Rancho RS9000xl, SPC UCA and 285's

I'm just documenting, so that others can see.
(Pics and videos below)

https://youtu.be/V8JvcfBnfGw

Rancho used to be "the shit" back in the 90's. They don't seem to be so popular today on tacomas. I have a few friends with 2500 trucks and these shocks have gone over 100k miles for them.

I'm on a bit of a budget, and the old taco was really in need of a complete suspension overhaul (squeaking, clunking, etc), so here is what i went with

I just finished installing this
Rancho Suspension QuickLIFT Loaded Strut and Shock Kit For Toyota Tacoma 4WD 2005-12 - Includes Rancho Front Loaded Struts & Rear RS9000XL Shocks

$638 Rancho Suspension QuickLIFT Loaded Strut and Shock Kit For Toyota Tacoma 4WD 2005-12 - Includes Rancho Front Loaded Struts & Rear RS9000XL Shocks

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P02S5XW

I already had these on
Spidertrax WHS007 Blue Wheel Spacer Kit

$148 Spidertrax WHS007 Blue Wheel Spacer Kit

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BGRDMOM

I got the new forged UCA
Specialty Products Company Tacoma UCA's (Pair) 25470 https://a.co/d/5V6MAx8

I used these bolts
TORCH 8.5" Square Extended U Bolts Extra Long 2.5" wide 9/16" Ubolt w Hardware

$48 Torch 8.5" Square Extended U Bolts Extra Long 2.5" Wide 9/16" Ubolt w Hardware

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B099P38M5M

These blocks
Supreme Suspensions - 1" Rear Lift Blocks for Toyota Tacoma/Tundra/IFS Pickup/IFS T100 2WD/4WD - High-Strength Steel Rear Lift Blocks 9/16th Pin - Can Cooler Included with Purchase

$40 Supreme Suspensions - 1" Rear Lift Blocks for Toyota Tacoma/Tundra/IFS Pickup/IFS T100 2WD/4WD - High-Strength Steel Rear Lift Blocks 9/16th Pin - Can Cooler Included with Purchase

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YYG3R3P

I had these leafs on for over a decade of pretending that my taco is a 2500... They weren't sagging, but i decided to replace them since i was doing everything else
https://www.generalspringkc.com/200...ner-heavy-duty-rear-leaf-spring-4-3-1-leaves/

I rebuilt the LCA's with these and Moog bushings and balls
Moog K100128 Caster/Camber Adjusting Kit

$33 MOOG K100128 Alignment Caster/Camber Kit for Toyota Tacoma

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HCQ5NYS

I got these tires and had them delivered to Firestone
https://simpletire.com/brands/multi-mile-tires/trail-guide-all-terrain#Trail-Guide-All-Terrain__4

I have factory 16" wheels

 

The old bushing sleeves on the LCA's wouldn't press out. The rubber was done, and pushed right out in the press, leaving the steel outer sleve fused to the control arm... That was fkin fun to remove.

I removed the mud flaps and set the UCA's to position D. I used my calibrated eye to get the alignment good enough for the drive to the shop.

The alignment shop was able to get everything straight without a hastle (fortunately, when i called, one Lady there had a lifted truck and knew what to do with the upper balls)

The old truck rides great now and tracks straight, so far.

I've got to drive for a few days and then get back underneath and check the torque on everything.

There is no rubbing on flat ground at full lock.
Looks like i might get some rubbing while turning over large bumps, but not on flat ground

i will go take some pictures if it warms up in a little while.

I drove around on some shitty roads, with the valves set to "1" which was waaaaay too soft. So, i set them to "9" on the way back. That was obviously a bit stiff, so i put the valves on setting "5" in all four corners.

I'll probably screw with the settings and see if it rides better having the front/rear on different adjustments.

 

.

 

.

 

https://youtu.be/VKMIzWMhsoI

 

The Rancho get good reviews, like any shock there will be some owners that had a bad experience. My Bilstein 5100 rear shocks puked oil with pretty easy usage.
https://expeditionportal.com/field-testedrancho-rs9000xl/

 

I had the Bilstein aswell. They were ok. But they weren't worth all the hype.

 

I ran Rancho 9000's on my JK and they were great....actually liked them better than my Fox 2.0's.

 

I have had 9000xl on 2 different 4runners and they work just fine.
I think the coolest thing about them is the "My Ride" system.
Hooks a mini air compressor and remote to change the 1-9 setting on the fly.

 

I saw that option, but went with the hand turn setting. I didn't want to complicate things.

 

Update-

I've been driving around on this setup for a few weeks now.
The 6 speed really likes the 285's. I am adjusting my shifting and getting used to it. At 45mph, the rpms allow me to stay in 5th gear instead of teetering between 5th and 6th (on flat roads holding steady). at 65mph, in 6th gear, the engine is running about 400 rpms lower.

The 4.0 handles the 285's just fine, with the stock gearing.

i will update again after a few tanks of gas. I was averaging 15mpg combined before. I suspect that won't change. I'm probably eating more gas to accelerate, but possibly using less gas while holding steady (if traffic allows me to use cruise control)

 

So far, the Multi-mile Trailguides seem like pretty good tires.

Not too noisy
Displace water and mud fairly well

One complaint, they pick up and hold onto 1/4 to 1/2" gravel until maybe 50mph and then fling it.

I'm shopping for a good material to make flaps out of, so i don't crack anybody's windshield.

 

It has been a few thousand miles

This set up has been exactly what i needed.

it is a bit of a stiff ride, but i do like it stiff.

I can haul about (40) 8"x4"x16" solid blocks in the bed and this setup handles it well.

 

It has been a few thousand miles

This set up has been exactly what i needed.

it is a bit of a stiff ride, but i do like it stiff.

I can haul about (40) 8"x4"x16" solid blocks in the bed and this setup handles it well.