I finally received my new Rancho 5000's yesterday and rushed home to install them on my 1997 F150 Lariat 4x4 Offroad. I jacked up the body and took off the ft wheel to give me plenty of room and the new shock was too short. Rancho say's to install with the wheel on the ground. Does this sound right guy's?

Thanks for any installation advice.

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TRUCK:
1997 F150 4X4 LARIAT
OFF ROAD
TOW PACKAGE
B&W GOOSENECK HITCH
SHORT BED
RAM STEPS
2500# HELPER SPRINGS
5.4 L

 

Not if you have already cut the cord holding the shock together. I did install mine on the ground but if you think about the suspension travel the shock should be able to go further than your suspension. If this wasn't the case we would have a lot of broken shocks from the four wheelers.

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97 4X4 Flareside
4.6 5-Speed
Superchipped
ASP underdrives
Airaid
Dynamax headers
Borla Cat-back
Clear corners
5% Tint All Around
285/75/16 BFG All terr.
16x8 AR Baha's
Rancho 9000's
4000K Bulbs

Soon to come:
F250 Superduty Extended cab, 4x4, with the 7.3L turbo deisel, silver with grey interior. It will go directly to the shop and get a 4" suspension lift and 35's.

 

Ole Blue hit the nail right on the head. The shock should be as long as the original shock when the cord holing the shock in is released. If its shorter, you are giving uo suspension travel and potentially overloading the shock. When I replaced my shocks, they were roughly the same length. I jacked the front up to the point the wheels were barely on the ground, and went from there.

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1997 F150 XLT, Flareside , Moonlight Blue, 4x2, SC, Auto, 4.6L, 3:08's, Cargo Cover by Century, bed liner, Blue Oval reciever hitch plug, Driver Design bug deflector, Monroe Reflex Shocks, 235/70/16 Bridgestone Dueler AT's, sliding rear window, captain's chairs, Valvoline Durablend Oil, Purolator Pure One Oil Filter, and 125,000 miles and counting!

 

I did mine on my Expy and left it on the ground except for the rears and I had a heck of a time getting the suspension at where I needed it to get the shock on. ONce I did, I was amazed at how much they compressed when I lowered it. It explained a lot why I had a hard time.

I'd try lowering it some, enough to get the shock on. If the strap is on, I'd do it whiile the wheel is on, and on the ground.

 

COWPUNCHER,

I just received my RS5000 for my 97 F-150 4x4. What were the Part numbers for your truck front and back?

 

Welcome to the site ! I am a new member too, isn't it great? The part number for the ft is RS5233 and rear is RS5234. I finally got these to work, after doing the install on the ground. They are slightly shorter than the original shocks. My originals were heavy duty that comes on the offroad package. Rancho assurred me that these were the right one's and the design to be slightly shorter was intentional. The install on the ft was a breeze. The back were a problem just because the top nut was hard to get to. It took about 30 minutes per shock on the back becaues of the limited work space. I was lucky, no rust. The new shocks really make a differance. They help level out the turns and feel like a new pair of Nikes on the road. I will give them the offroad test this weekend on my ranch in South Texas. Good luck with yours!

 

COWPUNCHER,

I have the same part numbers. I will install mine this weekend sometime. Will probably spray some PB Blaster on the shock nuts to help break them loose, not sure if they are rusted any or not. Thanks for the 411.

Phil
http://phildac.www8.50megs.com

 

 

COWPUNCHER,

Thanks for the Tip, I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

COWPUNCHER,

Installed my Rancho RS5000 Saturday evening. Jacked up the front and supported with jack stands then took off the tires. Then jacked up the "A" arms and removed the old shocks and installed the new ones. Let the front end back down, torqued the lugs to 95lb/ft and took for a driv to reallign the suspention. I could tell a definate change in body roll. Came back and did the rears with the wheels on and on the ground. 18mm top and bottom. Put some anti-sieze on the threads of the bolt and studs. I really like them. I don't mind the stiffness of the shocks at all. It corners 100% better than it did before. Hopefully will take some pic's soon and add them to my web site.

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Phil
http://phildac.www8.50megs.com