To buy or not to buy? Rancho 2" quick lift

[louisianadenali]

I am replacing the front struts on my Denali and wanted to do a 1.5" or 2" level, with no lift in the rear. The rear ground to fender and front ground to fender measures a 1.5" difference (37" in back, 35.5" in front). So I found the preassembled rancho quick lift 2" leveling kit struts, compatible with autoride. Does anyone have any input as to the quality of the rancho quicklift? Or would I be better off doing new OEM front struts with a CCM 2" front level?
rancho is only $210 a piece.
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stor...002&langId=-1&productId=1692148&storeId=10001

 

[Jonah52]

Rancho is good but new oem struts and the ccm spacers will do the same for much cheaper. Well atlas the spacers are cheaper. IDK em strut costs.

 

[14SWTahoe]

I did these, similar to Rough Country:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/111553054555?_trksid=p2060778.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Very happy and super easy install. There is another company out there that makes a 1.5" lift

 

[AZbanker]

I just installed Rancho Quick Lift front struts and rear 9000XL shocks. Looks great now that it's leveled and the factory take is gone but I can't seem to get the ride smooth. I've played with the adjustments 1-9 but can't find a happy medium where it isn't bouncy. It rocks front to back and side to side regardless of the setting. Wondering if I have a defective part but doesn't appear to be the case. Right now I wouldn't recommend going this route and would do the OEM and spacer route to level it.

Anyone else have luck with this setup? What settings? Or should I just go with stock again and add a leveling spacer?

---------- Post added at 12:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:56 AM ----------

Just spoke with Rancho and the parts are covered under their money back 90 warranty, so you could try them risk free outside of the time you spend doing the install (took me about 3 hours for front and rear together). You have to ship them back (at no cost) and wait for a refund check (about 4 weeks).

Having said that I will be sending mine back. I've always enjoyed Rancho products but I don't recommend this set.

I'll be going the OEM / spacer or Bilstien route. Just personal preference on ride.

 

[louisianadenali]

I just installed Rancho Quick Lift front struts and rear 9000XL shocks. Looks great now that it's leveled and the factory take is gone but I can't seem to get the ride smooth. I've played with the adjustments 1-9 but can't find a happy medium where it isn't bouncy. It rocks front to back and side to side regardless of the setting. Wondering if I have a defective part but doesn't appear to be the case. Right now I wouldn't recommend going this route and would do the OEM and spacer route to level it.

Anyone else have luck with this setup? What settings? Or should I just go with stock again and add a leveling spacer?

---------- Post added at 12:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:56 AM ----------

Just spoke with Rancho and the parts are covered under their money back 90 warranty, so you could try them risk free outside of the time you spend doing the install (took me about 3 hours for front and rear together). You have to ship them back (at no cost) and wait for a refund check (about 4 weeks).

Having said that I will be sending mine back. I've always enjoyed Rancho products but I don't recommend this set.

I'll be going the OEM / spacer or Bilstien route. Just personal preference on ride.

Wow, I wish I wouldve read this a week ago. I just installed mine last night. It looks great. It handles the bumps (cracks, potholes, etc) well, and the steering feels great. But like you said, I can't get it to stop bouncing. Not side to side, just up and down. Granted, I've had them on less than 24 hours, so I'm guessing there is a break in period that will allow them to settle a bit? Either that or I didnt re-install something correctly because it is mega bouncy. Like it has hydrolics. But it's not after a bump, it's more like with the natural "waves" in the pavement. Is there anything that could be causing this??? Someone give me some insight!!

 

[Jonah52]

Did you check your sway bad end links?

 

[louisianadenali]

Did you check your sway bad end links?

I reinstalled them. Would it be possible they are on too tight and not allowing the sway bar to do its job? Or too loose? What should I check for? And are there any other components I should double check to try to troubleshoot the problem?

 

[14SWTahoe]

sway bars wont have anything to do with bouncing up and down...

 

[AZbanker]

I just realized I have the ZW7 "Premium Ride" suspension option which is basically a softer spring and Nivomat shock that that takes some of the work off the springs. What I've read is you can use a standard shock (like the rancho's) but you need to put in a stiffer "standard spring". Not sure if this is the issue but I ordered replacement OEM rear shocks and will try that to see if the floatin goes away. Or the other option would be installing stiffer springs. I'll install the OEM shocks mid week and let you know how it goes.

Went with AC Delco 540-433 shocks online for $60-80. Springs run about the same. Replacement shocks are all over the board for this suspension type $60-$600. He dealer gave me the 540-433 part number, but they were $125 there for each, so went online for a cheaper price.

Hope this helps.