Rancho RS5000X counterfeit?

[Burnboy]

Recently purchased shocks for my TJ. The rear shocks look fine but the two front look completely different.. Left one weighs 5.6lbs and the right weighs only 4.3lbs. Also the welds and basic look are completely different. Wondering if anyone has any insight on this. Got them from rock auto. The shock on the right is the one that not only weighs less but also has some crummy looking welds and different size and color stantion. Got the shock on the right on a "closeout sale" could it be old stock or a fake?

 

[TJ Jim]

Rubber looks shot?

 

[Burnboy]

Rubber looks shot?

Not sure. It feels supple enough but one of the boots is like 4 inches longer than the other. Think I'm going to send them all back and go a different route. I tested the two tears and they both have completely different return rates.

 

[Rickyd]

Rock auto is a crap shoot of the wrong parts in the box. I'd return them and buy from summit

 

[Burnboy]

Rock auto is a crap shoot of the wrong parts in the box. I'd return them and buy from summit

Thats funny I was just looking online on summit. They've got a store a couple hours away in Reno I'll go to. I've always had decent luck with Rock Auto. Just hope they don't jerk me around and actually refund my money.

 

[Rickyd]

Thats funny I was just looking online on summit. They've got a store a couple hours away in Reno I'll go to. I've always had decent luck with Rock Auto. Just hope they don't jerk me around and actually refund my money.

Rock auto has other companies drop ship their leftovers and returns at a low price. They don't have their own warehouses.

 

[Burnboy]

Rock auto has other companies drop ship their leftovers and returns at a low price. They don't have their own warehouses.

That must be how they can have such low prices..

 

[hosejockey61]

Those aren't high end shocks by any means. My guess is the supplier(s) changed something between lot numbers. The process of building them is probably the same as far as dimensions, but how they built them might have changed for some reason, probably ease of manufacturing or cost savings of some sort.

I've had nothing but good luck with Rock Auto on stuff.

 

[Burnboy]

Those aren't high end shocks by any means. My guess is the supplier(s) changed something between lot numbers. The process of building them is probably the same as far as dimensions, but how they built them might have changed for some reason, probably ease of manufacturing or cost savings of some sort.

I've had nothing but good luck with Rock Auto on stuff.

I know they're nothing special but this much Inconsistency is a bummer. The return rates are different, weight and build quality. I'll still shop at Rock Auto for some things no doubt. But something as important as shocks and ride quality I'll have to pick them up somewhere in person. Even if they're on the lower end.

 

[hosejockey61]

I know they're nothing special but this much Inconsistency is a bummer. The return rates are different, weight and build quality. I'll still shop at Rock Auto for some things no doubt. But something as important as shocks and ride quality I'll have to pick them up somewhere in person. Even if they're on the lower end.

All I was trying to imply was lower end shocks don't have the same QC standards as higher end shocks. Even though your shocks look different, they probably still meet the manufacture's specs.

 

[MikeE024]

The worst part about RockAuto is how terrible they are when I do have a problem.

 

[CharlesHS]

I started dealing with Rock Auto around 2000 and then their Customer Service was quite good....
In the past 5 years their Customer Service has changed dramatically and not for the better.

This is Rock Auto's Return Policy from their website.

RockAuto's return policy allows for returns within 30 days of receiving the item. To initiate a return, you can access the "Order Status & Returns" page on their website. You'll need to specify the quantity to be returned and the reason for the return, and RockAuto will provide a return shipping label. The cost of shipping will be deducted from your refund.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

1. Timeframe: You have 30 days from the date you receive the item to initiate a return.
   
   
2. Initiating a Return: Go to the "Order Status & Returns" page on the RockAuto website.
   
   
3. Providing Information: Specify the quantity you want to return and the reason for the return.
   
   
4. • Return Shipping Label: RockAuto will provide a return shipping label, either electronically or through your account.
     
   • Deducting Shipping Costs: The cost of the return shipping label will be deducted from your refund.

 

[TheBoogieman]

I started dealing with Rock Auto around 2000 and then their Customer Service was quite good....
In the past 5 years their Customer Service has changed dramatically and not for the better.

This is Rock Auto's Return Policy from their website.

RockAuto's return policy allows for returns within 30 days of receiving the item. To initiate a return, you can access the "Order Status & Returns" page on their website. You'll need to specify the quantity to be returned and the reason for the return, and RockAuto will provide a return shipping label. The cost of shipping will be deducted from your refund.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

1. Timeframe: You have 30 days from the date you receive the item to initiate a return.
   
   
2. Initiating a Return: Go to the "Order Status & Returns" page on the RockAuto website.
   
   
3. Providing Information: Specify the quantity you want to return and the reason for the return.
   
   
4. • Return Shipping Label: RockAuto will provide a return shipping label, either electronically or through your account.
   • Deducting Shipping Costs: The cost of the return shipping label will be deducted from your refund.

That's why I use AM-Autoparts for a lot of my parts. Their return policy is; Let them know you have an issue, would you like a replacement part or refund? If refund, money is refunded asap and you can keep the old part without sending it back. You also have a 10 year warranty.

 

[MikeE024]

I started dealing with Rock Auto around 2000 and then their Customer Service was quite good....
In the past 5 years their Customer Service has changed dramatically and not for the better.

This is Rock Auto's Return Policy from their website.

RockAuto's return policy allows for returns within 30 days of receiving the item. To initiate a return, you can access the "Order Status & Returns" page on their website. You'll need to specify the quantity to be returned and the reason for the return, and RockAuto will provide a return shipping label. The cost of shipping will be deducted from your refund.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

1. Timeframe: You have 30 days from the date you receive the item to initiate a return.
   
   
2. Initiating a Return: Go to the "Order Status & Returns" page on the RockAuto website.
   
   
3. Providing Information: Specify the quantity you want to return and the reason for the return.
   
   
4. • Return Shipping Label: RockAuto will provide a return shipping label, either electronically or through your account.
   • Deducting Shipping Costs: The cost of the return shipping label will be deducted from your refund.

RA was amazing back when I first used them around 2005. I’m not a big fan now, but I use them as needed.

The return policy language fails to explain that if the product label is correct but the part is not correct, you will have an awful time trying to convince them that the part is incorrect.

And the return cost is on you even if the part is incorrect or defective. F that nonsense.

 

[twistedlv]

RA sent me 1/2 of a rear main seal recently and didn't have any more in stock. Return process was a PITA.
Done with them.

 

[Vtx531]

I had a similar problem with Rock Auto windshield wipers on a different vehicle. Seems simple enough but they were somewhat expensive wipers. A pair came with the same part numbers but two different packagings and two different wipers. I guess they updated the wipers at some point. I got one old one and one new one. Submitted for a return and they sent another...it was another version of the old one.

Maybe submit to return one and at least they should send you a replacement so you have a matching pair of shocks. Might not be the latest version though.

 

[Burnboy]

I started dealing with Rock Auto around 2000 and then their Customer Service was quite good....
In the past 5 years their Customer Service has changed dramatically and not for the better.

This is Rock Auto's Return Policy from their website.

RockAuto's return policy allows for returns within 30 days of receiving the item. To initiate a return, you can access the "Order Status & Returns" page on their website. You'll need to specify the quantity to be returned and the reason for the return, and RockAuto will provide a return shipping label. The cost of shipping will be deducted from your refund.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

1. Timeframe: You have 30 days from the date you receive the item to initiate a return.
   
   
2. Initiating a Return: Go to the "Order Status & Returns" page on the RockAuto website.
   
   
3. Providing Information: Specify the quantity you want to return and the reason for the return.
   
   
4. • Return Shipping Label: RockAuto will provide a return shipping label, either electronically or through your account.
   • Deducting Shipping Costs: The cost of the return shipping label will be deducted from your refund.

Yea I went through all of it. Was such a pain in the butt! Definitely not user friendly, especially for someone not into tech. FedEx picks them up tomorrow so hopefully they'll return my money. Minus the $20 I lose sending them back.. Any recommendations that are in the RS5000x price range? Looking for something a bit more smooth while on road. Seems like most of the forums point to the ranchos.

 

[Burnboy]

That's why I use AM-Autoparts for a lot of my parts. Their return policy is; Let them know you have an issue, would you like a replacement part or refund? If refund, money is refunded asap and you can keep the old part without sending it back. You also have a 10 year warranty.

I'll have to check out that AM Auto parts. RA has been a pain to deal with. They don't even have a phone number to talk to anyone anymore. All online BS

 

[Pascal25]

Yea I went through all of it. Was such a pain in the butt! Definitely not user friendly, especially for someone not into tech. FedEx picks them up tomorrow so hopefully they'll return my money. Minus the $20 I lose sending them back.. Any recommendations that are in the RS5000x price range? Looking for something a bit more smooth while on road. Seems like most of the forums point to the ranchos.

I see recommendations for Skyjacker Black Max shocks in the same class as Ranchos sometimes.
I just got a set of 4 Ranchos from Summit, myself, haven't put them on yet though

 

[TJ Jim]

I’ll second the Skyjacker black max. I started with the rs5000’s and one out of four was dead when they arrived. Ordered the black max directly from skyjacker which came in about two days and they ride fine.