Technical > Installation Guide
Rancho Remote Control Shock Install
Channel Surfing to Select the Ideal Shock for Load Setting
story & photos by Steve Temple
These are all the components of Rancho’s RS9000-RCX In-Cab Remote Control System, which has recently been upgraded to simplify installation and improve air flow.
As anybody who clicks their TV remote already knows, control is king. Imagine having that sort of capability when you’re on an off-road adventure. Pulling off the pavement onto a bumpy dirt road? Push a button in the cockpit, and change your shocks to a firmer setting. Crawling over some gnarly boulders? Dial in the softest ride so the tires follow the contours. Hitting high speeds on the deserts of Baja? Switch to the hardest setting.
It’s not some future fantasy you’d see on the Sci-fi Channel. Thanks to Rancho Motorsports you can select your shock rates on the fly, right from the comfort of your cab. The company’s RS9000-RCX In-Cab Remote Control System is designed solely to be used with Rancho’s RS9000X adjustable shock absorbers (more about those in a moment).
Installing the system is an ideal project for the backyard mechanic, because paying a professional to route the air hoses and wire up the compressor might actually cost more than the system itself. Even if you don’t have a lot of mechanical experience you could probably hook it up in less than a day (assuming the factory shocks have already been upgraded with Rancho’s adjustable RS9000X units).
An air-hose adaptor replaces the manual knob on each shock, which actuates the valve controlling ride stiffness. More pressure pushes in the valve further, restricting the flow of oil in the shock for a firmer ride. Less air pressure, and the reverse occurs, with nine different levels of stiffness possible.
Okay, so what if there aren’t as many choices as satellite TV’s hundreds of channels-still, nine different settings should handle just about any sort of terrain you plan to tackle. Not only that, you can adjust the front independently from the rear. Let’s say you have an ATV in the bed, but have to drive slowly on a bumpy dirt road to get to the trailhead. Just pump the rear shocks to nine, the maximum setting, so the rear end doesn’t bounce around, but keep the front shocks at a slightly softer setting so you don’t knock your teeth loose. Or maybe your rig is hobby-horsing on the highway. Just fine-tune the shocks to dial out the porpoising motion. For instance, we found on an unloaded 2003 F-150 that the best settings at highway speeds were a moderate amount of stiffness in the front and softest one in the rear (but that will likely vary depending on the suspension, road conditions and cargo load).
Rancho’s remote system has been around for several years, but has recently been refined in a few areas. To simplify installation, it now has fewer components and push-to-connect air-line fittings. The 5/32-inch OD thick-walled nylon air line has better flexibility and sealing properties, and an air-line cutting tool is included for a clean, square cut. In addition, the system has a new higher-output compressor that pumps more air volume, reducing cycle time and improved adjustment response. All necessary installation hardware comes with the system.
The only challenge we encountered is figuring out where to mount the control panel on a 2003 Ford F-150. Later models and other makes of vehicles seem to have more convenient mounting locations on the dash. Installing a cup-holder caddy or custom housing on the transmission tunnel at the base of the dash is one possible solution.
Now, about those Rancho shocks. The RS9000X adjustable shock absorber is a tri-tube, mono-flow hydraulic design for performance under a full range of load and temperature conditions. The nine-position adjustment knob (manual version) lets you pick the desired performance curve; which would in most cases would be firm for off-road, soft for street and mid-range for comfortable highway driving. Its cellular gas design w/ VFC (Variable Force Control) provides precise flow metering, and the graphite-impregnated Teflon band makes for smooth and reliable performance. The double-welded loops feature red urethane bushings for long life, and the 5/8-inch hardened rod is double chromed for extra durability. Long travel versions are available with as much as 15 inches of travel.
Combined with Rancho’s remote system, you’ve got a great match-up of ride adjustability with convenience. Now all you have to do is kick back with your remote-control shocks and enjoy your favorite off-road adventure. And that’s no TV show — it’s the real thing.
Ask about buying Rancho's RS9000-RCX In-Cab Remote Control System from www.4wheelparts.com.
 1. Remove manual knob and its gasket. |
2. Replace it with the air-line adaptor. Be sure the O-ring is seated in the adaptor (apply some spit for a tight fit). |
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3. Check the valve action and then attach the adaptor using Allen head screws. |
4. On a 2WD F-150, the shock boots don’t always fit through the hole in the front lower control arm, so you may need to leave them off. |
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5. Installing the remote system on 4WD is slightly easier than on a 2WD F-150. You can just reach in and remove the shock to convert them to remote. On 2WD, though, you have to remove ABS and other items before installing the shock. Front shocks have bar pins on bottom to mount, and you may need to rotate them slightly to angle shock in, and also open the hole in bottom to fit them in with the adaptor attached. Tighten shock until upper red bushing starts to deform slightly. |
6. Remove and replace stock rear shocks with Rancho units. |
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7. Make sure they’re installed with the adaptor on the opposite side of the lower mounting brackets, and allow sufficient slack in the air line for shock travel. |
8. One install tip is to mount the air compressor in the engine bay to ensure quiet operation, but it can be placed elsewhere if desired. We located it underneath the windshield washer tank. We also angled the pump so the hoses running to the forward shocks are facing forward, which makes troubleshooting easier. Use one of the mounting screws as an electrical ground, making sure the metal is bare. Check valves need to be attached to the compressor beforehand. Use Teflon tape to seal the connections. |
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9. Keep the air line away from heat sources and sharp edges, and secure with zip ties. Use an existing grommet if possible for routing hose through the firewall or other sheetmetal that could chafe. Another tip: You can insert the grommet provided with the Rancho remote system into a factory grommet by drilling or punching a hole in the center. You can sometimes find an access hole near the clutch pedal or the master cylinder. |
10. Use the cutter (included) for clean slices on the air hose. About 90 feet of hose is supplied, enough for two trucks, but no extra splices are provided, so follow the old carpenter’s advice: “Measure twice and cut once.” |
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11. Push-to-connect hose makes hooking up the air lines a quick and easy job. If the system doesn’t hold pressure, spray connections with soapy water to find the air leak and reattach the hose where needed. |
12. You may need to upgrade the electrical panel with a 10-amp fuse for the compressor switch. |
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13. A custom housing for the control panel may be needed on some vehicles. |