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Bilstein vs Rancho

laknox
Nomad
Nomad
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
2022 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Denali Crew Cab 4x4 Duramax
B&W OEM Companion & Gooseneck Kit
2017 KZ Durango 1500 D277RLT
1936 John Deere Model A
International Flying Farmers 64 Year Member
17 REPLIES 17

laknox
Nomad
Nomad
OK. Driving style is pretty sedate (except for yesterday when a blue-hair decided to pull out in front of me and I found out how well my truck actually handled a 2-lane excursion and back). I grew up in a truck and =prefer= a truck ride...when I'm in a truck. I run my E tires at about 60-65 for daily use and run right up to 80 when I'm towing. Not all that important for adjustability, at this point in my life. 30 years ago, probably, but then it was a lot easier for me to crawl under my truck and =do= sh!t to it. :B So, if I do go Bilstein, which model?

Lyle
2022 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Denali Crew Cab 4x4 Duramax
B&W OEM Companion & Gooseneck Kit
2017 KZ Durango 1500 D277RLT
1936 John Deere Model A
International Flying Farmers 64 Year Member

Bedlam
Moderator
Moderator
They both offer lifetime guaranties but the Rancho 9000 series is adjustable and the Blistein 4600 is fixed. I went with the Rancho so I could control ride comfort whether loaded or empty. If I was always loaded, I would have chosen the less expensive Blistein.

Host Mammoth 11.5 on Ram 5500 HD

BenK
Explorer
Explorer
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
-Ben Picture of my rig
1996 GMC SLT Suburban 3/4 ton K3500/7.4L/4:1/+150Kmiles orig owner...
1980 Chevy Silverado C10/long bed/"BUILT" 5.7L/3:73/1 ton helper springs/+329Kmiles, bought it from dad...
1998 Mazda B2500 (1/2 ton) pickup, 2nd owner...
Praise Dyno Brake equiped and all have "nose bleed" braking!
Previous trucks/offroaders: 40's Jeep restored in mid 60's / 69 DuneBuggy (approx +1K lb: VW pan/200hpCorvair: eng, cam, dual carb'w velocity stacks'n 18" runners, 4spd transaxle) made myself from ground up / 1970 Toyota FJ40 / 1973 K5 Blazer (2dr Tahoe, 1 ton axles front/rear, +255K miles when sold it)...
Sold the boat (looking for another): Trophy with twin 150's...
51 cylinders in household, what's yours?...