Best adjustable shocks?

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R

Radish150

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Anyone have any comments on alternatives to RS 9000 shocks? I have heard these are rather over rated (no pun intended)... what are my udder options? I don't want to get all crazy with super high end or anything, just your basic high quality adjustable and prefer not to have to replace any of them for at least a couple years due to my remote location. Thanks.
 
I have the Rancho 9000 xl's. Bang for your buck they are not that bad. I think I paid around ninety bucks a piece. Biggest down fall (after warrantying three sets) they do not do well as bump stops. I found you need to leave at least 1 inch of travel after your suspension has bottomed out. They also have problems with the adjustable valve clogging up. Remove clean up and they should be ok. Also they rust out.
Take Care.
 
rancho i dettest here they overpriced and overrated i have ditched them on 3 vehiicles and going for thailand made amada nitro shocks with remote resivior for same price aand totally rebuildable same as OME LTr SHOCKS :)
 
Tough dog big bore adjustables are great
 
i have not had the chance to try the others posted here but i do like the 9000 series. ALWAYS order shocks that are 1" longer travel both ways, shocks should NEVER be used as limiters.
which is why i don't use the shocks that come with most kits, every kit i have seen have shocks that don't travel long enough.
 
The Rancho 9000s are just fine, if that's what you want - I use them an like them. Generally speaking the adjustable part is kind of useless once you find what you like.

The OME Nitrocharger sports are very good, and I would recommend them over most others.

~John
 
At a local 4x4 shop they have a tough dog and rancho cut open showing how much smaller the rancho bits are.

The adjustable shocks are great with the dial ,when you jump out to lock the hubs it takes 2 seconds to adjust shocks for off road
 
what i found is once you find your favorite ride setting you never seem to touch them again...
 
I use 9000s on about 4 rigs at the moment and another 4 over the last few years. I install them on all of my SOA conversions and almost all of my wheeling buddies use them.

The new 999xxx series are even better.

We have nothing but good to say about them.


Good price, great quality and great performance.

Shocks are not meant to be used as limiting straps or bump stops. You can't blame the shock for failing when treated this way.

Rancho will usually warrenty them even with it is obvious that they have been.


Mark...
 
crushers said:
what i found is once you find your favorite ride setting you never seem to touch them again...
Click to expand...

I guess this works if your rig is a dedicated offroader or if it's a dedicated road dd


Edit : for coil suspention I've found shocks can make a big difference in ride and performance
For leafsprings no matter what shock I've tried they all seem the same so I don't see the point in spending lots on shockies any more for the rear end ,
This is for 0"--3" lifted cruisers
 
Last edited:
Clint79 said:
I guess this works if your rig is a dedicated offroader or if it's a dedicated road dd


Edit : for coil suspention I've found shocks can make a big difference in ride and performance
For leafsprings no matter what shock I've tried they all seem the same so I don't see the point in spending lots on shockies any more for the rear end ,
This is for 0"--3" lifted cruisers
Click to expand...

Clint79 Old man Emu are big over your way arent they??- - I read a 4x4 Australia mag, and they rave about ARB and Old Man Emu shocks and springs. Tough Dog used a lot here as is Rancho. Interesting comment re the leaf springs i had not realized that. I guess if you change shockies you really need to match the spring performance to match. Dobinsons is big in Oz as well?? Never see it in NZ
 
OME shocks are too short for the application they are supplied for...
 
Welby said:
Clint79 Old man Emu are big over your way arent they??- - I read a 4x4 Australia mag, and they rave about ARB and Old Man Emu shocks and springs. Tough Dog used a lot here as is Rancho. Interesting comment re the leaf springs i had not realized that. I guess if you change shockies you really need to match the spring performance to match. Dobinsons is big in Oz as well?? Never see it in NZ
Click to expand...

Ome seems to be the brand sold to office workers that drive into arb for a suspension upgrade on there Mitsubishi pajero and never go off road ,

ARB seems to be a overrated and overpriced 4x4 product , you have to have a brand new Prado or 200 series before your aloud to walk into one of there shops , arb is not my seen and plenty of other 4x4ers I know think the same and there bullbars are weak as snot

Dobinsons have a perfect 2" lift for the 79 series , very nice allrounder kit
 
Clint79 said:
Ome seems to be the brand sold to office workers that drive into arb for a suspension upgrade on there Mitsubishi pajero and never go off road ,

ARB seems to be a overrated and overpriced 4x4 product , you have to have a brand new Prado or 200 series before your aloud to walk into one of there shops , arb is not my seen and plenty of other 4x4ers I know think the same and there bullbars are weak as snot

Dobinsons have a perfect 2" lift for the 79 series , very nice allrounder kit
Click to expand...

That's very good to know I know a few guys with ARB upgrade on the 70s MWBs and gives them a good lift , but in a few months they have "settled" back to almost original, and following them even in a stiff truck like mine they are lifting wheels all over the place on the rough stuff, unbelievable considering the $$. If I had to chose a kit the Dobinson would be the one for me

Thanks for the information
 
Clint79 said:
I guess this works if your rig is a dedicated offroader or if it's a dedicated road dd


Edit : for coil suspention I've found shocks can make a big difference in ride and performance
For leafsprings no matter what shock I've tried they all seem the same so I don't see the point in spending lots on shockies any more for the rear end ,
This is for 0"--3" lifted cruisers
Click to expand...

Totally agreed with you , Clint! :bounce::bounce2:
 
I am going to "me too" to both of Wayne's last two comments.

I have the newer 999xxx Series on my HZJ77 and like them well enough.

The older ones were fine too, and quite well made.

~John
 
I know this post is a bit old but I thought post up anyways..


I've always put Rancho Shocks on my rigs, they are awesome. I never had any issues with them.


However most recently on my FZJ80 I put Pro Comp ES9000, they were so soft that I had issues keeping my fj under control. I could see how off roading a softer shock would work but I drive my on road as well.


I'm looking to take these ES9000 back and get a set of Ranchos 9000 xls. I just put on OME Springs but I'm not sure which ranchos to buy.


Anyone have any suggestions around part numbers or suggestions around the right size?


thanks...
 
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