Ralph
Why anybody would name a shock absorber 'Ralph' had us beat for a while. Apparently, the story goes, that the owner of the importing company named them after a business friend who is (well) on the big side. And the Ralph shocks are BIG. In fact, when we first saw one, we didn't think it would fit in the appropriate space under a coil-sprung Toyota Landcruiser or Nissan Patrol.
Everything about the Ralph shocks is humongous. The biggest body (70mm), the biggest bore (53mm), the biggest rod (22mm), the biggest oil-capacity and even the biggest warranty of any 4WD shock.
They're big numbers. The piston head area is more than twice that of a 35mm piston.
So, why buy Ralphs?
You wouldn't fit them to a small or medium 4WD. You wouldn't fit them to a full-sized 4WD that is used as a shopping trolley. You would fit them to a full-sized 4WD that is expected to carry the lot - even spare washers for the kitchen sink! Ralph shocks are built tough to control heavily-laden 4WDs over rough terrain, and they will outlast, and out-perform, any other shock in these conditions.
We heard of one 4WD owner, who complained that his 35mm-bore shocks didn't stand up to a long tour of inland Australia. Then, in the next breath, he proudly announced that the total (laden) weight of his Landcruiser was 3800kgs! We know what he needed.
Ralph shocks are now available for the 100-Series Toyota Landcruiser with the torsion-bar front-end. So sales are going to skyrocket. For, if any vehicle is crying out for beefier front shocks, it's the new Toyota with its disappointing IFS setup.
At $275 each, the Ralphs are not cheap, but they will do the job like no other, and remember we offer Free-delivery* within Australia.
Please use the "Shop By Vehicle" box for your specification. Alternatively phone (02) 9899 3989 or email us for more information.
Key Features Summary
1. Huge 53mm bore
2. Twin Tube Design
3. High Temperature fluid
4. 22mm, Double chrome plated rod
5. Additional welding on all studs & eyerings
6. 10 stage Velocity Sensitive Valving
7. Rod Wiper seal and Multi lip seal
8. Hydraulic rebound stop
9. 5 Year / 100,000 warranty
10. 2 Year / 40,000 warranty (commercial use)
11. 1 year warranty (mining applications)
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