Bilstein vs Rancho
I mentioned to a mechanic friend that I was looking to put some Bilsteins on my truck and he sort of pooh-poohed them and recommended Ranchos. Bilsteins seem to always get the nod here, just looking ...
Forum Discussion
Very subjective and personal to how you drive, where you drive, what you drive, etc
If 'ride quality' is high on your have to have list, then the herd (middle of that bell curve) recommendations would suit best. Many consider OEM just fine and some up a bit into higher dampening rates
If 'performance' is high on your have to have list, then the higher end towards performance shocks would suit best. Much higher dampening rates (both compression and expansion rates...along with more aggressive valving on the more expensive). Almost all these days are pressurized, but not needed unless you drive HARD
See many go with 'ride quality' and then install rear anti-lean bars (anti sway...not to be confused with anti sway hitch systems), which then reduce 'ride quality'...because the amount of lean is more common with lower dampening rate shocks
It can get technical, but not for the general public...just find someone who drives like you do, where you do, what you do, etc and then their recommendation more fitting to 'your driving'.
An example on that...I drive HARD and AGGRESSIVELY most all the time empty...not so much towing and am conservative up to a point.
So for me...Bilstein's can't keep up with my driving style....Rancho's kinda sorta...current KYB MonMax's can, but still prefer Edelbrock IAS Mono Tube's...but that is my preferences and know few out there on this forum would like'm
Also, tire class and what you air them up to in PSI vs sidewall max makes a huge difference, as tires are part of the dampening system. Rim width vs that tire size chart's recommendation likewise makes a difference (sidewall bend-back, strength, stiffness, etc). Go to the narrowest recommended rim width for your tire and there will be more sidewall bend-back...therefore better ride quality. Widest rim from the chart will have less sidewall bend-back, therefore less ride quality
If 'ride quality' is high on your have to have list, then the herd (middle of that bell curve) recommendations would suit best. Many consider OEM just fine and some up a bit into higher dampening rates
If 'performance' is high on your have to have list, then the higher end towards performance shocks would suit best. Much higher dampening rates (both compression and expansion rates...along with more aggressive valving on the more expensive). Almost all these days are pressurized, but not needed unless you drive HARD
See many go with 'ride quality' and then install rear anti-lean bars (anti sway...not to be confused with anti sway hitch systems), which then reduce 'ride quality'...because the amount of lean is more common with lower dampening rate shocks
It can get technical, but not for the general public...just find someone who drives like you do, where you do, what you do, etc and then their recommendation more fitting to 'your driving'.
An example on that...I drive HARD and AGGRESSIVELY most all the time empty...not so much towing and am conservative up to a point.
So for me...Bilstein's can't keep up with my driving style....Rancho's kinda sorta...current KYB MonMax's can, but still prefer Edelbrock IAS Mono Tube's...but that is my preferences and know few out there on this forum would like'm
Also, tire class and what you air them up to in PSI vs sidewall max makes a huge difference, as tires are part of the dampening system. Rim width vs that tire size chart's recommendation likewise makes a difference (sidewall bend-back, strength, stiffness, etc). Go to the narrowest recommended rim width for your tire and there will be more sidewall bend-back...therefore better ride quality. Widest rim from the chart will have less sidewall bend-back, therefore less ride quality
