Monroe and Rancho

[Josef86]

I know that the Monroe Reflex are about the same as the Rancho RSX, but what is the Monroe version of the Rancho 5000 or the Ranch 9000? Thanks guys.

Side note being on 2nd shift at this job now is kind of well boring, considering I am concering my self with stuff like this.....

 

[jimbo74]

the rancho 9000 is adjustable with a knob.....

jsut an fyi, they are pretty similar, they are owned by the same company tenneco automotive

 

[Josef86]

I know they are owned by the same. I said pretty similar because I know the reflex is like a newer sensa-trac and both are like the rsx (different colors). But that did not really answer my question about what the monroe version of the ranch 5000 or the 9000 is.

 

[SteveG3]

The reflex is not a newer sensa-trac. They use a completely different design. The reflex and the RSX are the same shock. There is no Monroe version of the 5000 and 9000. Buy a Bilstein, you'll be much happier.

 

[Josef86]

Ok then, sad thing is I was able to find this out via google seach before you replied. Anyway, by newer I ment newer design similar idea.

 

[SplashMan]

Why is it "sad" that you found the info you were looking for by googleing the internet instead of someone here giving you the answer? Our site isn't fast enough for you I guess.

 

[Josef86]

Sad because 5 min after I find it the site has an answer. But also I like more then just one persons thoughts.

 

[SplashMan]

Sad because 5 min after I find it the site has an answer

So the site was not quick enough for you and you had to find the info on your own... that IS sad, Rick should close the site down. I mean if someone here couldn't answer your question and you had to find the info out on your own... that IS sad.

 

[SplashMan]

A quick call to Monroe customer service got me this.

Reflex or Gas Magnum would be the closest to a 5000.

Matic Plus or Sensa-Trac would be closest to RSX.

Nothing in the "Monroe" line to compair with the 9000, because of the adjustability.
"Rancho" line is tuned harder than the "Monroe" line.

That is what Robert at the customer service number said.

 

[Josef86]

Nice, now thats why I ask at this site to get info like that.

 

[Josef86]

After searching the forums for a while I have decided on sensatrac. I don't to have rancho 5000 I don't take it off road enoght to want to deal with the extra firmness. The 9000's seem like a good deal but not for the money. The Monroe Reflexs are bad but the Senstracs seem better for daily driving. I talked to a few mechanics and they told me the senstracs work just fine for the kind of offroading I do, much better then the OEM. Also they shock both up an down vs just down. I have to much time on my hands.....and sad part is I am on the clock as a write this....

 

[SteveG3]

Anyway, by newer I ment newer design similar idea.

Wrong again. The Sensa-trac uses a grooved sleeve to bypass fluid around the piston in the middle of it's overall travel. The theory there is that the shock is soft in during normal driving then stiffens on big hits.

The Reflex on the other hand is not a bypass/position sensitive shock. It "opens" the valving in the piston during a big hit. essentially doing the oposite of a Sensa-Trac.

P.S. This only pertains to the "twin tube" Reflex as I don't know much about the mono-tube Reflex. From what I have seen of it, it looks like Monroe is finally stepping up it's game. It's good to see them improving their product, but Bilstein and KYB have been doing it for years. It looks like an imitation KYB. Hell, I'd be willing to bet Monroe is farming them out and re-labeling them as theirs.

 

[dreamr]

according to their website Monroe are valved for light truck applications while Rancho are valved for Super Duty applications.


P.S. Reflex suck!!!!!! Felt great for 6-9 months, but offroading killed them in under a year!

 

[Josef86]

Wrong again. The Sensa-trac uses a grooved sleeve to bypass fluid around the piston in the middle of it's overall travel. The theory there is that the shock is soft in during normal driving then stiffens on big hits.

The Reflex on the other hand is not a bypass/position sensitive shock. It "opens" the valving in the piston during a big hit. essentially doing the oposite of a Sensa-Trac.

P.S. This only pertains to the "twin tube" Reflex as I don't know much about the mono-tube Reflex. From what I have seen of it, it looks like Monroe is finally stepping up it's game. It's good to see them improving their product, but Bilstein and KYB have been doing it for years. It looks like an imitation KYB. Hell, I'd be willing to bet Monroe is farming them out and re-labeling them as theirs.

No,you don't understand, by what I mean by the same idea. By same idea I mean its a so called smart shcock or self ajusting shock.

 

[SteveG3]

No,you don't understand, by what I mean by the same idea. By same idea I mean its a so called smart shcock or self ajusting shock.

LOL, the Sensa Trac is not self adjusting. It's position sensitive. I assure you neither shock is very "smart."

 

[Josef86]

http://www.monroe.com/tech_support/tec_shockabsorbers.asp

My understanding of self ajusting means its not in the soft or firm categories because depending on the bumb it can act more like either.