Rancho RSX's
 

Just finished boltin' on 4 Rancho RSX shocks. Easy as it gets. Took about 2 hours, including cutting all the stickers out so they would fit right with the boots. RSX's are charged but they are easily compressed by hand to get the bolts in. I had no problem at all with the install. Don't be afraid of this mod.

As for the ride: Exactly what I wanted. Not realy stiff, but real firm. Body roll is almost gone when cornering. Smooth on the highway. Not at all bad in the city. And, they look really cool.

Right at $200 via 4 Wheel Parts.

The reason I'm posting this is; I used the rear mount for the RIGHT REAR shock behind the axle, like the 2003's with the FX4 option. Anyone know if I shouldn't have done this. I looked all over the factory set up and couldn't come up with a reason not to move to the back. Factory mount has bot front and rear holes on the axle bracket.

Any opinions?

GpFire:beers:

I don't have an answer to your question, but I just wanted to say that I have those shocks also and they are great. I didn't do the install myslef as I am not that mechanically inclined so I don't know which mounting spot they used, but they ride great and I love them. For the price I think they are a great shock. :thumbsup:

They do ride sweet. Just the right firmness for a 4X4. As another member related; "even my wife noticed the change in ride and drive". Wish I had done it sooner.

I recently did the buy 3 get 1 free ProComp tire deal; up-sized to the 33 12.5 17 AT's on factory wheels {[(these tires are awesome/Perfect fit w/o a lift.. Look like they were made for the wheel well)]}. I replaced the shocks for the tires. I had planned on adding a steering stabilizer with the shocks due to the new tires wider print made the truck walk just a little on the highway. The shocks alone have reduced this to almost none.

GpFire:rocker:

What is the 33x12.5 in the other tire dimensions??? Like 285/70/17 or what??? Just curious.

Installing RSX's
 

Hey GPFire

what year truck do you have? I just bought 4 rancho rsx's for my 97' F150 4x4 as well.. how did you get the top mount loose. I haven't crawled under there to look yet... but I have studs on all 4 of my shocks. I haven't looked at it since i bought it.. but I am just kinda curious as to how to get to it. Please let me know..


Scott:rocker:

33x12.5 is near the 305/70/17

GPFire:

So if the tires you have are similar in size to the 305/70/17 which I want, I have a question. Did you crank up the torsion bars or add any kind of lift??? I really want the 305's but have heard there are some problems.

Also, I thought the 305's were 34" and the 285's were 33" :confused:

I did crank the torsion bars a little. Not much. About an inch, made it sit level. looks good.

Absolutely no rubbing or fit problems. The ProComp tires specs are just under 33". I believe that some of the other tires sized as 305/70/17 are over 33". I read a post here from a guy with 305/70/17 Goodyear MTR and no lift or "torsion bar crank". and has no problem.

2001 Supercrew

Re: Installing RSX's
 

Scott,

I got a socket up and over the top mounts;I believe it was an 18mm. All I had to do to remove was hold the original shocks hard boot when turning. On the install; I used 2 wrenches one small one and one med. to tighten. Can't remember sizes. The Rancho has a flattened/pinched head on the mounting bolt to hold when tightening. Took a ton o' short turns to get tight. Also, access was through a hole in the frame and above the frame. Unless the 97' is different, you woun't have any problem when you get started.

T

If you notice, the right rear shock is only mounted on the front of supercrew's. Nothing else. I was once told is was to better control wheel hop due to the weight of the supercrew. Honestly, I don't know. It's not a new concept though. Did you mount it on the rear just for looks?

The 03's with the FX4 package have both Shocks behind the axle. I did the same just for looks. Couldn't see a reason not to. I'm sure the 01' Engineers had a good one. Next time I see an 03' I'll look under to see is the right side has the mount for front and rear like the 01'.

I absolutely feel nothing different on road as far as ride other than improved less roll in a corner. Frim ride not stiff. Rides like a 4x4 with 33's. ANd they doo look good from behind.

Easy metric tire converter...
 

Found this and it helps me keep straight what size tires everyone is running:

http://www.s-series.org/htm/calc/tiresizeconv.htm

Mike

I hear most people talking about ride firmness, but never any mention of the amount of rebound dampening that shocks have. i think the compression side is OK on my stockers, but the rebound is non-existant. I can do monster truck style wheelies (ok, not that big) by mashing the throttle when I hit bumps because of the minimal amount of rebound dampening. Also when I'm on a rough gravel road, or when I hit a pot hole, I get axle hop and that irratates me the most.
Anyone have any comments on that?
Thanks!
- Nealio

305/70/17s are a 34" tall tire, its the same as a 305/75/16. For a true 33/12.5 you will want something like a 305/65/17, but I don't think such a beast exists. A 285/70/17 is a 32.8/11.5. Thing is you can run 305/70/17s on a stock 4x4 with no rubbing.

Rebound on my new RSX's is night and day compared to stock. I don't do any real off-roading, but my everyday drive home is a worn out hole filled black top that looks similar to a mogul run on a ski slope, and it's 50MPH posted. I understand the rebound you're talking about and I agree the compression of the stockers was OK. RSX's are the RANCHO self adjusting shock. They compress aggressive when hit hard and hold Up-&-firm for the heavy, slow weight shifts. like cornering or highway. Ford did a good job of shocking these trucks to keep the tires touching pavement. Recovering front to back or side to side was exactly what the RSX's did for me. By no means are they as horizontaly exact as a sway bar but they are alot more able than stock. I think any of the name brands will improve on Fords suspension design. They built em' for the masses. FX4 and OFF ROAD are sales tools. AFTERMARKET is the way to go.

If I was to buy a 2003 4x4 today. I'd replace the shocks this weekend.

GpFire:thumbsup: