I just swapped out my "Rancho" shocks at about 9 months and 10K miles. If you have these swap them out ASAP as mine were shot. I replaced them with Edelbrock IAS and what a difference!!

Back to the "Rancho's"...they are motorcraft with rancho stickers and boots. When I pulled them off I could compress them with little pressure and three of the four had air in them (made gurgling sounds when compressed). After compression they would only slightly expand, and one would only expand if I pulled on it. The IAS shocks, on the other hand, were VERY hard to compress and expanded themselves ASAP!!

The install went well and the only thing I can add to the other threads is when you install them jack the truck up a few inches (just before the tire leaves the ground) and that makes the install easier. Also, pay attention to the top bushings on the rear shocks when you are pre-loading them as the bushing will want to slip out from under the retaining disk and "bulge" more than you want it to.

Overall it went well and is worth the effort. I got my shocks for 69 each with free shipping from AJ-USA.

 

has anyone else had these issues with the FX4 Shocks??

 

Well,

I replaced mine with about 13,000 miles on them and mine were shot too. I too noticed the motorcraft markings on them. IMO, these shocks sucked big time.

I too, now have Edelbrock IAS shocks and there is a night and day difference between them and the so called Ranchos.

Jag

 

If you'll notice they call them "Branded Rancho Front and Rear Shocks".

Now you knowwhy you aren't getting "Ranchos".

 

I have a 2002 crew FX4 and it has about 26,000 miles on it and the front RANCHO shocks are bad. Just thought I would let everyone know. The back ones are still good.

 

Same thing on a friends FX4..12k miles.. swapped them a few days ago...

 

I have an 02 FX4 with the "ranchos" I have 24K on them and they seem to be holding up. Will admit though the front end is sagging a little, and it rolls more than I remember it did. But overall Not so bad. I give them Another 2500-5000 Miles before I replace them Anyway. Just my opinion
RY

 

I wasnt really having any issues either, and I was shocked at how bad they were when I swapped them out. I could really notice the differance after the change.

Where I work I have to go over "rumble strips" and it use to shake the crap out of me...now I hardley notice them....and body roll was dramatically reduced.....

 

Does anyone know if the 04 fx4's have the same shocks? got 3k miles on mine and I'm curious on how long will my OEM ones last.

 

If the front end is sagging you've got other issues (springs). Shocks don't support the body.....

 

Chances are they do.

But you could take one out and find out

 

Well I know they are Black.. as most OEM shocks are.. but I remember the 03's having the white shocks with the rancho sticker..

 

Those "Rancho" shocks I believe are just gas cell bag shocks and not pressurized so they wont expand by themselves. I know for sure the Rancho 1000, 5000 and 9000 series shocks are not pressurized. The 1000's are just standard hydraulic shocks but the 5000 and 9000's are gas cell and not pressurized. The standard shocks on most all vehicles now are a low pressure gas which last a long time and ride great. These would be an upgrade from the Fake Motorcraft Ranchos and the real Tenneco Automotive Ranchos.

 

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With so few miles on these 'new' trucks, why not take them to the dealer and have the shocks replaced under warranty. Does ford have a 'fix' in yet for these. You should get 50K miles out of a shock, not 10K.