I did use the search function, and it helped a little but most of what I found was older..
Morris4x4 is having a sale where I can get 4 Rancho 9000XL’s for just north of $300.
Bilstein run just shy of $400 and the Fox are a little over $500. I ordered a TF 3” lift with an RK track bar. I’ll be running 35’s and Clayton arms are on the short list.
Now I am hung up on shocks. Mild off roading. Woods and trips to NH. The beach and north east winters. Nothing crazy. And it’s my DD. My budget is the 3-500 range for the shocks. A lot of typing for a simple question, are the Ranchos worth it even at the sale price? Or should I spend the coin for the Fox

Im sure this is covered ad nauseiam... but I am stuck at work staring out my windshield. Thanks.

 

Double posted by accident

 

I like my fox shocks although I’m sure you can’t go wrong with Bilsteins I still choose them for my cars and have had zero issues with them. Not sure on the quality of the Rancho ones, but I know a lot of people run fox shocks and have been happy with them. I get a lot of miles out of Bilsteins on the car before a leak slowly develops.

 

Rancho has a 90 day return policy if you don't like them. Try them if not satisfied send them back for full return.

 

I run Rancho rs9000's on my wife's JKU and Fox on my JK, and have had a good experience with both. While I like the fox and they smooth out the ride, I do wish they were adjustable. I fairly picky when it comes to my vehicles and the ability to fine tune would be appreciated. The fit and finish of the Fox's is better than the Ranchos. You really have to clear the Ranchos prior to install as they will quickly begin to rust in certain areas. They work well and are a good value, and allowed me to find a ride that's comfortable and controlled.

 

Thanks for the info. I ended up going with the Ranchos. I mean, I could have justified paying more for a better shock. But for what I’ll be doing, these should be fine to start the build. If they last me a few years I’ll be happy

 

"better" is all subjective. You bought a very nice shock that always gets rave reviews. The Bilstein and Fox run pretty stiff, which bothers some and doesn't bother others. I think you'll be very happy with those. Many people will either pull those adjustment knobs off and throw em in glove box or mount the shock with the knobs inward. Might not be relevant to your use right now, but they are commonly knocked off if facing outward.

 

Good to know. Thanks. Yeah, I am sure they will be just fine for my needs for now. The Jeep I had before was just going to be my DD... several changes and thousands of dollars later it became something totally different. Haha. Such is life I guess. It’s tough to shell out cash as it is, so I went back and forth for awhile. The sale helped but it’s still a good chunk of coin.

 

I ran both before the Falcon 3.3's. If you're primarily driving on paved roads, go Rancho. The Fox firmed the ride up and improved handling, which was especially noticeable without a rear sway bar around tight turns and on the highway. They also experienced shock fade a little slower than the Ranchos 9000's when things got bumpy. The Rancho shocks definitely take the edge on the road, you can play with the settings and get yourself a really plush ride. Even at their firmest setting, I still feel that the Rancho's couldn't handle me running bumpy gravel roads or access trails fast as well as the Fox shocks could. Both shocks eventually experienced shock fade, but the Fox just did better. The Fox were a bit jarring for me on the road though, but that's subjective. Give the Rancho's a shot first.

 

Nice that you got the Rancho's. I've had them on an Early Bronco years ago. I just bought Old Man Emu's for my JK, not put on yet. My JK has the Mopar 2" lift that came with the Bilstein 5100's. They're seeping now, after 8 years and quite a few washboard roads.

One caution is that at least one brand requires you to drill out the shock mount for a larger bolt. I don't recall which one now, it might have been the Fox. But I definitely didn't want to do that.