Rancho RS 9000X Pro Series Remote Reservoir Shocks


When it comes to off-road performance shocks, few companies have the history and outstanding reputation that Rancho has been able to create for itself over the last 50 years. Needless to say, when it came time for me to start looking for a new set of extended shocks to go with the 4.5″ of lift that I now have on my Jeep JK Wrangler, Rancho was the first company I turned to for help.Now, while one of my biggest criteria in choosing a new shock was ride comfort, another big deciding factor was being able to get a set that would provide the optimal amount of articulation that my Full Traction Suspension would allow. Fortunately, Rancho has one of the largest selection of shocks you can find and in a myriad of compressed/extended lengths available for the Jeep JK Wrangler. Likewise, being that their RS 9000X shocks are adjustable up to 9 different setting, from firm to soft, ride comfort can be dialed in with the simple twist of a knob.

For my purposes, I decided to go for the gusto and picked up a set of Rancho RS 9000X Pro Series Remote Reservoir Shocks and the write-up below will show you how you can install a set on your Jeep JK Wrangler.

What you will need


• Rancho 9000X Pro Series Remote Reservoir Shocks
• 18mm Socket & Wrench
• 16, 19mm Gearwrench
• 16mm Wrench & Socket
• Ratchet
• Long Ratchet Extension
• Flathead Screwdriver 

From the Manufacturer
Rancho Suspension


The hottest selling adjustable shock absorber for the Jeep just got hotter. Our superior time tested nine-position adjustability combined with a gas charged remote reservoir will prove to be the ultimate formula for on and off road performance.

Each RS9000X Pro Series shock absorber will display our new long lasting metallic silver finish, light weight anodized aluminum reservoir and high pressure stainless steel braided hose.

• Utilizes Rancho’s exclusive RS9000X adjustable technology.

• Manually adjusted at the shock, or adjust on-the-fly with Rancho’s in-cab remote dampening control system.

•
Anodized aluminum reservoir with stainless steel braided hose.

•
Provide more consistence performance over a longer period of time. Piggyback cushions and clamps provided.

• Available for select lifted and long travel applications.

   

Installation


This is what your new Rancho 9000X Pro Series Remote Reservoir Shocks will look like right out of the box. As you can see, it will come complete with all the hardware you need to install them including polyurethane piggyback cushions and clamps.
1. The rear pair of Rancho 9000X shocks might come compressed and bound with a wire. If this is the case with the ones you got, use a pair of pliers to remove the wire now.
2. Place the 2 red polyurethane piggyback cushions on the side of your Rancho 9000X shock can, place the aluminum remote reservoir on top of them and then slip on the 2 metal clamps over both the shock and reservoir as shown in this pic. 3. Use a flathead screw driver to tighten up the metal piggyback cushion clams to secure the aluminum remote reservoir to your Rancho 9000X shocks. 4. Because the Rancho 9000X shocks are adjustable, this step is not necessary but to get things going, I decided to set my front pair of shocks to a medium 5 and the rears to a soft 3.
5. Starting up front, use a 16mm wrench, hold your Jeep JK Wrangler’s shock can in place just below the upper shock mount to keep it from spinning. Then, remove the stud mount nut above using a using a 16mm GearWrench. NOTE: While it is not necessary to remove your Jeep’s tire to do this install, it will help give you more room to work with.
6. Using an 18mm socket and wrench, remove the bolt and nut securing your Jeep JK Wrangler’s front shocks to the lower axle mount as shown in this pic.
7. Take one of the large washers that comes with your Rancho 9000X shocks and slip it onto the stud mount with the concave side facing up as shown in this pic. 8. Next, slide one of the red polyurethane bushings that comes with your Rancho 9000X shocks onto the stud mount and on top of the washer you installed in step #7. 9. Slip the Rancho 9000X shock stud up into your Jeep JK Wrangler’s upper shock mount, slide on another red polyurethane bushings and then cap it off with another one of the large washers concave side pointing down.
10. Make sure that the red adjustment knob is facing out. Then, using a 19mm Gearwrench, secure the Rancho 9000X shock stud mount in place with the new nut provided with the kit. Tighten the nut just enough so that the red polyurethane bushings begin to bulge.
11. Using an 18mm socket and wrench, secure the Rancho 9000X shocks to your Jeep JK Wrangler’s axle mount using the factory hardware and tighten the nut and bolt to 56 ft. lbs. of torque.
12. With the front shocks installed, move to the back of your Jeep JK Wrangler and then remove the 2 upper rear shock mount bolts using a 16mm socket and a long ratchet extension.
13. Using an 18mm socket and wrench, remove the bolt and nut securing your Jeep JK Wrangler’s rear shocks to the lower axle mounts.
14. Making sure that the stainless steel braided hose doesn’t get in the way of anything and making sure that the adjustment knob is facing towards the back of your Jeep JK Wrangler, install your Rancho 9000X shocks onto the rear upper shock mounts of your Jeep using the factory hardware. A 16mm socket and a long ratchet extension will be needed for this job. Tighten these bolts to 37 ft. lbs. of torque.
15. Using an 18mm socket and wrench, install your Rancho 9000X shocks onto your Jeep JK Wrangler’s lower axle mounts using the factory hardware. Tighten these bolts to 56 ft. lbs. of torque.
16. Carefully check the position of your Rancho 9000X Remote Reservoirs to make sure they will clear things like your Jeep JK Wrangler track bar, track bar mount, coils, etc. If adjustments are needed, loosen the piggyback clamps a bit with a flathead screwdriver, reposition it as necessary and then tighten them back down.

That’s it, your new Rancho 9000X Pro Series Remote Reservoir Shocks are installed and you should be good to go. I say should because after doing some testing , I found that my 37×13.50 Toyo M/T’s would rub the front reservoirs at a full stuff a bit and my driver side rear piggyback bushing was catching the track bar axle mount just by a hair. After some minor adjustments to my Full Traction control arms, the rear shocks clear just fine now but up front, I will have to relocate the reservoirs in order to prevent the minor rubbing I am seeing now.So, how do these shocks perform? Simply awesome!! For optimal comfort, running the Rancho 9000X Pro Series Remote Reservoir Shocks at a setting of 5 up front and 3 in the rear provide a very comfortable ride on pavement and on washboard roads. On the rocks, I have found that bumping the fronts up to 7 or 8 and the rears up to 5 or 6 (depending on how much I’m carrying in the back of my Jeep) dampened things extremely well and without being kidney busting harsh.

I’ll be sure to update this write-up if anything else comes up. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Installed Photos


 

3 Comments

  1. G’day mate,

    Dude I know you guys have probably discussed this a million times and I’ve read the article about disabling the stability control etc. I’m new…
    What I want to know is whether you have had to disable your stability control as a result of this 4.5″ lift causing the stability control to kick in early, or for that matter whether you had to do so with any previous lifts up to 3″? Also, I’m not sure what disabling your stability control will do when in comes to insurance time (or rather claiming from insurance in the case of a driving error like spinning off a road, resulting in damage).

  2. Apologies for my rudeness – not saying thanks or something such in my previous comment…But here it is now:

    thank you in advance!!

  3. Hi Wayoflife, Just wondering what Model Number Shocks you chose? im wanting to know what Extension Compression Length they are for a 4� Lift? I want to get Longer Travel shocks.
    Cheers.

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