Rancho discontinuing 17505 Struts!

Wow, I'm glad I got mine last month!

The strut is an issue, as well as being able to "warrenty" a bad shock with Rancho. However, all is not lost.

The rear shocks are "stock" for the Durango/Dakota line. I would think that any other premium shock for this application (especially the 4x4 models) would work just as well. I'm not sure, but I would think Pro Comp, or any of the other brands made for the Durango/Dakota would bolt in just fine.

BTW, what years Durango/Dakota do the 17004s fit?

Sure any shock will bolt in BUT they are not all made the same, Like Skyjackers they have their SOFT RIDEs meaning they ride like a marshmellow I think. RSX line had the valving about right for a heavier KJ

Oh and by the way
RSX 17004 was the stock lenghth rear shock for the 97-04 Dakota 4WD ( 2 and 4 door) and also used on the 98-03 Durango 4WD

Tom,

Thanks for the info on the application.

I wasn't saying that everyone would get the valving right, just that there are at least some other options (unlike the struts).

BTW Tom, did you hang out on BinderBuletin a while back? Maybe still do - I have'nt been on there in a while. The name sounds familiar, and that's the only place I can put it.

Has anyone ever tried other shocks made for a Durango/Dakota? I was browsing Advance's catalog for the Durango and noticed they have other Rancho shocks(some listed for 0" of lift and some for 3" of lift), they all appear to be the plain RS series though. Just curious.

I believe the 17505's have been on back-order for awhile now.

I've sent three emails to Rancho now regarding warranty and replacement parts...
But not one reply!

Doesn't surprise me though, it took damn near four months for me to receive my rebate
cheque from them!
And then they Jewed me by sending me a cheque in Canadian funds instead of US fund!
Hey!
I paid in US fund, so I should of received a rebate cheque in US funds!

This is the most recent email I've sent them.

"I am not very impressed with your customer service!
I finally received my rebate cheque from you via Canada!
Not impressed at all!
I PAID IN U.S. CURRENCY AND I RECEIVE A REBATE CHEQUE IN CANADIAN FUNDS!
What about me currency exchange EH?

Then there is the fact that I send you folks an email regarding information on warranty
claims, and I do not receive an answer to that either!

I'll be contacting your head office in both U.S.A. and Canada regarding these issues.
I have been in commercial/retail sales for over 20 years and never once have I left a customer hanging for so long!
I do not care how busy you are. Your company should have adequate staff to handle these situations.

Not very professional if you ask me.

Sincerely
Ryan Heibloem

Ps, I'll be posting this on your Facebook page as well!"

Ryan09 said:

This is the email I sent to Rancho/Tenneco regarding the discontinuation of the RSX line of Struts/Shocks.

Good day,
I understand that Rancho Suspension has discontinued the RSX17505 & RSX17004 along with the rest of the RSX line of shocks.
My question is, These shock absorbers are offered from Rancho with a "Lifetime Warranty" How does this effect the warranty for customers who are currently using RSX Shocks? Would will you offer a different model of Rancho shock absorber?
(RS999764 front strut and the RS999248 rear shock with "My Ride"?)
And what would happen if only one shock absorber needs to be replaced under warranty, will you be replacing them with a matched pair?
The reason I ask this, is because I am a member of a Jeep club/forum and the RSX RSX17505 & RSX17004 are the most popular choice for our vehicle.

I look foreward to your reply.

Thank you
Ryan Heibloem

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Well, I fially received a reply from Ranch regarding my original question.

Thank you for contacting Rancho Suspension. We will be honoring the limited lifetime warranty of our RSX line with our RS5000 series shocks. It will be an even exchange for our consumers. If the consumer chooses the RS9000XL line, it would be an upgrade and they would only be responsible for the price difference of the two lines. The warranty exchange would be for a pair whether it is both front or both rear units that need replacement.

I hope I have answered your questions, please let me know if you need further assistance.

Thank you,
Lou Sanchez
Warranty Team Leader
Tenneco
734-384-7898(P)
800-784-1152(F)

TonyCRD said:

So....either you pay or you get a different quality shock...nice.

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I hope that doesn't surprise you.

been running the rs9000xl's for a while now, and i have just taken delivery of the my ride wireless system,

the 9000's are awesome even for the time i was getting under the KJ to shange settings,

the rears are a slightly shorter in extended length than the rsx's

but an easy fit

i cant reccomend them enough

fouros said:

been running the rs9000xl's for a while now, and i have just taken delivery of the my ride wireless system,

the 9000's are awesome even for the time i was getting under the KJ to shange settings,

the rears are a slightly shorter in extended length than the rsx's

but an easy fit

i cant reccomend them enough

Click to expand...

You can't recomend them though?

Why?

Are they just a pain in the ass because of having to adjust them?

As far as the wirless set-up...

Do you have them installed yet?

maybe its my aussie english

they are brilliant,

love the fact you can feel the different settings when adjusted

its not too bad to do when you air down you adjust the shock

when you air up re adjust pretty simple

but i got the myride for free when i ordered the 4 shocks together

you might still be able to get that deal from some rancho dealers

its only just turned up so i have not had a chance to install yet

maybe on the weekend

fouros said:

maybe its my aussie english

they are brilliant,

love the fact you can feel the different settings when adjusted

its not too bad to do when you air down you adjust the shock

when you air up re adjust pretty simple

but i got the myride for free when i ordered the 4 shocks together

you might still be able to get that deal from some rancho dealers

its only just turned up so i have not had a chance to install yet

maybe on the weekend

Click to expand...

Thanks Fouros, I guess I misunderstood you!

The offer for the My Ride is till happening here...
I just installed a Frankenlift in our KJ. So it wouldn't make sense to replace the shock dampeners as they just a couple of hundred miles on them.

Have a good day
Ry'

Ryan09 said:

The offer for the My Ride is till happening here...

Ry'

Click to expand...

where at?? Thanks

Well if they are being discontinued, what would be the next best thing to them? Maybe the OME stuts? Any ideas?

TonyCRD said:

I ordered a set of 17004's from JBA this morning.

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Hey Tonny! How much was JBA asking for shipping to Spain?

how are the Rancho RS5764 struts? they have the same compression and travel specs as the RSX series.

TonyCRD said:

Yes but not the auto valving....RS5000 series..

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what is the auto valving going to give me (especially if its in the crappier Monroe series)? I dont do a lot of crazy off roading, just the local trails and some fooling around. Ive got the Daystar kit with stock struts and coils and pro comp shocks with the daystar spacer in the back. Will I be upgrading if I go to the RS5000's up front with the OME 926/927's or not?

well i just bought a pair of 17505's off ebay for next to nothing....the only thing they were missing was the rubber bushings.

Does anyone know if I can use the strut mounts from my daystar kit?

I was thinking about using the spring spacers as well....not sure if that will be too much with the OME 926's.

New Lift Components:
Rancho 17505's
OME 926 Coils

has anyone tried running rsx17073 in the rear? the extended and collapsed lengths are about the same as the rsx17004. heres a link to the rsx17073 http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RAN-RSX17073/

Just curious - from reading lately, it seems that the Monroe Reflex's may be a good option as well. May not be *quite* as stiff as the RSX, but very close. Same valving design.

What does everyone think?