG0837.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=24569)

A before picture for compare...
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/thumbs/1797572_10152239599650742_1178525516_n.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=24486)

[Mile High VX]

If you set them on 8 it will feel just like the OEM's...I need to turn mine down a bit, but I love the handling with the stiffer setting.

[Front_rangeVX]

My wife is calling it "the Cadillac upgrade lol"

I'll trying different settings at ping you back. do you know if anyone has turned it all the way down to 1?

[jp3]

I have tried them at the softest setting and it sways and rolls all over the place. Like being in a boat.

[Front_rangeVX]

I have tried them at the softest setting and it sways and rolls all over the place. Like being in a boat.


http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/I_m_on_a_Boat.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=24570)

[jp3]

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/boat.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=24571)

[mrtew]

Would they still have the same effect without the lift... my truck is too choppy and I suspect that at 125,000 miles the stock shocks are wearing out... or do they last forever? How much did they cost and how much was install? Where do you get them? Are any of the Rancho 9000xls on eBay the same or do you need to get a certain one to fit the VX?

[Mark B]

Put the Rancho 9000 on a few years ago when they were on sale at Sears.
I like the softer ride with the Rancho.

[Mile High VX]

$100 pre-paid Visa rebate in effect when you buy 4 9000XLs...

http://www.gorancho.com/promotions/ran_springpromo_rebatepad_us_web.pdf

[Front_rangeVX]

Would they still have the same effect without the lift... my truck is too choppy and I suspect that at 125,000 miles the stock shocks are wearing out... or do they last forever? How much did they cost and how much was install? Where do you get them? Are any of the Rancho 9000xls on eBay the same or do you need to get a certain one to fit the VX?


I don't think the lift had to much to do with the ride quality. the shocks made all the difference. There are specific models that fit the vx.

Rancho 9000XL specs FRONT=
RS999214
Rancho 9000XL specs REAR =
RS999215

They can be found for around $100 each with some places giving deals for buying all 4.

[disasterlady]

Thanks Front rangeVX for giving the EXACT part numbers for these Ranchos!!

[disasterlady]

New shocks way too soft? Something wrong? Ok, just had my mechanic install the Rancho shocks named above and we turned each adjustment all the way clockwise but these just bounce up and down about 3 times at every brake like bad shocks would... any suggestions?

I got them off "Amazon /Just Suspension" for good price and got the rebate... they came very fast.

[disasterlady]

I'm repeating this for effect... hahaha.

New shocks way too soft? Something wrong? Ok, just had my mechanic install the Rancho shocks named above and we turned each adjustment all the way clockwise but these just bounce up and down about 3 times at every brake like bad shocks would... any suggestions?

I got them off "Amazon /Just Suspension" for good price and got the rebate... they came very fast.

[Y33TREKker]

I'm repeating this for effect... hahaha.

New shocks way too soft? Something wrong? Ok, just had my mechanic install the Rancho shocks named above and we turned each adjustment all the way clockwise but these just bounce up and down about 3 times at every brake like bad shocks would... any suggestions?
Try the setting FrontRange mentioned in the first post. Rears at 4 and Fronts at 5. That will get you back to the feel of the stock suspension. After that, it's all personal preference.

[disasterlady]

Thanks for the info Y33TREKker...
I think I found the problem.

FYI to anyone else:

The little adjustment knobs on mine seemed to slip and so when the guys turned them all the way to the 9 where I asked, they really didn't turn them. I took pliers as my girlie wrists are weak and turned them to max and they are much better now.

[a745035]

Thanks for the info. I'm primarily considering doing the Daystar springs... already have adjustable Rancho 9000x's (older models) and while minor ripples are better absorbed, the ride is still jouncy as h&ll due to bottoming out on the bumpstops.

My VX practically SITS on its bumpstops, and especially the rear will jounce you HARD over small to medium bumps/dips in the road. I know you said here that the shocks make all the difference, but I have to wonder if getting your rig a little higher off the bumpstops isn't at least as accountable for the improved ride?

[Mile High VX]

Thanks for the info. I'm primarily considering doing the Daystar springs... already have adjustable Rancho 9000x's (older models) and while minor ripples are better absorbed, the ride is still jouncy as h&ll due to bottoming out on the bumpstops.

My VX practically SITS on its bumpstops, and especially the rear will jounce you HARD over small to medium bumps/dips in the road. I know you said here that the shocks make all the difference, but I have to wonder if getting your rig a little higher off the bumpstops isn't at least as accountable for the improved ride?

Many have trimmed the bottom section of the rear bump stop. I picked up a set from a salvage yard and did this so I still have my OEM ones. It made a difference in my ride for sure.

[ALC1717]

All Of You Were Correct. I Just Installed 4 New Rancho 9000XL Shocks To Replace My ORIGINAL OEM Factory KYB Isuzu Shocks. I Set The Front To 5 & The Rear To 4 As Suggested - MAJOR Improvement - That With the 4 New Toyo Versado Tires Because I Use My VX For Strictly New York Street Driving Only - NO Off Road Use !

[Y33TREKker]

All Of You Were Correct. I Just Installed 4 New Rancho 9000XL Shocks To Replace My ORIGINAL OEM Factory KYB Isuzu Shocks. I Set The Front To 5 & The Rear To 4 As Suggested - MAJOR Improvement - That With the 4 New Toyo Versado Tires Because I Use My VX For Strictly New York Street Driving Only - NO Off Road Use !
What I'm Most Curious About Is How You Changed Your Keyboard Settings To Capitalize Every First Letter Of Every Word Automatically. I Just Tried It Manually And It's A Pain In The @ss. :p

[ALC1717]

:happyface

[Triathlete]

What I'm Most Curious About Is How You Changed Your Keyboard Settings To Capitalize Every First Letter Of Every Word Automatically. I Just Tried It Manually And It's A Pain In The @ss. :p

Sometimes my phone does that out of the blue...then it will change back on its own.

[dfwvx]

Who has lifted with the Rancho 9000xl 214's and 215's?
Did you also use the ome 912 lift springs?
Ome, skyjacker, and rancho have taller shocks available through independent 4x. What are the pros and con of doing it with oem size and taller shocks?

[soggybottomboyz]

How much did you have invested in all the parts, and where did you purchase them. I am planning on doing upgrades to my wifes VX this fall to include powder coating the stock rims and installing the largest tire possible with the same upgrade you completed.

Thanks,

Soggy

[Hades]

So these are suitable replacements, even though the stock shocks had resevoirs? I do understand that our shocks are 15 years old, but I don't put Rancho at the front of the line for new technology. Or is it more of a price savings comparison, as replacement resevoir shocks would run more than a grand?

[circmand]

I di the Ranchos because Sears had a sale and Rancho had a rebate.

[djvx]

I don't think the lift had to much to do with the ride quality. the shocks made all the difference. There are specific models that fit the vx.

Rancho 9000XL specs FRONT=
RS999214
Rancho 9000XL specs REAR =
RS999215

They can be found for around $100 each with some places giving deals for buying all 4.
Range VX or whoever can chime in---> Upon searching for these I found "Length choices" so with my lift being similar to yours I need to know that size info not just the part#, I think?

[tysamigo]

I'm also putting on the Ranchos next week, I need it badly. After researching I think I also am going to do a small lift of 1" with the Daystars, instead of cutting the bump stops but I'm not sure what I'm looking for in regards to the Daystars.

Can someone tell me a part number or point in the right direction for what I need for the rear Daystar 1" spacers?

[JoFotoz]

Heya Tyler...

Go here, its the thread I mentioned when we chatted on the phone this morning !! :-

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=15476&highlight=913+experiment

In the first post.. Gene talks about the 1.25 inch daystar...thats actually 1 inch.

Give part #'s etc... all ya need to know.

Jo

[VXorado]

Range VX or whoever can chime in---> Upon searching for these I found "Length choices" so with my lift being similar to yours I need to know that size info not just the part#, I think?

That part number refers to the length as well as the mounting sizes. The shocks aren't designed around a lifted height and are right around the same travel as the stock shocks. Old Man Emu carries the only direct fit shocks I know of that are built longer for a lift. Isuzu used a 3/4" stud on the bottom and a 9/16" bolt on the top. Matching the combo is tricky and Rancho only carries one direct fit shock.

I recently installed longer Rancho 9000xl shocks by converting the 3/4" stud to a 1/2" bolt. Then I was able to dig through Rancho's catalog to find the shock that fit my lift best.

[Frankenstein]

I run the adjustable ranch 9000 on my broncos, I love them. I will put these on Frankenstein also. The adjustability on these is great!

[djvx]

That part number refers to the length as well as the mounting sizes. The shocks aren't designed around a lifted height and are right around the same travel as the stock shocks. Old Man Emu carries the only direct fit shocks I know of that are built longer for a lift. Isuzu used a 3/4" stud on the bottom and a 9/16" bolt on the top. Matching the combo is tricky and Rancho only carries one direct fit shock.

I recently installed longer Rancho 9000xl shocks by converting the 3/4" stud to a 1/2" bolt. Then I was able to dig through Rancho's catalog to find the shock that fit my lift best.
Thank you, I will revisit the website and double check the Rancho part # but I was near certain on needing a size. May just have a mechanic deal with it.