Ranchos or OME

Mark,

To assist the list..mainly on or off road, touring or rock climbing? Standard suspension or modified?Regds

Bill

Mark I have Rancho 5000 fitted front and rear to my 4 runner I have also fitted poly air bags in rear I find the combination works well esplecially towing a van ,I have given them a good workout over the last 2 years with no trouble ,I have fitted a heavier rear springs to the rear as factory standard tend to sag after a whileBorn to drive a 4x4 , not a keyboard
Peter York 4x4

If you go for the Rancho shocks for the adjustability try and get the in-cab system if you can afford it.

I found that i was too lazy to get under and change the settings (espesialy if packed with mud) and never realy bothered.

Also have had the OME before and have no complaints.

I have Rancho 9000 front, 9000x rears.. The only thing Rancho has going for them is their warranty which most people get to try out. They replace them ok, but if you have 9000's and they die, you have to PAY the extra to get 9000x's...

Also the incab kit compressor is a piece of dung, theres nothign but a small brass bush, that holds the Rod on to the crank on the compressor!!! Thus to say when it dies, you have to buy a complete new incab system, gauges and all.

Try Konis, or Bilsteins, they BOTH get a very good wrap.

Hi Mark.
Have just returned from 4 week trip on C.S.R. and Gibb River Road,Mitchell Plateau all four vehicles in the group were fitted with OME shockies no problems were experienced. On a trip last year that was Gibb RiverRoad only, both Rancho RS9000's on the front of my Ford F250 Failed ,although they were replaced under warranty I have no confidence in the brand.
Regards Ken.

Hi Mark,
I had Rancho RS 5000's on the front of my Surf. Even though I had the correct part number the shocks were too short and limited downward suspension travel by 25mm (measured at the wheel). In other words the shocks were stopping the wheel travel before the bump stops. Don't know how long the shocks would have lasted before they destroyed themselves as I sold the vehicle soon afterwards.
If you go with Rancho's check the length and compare with the standard shocks.
Regards
ScoobyHilux Dualcab, 3 litre diesel

Mark,

You've been given some good advice. I have Konis on my 2000 Dualcab Hilux, and very happy with them. I understand they are completly rebuildable if need be, and dont fade as some gas shocks do. Shocks get very hot on outback tracks when going hour after hour. A friend has a set on a Disco, this is the third vehicle for the same set of shocks, rebuilt them once only and he has toured every part of Oz over the years with the same set. Dont know about Bilsteins but they were recommended to me also by a guy whose opinion I respect. The Ranchos have a great marketing exercise going that leaves fag companies and laundry detergent promos for dead. Now I've given away my age.

Cheers
David

Hi Mark
OME are made by Monroe, aswell as others like mr red bull, but they are a good shock because they are longer than the standard aftermarket shock, giving more wheel travel than the rest. OME are all about a packaged system to give you long legs so to speak. All you need to tell the propriater is whether you want load carrying or comfort. The shox may not be as good as the better brands, but thats no good if the better brands are shorter to suit std suspension. Check out the differences before you make a decision. I also know that Rancho will sell you a shock to suit your spring, just measure the length at std height and they do the rest. Heard people say 5000 ranchos are hard riding, 9000's, being adjustable, can be tuned to suit load.
Hopoe this helps the ecision processes :-)
Andrew