I have a '98 F-150 4X4, with stock suspension. I am look at putting a new set of Rancho Shocks in, but wondered what series everybody recommended, the RSX's or the RS5000's? I mostly do highway driving (90%), some MILD off-road, and occasional towing stuff. I was thinking the RSX's, what does everyone recommend?


P.S. Rancho has a promotion on right now thru April 30th, buy three, get one free on the RS9000 and RSX series shocks. So, in my case, I can get the RSX's for about the same money as the RS-5000s.

 

I'd spring for the PS9000x, but the RSX is a better shock than RS5000.

 

For those uses, I'd get the RS9000s, so you can adjust for each condition if you feel the need.

 

A word of advice, if you do get the RS9000X shocks DO NOT get the air adjust kit. It is a complete waste of money, I didn't even pay for mine and I feel I overpaid for it.

 

I would get the RSXs, it doesnt sound like you really need RS9000s.

I have the RS5000s and they perfectly fine for highway/street driving and they do fairly well off road, but they are obviously not the best.

 

You will be happier with either one over the standard shock. The truck will corner better and you'll have less California hop.

The advantage of the RSX9000 over the RS5000 is the ability to adjust from 1 to 9. Lets say the RS5000 is set at 5. If you are going to set the RSX9000 at 5 then you might just as well have gotten the RS5000. If you think you'll like a firmer setting or a softer setting then you have reason to get the RSX9000.

One advantage of the RSX9000 is to change the settings for different conditions. You can firm them up for off road driving or for driving down the winding road. The truck will corner much better at 9 than it will at 1. If you want to take Aunt Erma for a drive then a setting of 1 will give a softer Town Car like ride.

An other advantage is you can set the back shock at a lighter setting for every day driving with no load, but crank it up to pull a trailer or haul a load.

I don't change mine much. I don't even remember what setting I have them on now. I did at first until I found that ballance that was right for me. I'll bet they are set close to 5 though. If I had to guess I would say 6 on the front, and 4 on the rear, or 5 on the front and 3 on the rear. I do recall that I set them both the same when we loaded up the truck and drove down to Florida.

That's the difference, IMO.

 

I spoke with a rep at Rancho today and they recommended the RSX's for my use. They said the "duel valving system" in the RSX's will automatically set for mild or heavy use. They sound like plenty for what I am going to use them for. Thanks for the advice everyone.

 

What is this dual valving system?

 

The RSX shocks are made with a "dual valve" that automatically adjusts the fluid/gas rebound of the shock according the ride conditions you are going thru. The way it was explained to me was that if you are driving in mild conditions (highway), that the shock uses the larger valve that allows more rebound, thus softer ride. If you are in rougher conditions, the shock switches over to the smaller valve, causing less rebound, thus stiffer ride.

 

I'm very happy with the RSX shocks that I installed last fall.

 

Put the order in with Sams Offroad. Seemed like decent guys. Now I just have to wait for them to get here.