Review on 🔧 RS5238 RS5000 Series Shock by Rancho by Christopher Williams

Just installed these on the back of my 1997 F-150 last night. Installation was easy and my first test drive went smoothly. The only problem I've noticed is that with a traditional shock absorber you have two cylinders bolted to the frame of the car on either end of the shock absorber. As the truck weight decreases, the shock absorber (located in the lower cylinder) compresses and the larger diameter upper cylinder slides down the piston and slides over the smaller diameter lower cylinder. In this way, the upper cylinder acts as a protective cover that prevents water and dirt from entering the piston, which could otherwise reduce the life of the shock absorber. This shock absorber does not have a top cylinder. The piston simply pops out of a cylinder and the shock comes with a red rubber bushing that fits over the piston to keep it clean. I am concerned about this rubber bushing: (A) there is no way to keep it from sliding off the top of the piston other than a washer that the top of the bushing slides through and (B) I am concerned about the integrity of the sleeve in the years to come. Will the liner slip leaving the piston open to dirt and water, or will the rubber succumb to the elements with the same effect? Only time can tell. A little installation tip: To decompress the damper after unpacking, grasp the master cylinder and the washer at the base of the axle from above. Twist and pull to lengthen the shock to the correct length for installation. Maybe it's just me, but it took me a minute or two to play around with this thing before I figured it out.