Rancho RS-5000's... Reservoir up or down??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

redz 1970 K5 · 08-06-2004, 02:21 PM

Just installed all new Rancho RS5000's yesterday.

I installed the 5000's that were called out in Rancho's latest app guide for a 71 blazer with 4" lift-

RS5001's (front) and RS5112's (rear)

quick question-

Reservoir up or reservoir down? I kept getting mixed answers... I installed them with the reservoir down-shaft up.

The ride is way better, it steers and feels like I have more + control of the truck now.

All in all, some of the best $$$ I spent in a while.

I really need go get new body mounts now... Stockers are SHOT SHOT SHOT... Between poly body mounts and the shocks, it is probably going to feel like new truck.

LONGHAIR · 08-06-2004, 05:44 PM

They are generally installed with the rod up. Mainly because the body of the shock is more resistant to damage (off-roading) than the rod itself. Once the rod is scratched/marred it will chew up the seal and begin to leak.

ac102nv · 08-09-2004, 11:03 PM

Here is an quote from Rancho's website. Hope this helps.

http://www.gorancho.com/faq/rs5000.stm

1. Can I mount the RS5000 upside down?

The RS5000 are designed to operate in either direction. In most applications the position of the shock is determined by the vehicles mounting configurations. Rancho does not recommend nor warrant the use of shocks that are not specifically listed for your vehicle in the Rancho catalog.

ac102nv · 08-09-2004, 11:31 PM

Even in view of the Rancho website info, I agree with Longhair....typically body down/rod up.

*1FaastC10* · 08-10-2004, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LONGHAIR

They are generally installed with the rod up. Mainly because the body of the shock is more resistant to damage (off-roading) than the rod itself. Once the rod is scratched/marred it will chew up the seal and begin to leak.

not true. the body is made of thinner metal, and it is way more common to see a dented shock body than it is a damaged shaft. the real reasoning behind mounting them shaft up is to keep air out of the shock valves. if you happen to get air in the shock valves, the shocks will begin to handle unpredictably.

LONGHAIR · 08-10-2004, 10:41 PM

A dent in the body is not that big of a deal.........they are twin tube shocks. A dent in the outer tube does not bother the inner tube and/or piston. A nick in the rod however will destroy the seal quickly.

08-06-2004, 02:21 PM	#1
redz 1970 K5 OBS guy Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,060	Rancho RS-5000's... Reservoir up or down??? Just installed all new Rancho RS5000's yesterday. I installed the 5000's that were called out in Rancho's latest app guide for a 71 blazer with 4" lift- RS5001's (front) and RS5112's (rear) quick question- Reservoir up or reservoir down? I kept getting mixed answers... I installed them with the reservoir down-shaft up. The ride is way better, it steers and feels like I have more + control of the truck now. All in all, some of the best $$$ I spent in a while. I really need go get new body mounts now... Stockers are SHOT SHOT SHOT... Between poly body mounts and the shocks, it is probably going to feel like new truck.

08-09-2004, 11:03 PM	#3
ac102nv Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 156	either direction... Here is an quote from Rancho's website. Hope this helps. http://www.gorancho.com/faq/rs5000.stm 1. Can I mount the RS5000 upside down? The RS5000 are designed to operate in either direction. In most applications the position of the shock is determined by the vehicles mounting configurations. Rancho does not recommend nor warrant the use of shocks that are not specifically listed for your vehicle in the Rancho catalog. __________________ '72 C10 lwb 454/TH400

08-09-2004, 11:31 PM	#4
ac102nv Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 156	addition to last post... Even in view of the Rancho website info, I agree with Longhair....typically body down/rod up. __________________ '72 C10 lwb 454/TH400

08-06-2004, 05:44 PM	#2
LONGHAIR just can't cover up my redneck Join Date: May 2004 Location: Columbus OH Posts: 11,414	They are generally installed with the rod up. Mainly because the body of the shock is more resistant to damage (off-roading) than the rod itself. Once the rod is scratched/marred it will chew up the seal and begin to leak.

08-10-2004, 10:41 PM	#6
LONGHAIR just can't cover up my redneck Join Date: May 2004 Location: Columbus OH Posts: 11,414	A dent in the body is not that big of a deal.........they are twin tube shocks. A dent in the outer tube does not bother the inner tube and/or piston. A nick in the rod however will destroy the seal quickly.



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