Shocks... KYB Monomax versus Rancho 9000, equivalent?

lonegunman wrote:
I started with Rancho 9000's, they are garbage, the warranty is garbage and the company is not worth doing business with. Their warranty service stated they require the shocks be shipped back in the original cartons. Seriously?

Ended up with Monomaxes because of the previously stated reasons, Les Schwab is all over the areas I like to roam and they are very decent at warranty work. I'm willing to tolerate a little overpriced work for good work and a great warranty.

If you want garbage with no warranty,Rancho is the way to go.

Thank for your insights. I've had fairly good luck with Les Schwab over the years. May not be the cheapest but their spread throughout the country I want to travel and their warranty make it a solid pick. I'm sure some have had bad experiences but generally, I have always been happy.

As far as shocks, I haven't bought a lot of shocks in my lifetime but I think the total came to under $750. I'm honestly surprised people would complain much about that when we literally drive around in $70,000 trucks and $50,000+ campers. Yes, I recognize not all are in the high dollar boat (myself included) but we aren't talking about a several thousand dollar upgrade here. Pennies and dollars saved in this price range just isn't a large concern to me.

adamis wrote:


Thank for your insights. I've had fairly good luck with Les Schwab over the years. May not be the cheapest but their spread throughout the country I want to travel and their warranty make it a solid pick. I'm sure some have had bad experiences but generally, I have always been happy.

As far as shocks, I haven't bought a lot of shocks in my lifetime but I think the total came to under $750. I'm honestly surprised people would complain much about that when we literally drive around in $70,000 trucks and $50,000+ campers. Yes, I recognize not all are in the high dollar boat (myself included) but we aren't talking about a several thousand dollar upgrade here. Pennies and dollars saved in this price range just isn't a large concern to me.

Well, the last sentence of your post is whole heartedly true. Has to be, for anyone to pay over $700 to install $263 worth of shocks. Hope you got a new set of front tires or something significant for "free" included with your purchase...

Ole Schwabbys....they never pass up an opportunity to overcharge the schitt out of someone.

I save money where I can because I have to. If life events didn't happen, maybe I could be like you. Glad you can throw around a grand and not bat an eye, especially in this economy.

joeshmoe wrote:
I save money where I can because I have to. If life events didn't happen, maybe I could be like you. Glad you can throw around a grand and not bat an eye, especially in this economy.

And it's not like the OP is driving around a $70k truck and $50k camper, or anywhere near that.
To each their own. I spend money on things that others woudl consider wasteful as well.
My comment is or was a direct result of yet another fine example of Les Schwabs being a TOTAL ripoff now.
Last brake job I needed on a company truck, called Schwabs, it was convenient. Over $1400 for a 4 year old truck with like 70k miles that just needed new pads slapped on. But their "policy" is every vehicle that needs brakes gets pads, new rotors AND new calipers whether it's needed or not. Non negotiable...
And who can forget that now since Schwab dropped Toyos or vice versa, they charge more for their house brand no name tire than they do for Toyos!

I replaced the factory Ranchos with the KYB Monomaxes right before my current cross-country trip. So far I am happy with the improvement. They are quite compatible with my upper and lower Stableloads. The ride of the truck unloaded is not what most people would tolerate, but I drive heavy equipment a lot and don’t mind the stiffness. Loaded performance on the interstates in the eastern states (terrible roads) is better than the original, but they were dead after 200K miles, so I don’t have a good comparison to other new shocks. I would do it again with the KYB’s if necessary. I doubt I would take the time to dial in Adjustable shocks each time I unloaded/loaded anyway.

I got my 9000 shocks at O'Reilly a few years back during a 2 for 1 or 3 for 4 deal saving some bucks, then spent maybe an hour or two installing them. I think I set them at 7 out of 9 settings. They have performed well. Other than stock, I have nothing to compare them to.

I really incredibly liked my KYB shocks on my old Mustang.
I put Bilsteins on my truck at 100k and they were about same as OEM.
Next set will be KYB Monomax. No idea on Ranchos.

Grit dog wrote:

joeshmoe wrote:
I save money where I can because I have to. If life events didn't happen, maybe I could be like you. Glad you can throw around a grand and not bat an eye, especially in this economy.

And it's not like the OP is driving around a $70k truck and $50k camper, or anywhere near that.
To each their own. I spend money on things that others woudl consider wasteful as well.
My comment is or was a direct result of yet another fine example of Les Schwabs being a TOTAL ripoff now.
Last brake job I needed on a company truck, called Schwabs, it was convenient. Over $1400 for a 4 year old truck with like 70k miles that just needed new pads slapped on. But their "policy" is every vehicle that needs brakes gets pads, new rotors AND new calipers whether it's needed or not. Non negotiable...
And who can forget that now since Schwab dropped Toyos or vice versa, they charge more for their house brand no name tire than they do for Toyos!

I am wondering if by chance is this policy maybe just a greedy manager at this one store? I don't have any experience but it would be shocking to me if this was actually a corporate policy for all of their locations. They would never sell brake pads again. I don't doubt what you are saying is your experience, I am just wondering if this is a bad apple in the bunch at this location or indeed a corporate policy. Did you try any other locations?

adamis wrote:

I am wondering if by chance is this policy maybe just a greedy manager at this one store? I don't have any experience but it would be shocking to me if this was actually a corporate policy for all of their locations. They would never sell brake pads again. I don't doubt what you are saying is your experience, I am just wondering if this is a bad apple in the bunch at this location or indeed a corporate policy. Did you try any other locations?

Nope...unfortunately.
Straight off their website:

"Get Complete Brake Service at Les Schwab
Corners aren’t something you want to cut when you’re talking about brakes. When we replace your brakes, you get complete service. This includes premium quality brake pads and remanufactured brake calipers that are as good as the those your vehicle had when it was new.

Remanufactured calipers come with new seals and dust boots, bleeder screws, and hardware, which have been thoroughly cleaned and inspected for quality, performance, and safety.

Bottom line, your car will stop when you hit the brakes. And that’s something we can all appreciate.

Les Schwab Tip: Understand the ins and outs of brake repairs with our Brake Servicing 101: Advice on Making Sure It Gets Done Right.


SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT"


Doesn't mention rotors, but the nifty animated video along with the text I quoted is probably very convincing to anyone who is less than saavy with cars.

At least you got the good buddy deal on shocks. My quote on the same truck as the brakes was around $1000.


I deal with a fleet of trucks and construction equip. And Schwabs is a big name, they're convenient, they are Johnny on the spot at 2am when you pop a loader tire in the middle of closed freeway that needs opened in 2 hours. But they are nowhere near the best value to the "normal" customer, IMO.

And I could go on with dozens of examples, and many different shops around WA.

- Telling me they don't balance trailer tires, because it is not necessary.
- Telling me I need a couple new rims (aluminum, less than 10 years old, supposedly too corroded around the bead). After arguing w them, they agreed to mount them but wouldn't guarantee they wouldn't leak...never leaked and in the rust belt, they'd have to replace 75% of the rims that came into their store by this determination. (They also "could get me new OE rims next day for only $____" I don't remember, some ridiculous price.)

-Wont mount and balance a customer provided used tires, or even new tires.
(I get it if they are trying to compete with internet tire sales, on the latter, but you need to be at least in the same county on price.)


Bottom line, they are just another of many that built a great reputation to the point that they are literally turning away work and decided to profit even more based on their rep to every unsuspecting customer that walks through the door.

The worst though is recommending things that absolutely go against the basics of tire care/maint to, what? Ensure lower tire life in order to sell more tires?

But mostly I like giving them bad PR because I don't like having smoke blown up my ___!

Continuing to evaluate the new KYB Monomax shocks after having driven Rancho stock versions for 200K. The old shocks were definitely worn out and the difference is very noticeable. Side sway is much less and very controlled. Front to rear rebound is damped much better with virtually no cycling, so great improvement there. Going over railroad crossings, mismatched pavement transitions at intersections and parking lot curbing are much more controlled. While traveling through storms I had less problems with impact from high winds — the same was true for passing semi’s. While not a cure-all for suspension problems they added a measure of control that was missing. With my camper wet weight around 3200 lbs and the Torklift suspension aids my truck behaves well. I am contemplating a Hellwig sway bar to replace stock as a final piece of the puzzle, but am not sure I really need it.

So how would these shocks compare to new Bilsteins or Ranchos? I don’t know without a direct comparison, but I am pleased with how they perform.