Shocks
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Shocks
I know there has been alot of posts about this topic and I have done a lot of research on this and have narrowed it down to Rancho RS9000 or Bilsteins. I have read alot of good things about both of these shocks just need some help deciding which one. I have a 2004 F250 Diesel and am looking for something that will give me a nice comfortable ride. I currently have 82k on my truck and shocks are trashed. Any help would be appreciated. By the way I can get either one of those shocks for roughly the same price so thats not an issue.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,543
Likes: 0
Bilstiens are good heavy use shocks but they will make your truck ride a lot stiffer than the stock ones. I put them on my truck but I carry a lot of weight and they still ride stiffer, but that is what they are designed for. If you like a nice smooth ride the bilstiens are not for you but if you go off road and want better handling or carry wieght then yes they are great. I don't know about the rancho's, I never tried them.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
I appreciate every ones input I'm still kinda of undecided. I don't do very much off roading and looking for a smooth ride. I wish some people with Rancho's would check in and tell me how they ride. Thanks for the help though.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 182
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
I have had the Rancho 9000XLs on my 08 F350 and now a 11 F350. I use them to dampen the roll caused by a 4000#+ truck camper I carry in the bed. Mine are adjusted by hand from a level of 1 to 9. I need them on 9. They work very well, the best suspension mod of the several I have.
There is a rebate going with the Ranchos, buy 4 and get a free wireless adjuster. Without the wireless control you have to crawl under the truck to change the setting,so unless you are happy with one of the low settings loaded or unloaded you'lll be under the truck. I leave mine at 9 so unloaded its a harsh ride.
If you can still get the wireless adjuster control its not an issue.
BTW I chose the Ranchos because I was told at the upper load limits like mine they performed best. I have no complaints.
There is a rebate going with the Ranchos, buy 4 and get a free wireless adjuster. Without the wireless control you have to crawl under the truck to change the setting,so unless you are happy with one of the low settings loaded or unloaded you'lll be under the truck. I leave mine at 9 so unloaded its a harsh ride.
If you can still get the wireless adjuster control its not an issue.
BTW I chose the Ranchos because I was told at the upper load limits like mine they performed best. I have no complaints.
Last edited by nycsteve; Jan 7, 2011 at 06:14 AM. Reason: spelling
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Thanks for the input where do you get the rebate for the free wireless controller. I've looked at the rancho site and other places and haven't seen that anywhere.
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 2
From: Albemarle, NC
I love my bilsteins. A few people on here preach that they are stiff, but in my opinion (and we all know opinions vary alot) they are not that much stiffer then stock and really tightened up the truck. My $.02
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 790
Likes: 1
From: Fort. Lauderdale FL,
I am currently running the 9k's on my truck for about 50k now and love them. I keep them at 5 for every day use. When I pull the trailer it put the rears up depending on which trailer weight wise how high i go. If I take a trip I put them down to 2 or 3 or less sometimes. I think its great to have a choice I know the Blistiens area very good shock but I just like the adjustablity. It does make a big difference. Now I dont have the controller so I have to do it myself but I am a young guy I dont mind getting on the hands and knees for 2 sec every couple weeks. If you could infact get the 9ks with the wireless remote then I would be on that like white on rice but tahts only because I have them and I like em. Either way they are both quality. But if you dont like the ride of the blistiens be it to hard or soft your stuck.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Both are good shocks, and each has its place.
If you want increased dampening and superior loaded and offroad handling, Bilstein 5100's.
If you want adjustability and highway ride, go Rancho.
I don't think either shock will disappoint you. They are both an upgrade from even good OEM shocks, much less worn out factory shocks. Which one is right for you depends on what you want out of them.
Please let us know if we can be of any assistance.
Aced Engineering
If you want increased dampening and superior loaded and offroad handling, Bilstein 5100's.
If you want adjustability and highway ride, go Rancho.
I don't think either shock will disappoint you. They are both an upgrade from even good OEM shocks, much less worn out factory shocks. Which one is right for you depends on what you want out of them.
Please let us know if we can be of any assistance.
Aced Engineering
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
84StraightSix
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
8
Apr 13, 2017 02:38 PM
351Cleveland C4
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
8
Oct 1, 2013 06:48 PM
'94Mesquite
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
11
Jul 29, 2009 09:34 AM