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Shocks: Good or Bad?
#1
Back in 1996 I bought Rancho's 9000 series shocks for my 73 bronco. These were the one that had a knob on the side that allowed you to adjust the stiffness to the shock. Well I never installed them and they have been a wooden box since then until about a month ago. I ripped the boots of them and painted them semi flat black. Some of the bushings have literally crumbled apart so I have to figure on getting some replacements somehow???For granted I could get online and surf the web for answers but I figured I would ask you all. All four of mine compress easily on the lowest setting. Very stiff on the #5 setting.

My question is, how do you know if you have a bad shock? What are some good shocks for a 3.5-4" lift? Thx Guys!Confusedcratchhe:
[SIZE="2"]77 project bronco w/ 5.0 & c4, Sagi PS, 2 hard tops, eyebrow grill [/SIZE]
WANTED: auto column, gas tank, front/ rear seats
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#2
i always wanted 9000's...i thought they were some awesome shocks...i just never could afford them. are they the right length for the lift you have? if so, i would replace the bushings and run them. i think it would be nice to dial them in for the ride quality.

ive been running duff long travel hydros in the front(duals) for almost 6years, i like them. the back was some 6-8" hydro shocks for a K5 that i have mounted inboard. they seem to be holding up ok, had to remove the rear on the driver side for the traction bar i installed.
77 built 306,Trickflow Cam/Alum Heads/dome pistons/10:1comp,nv3550,duff long arms,3.5" lift,family cage,protofab rear bumper,twin sticked, and 35KM2'sG.D.I.
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#3
also...if you have nitro shocks or gas shocks...a easy way to tell if they are bad, is to compress them and if they dont spring back up...bad. on hydros...i i look for the shock to skip as i compress it. like its not a smooth compression...those 9000's should be fine!
77 built 306,Trickflow Cam/Alum Heads/dome pistons/10:1comp,nv3550,duff long arms,3.5" lift,family cage,protofab rear bumper,twin sticked, and 35KM2'sG.D.I.
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#4
Before I got my Accord, I had a 99 Ranger. I replaced the shocks in the back and I remember they both fully compressed out. I would push them down and they would spring back out? My Ranchos do not do that. I press them down and they would stay at whatever point I left them at. I dont want to spend money or waste a lot of time looking for bushings if the shocks are bad.Confusedcratchhe:
[SIZE="2"]77 project bronco w/ 5.0 & c4, Sagi PS, 2 hard tops, eyebrow grill [/SIZE]
WANTED: auto column, gas tank, front/ rear seats
Reply
#5
Crawdad Wrote:Before I got my Accord, I had a 99 Ranger. I replaced the shocks in the back and I remember they both fully compressed out. I would push them down and they would spring back out? My Ranchos do not do that. I press them down and they would stay at whatever point I left them at. I dont want to spend money or waste a lot of time looking for bushings if the shocks are bad.Confusedcratchhe:

hydros are different...they will stay where you compress them. you might just wanna send those "old 9000's" to me...ill dispose of them for ya:hysterical::hysterical:


bushing should be cheap enough, heck call rancho...they might just send ya new bushings for free, never know unless ya ask
77 built 306,Trickflow Cam/Alum Heads/dome pistons/10:1comp,nv3550,duff long arms,3.5" lift,family cage,protofab rear bumper,twin sticked, and 35KM2'sG.D.I.
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#6
Well I contacted Rancho and asked them politely to send me some new bushings for those shocks. Its a waiting game now. If not my wife's uncle runs an auto shop. I might see if I can steal some used ones from trashed truck shocks.

I enjoy being cheap!Confusedmokin:
[SIZE="2"]77 project bronco w/ 5.0 & c4, Sagi PS, 2 hard tops, eyebrow grill [/SIZE]
WANTED: auto column, gas tank, front/ rear seats
Reply
#7
Well I struck out at asking Rancho to send me some replacement bushings. All they did was give me was part #s and go buy them from someone ($55 - $65 for complete set). Went to my wife's uncles and all he had at the time was car shock bushings which were a little smaller than truck style. I'll just have to keep my ears and eyes open for some used ones.
[SIZE="2"]77 project bronco w/ 5.0 & c4, Sagi PS, 2 hard tops, eyebrow grill [/SIZE]
WANTED: auto column, gas tank, front/ rear seats
Reply
#8
You can get them from Summit. Can't remember how much but I need another set. Replaced one already.

Tim
74 Bronco Ranger halfcab w/toys: lockers f&r, wristed arm, C4, D20, hyd assist steering, 37"MTRs, warm 302. Capability, that's what I'm talkin' bout.
[Image: 2rwp56f.png]
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#9
Timstrk Wrote:You can get them from Summit. Can't remember how much but I need another set. Replaced one already.

Tim

Tim,
The shocks that I have are very old (4 Rancho 9000s from 1996) and I'd hate to invest in bushings and shocks are dead. I have not started my bronco in quite a while. I'm waiting on my battery tray to come in so i can put the battery in. At that point I can trace some wires to find out which one is the culprit. I'd rather put my money towards that for now. But once it is cranked I will move to the bushings (or new shocks) next.
[SIZE="2"]77 project bronco w/ 5.0 & c4, Sagi PS, 2 hard tops, eyebrow grill [/SIZE]
WANTED: auto column, gas tank, front/ rear seats
Reply
#10
Your shocks aren't bad. They are doing exactly what they are supposed to do. There is no rebound in a fluid shock. A gas or charged shock yes, but not your RS 9000s. I have the same shocks on mine.

Tim
74 Bronco Ranger halfcab w/toys: lockers f&r, wristed arm, C4, D20, hyd assist steering, 37"MTRs, warm 302. Capability, that's what I'm talkin' bout.
[Image: 2rwp56f.png]
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