My shop tells me that my front shocks need replacement. I'm running with Rancho 9000XLs all around. Unfortunately, I can't seem to locate my receipt for my purchase and without it I understand I won't be able to take advantage of the lifetime warrantee. I'm still looking but it's doubtful.
So, with that in mind, I'm wondering if there's any reason that I have to replace the front shocks with the same product. Could I run with Bilsteins on the front and my existing Ranchos on the rear? And since I'm not convinced that my Ranchos adjustable feature makes much of a difference in my ride, I'm also considering just replacing all my shocks with Bilsteins.
In that case, considering the load I'm carrying, which Bilstein would be most appropriate for my F250.
Man, I hate to see you have to spend all that cash to replace shocks with a lifetime warranty. You may have already tried this, but you may go back to the retailer and have them run down a receipt. If you bought them online, maybe you have the old confirmation email? Mind saying who you bought them from?
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As I recall, I got them from Sam's Offroad. I have the boxes the shocks shipped in and was sure I stashed the receipt in there, but no luck. I'll take your advice and try to find out when I made the purchase. Must have been 5 years ago.
My recommendation is get the Bilsteins and replace all of the shocks. I have replaced the oem shocks on my last three trucks with Bilsteins and have been very happy with the controlled ride I have obtained after changing.
2004 Nuwa Hitchhiker DA 31.5
2011 Juno 10 Outfitter
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Contact Sam's in all likely hood the sale will be in their computer. I had one of my Rancho's go bad, bushing, and I called Summit. They were able to look the sale up and I got my replacement shock in a few days. No questions asked.
My shop tells me that my front shocks need replacement. I'm running with Rancho 9000XLs all around. Unfortunately, I can't seem to locate my receipt for my purchase and without it I understand I won't be able to take advantage of the lifetime warrantee. I'm still looking but it's doubtful.
So, with that in mind, I'm wondering if there's any reason that I have to replace the front shocks with the same product. Could I run with Bilsteins on the front and my existing Ranchos on the rear? And since I'm not convinced that my Ranchos adjustable feature makes much of a difference in my ride, I'm also considering just replacing all my shocks with Bilsteins.
In that case, considering the load I'm carrying, which Bilstein would be most appropriate for my F250.
Why are they telling you the shocks are bad??? Can they show you a bad shock, with oil leakage, damaged bushings or nicks in the piston rod. Or does the truck bounce as our drive. Look at the tires and see if they are 'cupped' in the tread, often a sign of bad shocks.
I have used Rancho 9000XL for years on all kinds of rigs, they are the only shock I will run due to its adjustably. Biltstien are great shocks but they nor do any other shocks have the breadth of adjustably that an adjustable shock has. You can dial in and fine tune your performance and handling...there is a reason why in extreme and varied applications adjustable shocks are the norm....
Don
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'11 F350 4x4, CC, LWB, DRW, Lariat
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I had the same problem. Called OERV, they sent the reciept, the replacement shocks were soon affixed. A BIG saving............
skipbee
2004 F350 Diesel CC SRW 19.5" Rickson W/T 4WD
2005 Lance 1121 well found.
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All that glisters is not gold. All who wander are not lost. See us on YouTube" Living the Lance Life" 3 of 4.
malmer wrote: As I recall, I got them from Sam's Offroad. I have the boxes the shocks shipped in and was sure I stashed the receipt in there, but no luck. I'll take your advice and try to find out when I made the purchase. Must have been 5 years ago.
A good lesson to learn the hard way. For years I have kept an envelope in the glove box (what else is the Glove Box for? Right?), (Or under the seat on the motorcycle) where I keep pertinent documents and information. Anytime I get a warranty item, batteries, tires and NAPA parts, I keep receipts in there. I have also photocopied the receipt for the master file on the truck (good for taxes too). So if one of these legs fails, I have the backup. The envelope in the Glove Box has been a great resource for when you are on the road and otherwise.
Don wrote: Why are they telling you the shocks are bad??? Can they show you a bad shock, with oil leakage, damaged bushings or nicks in the piston rod. Or does the truck bounce as our drive. Look at the tires and see if they are 'cupped' in the tread, often a sign of bad shocks.
I have used Rancho 9000XL for years on all kinds of rigs, they are the only shock I will run due to its adjustably. Biltstien are great shocks but they nor do any other shocks have the breadth of adjustably that an adjustable shock has. You can dial in and fine tune your performance and handling...there is a reason why in extreme and varied applications adjustable shocks are the norm....
To make a long story short, this all began at the end of May when four of us in two vehicles drove down to Bahia Animas, a remote and beautiful spot in Baja, for a week of camping and fishing. We were just a few minutes from our regular campsite when, without warning, I lost all power in my truck which just quit and would not start. I was on a narrow sandy track with heavy brush and cactus on both sides. Fortunately my pals in their truck were ahead of me and they were able to turn around, drive back and jump start me. This took some time as my batteries were absolutely dead. But we got the Ford going and made it to the beach, set up camp, and had a swell Baja adventure despite the unspectacular in-shore fishing.
Being not particularly mechanically inclined, we were stumped as to what had happened. We were 50 miles of very bad road from Bahia de Los Angeles where the pavement had ended and I figured something had been rattled loose in the three hours it took us to navigate the pitted and rocky final stretch. A week later we managed, with difficulty, to get my truck started, and crept back to LA Bay, noticing now how the truck was bouncing uncontrollably if I hit a dip going more than 5 MPH! Three hours later we were back on the pavement and I inspected my shocks and found the front passenger side shock smeared with oil and its boot torn apart. The driver's side shock had a torn boot but no obvious evidence of leaking oil. The 500 mile drive home was uneventful with no battery problems. Oddly, the truck continued to run fine until I took it to the shop a month later, though I did not drive it very often.
Not surprisingly, the alternator was bad, but my batteries seem to have survived. The mechanic replaced it and reported both front shocks were bad. The rears were "loose" but otherwise fine. I didn't inquire more of the mechanic, an honest chap who's now on vacation. There's no cupping on the tires. I picked up the truck today and plan on taking it elsewhere for another look see and may still find a way to use that fine Rancho warrantee if I'm lucky. As suggested, I'll be calling Sam's in a few days to see if they can make an accommodation for my situation. If I'm indeed SOL I'm still considering Bilstein.
Don wrote: Why are they telling you the shocks are bad??? Can they show you a bad shock, with oil leakage, damaged bushings or nicks in the piston rod. Or does the truck bounce as our drive. Look at the tires and see if they are 'cupped' in the tread, often a sign of bad shocks.
I have used Rancho 9000XL for years on all kinds of rigs, they are the only shock I will run due to its adjustably. Biltstien are great shocks but they nor do any other shocks have the breadth of adjustably that an adjustable shock has. You can dial in and fine tune your performance and handling...there is a reason why in extreme and varied applications adjustable shocks are the norm....
To make a long story short, this all began at the end of May when four of us in two vehicles drove down to Bahia Animas, a remote and beautiful spot in Baja, for a week of camping and fishing. We were just a few minutes from our regular campsite when, without warning, I lost all power in my truck which just quit and would not start. I was on a narrow sandy track with heavy brush and cactus on both sides. Fortunately my pals in their truck were ahead of me and they were able to turn around, drive back and jump start me. This took some time as my batteries were absolutely dead. But we got the Ford going and made it to the beach, set up camp, and had a swell Baja adventure despite the unspectacular in-shore fishing.
Being not particularly mechanically inclined, we were stumped as to what had happened. We were 50 miles of very bad road from Bahia de Los Angeles where the pavement had ended and I figured something had been rattled loose in the three hours it took us to navigate the pitted and rocky final stretch. A week later we managed, with difficulty, to get my truck started, and crept back to LA Bay, noticing now how the truck was bouncing uncontrollably if I hit a dip going more than 5 MPH! Three hours later we were back on the pavement and I inspected my shocks and found the front passenger side shock smeared with oil and its boot torn apart. The driver's side shock had a torn boot but no obvious evidence of leaking oil. The 500 mile drive home was uneventful with no battery problems. Oddly, the truck continued to run fine until I took it to the shop a month later, though I did not drive it very often.
Not surprisingly, the alternator was bad, but my batteries seem to have survived. The mechanic replaced it and reported both front shocks were bad. The rears were "loose" but otherwise fine. I didn't inquire more of the mechanic, an honest chap who's now on vacation. There's no cupping on the tires. I picked up the truck today and plan on taking it elsewhere for another look see and may still find a way to use that fine Rancho warrantee if I'm lucky. As suggested, I'll be calling Sam's in a few days to see if they can make an accommodation for my situation. If I'm indeed SOL I'm still considering Bilstein.
It sounds like with torn boots and oil that you have nicked your piston rod and the torn boots who knows how that may have occurred. That said, Rancho is not apt to warranty them due to the torn boots if the piston rod has a nick on it. If it does then it will destroy the seals inside the shock and begin to leak as a result. You need to inspect it visually and using your fingers to feel for a nick.
Let us know on this.
I have a full set of shocks for a 2011 F 350, not sure if they will fit your rig or not, they are take offs and Ranchos (my truck came with the Rancho shocks), they are 5000's and not adjustable. I am gonna toss them when I clean out the garage but if you want to pay shipping and they fit you are welcome to them.
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