Are the factory shocks that come on an FX4 a special Rancho made just for Ford, or are they the same ones you can buy in a parts store?

 

They are made for Ford by Rancho.

 

IMO they are just a white painted and relabeled OEM shock with a Rancho sticker and a red plastic boot. The real Ranchos would a have rubber/silicone boot.
Other than that I think I would get a 7700 lb package on my nest truck and add the skidplates for $150. Other than that all you get is the cool FX4 wheels which most woud change if they do a lift.

 

So you guys don't think that they are the RS5000's? They are just a cheaper shock that Ford contracted with Rancho to make?

 

Correct!

 

Doug,

Call Rancho adn ask them which shocks they are.

Pete

 

If you read the literature on the Ford site, it says they are Rancho "branded" shocks. That tells me they are made by someone else and labeled as Ranchos. It appears that Ford didn't want to pay what it would cost for real Ranchos but wanted to use the name. I think it is a bad move on Ranchos part to do this, because I would be hard pressed to buy a pair of Ranchos after having the ones that come with the FX4 package. But, since I know the real things are better, I will probably replace the factory ones with real Ranchos at some point.

 

You have got to be kidding me...Ford certainly advertises as "heavy duty Rancho shocks". That'll **** me off if it's true.

 

Thanks for the reply's.

I have a brochure for the 2003's and it just says, "FX4 also comes equipped with heavy-duty Rancho shocks all around" on the page that explains the FX4.

I might just contact Rancho and see what they say.

 

I sent an e-mail to Rancho to see what they say.

In the mean time, I found this in their Press Release section.

http://www.gorancho.com/press/09042001.stm

 

"Production is underway on Ford F-150 vehicles featuring the new "FX4" off-road performance package. Each vehicle will feature a variety of equipment upgrades, including four specially designed Rancho shock absorbers. Rancho is the number one brand of shocks and suspension systems for on- and off-road performance."

That doesn't sound very promising. I may end up buying some Bilsteins!!!!

 

Ford has Rancho make/design them a Ford shock to Ford Specifications and put a Rancho name on it. That DOES NOT mean you are getting a shock as good as a off the shelf RANCHO RSX, RS5000, or RS9000X. It's a ok shock, but it's really a marketing gimmick.

Dosen't GMC do the same with Bilsteins?

 

Yeah they do!

 

I got a reply back from my e-mail to Rancho, here is what they say:

"It is a specific shock made specifically for Ford to their specifications.
It is not the standard Rancho RS5000, 9000X or RSX series".

Well, hopefully since Rancho puts their name on it, it is at least a little better than a Ford "generic" shock, (which I am sure Ford does not make any factory shock, but the maker does not have their name on it like these do).

By the way, I looked at the shocks that are on my wife's 2002 Ch*vy TrailBlazer, and they do say Bilstein on them!

 

i took the fx4 shocks off and put on rancho 5000's what a big diff. truck rides alot better. the fx4's were ok but the 5000's way better. and that was at 15'000 miles so its not that they were worn out. the factory fx4 shock is like a gas charged shock. always pushing up.