Shock Opinions
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Rather Be Floatin
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,468
Likes: 0
From: Marble Falls, Tx.
Shock Opinions
Ok I have read all the shock threads and am more confused than ever.
I want to replace the stock Ranchos with either Rancho 9000XL's or Bilsteins. I put Bilsteins in the 2003 (2wd) and it made it ride like a dump truck great shocks just a very harsh ride. I would like to keep the comfortable ride. Has anyone here tried the Rancho 7000MT's? I am kind of leaning toward the 9000's so I can tune the ride with the flip of a switch? So those of yall with Bilsteins and the Ranchos can you give me some pro's and cons of them?
I want to replace the stock Ranchos with either Rancho 9000XL's or Bilsteins. I put Bilsteins in the 2003 (2wd) and it made it ride like a dump truck great shocks just a very harsh ride. I would like to keep the comfortable ride. Has anyone here tried the Rancho 7000MT's? I am kind of leaning toward the 9000's so I can tune the ride with the flip of a switch? So those of yall with Bilsteins and the Ranchos can you give me some pro's and cons of them?
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
I have been told they are both great shocks, huge upgrade. I opted for the Bilstein 5100's and never looked back. I have a hard time putting Rancho's back on the truck, maybe silly but the sub par shock with their name on it that was stock (FX4 upgrade) left a nasty taste in my mouth. I am sure 9000xl's are a good shock, trust those who have installed them and reccommend them. Just a matter of preference...........After 5000k miles the Bilsteins are performing flawlessly,,,,but I can't adjust them on the fly,,,,,the ride does not seem rough,
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,100
Likes: 380
From: Southern California
1) Koni- Excellent for racing applications- overpriced for street applications
2) Tokico, QA1 & Bilstein- A very good shock for street/strip applications. If you are running very stiff tires on the street (such as Bridgstone that are 100% steel belted or tires with profiles shorter than 50 series), these provide the extra give that you need for both comfort & stability
3) KYB- A very good shock for street/strip applications. If you are running a softer tires on the street (such as BFG that are a mix of steel & nylon belted or tires with profiles not shorter than 50 series), these provide the extra stiffness that you need for both comfort & stability. The Exel-G’s (formerly GR-2) are the equivalent to the Edelbrock IAS automatic adjusting units. Overall, stiffness between the Gas-a-just and the GR2’s are the same, the difference is the GR-2's valving which stiffens things up from a oem setting to that of the Gas-a-just units.. Best shock for the $/best price typically found at Performance Suspension Technologies (PST) and typically about 1/3 less than Bilstein.
4) Gabriel- A very nice good quality HD OEM replacement type unit.
2) Tokico, QA1 & Bilstein- A very good shock for street/strip applications. If you are running very stiff tires on the street (such as Bridgstone that are 100% steel belted or tires with profiles shorter than 50 series), these provide the extra give that you need for both comfort & stability
3) KYB- A very good shock for street/strip applications. If you are running a softer tires on the street (such as BFG that are a mix of steel & nylon belted or tires with profiles not shorter than 50 series), these provide the extra stiffness that you need for both comfort & stability. The Exel-G’s (formerly GR-2) are the equivalent to the Edelbrock IAS automatic adjusting units. Overall, stiffness between the Gas-a-just and the GR2’s are the same, the difference is the GR-2's valving which stiffens things up from a oem setting to that of the Gas-a-just units.. Best shock for the $/best price typically found at Performance Suspension Technologies (PST) and typically about 1/3 less than Bilstein.
4) Gabriel- A very nice good quality HD OEM replacement type unit.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 7,302
Likes: 1,153
From: Edmonton Alberta
I have been told they are both great shocks, huge upgrade. I opted for the Bilstein 5100's and never looked back. I have a hard time putting Rancho's back on the truck, maybe silly but the sub par shock with their name on it that was stock (FX4 upgrade) left a nasty taste in my mouth. I am sure 9000xl's are a good shock, trust those who have installed them and reccommend them. Just a matter of preference...........After 5000k miles the Bilsteins are performing flawlessly,,,,but I can't adjust them on the fly,,,,,the ride does not seem rough,
Thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,158
Likes: 35
From: North of Salt Lake City
I put the Ranchos on because I have used them before with great success. The FX4 shocks were really terrible and it just didn't make sense. Whatever excuse they come up with, the fact remains that Rancho made a huge mistake manufacturing those and putting their name on them. I have never used Bilsteins before so I can't speak to those but I can say with confidence that the 9000s work as expected. I love the ability to tune them as needed. I set them to 6 up front and 3 in back when unloaded. When towing, I just change the back shocks to 9 and leave the fronts alone.
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 675
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ
I put the Ranchos on because I have used them before with great success. The FX4 shocks were really terrible and it just didn't make sense. Whatever excuse they come up with, the fact remains that Rancho made a huge mistake manufacturing those and putting their name on them. I have never used Bilsteins before so I can't speak to those but I can say with confidence that the 9000s work as expected. I love the ability to tune them as needed. I set them to 6 up front and 3 in back when unloaded. When towing, I just change the back shocks to 9 and leave the fronts alone.
BTW - The stock shocks were crap on that truck too, only lasted about 18 months.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,571
Likes: 55
You have probably all read my thread by now too on the Rancho 9000's with MyRide. About all I will say here is the ability to adjust the shocks is what sold me on them. Without adjusting the shocks and tuning to what you prefer, how do you know what your ride quality is? The MyRide system is nice to be able to play with the adjustments without stopping, getting under the truck, and trying it again. Adjusting the shocks defines the ride quality - you can put it on both sides of the spectrum and adjust to what you want. Fixed shocks won't ever give you that.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,865
Likes: 34
From: Annandale, VA
I just let Steve tell me which settings are best 
for my 9000XL's.
I like that I can change them when I'm towing and change them when the load is off the back of the truck. Fixin' to turn them up for the tow out to Vegas.
for my 9000XL's. I like that I can change them when I'm towing and change them when the load is off the back of the truck. Fixin' to turn them up for the tow out to Vegas.
New User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: houston,texas
I have a 2011 f-350 sd , truck has the camper package,I installed the Bilsteins (5100) and my truck rides too stiff now,when on the freeway and I come in contact with some uneven pavement the front end of the truck bounces and the rear also bounces. I do not like the ride at all.I will be installing the Rancho 9000s and then I will be able to tell you which is better first hand. I will be selling the Bilsteins if anyone is interested.
Cross-Country
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 74
Likes: 6
[quote=RedBoat;11575138]Ok I have read all the shock threads and am more confused than ever.
I want to replace the stock Ranchos with either Rancho 9000XL's or Bilsteins. I put Bilsteins in the 2003 (2wd) and it made it ride like a dump truck great shocks just a very harsh ride. I would like to keep the comfortable ride. Has anyone here tried the Rancho 7000MT's? I am kind of leaning toward the 9000's so I can tune the ride with the flip of a switch? So those of yall with Bilsteins and the Ranchos can you give me some pro's and cons of them? [/quote
On my 08 fx4 I just wanted something different. So i started with the bilsteins and i felt the same as you do that they rode way to stiff so i took them back and went with the rancho 9000's And out of the 2 i feal the rancho is the way to go. They ride so much nicer then the bilstines did and like you say they can be set to how you want. But if you relly want the bilsteins and they are nice, you can have them revalved buy bilstein to how you want them. But that is $65 per shock. You can go what ever way but for sure the rancho's will give a smoother ride out of the box.
I want to replace the stock Ranchos with either Rancho 9000XL's or Bilsteins. I put Bilsteins in the 2003 (2wd) and it made it ride like a dump truck great shocks just a very harsh ride. I would like to keep the comfortable ride. Has anyone here tried the Rancho 7000MT's? I am kind of leaning toward the 9000's so I can tune the ride with the flip of a switch? So those of yall with Bilsteins and the Ranchos can you give me some pro's and cons of them?
[/quoteOn my 08 fx4 I just wanted something different. So i started with the bilsteins and i felt the same as you do that they rode way to stiff so i took them back and went with the rancho 9000's And out of the 2 i feal the rancho is the way to go. They ride so much nicer then the bilstines did and like you say they can be set to how you want. But if you relly want the bilsteins and they are nice, you can have them revalved buy bilstein to how you want them. But that is $65 per shock. You can go what ever way but for sure the rancho's will give a smoother ride out of the box.
