This may be a dumb question, but here it goes. I want to get the Rancho shocks. I was wondering if I could get the 5,000's for the front and 9,000's for the back. I was wanting to save a little cash and dont know if I need them on the front. I am buying a Harley fat boy in the spring and will haul it in the bed now and then. I thought I would get the 9,000's for the back so I could adjust them. Am I way off base with this idea ?? Thanks for any help

 

fly1969:

Its not a dumb question, its an honest one.

My answer: I don't think the cost difference would be worth the performance difference. A vehicles suspension is a balancing act, you MIGHT run into strange handling characteristics by doing this and you might not. I would recommend getting four RS9000, you can adjust them for a cushy ride until its time to carry your hog around. You will really enjoy them...

The RS5000 are fixed shock at a firm offroad setting, they are great shocks, but the adjustability of the RS9000 is really nice. I have a mud-eatin 4x4 and it rides like a Caddy until I crank up the settings for the dirt. The family really likes that soft feel and I get my firm ride when I need it.

www.4wheelparts.com pricing:

RS5000 = 36.95
RS9000 = 65.95

Savings by using two front RS5000 = $58.00 + TAX, its just not worth the cost savings...

FYI: Free shipping and a 10% discount if you go through the internet, the local shops don't offer this, when I bought mine at the store in Plano, TX they didn't offer the discount or free installation or nuthin, just the parts at thier price. If I had known better I would have ordered them via the web, since I did all the installations myself. Thought you might benefit from my experience...

p.s. You will probably spend much more than that for some chrome and custom items on the hog

 

Hey I really appreciate the information you gave me. I guess I will get the 9,ooo's. We will just call it a little christmas present to myself. Is it pretty easy to ajust these things and how hard is it to install them ??? I really have noticed that my truck has more role to it than when I first bought it. Living in West Virginia there are alot of crazy winding roads. My truck has 95,000 miles on it so I figure it is about time. Like you said, I can ajust them to accomodate hauling my hog. I swear after the hog, I am going to start investing money and stop spending it like a fool. The way I look at it, the fat boy is an investment, and my truck needs a little brother. 4wheel parts has free shipping, but do you have any other reccomendations on purchasing them ???
Hey thanks again for all the help.

 

And I love them. I don't know about installing them but as far as adjusting them, it's a piece of cake. All you have to do is turn the little black **** to the setting you want. I stiffen mine up to tow my camper and carry my quad.

Bob

 

fly1969:

Price: I found www.4wheelparts.com to be the cheapest place if you intend to install them yourself. I am sure some other guys might sell them for a little more money with free installation, but the 4wheel guys do offer a lowest price gaurantee. I think they wanted $8 bucks to install each front shock and $15bucks per rear shock. I used to restore 240Zs and build sand rails so it was not a big deal for me to install them. If I could put a 351BOSS engine in a 68 Mustang this should be a piece of cake right?

Install: The fronts are by far the easy ones, should take about 20 mins each including cleanup time. The rears are more of a pain, the nut on the top of the shock has limited access, it just take a little paitience... I would say about 35 mins each including cleanup. I have two young daughters so it took me awhile longer with all the questions, but its part of thier training...

One hint, put the dust boot on the washer and insert it over the shock prior to installation like the instructions say, just don't put it on the main shock body and zip tie it until you are completely done. When you tighten the bolts the shock boot has a tendency to twist. If you zip tie it before you install it your shock boot will be all twisted and not look nice and clean. I installed my washers in the top of the shock boot and slipped the boot on the shock and installed the shocks then slipped the bottom of the boot onto the shock and zipped tied them. Looked like a professional did it... Big GRIN

Adjustment: Nothing could be easier, just reach behind each tire and turn the *** and count the clicks as you turn them. I leave mine set on 1 (the softest) during the week and crank them up on the weekend when I get to where the road ends. I know they have an in-the-cab kit that lets you adjust them from a *** or switch, but I have heard some really bad things about the reliability of that package. Might do a search here for that kit if you are interested, RANCHO makes that specifically for the RS9000.

Good luck and try the install yourself, you will be proud of a job well done. Oh yea and take your time, its easier to go slow than undo a mistake.

Don't talk to me about investing, bought ATHM when it was $20.00 a share, its about .20 a share now...

Have fun and let the kids watch, working on cars kept me outta trouble as a teen...

 

Thanks for the info, and the tips. I am going to go ahead and get them. I am sure it will help with hauling the hog. I don't do alot of off roading, but heading to the woods to do a little hunting, and some fly fishing. Only had one deer in the back this year. I managed to miss a wall hanger 10 point at twenty yards during bow season, and a nice 7 point. Hell that makes 6 bucks missed in two years. I am fine with the doe's, but put some antlers on them and I miss every time. I am going to install them myself, I have a Haynes manual and since I hunt and fly fish you know I have patience. Thanks again and I will use the zip tie tip. I have heard that you put them on whithout jacking the truck, this true. Well thanks again.

 

I jacked up the rear of mine and found it made it a little harder to get them on. Probably made it easier to gett he bolts tightened though. Not a bad job; pretty easy

 

I jacked the front and left the rear unjacked. Seemed to work okay, now the steering stabilizer was FUN! I can't really tell how much it will help, but I did it just in case I ever get into some deep ruts in the mud. I usually just ease around and keep it slow, don't want to scare the little animals off.

We have not seen many deer this year in East Texas, way too hot for them. Two out of seven of us have gotten our deer for the year, but I am going this weekend and have high hopes, rain is coming in and the temp is going to drop, wish me luck.

You my friend have a case of BUCK fever, one of the best shots I have ever known was the same way. He could shoot the eyes out of a needle at 100 yards all day long, but put a buck 20 feet from him and it sounded like world war II and he would never hit a thing.

Good luck and let me know if ya need anything...