Bilstein vs Rancho

[laknox]

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 for more info on either one.

'02 D'max 2500HD, 4x4, SWB, CC, as per my signature.

Lyle

[laknox]

Thanks for all the info, guys. As I said, I'm not a "performance" driver, but all the FW guys seem to like the Bilsteins. As I also said, I'm not in a position to adjust the things when towing. Other than the Skyjacker and Monomax, any other recommendations?

Lyle

[Bedlam]

My stock Ford shocks lost rebound dampening at some point before 80K miles, but I did not notice it until I upgraded to the heavier commercial 19.5" wheels. Compression dampening was still okay. You can definitely feel the valving difference on the Rancho between minimum, mid point and maximum settings - I had a hard time telling the difference between one or two settings difference out of the nine.

[Grit_dog]

Serious question here. Can someone with a TC feel a noticeable difference in rebound/sway with rancho 9000s vs bilsteins or other shocks?
I've not tried multiple shocks with the truck camper, but struggling with the fact that any 1" or 1-1/4" piston shock can do significantly more than another quality shock.
Same for the big 2-2-1/2" shocks like Kings or Fox. How much more awesome are they at controlling body roll?

[guidry]

Had Bilsteins on my last truck now have Ranchos. I like being able to adjust for either my 5th wheel or TC. Ranchos hands down.

[Bedlam]

I did not get the FX4 package on my F250 due to the shocks. Fleet/commercial sales actually suggested keeping stock shocks over Ford's Rancho upgrade. 80k miles later, I did upgrade to the Rancho RS9000XL when I went with heavier 19.5" wheels.

[NHIrish]

True tor sure. Those Rancho shocks on your Ford 4x4 are not Rancho shocks...oem junk with a Rancho label. That in itself makes me leary or Rancho. FYI...I did confirm this with Rancho when I fought to have the rusted rancho shocks replaced on my new Ford F350....right off the lot. Rancho confirmed that they were not Rancho...name only.

PDX.Zs wrote:
Funny.

Ranch is owned by Tenneco. You can look it up, but suffice to say they are one of the largest auto parts supplier to the oem, aftermarket, and heavy industrial sectors. They are the real deal. They also make shocks for virtually every other aftermarket suspension maker. So whatever the sticker on your shock says, if it doesn't say Bilstein, KYB, or OME, chances are it came from Tenneco.

So, along those line, there is Rancho and then there is RANCHO. Rancho is happy to sell you a low-performing shock with the Rancho name on it or a higher performing shock with the Rancho name on it.

So when you say "Rancho vs. Bilstein?!", the first question needs to be, "Exactly which Rancho are you talking about?"

At it's most basic, the 5000 is cheap oem replacement, the 5000x is a nice gas shock, the 7000 is similar to the X with a higher charge and stiffer ride and the 9000 is adjustable.

Shocks are one of those never-ending internet debates, with no right answers for everyone. But I hope this info helps a little bit.

🙂

[PDX_Zs]

Funny.

Ranch is owned by Tenneco. You can look it up, but suffice to say they are one of the largest auto parts supplier to the oem, aftermarket, and heavy industrial sectors. They are the real deal. They also make shocks for virtually every other aftermarket suspension maker. So whatever the sticker on your shock says, if it doesn't say Bilstein, KYB, or OME, chances are it came from Tenneco.

So, along those line, there is Rancho and then there is RANCHO. Rancho is happy to sell you a low-performing shock with the Rancho name on it or a higher performing shock with the Rancho name on it.

So when you say "Rancho vs. Bilstein?!", the first question needs to be, "Exactly which Rancho are you talking about?"

At it's most basic, the 5000 is cheap oem replacement, the 5000x is a nice gas shock, the 7000 is similar to the X with a higher charge and stiffer ride and the 9000 is adjustable.

Shocks are one of those never-ending internet debates, with no right answers for everyone. But I hope this info helps a little bit.

🙂

[travelnutz]

Hands down, Rancho's over Bilstein's any day any time. Yes they cost more but are a much better shock and are fully adjustable. Our present 2004.5 crew cab 4x4 diesel truck we'd ordered new in January 2004 and put the Rancho 9000's on in the fall, October of 2004 when I had replaced the OEM 245/75/16 E Bridgestone tires with new Michelin 265/75/16 E tires and those same Rancho's are still on there today. Presently the Rancho's have just under 200,000 miles on them now and have been on the truck for a full 13 years of use and are still working just like they should. What more could I ask of them?

The truck has our 11'4" Lance truck camper on all summer long approx 7 months and we switch over to our Carriage Carrilite 5th wheel (truck scale weighs 12,840 lbs loaded to travel) around Thanksgiving weekend as the 5th wheel which is used for our approx 2-1/2 month Florida wintering trip and then in Spring we switch back again.

Should the Rancho's finally wear out or fail they will certainly be replaced with the same Rancho's again! Excellent ride and we will be keeping the truck too as it's been bullet proof and just nicely broken in now as there's absolutely no rust on it and has only needed or had one repair in all those miles and years of heavy hauling and pulling. The one repair was a fuel pressure sensor replaced. The truck does everything we want it to do and sure pulls/carries, rides, and handles great and the seats/interior is still almost new looking yet, so why should we even consider replacing it?

[mountainkowboy]

I've had Rancho 9000's on one and Bilstein 4600's on another, I prefer the ride of the Bilstein 4600 over the 9000.

[Me_Again]

I had Rancho 9000's on our 2001.5 RAM and really like them, being able to adjust to the load. At 1 they soften the empty ride well. Loaded I would crank them up. If I forget either direction I would know within a few miles and reset them.

Chris

[ksss]

I put 9000's on my 3500 DRW like 4 years ago and they are a really good shock. Really shines when the truck is loaded heavy. My last two SRW Chevy 3500's ('15 and '18) have Ranchos as part of the Z71 package. I am not sure what series they are but they perform OK. I just put Bilstein 4600 on a Chevy S-10 ZR2. Have not completely rang the truck out but so far I really the Bilsteins in that application. I think either can perform .

[time2roll]

+1 that Bills are a bit overrated. My next set will be Monomax.

[SidecarFlip]

I run Skyjacker Black Max myself, mono tune, oil filled no nitrogen pre-charge. Problem with nitrogen pre charge is you have to overcome the pre charge before the shock begins to move and my truck rides hard enough as it is.

I had Rancho's and blew the seals out.. I run off road with a lot of suspension articulation so the shocks work over their full range and the Ranch's blew their rod seals. If I was really flush, I would have went to remote resivor shocks like Fox but they are oh so expensive.

My opinion (only) is Bilstein shocks are over rated.

No issues with the Skyjacker's at all.

[ford_truck_guy]

Lyle ,

This past Summer I upgraded to Bilstein 5100 and am very happy with the ride..