Shocking Question
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,051
Likes: 10
From: TEXAS
Shocking Question
OK, admit it, the post title made you just want to find out what could be so shocking......Right?
Hate to burst your bubble, but this has to do with Shocks and choice of. I figure if I am going to keep this truck, and I see no reason not to, I will be replacing the OEM Fake Rancho booted shocks very soon. I currently have 23K miles on the truck and do pull a 40' 5th wheels that tops out around 15.5K pounds.
I have owned both of the shocks in question here, just not both on a F350 so I thought I would get your opinion as to pros and cons of each.
The world famous Bilstein shock, which to be honest I think may be slightly over rated as being the King of Shocks. Maybe they were in the days past, but many other manufactures have upped the game with improvements in design and function.
Second choice is the Rancho 9000 adjustable shock. I had these on my 2013 F150 FX4 with the Rancho levelup kit. I could tell the difference in the various damper settings, but not sure that would be the same on the suspension of the F350 empty or loaded.
So lay it on me, which would you purchase?
Hate to burst your bubble, but this has to do with Shocks and choice of. I figure if I am going to keep this truck, and I see no reason not to, I will be replacing the OEM Fake Rancho booted shocks very soon. I currently have 23K miles on the truck and do pull a 40' 5th wheels that tops out around 15.5K pounds.
I have owned both of the shocks in question here, just not both on a F350 so I thought I would get your opinion as to pros and cons of each.
The world famous Bilstein shock, which to be honest I think may be slightly over rated as being the King of Shocks. Maybe they were in the days past, but many other manufactures have upped the game with improvements in design and function.
Second choice is the Rancho 9000 adjustable shock. I had these on my 2013 F150 FX4 with the Rancho levelup kit. I could tell the difference in the various damper settings, but not sure that would be the same on the suspension of the F350 empty or loaded.
So lay it on me, which would you purchase?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
Bilstein HD are the most economical choice. They're the yellow/blue ones and they are supposed to be rugged and stiff. I've installed these on all my trucks.
Bilstein 5100 series are more expensive, the stainless steel looking ones, and I don't know why they exist? Are they stiffer than the HD ones? Better?
Ranch 9000 is very common and there are detailed reviews here, I think KC9QV user wrote one? They're expensive and lots of people like them from what I read.
That's all I got. My experience with the yellow HD shocks has always been good.
Bilstein 5100 series are more expensive, the stainless steel looking ones, and I don't know why they exist? Are they stiffer than the HD ones? Better?
Ranch 9000 is very common and there are detailed reviews here, I think KC9QV user wrote one? They're expensive and lots of people like them from what I read.
That's all I got. My experience with the yellow HD shocks has always been good.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 859
Likes: 10
From: North Carolina
I had great results with Bilstein 5100's on my last truck (F250). I haven't gotten that far with this truck yet. If you like the Ranchos theres no reason not to go with those again. I have heard good things about the Monroe Magnums too.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 859
Likes: 10
From: North Carolina
Bilstein HD are the most economical choice. They're the yellow/blue ones and they are supposed to be rugged and stiff. I've installed these on all my trucks.
Bilstein 5100 series are more expensive, the stainless steel looking ones, and I don't know why they exist? Are they stiffer than the HD ones? Better?
Ranch 9000 is very common and there are detailed reviews here, I think KC9QV user wrote one? They're expensive and lots of people like them from what I read.
That's all I got. My experience with the yellow HD shocks has always been good.
Bilstein 5100 series are more expensive, the stainless steel looking ones, and I don't know why they exist? Are they stiffer than the HD ones? Better?
Ranch 9000 is very common and there are detailed reviews here, I think KC9QV user wrote one? They're expensive and lots of people like them from what I read.
That's all I got. My experience with the yellow HD shocks has always been good.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 443
Likes: 30
I put the 5100's on my F250 with 3k miles on it and have never looked back, they ride great, they handle well, and they seem to be holding up, haven't noticed any degradation, about 40k on it now.
I tow a 10K boat trailer, and the truck always feels very well controlled. But I did Firestone Air Bags as well, after towing the boat one way to Florida found it squatted too much, and I did get some rear end bounce on bad road surfaces, I am running 700 lbs on the hitch. The Airbags with 30 psi solved all those problems.
I tow a 10K boat trailer, and the truck always feels very well controlled. But I did Firestone Air Bags as well, after towing the boat one way to Florida found it squatted too much, and I did get some rear end bounce on bad road surfaces, I am running 700 lbs on the hitch. The Airbags with 30 psi solved all those problems.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,778
Likes: 153
I have run a lot of different over the years. Used a lot of Monroe's and never anything but happy. But that is my street world, daily driver in traffic heading to some office to drive back home 8 hrs later.
My other world is trucks (3 F 350's), lots of Jeep for extreme off road and highway travel (firm believer in drive it to the trail, drive it home). In that world its been Rancho 9000 adjustable. Shock companies can talk all the automatic adjustable they want, but the auto adjust always happens after the event. I like being able to dial in my own ride...maybe that is just me, but I am a Rancho guy!
I don't think there is anything wrong with Bilts, Kings and a host of others, but if you want 9 levels of adjustability and you want to be able to dial it in to suit you and your rig, then Rancho has a great solution.
My other world is trucks (3 F 350's), lots of Jeep for extreme off road and highway travel (firm believer in drive it to the trail, drive it home). In that world its been Rancho 9000 adjustable. Shock companies can talk all the automatic adjustable they want, but the auto adjust always happens after the event. I like being able to dial in my own ride...maybe that is just me, but I am a Rancho guy!
I don't think there is anything wrong with Bilts, Kings and a host of others, but if you want 9 levels of adjustability and you want to be able to dial it in to suit you and your rig, then Rancho has a great solution.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Reno, Nevada
I put Bilts on my last motor home (E450) at 2,000 miles and never regretted it.
I just ordered a set of 5100 shocks and a 5100 steering damper for my '12 F350 ($411 OTD from Amazon)
My OEM junk has 25,000 miles and past due for a change.
Just saying, Larry
I just ordered a set of 5100 shocks and a 5100 steering damper for my '12 F350 ($411 OTD from Amazon)
My OEM junk has 25,000 miles and past due for a change.
Just saying, Larry
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 508
Likes: 0
i like the 9000xl's much better over the stock "rancho's".. but IMO i couldn't tell the difference with adjusting them. they lasted 30K miles but i can tell there shot driving now. as soon as it gets above freezing i will be putting a new lift on and i chose fox 2.0 shocks this time.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,778
Likes: 153
i like the 9000xl's much better over the stock "rancho's".. but IMO i couldn't tell the difference with adjusting them. they lasted 30K miles but i can tell there shot driving now. as soon as it gets above freezing i will be putting a new lift on and i chose fox 2.0 shocks this time.
If yours are worn out, then there is this:
"LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY (limited to qualifying Rancho® products only)*
Tenneco warrants qualifying Rancho® products against defects in materials or workmanship (except finish) when used under normal operating conditions for as long as the products are installed on, and the original purchaser owns, the original vehicle on which they were installed.
LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY QUALIFYING PRODUCTS:
Rancho® quickLIFT™
Rancho® RS9000XL™ Shock Absorbers
Rancho® RS7000MT™ Monotube Shock Absorbers
Rancho® RS5000™ Shock Absorbers
Rancho® RS5000X™ Shock Absorbers
Rancho® Light Truck Suspension Components "
Limited Lifetime Warranty / 90-Day Risk-Free Ride Offer
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 4,735
Likes: 1
From: Hattiesburg, Ms.
i like the 9000xl's much better over the stock "rancho's".. but IMO i couldn't tell the difference with adjusting them. they lasted 30K miles but i can tell there shot driving now. as soon as it gets above freezing i will be putting a new lift on and i chose fox 2.0 shocks this time.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,470
Likes: 535
From: Chandler, AZ
An adjustable shock can provide a benefit over a fixed valving shock when the loading of the truck changes. As far as adjustable shocks go, the rachos are one of the cheapest. Note they have only a single adjustment, as apposed to double or triple adjustable dampeners like on a motorcycle or high end racing shock (high/low compression, rebound)
Another option is a re-valvable/re-buildable shock, I run Icon 2.0's. They are $50 to re-work.
Adjustability is not as critical for a stock truck, compared to a truck that has non-OEM spring rates (like progressive coils) and increased unsprung weight (big tires).
Another option is a re-valvable/re-buildable shock, I run Icon 2.0's. They are $50 to re-work.
Adjustability is not as critical for a stock truck, compared to a truck that has non-OEM spring rates (like progressive coils) and increased unsprung weight (big tires).
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 1
From: Wasaga Beach, ON
I had 9000XL's on my Avalanche as part of the Rancho lift kit. They lasted less than a year and they were done. Rancho replaced them under warranty but I still had to do all the work to re-n-re the struts. I found no difference in the **** positions. Doubt I would spend the money on them again but others like them.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
There was a guy/member here who went by srkr I think and he always made this point which I kind of agree with.
If rancho is willing to let ford use this crappy OEM shock with a rancho sticker on it, then why on earth would I want to buy one of their products? By placing their name on these awful shocks they are okay with the perception that their brand is all about cosmetics and less about real performance. This says to me that they have "sold out" in a way which leaves a negative vibe in my little brain.
Now, rancho representatives have been here at Fte to promote their product and try to ease folks like myself that their "real" shocks are good quality, so, I'm just adding another log on the fire here. It's been a long time since we had this debate at FTE and with all the new faces it would be cool to see what y'all think.
If rancho is willing to let ford use this crappy OEM shock with a rancho sticker on it, then why on earth would I want to buy one of their products? By placing their name on these awful shocks they are okay with the perception that their brand is all about cosmetics and less about real performance. This says to me that they have "sold out" in a way which leaves a negative vibe in my little brain.
Now, rancho representatives have been here at Fte to promote their product and try to ease folks like myself that their "real" shocks are good quality, so, I'm just adding another log on the fire here. It's been a long time since we had this debate at FTE and with all the new faces it would be cool to see what y'all think.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 10,107
Likes: 96
From: Hempstead, TX
I put the 9000XL's on my truck and there is a great improvement over the stock crap that came on it, but I only have the stock to compare with. There may be better shocks out there, but I am happy with what I have now, and I got them during their Shocktober sale and was refunded the purchase price of one shock with purchase of four. I used to dread highway expansion joints as my rear would try to get airborne or the whole truck would try to abruptly change lanes. I now have much better control and don't need two hands on the wheel when crossing expansion joints.