My 04 now has over 125,000 miles and now I started to pull a large trailer. Wondering if throwing on a pair of Rancho RSX shocks out back would be a noticable improvment at all? Anyone tried them? I'm stock height and want to stay that way. Anyone know the part #? Thx

 

No experience with their RSX line, but I have the new RS9000XL shocks on the back of my truck. Being that they're adjustable, I think they'd probably be better for towing a large trailer (like I am). I can get the part number if you'd like. They run $90 each. The install on the rear is a piece of cake, about 10 minutes total. The front requires spring comressors, and is a bit more involved (and dangerous is you don't know what you're doing).

 

Thanks! I spoke w/Rancho tech line and here is what I found out: Rancho RSX same shock as Monroe Reflex. (same company) Even though Monroe offers Reflex for 04-07 F-150, Rancho does not and will not as they are being purchased primarily for SUV's. For our trucks they rec'md the XL9000 which replace the older 9000 which has been discontinued... I think I'll get some of those for the rear. He stated the dial for the shock setting is at the bottom of the shock. Doesn't that kinda suck to get at? Sure would ahve been easy if it was at the top? Can you really notice the diff between settings 1 & 9?

 

How did you install them? Can I only replace the back ones without the fromt ones

 

I had the RSX on my '99 F150, very nice. I now have the RS9000X (manual adjustable) on my '04. The RS9000X can be made much more still than the RSX. In the winter I tow a 2 palce enclosed sled trailer. Set on stiffest, there is a noticable difference over the frost heaves. Towed the same trailer with the '99 + RSX, the RS9000X are much better. IMO.

 

Very simple to install the rears. 1 bolt on top, 1 bolt on bottom. Takes all of 3-5 minutes each. And yes, you can change out the rears independent of the fronts. Although you'll get the BEST handling if you change both. However chaning out the fronts require you to remove the strut-type of setup, and use spring compressors to remove the shock. A little more involved than the rears, but still do-able.

 

Heck yeah!!! Setting #1 is pretty comfortable, similiar to stock but a little tighter... Setting #9 on the other hand is hard as a rock. It will probably be good when towing a trailer or hauling a heavy load, but you definately want to stay away from the higher settings for everyday driving.

 

So at a high setting it would be somewhat comparable to a ride rite setup at maybe 50psi? Or is the ride rite setup still much more H-D? I'd like to remove as much of the lateral sway in side winds as possible, so I'm thinkning i) get heavier rubber, from 4 to 10 ply, and ii thr new 9000Xl shocks should help considerably. If still not enough I'll get the ride rites... (or drive slower!)

 

I've never used air bags, so I can't compare them to the Rancho's... But as I understand it, air bags are most effective if you need additional support to keep your load leveled. With a travel trailer and a properly set up weight-distribution hitch, staying level isn't a problem.

IMO the 3 most important items to consider when towing a travel trailer are:

• W/D Hitch Setup - The key word here is PROPERLY set up W/D hitch. The front and rear of your truck should squat the same amount, to within about 1/2" of each other. The rear of your truck should NEVER be higher when hitched versus unhitched.
  
• Tires - Get some LT tires. I have load-range C Firestones, and I noticed a marked improvement compared to the stock P tires.
  
• Shocks - Stock shocks suck for towing heavy loads. From there, I went to Bilstein HD's. They were better. Now I have the Rancho XL9000 and they are the best for HEAVY towing.

Work on these 3 areas, and you should have a pretty solid tow vehicle. But remember, it will NEVER handle a load as well as a F250/F350. All things are relative to their intended purpose.

 

I totally agree w/ur 3 pts.
- I have the W/D hitch. At first glance the rear end looks low, but it is level, its just the azz end is usually so high on these trucks it looks like it MUST be too low. But from a side profile it is level.
- I'm getting heavier tires. Currently run 4ply Bstone Duelers and they are down to 4 tenths. Will get either 10 ply Toyo open country A/T, or slim chance of the new Michelin LTX A/T2, also a 10 ply. BUT they are only expected to arrive beg of Sept and I don't want to wait that long. Plus I don't want to be a guinea pig for a brand new tire that won't be cheap.
- I will get the new 9000XL's soon, on the rear at first.

I'll be surprised if the new rubber and shocks don't remarkably improve the tow capability. Keep in mind, in anything but a stiff sidewind, it tows very well now. If only that 5.4 didn't sound like crap with the cam phaser issue. Oh well don't want to spend $2000 on that fix that won't even gnte it too be much quieter! Good thing I have the audiophile pkg. Just turn up the radio.

 

Toyos came in today. Do they EVER look good!!!! So nice and square. Sorry Michelin, no soup for you.