Alright guys, I have been studying up and watching the boards, but now it is time to make a decision. I would not even dream of doing anything to my truck without some advice from you all. So, I would like ya'lls opinion.

I am trying to decide which shocks to buy. I am leaning towards the Edelbrock IAS shocks right now, but I am also considering Rancho 9000's or RSX. Any other suggestions? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

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'97 F150 4x4 Off-Road Extended Cab Lariat Flareside white/tan, tan leather, 4.6, 3.55

Duraliner bedliner, Husky floormats, Custom seatcovers (I only cover the leather when I'm really dirty, though), Premier single-lid toolbox

Gibson 2.5" split-rear exit cat-back exhaust, K&N Air Filter

Many more modifications to come

http://ocu-stars.okcu.edu/cvenable.stu/index.htm#b

 

Great question, one that I was pondering myself. I am considering the Eddlebrock IAS shocks.

I want a little firmer ride in town but not when I go fishing, on the washboard logging roads. My buddy had an Isuzu Trooper with stiff shocks and once you got on those gravel roads, you almost needed a kidney belt. The Eddlebrocks seem like a good compromise.

Looking forward to more info.

 

I went with the IAS shocks from what I read, so they are supposed to be here wednesday.

To anyone that has changed their shock- how hard is it to change them, I'm very handy but I will be busy over the next few weeks. So is this something I can do in a few hours by myself or should I just pay someone to do it?

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black 97' x-cab 4x4, 5 speed 4.6, black westin nerf bars, 6 cd changer and a 12 premier sub, pilot ground searchers, borla SS split rear exhaust, v-tech oval side window covers


soon: fipk, chip, rims (the ones I want are $2k with tires, I need more money)

 

I had edelbrocks and two weeks later they started to leak, something I noticed is they came exact to the OEM specs. I installed Bilstein little more firm but better on curves, on off road the bilstein work wonderfull this was on the Explorer, on the F-150 the Rancho rsx, they are gas shocks and are, my opiniong lot better than the edelbrocks, i beleive they are more marketing items than quality items.the rancho
9000 are very good but, you must be getting out the truck everytime you want to select the ride condition you want unless you purchase the compressor, the level 5 rides like a tank they are stiff in that level, i had them installed on my Jeep grand cherokee with the compressor but it had so many leaks i got fed up and took them off.


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2000 F-150, S/C F/S 5.4lt Auto, 3.55 LS, M4x4, Capt. Chairs 6 way elec., 6 CD,
Med Toreador Red
Born 03-27-00
Mods,
Superchip uat2
Borla Anniversary Edition Split rear cat back
K&N Gen II or FIPK
Granattely Mass Air Flow
BBK 75mm Trottle Body
SVT Lightning 18" wheels
285/60/18 Pirelli scorpion Zero
Hellwig Sway bar
Dark Walnut dash kit
Muth signal mirrors
White face gauge
Bosch Plat. 4's
Retrax Rolltop
Outland sport bumper guard
Rancho rsx shocks

 

I really like the Racho shocks personally. I ran the 5000s in my ranger and my mom's ranger along with previous 4x4s. I finally installed the 9000s in the rear for towing in my ranger. Around town I set them to 1. For towing, set them to 5. It rides perfect.

I would suggest if you do not want to mess with the adjustable shocks and in cab adjustment, then get the 5000s. If you tow, these still work great. Get the 9000s to stiffen up the rear for towing, with 5000s up front.

[This message has been edited by Matt90GT (edited 05-22-2000).]

 

I just recently purchased the Rancho RSX Shocks. They are great! Much better handling and a better ride.

Anything is better than the stock shocks.

My .02

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1997 F150 XLT 4.6L Auto 4x4 ORP SC 3.55LS Oxford white, Med. Graphite Int. White Faced Gauges,Bed Cap,Superchip,AirRaid,Bug Deflector. Rancho RSX Shocks, 3" Flowmaster 40 series,Bassani Nascar Tip. 285/75/16 BFG AT's, 16x8 Centerline 45 series on the way!!

 

I had installed Edelbrocks after I liftd my truck, and thought they were a very nice shock but returned them within 30 days and exchanged them for Rancho 9000's. I never noticed that much improvement in the ride quality, was a bit tighter in cornering though. Never noticed any leaking. I really love the Ranchos for the sole purpose that you can change the valving from soft to firm. They work great. Quality on the Edelbrocks was much better than the Ranchos.
Which ever shock you pick, you cant go wrong.

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97 F-150 Black, 4x4 XLT ext.cab,sb,offroad pack.
4" Susp. lift, 3" body
4.56 gears w/LS,
Flowmaster 50 Series w/ duals out rear
36x14.5x16.5 Super Swampers TSL Radials,
16.5x9.75 Weld Scorpio V wheels,
Pre-Runner Bumper w/KC Daylights,
Westin nerf bars,
Pro-Comp Front Skid Plate,
Summit Aluminum Diff cover,
Rancho 9000's and remote,
Lift Lips,
Lighted FORD logo,
K&N Filter,
Superchip,
Bosch Platinum +4,
TransGo Shift kit,
Bug shield,Tinted windows
Sony ES Mobile head unit,Sony ES Mobile changer,MTX Thunderform sub,Boston Acoustic Pro-Series up front, Polk in rear,PPI & Coustic Amps,Alpine Alarm

Check it out at:
http://members.aol.com/squanto804/scottwebpage.html

 

Alright guys, thanks for your information so far. I went to 4-Wheel Parts today to get some prices and info from them. They all said that the 9000'S are THE BEST shock around. They said that the RSX and Edlebrocks are good except for towing. Any opinions?

Here are the prices they gave me:
Rancho RSX - $49.95/shock
Rancho 5000's - $39.95/shock
Rancho 9000's - $69.95/shock + remote kit $140 (I think)
Edlebrock's - $74.95 (of course).
Installation was $15/shock, but I think I would probably do it myself.

Right now I am kinda leaning towards the 9000's and I would probably go ahead and get the remote with it. The Rancho's are still on sale buy 3 get 1 free.

 

easy solutuion. If you do not tow, then get the 5000s or RSX shocks.

If you tow, then upgrade the rear to the 9000s. I have 5000s up front and 9000s in the rear. You know when you are going to tow, so just reaching behind the tire to twist the **** is not really any hassles to do. Just remember to set them back to soft when done.

 

Okay, now I'm considering new shocks.

I've looked at the Rancho's and now I'm pondering between the 5000's and the 9000's.

All things considered in the above posts, how much does the ride change between the 1 and 5 settings on the 9000's and where would the 5000's be in comparison to the setting on the 9000's.

The most I tow is a light boat (although hopefully that will change) so would the 9000's be overkill? Would I even have to use the "extra" settings? Would it be too stiff for in town and hwy driving? I'm mainly looking for a firmer and "flater" ride than the stockers give me, without killing my kidneys when I'm on a gravel road going fishing.

Thanx in advance for the info.

1997 F-150 4X4 EC SB, 4.6L auto, 3.55LS, K&N Filter, Cat-Back Exhaust, Spray In Box Liner

 

Setting 1 is like a cadallac(truck version) rides kinda floaty, dont think its a word but you get my drift. Setting 5 is like having solid shocks, good for towing and if you have something in the bed. I adjust my settings all the time but usually keep it on 2. Rancho 5000's are around 3.

 

Thanks everyone, I appreciate all your help and advice. I don't do a whole lot of towing, but enough. So, I guess you all and everyone else I have talked to has talked me into the Rancho 9000's. I suppose I will go ahead and get the remote too. I'm gonna go order them tomorrow from 4-Wheel Parts at the price listed above...unless someone else knows of anyplace I can get them at a better price.

 

Have any of you guys heard of Black Diamond shocks? One of the dealers here says that they are made by Rancho and the one's he showed me were equivalent to the 5000's in every way (so he claims). Same design, maufacture, warranty, etc.

Any comments?

 

Howdy All,

My Two Cents.....

If any product is exactly the same as the "Name Brand" then they would cost the same....These copies are usually manufactured by "AAA" for "BBB" at "BBB's" specifications.



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2000 F-150 Lariat, Flareside, Black, SC, FOxFO, 5.4L, 4R70W TranZ, 3.55 Limited Slip Rear Axle, Garmin Street Pilot Color GPS, Bed Rug, ExTang Saber Tonno, CatchALL Floor Mat's, VentShade Visors, Limo BLaCK Tint'd Windows, PIAA Platinum Super White Headlight Bulbs with XTra Technology, FLoWMaSTer 40 Series MuFF, Mobil 1 5W-30 and Motorcraft 820-S Filter, SuperFReaKiN - FLiPCHiP Cal'd for Regular and Premium FueL,

Soon..............

AiRaID FIPK, Expedition Front and Rear Sway Bars, F-1 HooD, P305/75/R17 BFG KO's, 3" Body LiFT

www.tnugent.com/

 

Great point . . . I think for the price per shock difference I'll go with the Rancho's.