Rancho shocks are available in several varieties so it's not uncommon to hear customers ask, "What's the difference between the Rancho RS9000XL, RSX Reflex, and RS5000 shocks?" All three are reputable products from a company that helped pioneer the off-road industry, yet each is built for different uses and driving experiences. The Rancho RS line of shocks are geared toward the Jeep, truck, and SUV markets especially if the vehicle will be used in off-road conditions.
At the entry level is the Rancho RS5000 shock absorber. The RS5000 is a premium (almost general-purpose) shock often installed as a better-than-factory replacement for vehicles with worn out shocks or upgraded suspensions. It's also recommended for the budget-minded consumer. The RS5000 is designed to provide comfort and control across the driving spectrum from street to mild off-road. The result of this is a ride quality that's often bumpier than what the factory shocks provided because firm shocks are ideal for off-road driving and this comes at the sacrifice of some street comfort.
The Rancho RSX shock is an upgrade from the RS5000. The RSX is unique in that it incorporates an automatic "impact-sensing" reflex valve that opens and closes depending on how quickly the piston is forced in or out. This provides a broader range of comfort and control across the driving spectrum from street to aggressive off-road.
Something unique about the RSX is that each shock is engineered specifically for the vehicle which it will be installed. They're not a one-size-fits-all solution. This provides optimal performance in concert with the vehicle's weight. The downside of the RSX is that it's not available for heavy-duty (HD) and super-duty (SD) trucks and larger SUVs (at least not at this time). This isn't to say that it can't handle heavy off-road use, because it can. It just can't handle the extreme weight of certain full-size vehicles, mostly the heavy-duty ones.
The RS9000XL is a step up from the RSX. The RS9000XL features a manually-tuned valve system that allows the driver complete control of the softness or firmness of the piston movement. This provides the broadest range of comfort and control across the driving spectrum from street to extreme off-road. Ride quality can be set soft for highway driving, medium for city/urban driving, and firm for off-road driving and even towing.
There are nine possible settings so a quality ride can be had by even the pickiest drivers (or their passengers). In addition to manual tuning, an auxiliary RS999705 remote control unit is available that allows the shocks to be adjusted at the touch of a button while the vehicle is parked or in motion. The RS9000XL was designed with today's bigger trucks in mind so in addition to the typical 2-1/8" and 2-3/8" body diameters found on most shocks, the RS9000XL is also available with a 2-3/4" body for select full-size applications.
In selecting your Rancho shocks, you'll need to consider your budget and what kind of driving they'll be used for. RS 5000 cost the least, RSX cost approximately 40-50% more than RS 5000, and RS9000XL cost approximately 40-50% more than RSX. If you're looking to save money or merely replace your old, worn out shocks, the RS 5000 shocks will be fine. If you're still on a budget, but want a ride superior to what an RS5000 offers, then the RSX is recommended. If budget is not an issue, or if you want the best shock available without getting into the "extreme" off-road shocks, then the RS9000XL is recommended.
At the entry level is the Rancho RS5000 shock absorber. The RS5000 is a premium (almost general-purpose) shock often installed as a better-than-factory replacement for vehicles with worn out shocks or upgraded suspensions. It's also recommended for the budget-minded consumer. The RS5000 is designed to provide comfort and control across the driving spectrum from street to mild off-road. The result of this is a ride quality that's often bumpier than what the factory shocks provided because firm shocks are ideal for off-road driving and this comes at the sacrifice of some street comfort.
The Rancho RSX shock is an upgrade from the RS5000. The RSX is unique in that it incorporates an automatic "impact-sensing" reflex valve that opens and closes depending on how quickly the piston is forced in or out. This provides a broader range of comfort and control across the driving spectrum from street to aggressive off-road.
Something unique about the RSX is that each shock is engineered specifically for the vehicle which it will be installed. They're not a one-size-fits-all solution. This provides optimal performance in concert with the vehicle's weight. The downside of the RSX is that it's not available for heavy-duty (HD) and super-duty (SD) trucks and larger SUVs (at least not at this time). This isn't to say that it can't handle heavy off-road use, because it can. It just can't handle the extreme weight of certain full-size vehicles, mostly the heavy-duty ones.
The RS9000XL is a step up from the RSX. The RS9000XL features a manually-tuned valve system that allows the driver complete control of the softness or firmness of the piston movement. This provides the broadest range of comfort and control across the driving spectrum from street to extreme off-road. Ride quality can be set soft for highway driving, medium for city/urban driving, and firm for off-road driving and even towing.
There are nine possible settings so a quality ride can be had by even the pickiest drivers (or their passengers). In addition to manual tuning, an auxiliary RS999705 remote control unit is available that allows the shocks to be adjusted at the touch of a button while the vehicle is parked or in motion. The RS9000XL was designed with today's bigger trucks in mind so in addition to the typical 2-1/8" and 2-3/8" body diameters found on most shocks, the RS9000XL is also available with a 2-3/4" body for select full-size applications.
In selecting your Rancho shocks, you'll need to consider your budget and what kind of driving they'll be used for. RS 5000 cost the least, RSX cost approximately 40-50% more than RS 5000, and RS9000XL cost approximately 40-50% more than RSX. If you're looking to save money or merely replace your old, worn out shocks, the RS 5000 shocks will be fine. If you're still on a budget, but want a ride superior to what an RS5000 offers, then the RSX is recommended. If budget is not an issue, or if you want the best shock available without getting into the "extreme" off-road shocks, then the RS9000XL is recommended.
About the Author:
Rancho RSX shocks are available at MY4BY OFF ROAD -- the world's largest selection of Rancho shocks with thousands ready to ship. You can also watch this short video to learn more about Rancho 5000 shocks and struts.
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