Looking to replace my stock shocks on my 03 fx4. Im looking between the Pro comp 3000's, Pro comp 9000's, and the Rancho RS5000. Those are the ones that are in my budget. im not looking to spend $70+ per shock or id go with Bilstiens. But out of those 3 has anyone had any experince with those? any thoughts, and especially likes and dislikes? I dont offroad very much, my aim is for a GOOD riding street shock. Thanks for any input.

 

I put on 4 RS5000's this past summer...mainly because Rancho's are factory for our FX4's (3 different auto parts stores wanted to sell me something else). I like the ride on the street and have driven the rocky canal banks nearby with the wife.. no complaints. Also handles well when in 4WD to pull out stuck 2WDs

 

I also wanted the ranchos mainly for the factory look. But I've heard some say they ride very stiff. Just wanted some insight on how they did on the road. The dealer wants nearly $73 per shock for the factorys. I can't see paying that myself for the ranchos.

 

I've had Skymaster Nitros, ES9000, and Rancho RS5000s on my 99 SCab 4wd. I like the Skymasters best, but not a lot of difference in the 9000s and RS5000s. The 9000s are a little stiffer, but not a much. One note on the Skymaster Nitros; I had the fronts blow out on me when I leveled the front via torsion bars/key. But this was after they had been on for 4 years. Don't buy the shocks from the dealer, that's WAY high for the 5000s. Shop online and put them on yourself or have somebody else do it for you after you receive them. You should be able to get the Ranchos in the $50-60 range and the SkyMaster Nitro in the lower $40s. Hope it helps.

 

Factory Rancho shocks are not off-the-shelf Rancho's (5000's or any other Rancho). They are a manufactured shock with Ford specific internals and the rights to put the Rancho name on them.

If your choices are limited to the selections you listed, I'd flip a coin between the Rancho's and the 9000's. I've had the 9000's and found them a tad soft lacking the control these stiff trucks need, but not horrible. The 3000's are total crap...Had them on my sons Ranger. IMHO, shocks are just one of those items where you get what you pay for.

 

No offense but you'll have to forgive me for having no faith in today's marketing ploys like the Rancho shock/Ford FX4 scheme. I'm sure the shocks are NOT 5000s but I doubt that they differ so much that most are going to be able to tell. Bragging rights, sure, but other than that, don't see the need to spend an extra $20.

 

I had my local Napa store order my RS5000s. I would have to dig out the reciept, but I don't think they were $70+

 

I have the Pro Comp 3000's and they are better than the OEM shocks but that's not saying a whole lot.

 

I know the factorys are not RS5000, but you can order the original ranchos from ford. I have found a set of all 4 5000's for $165.95 shipped. Pretty good I thought. Makes them about $42 each. The procomps don't come with boots. By the time you add boots to those they are about the same price. I think ill try the ranchos, I had them years ago on my old ranger. I don't recall anything bad about them. Other than I thought it rode a little stiffer. But hell its a truck, not a buick roadmaster.

 

What do ya need boots for?? Boots are aesthetic anyways, so don't spend the money on them if you don't like them.

 

I have the 9000's on my truck and have no complaints about them.