Do you remember the movie 'Click'
starring Adam Sandler?
Michael Newman (Adam Sandler) goes in search of a universal-function remote
control for his household appliances. He meets Morty (Christopher Walken), an
eccentric inventor who gives him a remote control unit from the "Way
Beyond" section of his store, and warns Michael that it can never be
returned.
To Michael's amazement, he finds out that the remote is 'literally' universal.
It controls the universe and interprets his wishes (even learning to anticipate
them). After having some fun with it, he decides to do something serious and
fast-forwards to the job promotion he thought to be three months away. When he
fast-forwards, a year goes by instead. He receives the promotion, but he and
his wife are now in marriage counseling.
The remote is smart, self-programming based on past experiences and is
automatically set to skip or fast-forward through sickness, showering, traffic,
arguments with Donna (his wife), and job promotions.
What does this have to do with the new Rancho wireless Myride remote control
system?
Nothing!... I was getting you thinking though!
The new Rancho Myride wireless remote control system is a gadget. Love them or
loath them, this one is great for serious off-road enthusiasts, outback touring
families and gadget-freaks alike.
What is it and what does it do?
For vehicles fitted with Rancho externally adjustable shocks (Rancho RS9000,
RS9000X, RS9000XL) this device (fitted additionally) means that you can control
the shocks stiffness (therefore the control and ride characteristics of the
vehicle) simply by pushing buttons on a hand-held remote. You can even adjust
the shocks settings on-the-move.
Choose either firm ride or soft, or somewhere in between. There are four preset
configurations, or you can select your own.
Like the previous versions of Rancho remote kits, the wireless Rancho Myride
unit uses air pressure to control a mechanism inside the shocks.
When the shocks are used as boxed with their factory-fitted, finger-tuned,
9-position ride-adjustment knobs, the position of the knob has a telescopic
effect on the reverse side of the fitting. This telescope determines the
position of a small spring-loaded piston. Where the small piston is placed
determines the metering of the rate of oil flow inside the shock, and hence,
you receive your differences in shock absorber damping or firmness.
With the Myride unit fitted, elbow joint air fittings replace the manual
adjustment knobs, and it is air-pressure which determines the placement of the
small spring-load piston at the base of the shock. The system is almost always
pressurized. When you install air into the system, the small spring-loaded
piston gets pushed back, restricting the oil-flow and increasing the damping
rate or firmness. When you relieve air from the system, the small spring-loaded
piston comes forward allowing for faster oil-flow and less damping or a softer
ride.
The kit we supply includes everything
you need for installation apart from your own time. The hand-held remote (about
the size of a mobile phone) sends the signals to a box-style receiver. The
receiver is wired to the air pump and tells the pump to either fire up or drop
air from the system. The air-pump has air-lines and other simple plumbing that
extend down to each individual shock absorber.
It's really quite simple, and very functional.
Here are some pics of the components as fitted to my JK Wrangler Rubicon.
This one features the small box-style
receiver. We made an L-shape bracket for it to be mounted off the engine pulley
bracket.
This picture shows the air compressor (quite
compact) mounted between the Jeep's fuse box and battery.
The last picture here shows the air
line as connected to the shock. Note the new elbow-joint air fitting that
replaces the manual adjustment knob.
How hard is it to fit?
I would be happy to say "easy, but time consuming". If you only
needed to link it up on the lounge room floor, you could get it together and
going in 20 minutes.
Because you want everything to mounted on the vehicle nicely, both in
presentation and durability of fit, it takes a lot of time. The air-lines are
really strong, but the same as with lockers, you want the air-lines to be out
of harms way as much as possible. You want to ensure enough travel of line to
the shock to allow for the travel of the wheel, yet you don't want loose
airline flapping about off-road.
Recap.... Easy to fit, but time consuming. If you are a novice without prior
experience, take your time. Make it a weekend project and you'll have a great
result.
It is worth the expense?
Yes. I have to say that don't I?... but I reckon it's true.
The adjustment feature on the shocks is fair-dinkum. If you own dual-purpose
vehicle, say a Toyota Hilux dual-cab, and the Hilux is used for both work and
family, alternative brand uprate-type shocks cannot give you both the control
you desire under load or towing, and also provide a great unladen or
lighter-load ride.
Same deal for 4WD family wagons that perhaps spend 90% of their time 'around
town', yet load up to tackle more serious terrain on weekends and holidays.
With a set of Rancho RS9000X or RS9000XL shocks under your vehicle, is it great
to be able to dial up firm for maximum control when required. When unladen or
with lighter loads, you can dial the shocks valving right down (even much
softer than the factory shock valving if you like). This allows the relatively
stiff 4WD springs to operate more freely, and results in a significantly
better, more comfortable ride.
It really does make a big difference.
When it comes to terrain, problem is, rarely will you stop the car, get out and
adjust the knobs for a short range of travel. You probably wouldn't do it for
5km of driving, let alone a shorter stretch of road.
With the new Rancho wireless Myride system fitted, you make much more use of
the shocks adjustment. You maximise their value and function - because it's
easy. Because it's now push-button technology.
With the new Rancho wireless Myride system fitted, you really provide yourself
with a different vehicle. One with the ability to operate at the optimum level
of ride control and comfort whatever the pace and rate of change in terrain.
Perhaps the Myride remote control unit is from Adam Sandlers movie 'Click'
after all....
Cheers,
KB.
