my 2006 with 120Kmi has the original off road pkg shocks, i have a pair of Bilstein 5100s fairly new on a truck i am selling

is it worth the effort to switch them out?

how will it change the ride of my ride?

thanks

 

Not sure but the ones on the truck are they Rancho? If so they are a basic model just for the sake of selling with vehicle. The FX4 package I know has Rancho's as stock so wasn't sure if you had them. I would be willing to bet the 5100's will be better if they are new shocks and not abused.

 

yes it has the Rancho's from the FX4 off road pkg

i have to say that the 06 V10 4x4 ext cab short bed with 17 inch wheels and 5100's
rides rougher than the 06 6.0 4x4 ext cab long bed with 20's and oem ranchos

would the lighter weight on the V10 and short bed combine to make a stiffer ride?
or could it be partially do to shocks?

 

From reviews on here the OEM Rancho shocks are no prize. You would be better off with the Bilstein 5100's or maybe even the Rancho 7000 series.

 

The Bilstein 4600 series would be what you want. The 5100 series are for lifted trucks and off road abuse. Or you could try the Rancho 9000 series.

 

I have the 5100 series as do many others on this forum and I don't off road. The plating alone is a good reason for them.

 

i see by the bilstein website they recommend this series for lifted trucks
mine is stock height

will that be a problem?

thanks

 

They have shocks for stock height trucks as well. My fronts are designed to be used at stock height or 2" leveling kit. Try tirerack.com, they have part numbers and such.

Bilstein 5100 Series Adj Shock

 

5100's work fine on stock height trucks, got mine at eshocks.com

 

Trash the Rancho "branded" Ford's. The 5100's are what you want. They maybe a bit stiff but they have control up the wazoo.

 

The Bilstein 5100's really aren't for "off-roading;" they're more for controlling big tires on pavement that's in less than stellar condition.

There was a fellow around here several years ago who literally melted the boots off a set of 5100's on washboard roads, and Bilstein refused to warranty them.

As all Bilstein shocks do, they do a good job of allowing the vehicle to keep it's handling composure (such as it is on these trucks) when not going in a straight and level flight path. I typically see excellent control results when going over bridge-deck expansion joints and transition pads on a curved bridge. (I've had Bilstein driving experiences in a BMW 5-series, a Chevy 1/2-ton, and this F250.)

The ride is a little harsher, especially when they're new. Although as rough as these trucks ride when not fully loaded, that's something of a relative statement. The same valving that makes the ride almost punishing on broken short-slab city streets, also keeps the truck from wandering all over three lanes of traffic as it bounces across those same expansion joints.

(The "Rancho branded" factory shocks that the 5100's replaced were junk from the moment it rolled off the transporter.)

-blaine

 

The 4600 series bilsteins ride way better than the 5100 series. The 5100 were too stiff for my taste, however I will try the Rancho 9000 next time.

 

My FX4 package came with Rancho shocks and rode fine, however, the Bilstein 5100s are very nice riding. I've had them on a Jeep Rubicon as well as on my lifted F250 and would recommend them in a heartbeat.

 

I have the 5100 they are a good shock. The factories where done before I replaced them at 30 k. Long bed bounce more and when you add a low profile tire on a 20 inch rim you get even more. So it no suppress that that long bed with 20 rim rides harsher then the short bed with standard rims and tires.


i have to say that the 06 V10 4x4 ext cab short bed with and 5100's



rides rougher than the 06 6.0 4x4 ext cab long bed with 20's and oem ranchos

 

I put the 5100 on every F150 I owned, they are a great shock. They are a heavy duty shock which does give the truck a better feel especially when hauling or towing. Off road shocks tend to give a little softer ride but are not as good for towing.