Rancho 9000's
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Ranchos are only for Tundra 4WD per call to Rancho this AM. I am disappointed because they looked like they could be the best solution. I want to replace the rear springs with softers one and install air bags for loads so an adjustable shock seemed to be a good choice. Rancho said they had no plans to offer a kit for 2wd. What are my other options?
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Granted I'm no suspension expert but why would it matter to the shocks if the truck is 2 or 4 wheel drive? Plenty of people using the Bilsteins 2 and 4 wheel drive. Are there different shocks for 2 and 4 wheel drive trucks?
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You should be able to order just the rears, if that's what you want.
The fronts are probably different.
Strangely as this may sound..Shocks & Springs have nothing to do with the bouncing on the Hwy. I been saying this since 2008 that the bounce you are getting on bad roads is the frame flexing between where the bed meets the cab. All you have to do is when u go over these bad roads look at your back seat with a friend and then you can see the bounce. That part of the frame goes from double "C" frame to single "C" frame. Believe me, I've tried and still have the Rancho adj shocks on and adjusted every setting and that didn't help. Some have already replaced their springs & shocks and haven't noticed a big change. Just try that test experiment.
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I have a set of four ranchos for sale in great shape. See my post
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Why are you selling them?
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I will be trading the tundra in soon...
I have a 2nd Gen. 2010 DC 5.7. I also wondered what the difference was between 4WD and 2WD shocks (I assume none) unless the front has a different size. I suppose one way to check is to look up the part number for an OEM shock and see if there is any difference.
I don't expect the Rancho shocks to solve the bounce by themselves. I also planned to change the rear springs to an Alcan or Deaver with air bags. I just wanted a better compliant shock and one I could adjust for load or empty.
I have viewed the Willy Bar video and if the video is real (and I have no reason to doubt that it is) then the adding of weight reduces the bounce significantly. The way I see it, the added weight simply compresses the springs into the range they were designed. But, rather than add weight to fit the springs, I would rather adjust the springs to fit the weight. I would rather spend $500 on better shocks than a hunk of steel plate I have to lug around.
I have corresponded with Art164 who has Rancho shocks on the rear of his RCSB combined with Alcan and air bags. He says his bounce was minimized on roads such as the 91 and 60 freeways.
It seems we are getting different stories from different people at Rancho. It may be that the shocks will work, but just haven't been tested by them on a 2WD Tundra.
I don't expect the Rancho shocks to solve the bounce by themselves. I also planned to change the rear springs to an Alcan or Deaver with air bags. I just wanted a better compliant shock and one I could adjust for load or empty.
I have viewed the Willy Bar video and if the video is real (and I have no reason to doubt that it is) then the adding of weight reduces the bounce significantly. The way I see it, the added weight simply compresses the springs into the range they were designed. But, rather than add weight to fit the springs, I would rather adjust the springs to fit the weight. I would rather spend $500 on better shocks than a hunk of steel plate I have to lug around.
I have corresponded with Art164 who has Rancho shocks on the rear of his RCSB combined with Alcan and air bags. He says his bounce was minimized on roads such as the 91 and 60 freeways.
It seems we are getting different stories from different people at Rancho. It may be that the shocks will work, but just haven't been tested by them on a 2WD Tundra.
Just checked three OEM parts suppliers and it appears the front shocks are the same, but they don't show a part#. They have a description for a shock for 4WD and 2WD but the price is the same and they don't show any difference in the schematic. I think I will call tomorrow and verify.
As long as Rancho holds to their 90 day guarantee, I don't have much to lose but some installation labor and the Rancho guarantee even covers $50 an axle for install. The question is if their warranty holds for a model they haven't tested.
I would consider the used shocks for sale except I also want the My Ride wireless controller which comes free if I buy a set of four.
As long as Rancho holds to their 90 day guarantee, I don't have much to lose but some installation labor and the Rancho guarantee even covers $50 an axle for install. The question is if their warranty holds for a model they haven't tested.
I would consider the used shocks for sale except I also want the My Ride wireless controller which comes free if I buy a set of four.
I can see that the chassis flex could contribute to the problem, but I don't consider it the source. It is still the job of springs and shocks to control bounce. If the suspension is more compliant the ride would improve even with flex. Granted if the chassis was stiffer the bounce would be different, but I think it would still be there with the same OEM suspension.
The rear bounces because the OEM spring is designed for a load greater than empty. That is why the Willy Bar smoothes the ride. It compresses the spring into the range it was designed for. I got a smoother ride when I hauled some cans of paint to the dump, but I could also feel some vagueness in the shocks when cornering. I doubt that the OEM shocks are very good at damping. If Toyota's standard pricing model holds, the OEM's are basically a $16 part.
Tomorrow, I am going to try to measure the Tundra's static sag. I am betting it is close to 10%.
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PM me offers...
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Here's the Rancho 9000XL installed on my RCSB 4x2 in early part of 2008. I have made countless adjustments or settings on these shocks and fortunately the knobs have not fallen-off and the shocks still adjust. Seen here with Alcan 8-leaf springs. Later on, I added Firestone airbags. Yes, the catalog only specifies for 4x4. This fits and works for 4x2 as well.
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Here it is with Firestone Airbags.
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Here it is with Firestone Airbags.
My 2008 dcab 4x4 had a horrible bounce. Last year installed rancho 9000 in the back with firestone airbags and rancho 9000 quick lifts up front. The ride is very tunable with the ranchos and air bag pressure. The ride is very good now. Light loads, I run ranchos set on 6/3 with air bags 13 lbs; excellent empty ride. I carry a sled deck and sled all winter when I bump the air bags to 25lbs and ranchos 8/6. No sag in the truck with the 1100 lb load, and the ride is good. The stock biltsteins on my trd were just plain wrong for this truck. Hope this helps,
cheers
sledder
cheers
sledder
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