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Rancho RS5000X vs KYB Gas-A-Just #: 1898

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Posted: Mon Jan 27th, 2020 04:25 pm

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Stringer
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I am going to be buying new rear shocks and mounts for my truck as they are toast so I started thinking why not go for all 4 and be done with it. I know the majority will say go with Bilstein but for my price range at the moment due to other repairs needed, I don't want to go down that road.

That lead me to two options that seem to be decent for the Ranger:

Rancho RS5000X
KYB Gas-A-Just

I've been trying to find as many reviews as possible on both to make the best decision. I could have the Ranchos for right around $200 delivered or the KYBs for about $140 delivered. My truck will be on the highway about 85% of the time with the remaining 15% being dirt country roads or some light off road situations. I feel that anything will be better than the factory shocks that have 140k miles & 18 years of wear and tear on them but these two shocks seem to stick out to me.

Anyone have any first hand experiences with either of these that they can offer up?

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Posted: Mon Jan 27th, 2020 05:46 pm

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Mike69

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I need shocks for my 2000 Ranger so I would be curious what others suggest. I am leaning towards getting the Ranchos.

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Posted: Mon Jan 27th, 2020 10:41 pm

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I have heard Ranchos are hit and miss but have never used them myself. They sure are pretty though.

I have used KYB and was not disappointed. Mine were not Gas-A-Just but I wouldn't hesitate to try them.

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Posted: Tue Jan 28th, 2020 01:02 am

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I've used the Rancho shocks on both my rangers. I used both trucks as my work truck. I'm a chimney mason. Worked great for me. I had a bed full of tools or materials and a rack loaded with ladders or scaffolding and the truck handled it all fine. I bought them because they were supposed to maintain bed height under load. I ran a 10 ply load rated cooper allseason so I couldnt speak on comfort. The tires felt like rollin on rocks but the truck handled like a truck if you know what I mean...

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Posted: Tue Jan 28th, 2020 08:22 am

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JAMMAN wrote:
I have heard Ranchos are hit and miss but have never used them myself. They sure are pretty though.

I have used KYB and was not disappointed. Mine were not Gas-A-Just but I wouldn't hesitate to try them.
Were they the KYB Excel-G? I was originally looking at them until I came upon the Gas-Just. I just think that might fit my needs a little better.

Eddie Money wrote:
I've used the Rancho shocks on both my rangers. I used both trucks as my work truck. I'm a chimney mason. Worked great for me. I had a bed full of tools or materials and a rack loaded with ladders or scaffolding and the truck handled it all fine. I bought them because they were supposed to maintain bed height under load. I ran a 10 ply load rated cooper allseason so I couldnt speak on comfort. The tires felt like rollin on rocks but the truck handled like a truck if you know what I mean...
I know the truck is going to ride rough due to its small wheelbase. I mean they can't be any worse than my 4 18 year old blown out OEM shocks on the truck now lol.

I own a Mobile Detailing business and for the time being I am going to have all the equipment in the bed until I pick up a small enclosed trailer. I have a Weather Guard Pack Rat that I use to keep a lot of my stuff organized in. Empty the unit weighs 322 lbs. I'd say its right around 400lbs loaded plus maybe another 50lbs of loose equipment besides that in the bed. The Ranchos maintained the loaded bed height pretty good for you?

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Posted: Tue Jan 28th, 2020 10:55 am

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I had a full ladder rack on all the time. I had a lund fiberglass canopy, couple hundred pounds of tools, and a wheelbarrow on average. At 200k the trans started to get a little soft on the 99 ranger so I retired it from work duty and the 07 took over. I put 70k on the 07 before my employer provided a work truck. Bed height was maintained even on some of the heavier trips

Last edited on Tue Jan 28th, 2020 10:57 am by Eddie Money

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Posted: Wed Jan 29th, 2020 09:43 am

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like the Ranchos
I also like the KYB

I dont think you can go wrong with either choice so it could come down to price and warranty

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Posted: Wed Jan 29th, 2020 10:29 am

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Aren't the springs going to be what prevents sagging in the rear and not the shocks?

KYB used to be my go to choice on other vehicles before I put Bilsteins on the Ranger. Quality/ride was always OEM or better.
Now I say Bilstein all the way! What you didn't want to hear :)
That being said I bought them on summit on special for 300 delivered. (With other stuff so it's approximate)
For $25 extra per corner I think it's great value.

Seriously they made such a difference but the only comparison was the dead original shocks so anything new is better. I did ride in Rangers with new Monroes and Gabrielsand the Bilsteins are VASTLY better. ( I know, again not kyb or rancho lol)

So out of those 2 I would say KYB from past experience and because Rancho's seem cheap to me
(Maybe from seeing them on crappy trucks all the time)

Last edited on Wed Jan 29th, 2020 10:33 am by Arthur

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Posted: Wed Jan 29th, 2020 10:38 am

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Arthur wrote:
Aren't the springs going to be what prevents sagging in the rear and not the shocks?

KYB used to be my go to choice on other vehicles before I put Bilsteins on the Ranger. Quality/ride was always OEM or better.
Now I say Bilstein all the way! What you didn't want to hear :)
That being said I bought them on summit on special for 300 delivered. (With other stuff so it's approximate)
For $25 extra per corner I think it's great value.

Seriously they made such a difference but the only comparison was the dead original shocks so anything new is better. I did ride in Rangers with new Monroes and Gabrielsand the Bilsteins are VASTLY better. ( I know, again not kyb or rancho lol)

So out of those 2 I would say KYB from past experience and because Rancho's seem cheap to me
(Maybe from seeing them on crappy trucks all the time)
I'd love to go with the Bilsteins. I've heard nothing but good about them but, I didn't expect to have to also replace my bed so I'm trying keep the cost down a bit because of that. After these reviews, I think I'm leaning towards the KYB plus they are slightly cheaper.

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Posted: Wed Jan 29th, 2020 11:47 am

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Well here you go with some bad, I will never buy another bilstein product as long as I live
Their 5100 series shocks are garbage tried more then 3 sets all to have factory defects and early failures, heck the rough country shocks out perform the bilsteins

The springs are what support the weight of the truck and provide load carrying capacity, shocks are only to control the rebound of the spring or to "dampen" the springs.....
Unless you get shocks with some "helper" springs like a coil over then those new helper springs can help carry the load

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Posted: Wed Jan 29th, 2020 01:18 pm

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410customs wrote:
Well here you go with some bad, I will never buy another bilstein product as long as I live
Their 5100 series shocks are garbage tried more then 3 sets all to have factory defects and early failures, heck the rough country shocks out perform the bilsteins
I have never bought a set and any other place you would get some razzing because of this, but I have seen these statements before from reliable multiple vehicle users. If you are really in the performance range where you need an off shock nitrogen can it might be one of your only options. In that range though you could probably afford to replace them every few runs.

I require bang per buck sadly!

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Posted: Wed Jan 29th, 2020 09:11 pm

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The KYB warranty is good. I replaced 6 shocks while in warranty.

I will by Gabriel before KYB now.

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Posted: Thu Jan 30th, 2020 10:48 am

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Tsquare wrote:
The KYB warranty is good. I replaced 6 shocks while in warranty.

I will by Gabriel before KYB now.
I was first looking at Gabriel but head some pretty bad reviews about their line on Rangers. Are you running Gabriels now?

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Posted: Fri Jan 31st, 2020 12:51 pm

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Well I went with the KYB Gas-A-Just all the way around the truck. I picked up the two rears off of eBay from a seller who had extras in the box for $40 for both. The fronts two, both rear shock mounts & bed bolts are coming from Rock Auto. I'll have everything in my hands mid next week with anticipation of tearing my truck apart next Friday - Sunday. I will update this thread with my reaction of the KYBs upon installation as well as after a couple months of use.

Thanks everyone for the feedback!

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Posted: Fri Jan 31st, 2020 07:37 pm

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Stringer wrote:
Tsquare wrote:

The KYB warranty is good. I replaced 6 shocks while in warranty.

I will by Gabriel before KYB now.
I was first looking at Gabriel but head some pretty bad reviews about their line on Rangers. Are you running Gabriels now?
I have KYB on the back. They are near end of life. When they out of warranty and I replaced the fronts with Bil$tein when I did the ball joints 2 years ago. It still rides like a truck.

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Posted: Sat Feb 1st, 2020 12:10 am

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I originally tried Gabriel's then Monroe's sensitrac and I couldn't tell I changed them. I didnt spend a whole lot on either pair so there could be another level. Then I bought the ranchos. They felt like a mild improvement and worked well.

I think you'll be fine with the KYBs.

This was my trucks last day of work. A light load of siding from my remodel with ranchos. After this trip to the dump it had the rack removed, then sent out for a new coat of vista blue. It deserved it, it earned its keep!!

I was so happy to get that rack off for good!!

Last edited on Sat Feb 1st, 2020 02:00 am by Eddie Money

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Posted: Sat Feb 1st, 2020 09:13 am

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Did you save your old coat of Vista blue? I'd buy it looks better than any 3 of my trucks currently LOL :)

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Posted: Sat Feb 1st, 2020 11:08 am

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Yeah, that Vista blue is one purdy color!

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Posted: Sat Feb 1st, 2020 12:12 pm

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That vista blue is a nice color, but I preferred the bright atlantic blue on my last 2000 Ranger.

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Posted: Sat Feb 1st, 2020 05:57 pm

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I thought it was Bright Island Blue, or is that a different color?

That is one gorgeous truck!

Last edited on Sat Feb 1st, 2020 05:57 pm by mhoward

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Posted: Sun Feb 2nd, 2020 06:39 am

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mhoward wrote:
I thought it was Bright Island Blue, or is that a different color?

That is one gorgeous truck!
You are right Michael, I must have had a brain fart when I was typing that. Thank you, I love that color.

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Posted: Sun Feb 2nd, 2020 08:37 am

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To me they are all Ford blue!!
I really like that ladder rack! No it wont be going back on your 07!! She's done carrying work stuff.......now she only carries FUN / Adventure stuff

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Posted: Sun Feb 2nd, 2020 09:33 am

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@Mike: Beautiful color by any name! Ford should have kept that one around longer... not enough trucks that color; actually kind of rare.

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Posted: Sun Feb 2nd, 2020 12:49 pm

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JAMMAN wrote:
Did you save your old coat of Vista blue? I'd buy it looks better than any 3 of my trucks currently LOL :)
Green is one of my favorite colors.

I was driving a fire engine red ranger when I was shopping for a newer one. I could only find a blue one that had all the options I was looking for. There was a used car shortage at the time. Most of the rangers were 130k+ and beat. The 07 was rough to but it had the 4.0 4x4 4door. When it came time to retire it I went with the original color because it's cheaper than a color change

I agree I like all the blues.

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